La mort d'Arthure : The history of King Arthur and of the knights of the Round Table

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RQULND THAXTER,

Hibrarp of C>ID autDorsf.

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la a^ort D'artbure.

THE

HISTORY OF KING ARTHUR

AND OF THE KNIGHTS OF THE
BOUND TABLE.

COMPILED BY SIR THOMAS MALORY, Knt.

EDITED PROM THE TEXT OF THE EDITION OF 1634,
WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES

BY THOMAS WRIGHT, Esq., M.A., F.S.A.,

HON. M.R.S.L. ETC. CORBE8FONDINQ MEMBER
OF THE INSTITUTE OP FRANCE.

VOL. I.

^ : .. -"■

LONDON:

JOHN RUSSELL SMITH,

SOHO SQUARE.

1858.

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■P

INTRODUCTION.

IpHE origin of the cycle of romances^ which have
for their subject the adventures of king Arthur
and his knights^ and which were during many
ages s6 popular throughout nearly all the
countries of Europe, appears to be inyolved in impenetrable
mystery, and I will not attempt to discuss it on the present
occasion. We first become acquainted with the story which
forms the groundwork of them in the pretended History of
the Britons, published in the year 1147, by Geofl5:ey of
Monmouth, who acknowledges that his materials came from
Britany, which country, therefore, we may perhaps safely
regard as the cradle of this branch of mediaeval literature.
Geofl5:ey's history was new to everybody in England ; but
it excited not only great interest, but apparently great ad-
miration, and it was seized upon by the metrical chroniclers
in Anglo-Norman and English, such as Gaimar and Wace,
who were contemporary with GeoflSrey of Monmouth him-
self, and a little later the Anglo-Saxon Layamon, who
turned it into verse with more or less of variation and am-
plification. It is quite evident, nevertheless, from a com-
parison of these versions with the original, that the various
writers had ao knowledge of the romantic stories they tell

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vi INTRODUCTION.

independent of that original, and that their alterations and
amplifications were the mere liberties which they considered
themselves authorized as poets to take. Nevertheless, in
the course of the second half of the twelfth century the story
of king Arthur and his knights took suddenly a great de-
velopment, and presents us with a multitude of new incidents
with which Geoffrey of Monmouth could not have been
acquainted. It is impossible now to decide from whence
these new incidents were derived, or how much of them were
tlie mere invention of the writers, who seem indeed to have
worked into their narrative popular stories then current,
and derived from various sources, but which had really no
relation to it. I will, therefore, not venture upon any dis-
cussion of these questions, but proceed simply to state the
known facts of the literary history of the long and curious
romance of which an edition is given to the public in the
present volumes.

The first of these romances, which composed this new
development of the story — ^for the series of which we are
speaking consists of several separate narratives — ^is that of
the St. Graal, the holy vessel or " hanap," which had been
preserved by Joseph of Arimathea after the death of the
"Saviour, and which was pretended to have been brought,
after many marvellous adventures, into the isle of Brit-
ain. This history has no immediate connection with that
of king Arthur, but seems to have been founded on some
mysterious religious legend, brought perhaps from the
East during the age of the crusades. The next in order
of date of these compilations is the history of the prophet
and enchanter Merlin, which, composed periiaps partly
of Breton legends, was certainly built upon the foundation

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INTRODUCTION. vii

whicli had been laid bj Geoffirey of Monmouth. We
have^ however, here the events of king Arthur's reign, which
had been told briefly by Geoffi-ey, much amplified, and we
are introduced to some of the principal knights of the round
table. The third of these romances was that of Lancelot
du Lac, which is devoted to the adventures of that hero and
to his amours with queen Guenever. This was followed
by the Queste du St. Graal, or search of the St. Graal,
which had been already partly related in the romance of
Lancelot, and which is now conducted more especially by
Perceval, Gawaine, Lancelot, and the son of the latter,
Galaad or Galahad, who finally succeeds in achieving the
adventure. The fifth and last of these romances was that
which was more particularly known as the Mort Artus, or
Mort d'Arthmre, in which Lancelot's intrigues with the
queen and the enmity of Gtiwaine's brothers lead to the
war which ended in king Arthur's death, and concludes the
history of all his adventurous knights.

These five romances are written in prose, in the Anglo-
Norman dialect of the French tongue ; and there can be no
doubt that they were compiled by two writers of the reign
of Henry II. of England, one who names himself Kobert
de Borron, and the other a celebrated writer who lived at
that monarch's court, and is known popularly by the name
of Walter Mapes, though his name is usually written Map
in the manuscripts. The first of these writers claims the
Boman du St. Graal and the History of Merlin, while Mapes
was the author of Lancelot, the Queste du St. Graal, and
the Mort Artus.

Subsequently to the appearance of these romances, tw6
4iew writers of the sam^ stamp came into the field, one of

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tiii INTR OB UCTION.

them giving us his name as Lucas de Gast, the other Helie
de Borron, said to have heen a kinsman of Eohert de Bor-
ron. The latter appears to have written as late as the
reign of Henry III. To these two writers severally we owe
the first and second parts of the romance of Tristan, or
Tristram, a new hero, unknown to the previous histories of
king Arthur and his knights, but who from this time for-
ward assumes a very prominent place among ihsi knights of
the round table. For some reason or other — ^perhaps mere
caprice — ^the two writers of the romance of Tristan take
every opportunity of blackening the character of sir Gra-
wfune, who was represented as one of the purest models of
knighthood in the previous romances ; and it is to them we
owe the history of king Pellinore, and of the great feud
between his sons and sir Gawaine and his brethren. Helie
de Borron also compiled a new and very extensive romance,
which, under the title of Gyron le Courtois, commemorated
a new series of heroes, including Gyron himself, Meliadus
of Leonnois, and several others.

This mass of romance soon becapoe popular, as we may
judge from the' number of manuscripts which still remain,
and it formed a sort of code of knight-errantry which exer-
cised, no doubt, a considerable influence on the feudal spirit
and sentiments of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
A crowd of writers in different languages selected particular
incidents from these romances, or abridged the whole, and
publidied them in verse and in more popular forms ; and
this cycle of romance became thus more and more developed,
and in these new forms and editions occupied continually a
more important place in the literature of the day. In these
metrical forms^ the romances of king Arthur and his knights

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INTRODUCTION. ix

miglit be chaunted in the baronial hall or chamber in l^e
same manner as the Chansons de Geste and the other classes
of metrical romances. It would hardly be in place here to
give anj account of the numerous metrical romances and
other poems belonging to this cjde which appeared during
the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. As the feudal
manners began to degenerate, and the practice of chaunting
the romances was abandoned, the metrical versions, the lan-
guage of which became sooner obsolete, began also to lose
their popularity, and gave way to almost a rage for the ro-
mances in prose, which, especially among the great chiefs
on the continent, were looked upon with a feeling of reve-
rential respect, as the grand and almofet sole repositories of
the spirit and principles of feudalism ; and such was the
state of feeling when the invention of the art of printing
came to faciUtate the multipUcation of copies of books. The
French printers of the latter half of the fifteenth century,
and of the earlier part of the century following, produced a
considerable number of editions, generally in folio, of the
long French prose romances relating to the St. Graal, to
king Arthur and his knights, and especially to the adven-
tures of sir Tristram, whose story appears to have become
permanently the most popular of them all.

Although this cycle of romances had, as we have seen,
first made its appearance in England, it seems never to have
been so popular here as in France ; and it held by no means
a pronunent place in our Uterature at the* time when so
many editions were issuing from the presses of the French
printers. A few EngHsh metrical romances belonging to
this class are found in manuscripts of the fifteenth cen-
tury, but they are generally unique copies, and I doubt

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X INTRODUCTION.

whether they were in any degree of vogue. Even Caxton,
who had evidently a taste for French literature, did not
think of printing a hook on this suhject, until he was pressed
to do it, as he informs us, by " many noble and dyvers
gentylmen of thys royame ;" and then he seems to have been
at a loss to find any book which would suit his purpose,
until he was helped out of this difficulty by sir Thomas
Malory, who had compiled a book " oute of certeyn bookes
of Frensshe, and reduced it into Englysshe." All we seem
to know of sir Thomas Malory is, that he tells us himself,
at the conclusion of his book, that he was a knight, and that
he completed his compilation in the ninth year of the reign
of Edward IV., that is, in the course of the year 1469, or
early in 1470, or more than fifteen years before Caxton
printed it. The statement of some of the old bibliographers^
that he was a Welshman, is probably a mere supposition
founded on the character of his book.

We have no exact information as to the method pursued
by Malory in his compilation, or as to the materials he used,
although it is clear that a large portion of his book is taken
«from the great prose romances of Merlin, Lancelot, Tris-
tram, the Queste du St. Graal, and the Mort Artus. He
has adopted throughout the unfavourable view of the
character of sir Gawaine which appears to have been estab-
lished in France by the popularity of Tristram, although it
was quite contrary to the general tone of the English ro*-
mances. He has considerably modified some parts of the
story in the course of abridgment, and omitted many of the
most important and characteristic incidents — in Tristram and
Lancelot especially — ^while he sometimes gives incidents
^which are not found related in the sa^ie way jelsewhere, and

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INTRODUCTION. xi

Xrhicli seem to show that he made use of some materials
which are no longer known to exist. Malory takes care to
remind ns continually that his authorities were in the
French language, by his frequent references to the ^' French
hook/* which references, it may be remarked, are in the
greater number of cases omitted in the text from which the
present edition is taken.

Caxton tells us that he finished the printing of La Mort
Darthur, as he entitles the book, in the abbey of West-
minster, on the last day of July, 1485. This book has now
become so rare that only one complete copy is known, which
was formerly in the Harleian library, and is now in that of
the earl of Jersey at Osteriey park, Middlesex. An im-
perfect copy, now in earl Spencer's hbrary, was purchased,
as we learn from Lowndes, for the large sum of ^20.
These, I believe, are the only copies of Caxton's edition
known to exist.

Two editions of this work were printed by Caxton's suc-
cessor in the art of printing, Wynkyn de Worde, one in
1498, the other in 1529. Only one copy of each is at pre-
sent known to be in existence. Wynkyn de Worde enti^
tied his editions, " The Booke of Kynge Arthur."

William Copland, another well-known early English
printer, reprinted this work in 1657, under the title of " The
Story of Kynge Arthur, and also of his Knyghtes of the
Eounde Table.*'

This title was also adopted by Thomas East, who printed
two editions, one in folio, the other 4to.y and both equally
wit^ut date. It is probable, from the similarity of the
tide, that East printed from Copland's edition.

We can trace no other reprint of this work until the year

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xii TNTBODUCTIOHr.

1684, when the last of the black-letter editions was pub-»
lished in three parts, in 4to., with three separate titles. It
is proved, by a considerable omission in this edition, that it
was printed from a copy of the folio edition by East, in
which a leaf in the third part was wanting.*

Malory's history of king Arthur appears not to have been
printed again imtU 1816. In that year two different popu-
lar editions appeared, imdertaken apparently quite in-
dependently and unknowingly of each other. Both were
printed in the same size, 24mo., the one in three volumes,
the other in two. The edition in three volumes is understood
to have been edited by Joseph Haslewood, and is spoken
of as an especially " correct reprint " of the edition of
1634. This, however, is so little the case, that in reading
it over we are led to conclude that the correcting of the text
in this edition was left to the printers themselves. Here
and there alterations were made to'lfit the narrative for the
taste or understanding of the ordinary modem reader ; yet,
though alterations of this kind are often made without much
judgment, gross and evident misprints of the edition of 1634
are left uncorrected, and others are added which as evidentiy
arose from the misreading of the old black-letter by the
modem compositor. Thus, in the very first chapter, the
lady Igndne is said to be "passing wife^^ instead of
" passing wise ;" in the thirty-ninth chapter of the third
part, the blunder of the edition of 1634, in printing war
wost instead otwarwolf, is strictly preserved in the edition
ascribed to Haslewood.^ Again, in the himdred and sixty-
fifth chapter of the same part, the printer of this modem

* See vol. iii. p. 89, of the present edition.
« Ibid, p. 265.

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INTB OD UCTION. xiii

edition has actually turned the word Sovtihsexe (Sussex)
into Souihfere, through a mere mistaking^ in the hlack-
letter of the original, of the long * for / and of x for r /^
The editor of this edition, in an " Advertisement " prefixed
to the first volume, complains rather hitterly of tiie appear-
ance of what he calls the "rival edition," which he seems
to treat as though it had heen got up in a spirit of opposi-
tion to his own.

The edition in two volumes, which appears thus to have
come out before Haslewood's, belonged to a series of popu-
lar editions known as " Walker's British Classics." The
text is quite as little recommendable as that of Haslewood,
and the editor, or printer, has taken as great liberties with
it in various ways, especially in altering phrases when he
did not understand them. Thus, the editor of this edition,
not understanding the war wost of the text of 1634, boldly
changed the whole sentence as follows, " for she made hem
well a seven years' war worse,^^ which certainly makes a
sentence with a meaning, but a meaning tiiat has no rela-
tion to the context. This edition gives correctiy the words
wise and Sussex, which Haselwood's printer blimdered in ;
but its editor had not discovered the great hiatus in the
third part, mentioned above as having risen from the want of
a leaf in the copy of East's edition used by tiie printer of
1634, which was discovered and supplied in the edition
ascribed to Haslewood.

Finally, in the year following that of these two editions, in
1817, appeared the well-known 4to. edition of the original
text of Caxton, which has gained a reputation, as the pub-
lishers, no doubt, intended it should, from having the name

' See vol. iii. p. 324.

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xiv I NT ROD UCTION.

of Eobert Southey attached to it. The text is a mere re-
print of Caxton^ without any attempt at editing, and was
probably left entirely to the care of the printers. It is,
therefore, a book useless to the general reader, and is only
useful at all because, for reference, it supplies the place of the
origin^, which is inaccessible. The introduction and notes
by Southey display the extensive and indiscriminate read-
ing for which the poet was celebrated, but he has done little
towards explaining or illustrating his text.

These are all the known editions of the story of king
Arthur, as it was given originally to the English reader in
the text of sir Thomas Malory and in the types of William
Caxton. It is remarkable that the two popular editions pub-
lished in 1816 have both become rare, and the want of a
good edition of this romance has been felt generally. Aknow-
ledge of it is, indeed, necessary to enable us to understand
the later Middle Ages in one of their important points of
view ; while it possesses an intrinsic interest, as giving us, in
a comprehensive form, a good general sketch of a cyde of
romances which through many ages exercised an influence
upon hterature and art. To meet this want, the present
edition has been undertaken. It has been judged advisable
to adopt for the text the latest of the old editions, that of
1634; for it is evident that the choice lay between the last
and the first, between this we have selected and that of
Caxton ; as the moment we decided on abandoning Caxton,
there was no reason why we should not take that of the re-
prints which was most readable. This choice was made
with the less scruple, as no particular philological value is
attached to the language of Caxton's edition, which would
certainly be repulsive to the modem reader, while all its

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INTRODUCTION. iv

value as a literary monument is retained in the reprint. On
the other hand^ the orthography and phraseology of the
edition of 1634, with the sprinkling of ohsolete words, not
sufficiently numerous to he embarrassing, preserves a cer-?
tain clothing of mediaeval character which we think is one
of the charms of the book. The edition of 1634 contains
the whole text of Malory's work, and presents in general a
verbal copy of it. Not unfrequently, however, the words
are a little transposed, while some words are here and there
added, and others are exchanged, as obsolete, for words that
were better understood, with the notion evidently of mak-
ing the language more correct or more readable. Many
of these alterations are probably the mere work of the com-
positors ; but some appear to have been made by design
by some better informed person employed to read over the
sheets of that or of some of the preceding editions.

In the present edition I have carefully collated the text
of 1634 with that of Caxton, and given in the notes any
variations in the latter which seem to be of importance or
to present any particular interest. I have only ventured to
alter the later text in cases where there were evident mis-
prints or omissions. The old printers, especially those of
the seventeenth century, when left to themselves, were, as
it is well known, extremely careless, and the books of that
period, if not corrected by the authors, are generally full
of printers' errors. These I have carefully corrected from
the text of Caxton, and in general, where the blunders are
self-evident, I have not thought it necessary to point them
out. If I have erred at all in this respect, it has been by
over caution, and as I advanced in the book I found it neces-
sary to correct the text mo^p than in the earlier part. This

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xvi INTR OB UCTION. "^

was the case especially in the third part, or volume, in
which the old compositors and readers appear to have been
more careless than usual, and which abounds with omissions
of words and sometimes of parts of sentences, which entirely
destroy the meaning, while words have often been changed
negligently from mere similarity of soimd, without being at
all equivalent. There are, however, in the course of the book,
some evident corrections of Caxton's text, which itself con-
tains a few misprints, and some variations which appear to
have been introduced designedly in the editions immediately
following Caxton's, and to have been preserved in the text
adopted for the present edition. With these I have not
interfered.

I have thought it advisable in a work like this, where the
obsolete words and phrases are after all not very numerous,
to explain them in the notes. Every reader has not at hand
a dictionary of obsolete English ; nor, if he had, is it con-
venient, in reading a book of this description, to be inter-
rupted at every page or two in order to trace out a word in
a dictionary. When the same obsolete word recurs after
some interval, I have, for the same reason, not hesitated to
repeat the explanation. I have avoided loading the text
with illustrative and what may perhaps be termed historical
notes, confining myself to what seemed almost necessary to
render the perusal of the text easy and agreeable to a mod-
em reader. It would not be difficult to increase notes and
illustrations of this description to an almost ind^nite ex-
tent.

With these explanations, it is hoped that the present edi-
tion of Malory's Mort (TArthure will be a work acceptable
to the public. It contains, a# has been stated before, a

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INTB OB UCTION. xvii

good comprehensive condensation of the romantic cycle of
king Arthur and his knights^ as it first appeared in the great
prose compilations of the latter part of the twelfth and he-
ginning of the thirteenth centur j, and as it remained popu-
lar in those same compilations in the fifteenth. Although
a similar class of incidents are perhaps too uniformly re-
peated, yet these romances are full of life and activity, and
are often picturesque ; while some knowledge of them is
absolutely necessary for those who would understand those
Middle Ages vhich have of late years been so much talked
of and have excited so much interest. They differ from the
Chansons de Geste and the generality of the other mediaeval
romances in this, that while the former are plain and prac-
tical pictures of life in the feuidal ages, these embody a sort
of mythic code, if I may use such a phrase, of the more
elevated principles and spirit of chivalry which the high-
minded knight was supposed to labour to imitate. The
tone of the morality of this code is certainly not very high ;
but — it was the morality of feudalism.

THOMAS WEIGHT.

14, Sydney Street, Brompton,
May, 1858.

VOL. I.

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THE MOST

ANCIENT AND

FAMOVS HISTORY

OF THE RENOWNED

PRINCE

A R TH V R

King oi Britaine^
The firft Part.

Wherein is declared his Life and Death,

with ail his glorious Battaiies againjl the
Saxons, Saracens and Pagans,
which (for the honour of his
Country) he moft wor-
thily achieued,

jis alfoy all the Noble ABs^ and Heroicke

Deeds of his Valiant Knights of

the RovND Table.

Newly refined, and publiflied for the delightj and
profit of the Reader.

London,

Printed by William Stanshy^

for lacob Bloome^ ^634.

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A PREFACE

OR ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER AS FOR THE

BETTER ILLUSTRATION AND UNDERSTANDING

OF THIS FAMOUS HISTORIE.

fFTEE this kiugdome had, ior the space of
above foure hundred and eighty yeares, home
the intolerable yoke of the Boniane servitude,,
which began by the conquest which Juliu3
Csesar made here in the raigne oi Oassibellan, king of
tlie Brittaines, seventeene yeares before the Incarnation
of Christ, QJid ended in the time of Gratian, which was
three hundred sev^ntie ^x yeares after Christ, who had
daine Maximinianus, the Bomane emperour ; which Gra-
tian after being slame, Vortiga- of the blond royall of l^e
Biitaine king, did, by usurpation and the murther of Con-
stance, the Sonne of Constantius, seize upon the crowne. And
being by his wicked life and ill gotten soveraignty, grown
odious, and hated by most of his subjects, hee was inforced
to send into G^many for the Saxons, to aide and support
him. The Saxons having got looting here, never gave over
their military diligence till ihey got full possession of the
whole kingdome ; chasing the British kings beyoi^d the

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xxii TO THE READER.

rivers of Dee and Seaveme in North Wales, in llie raigne of
Carreticus, in the yeare five hundred eighty sixe. The
ahove said Vortigeme the usurper was deposed, to whom
his Sonne Vortimer succeeded, but Vortimer was poysoned
by Eowan the daughter of Hengist the Saxon, and Vorti-
geme againe was restored to the crowne ; and after nine-
teene yeares of & troublous raigne, hee and his wife Eowan
were burnt in their castle or palace by Aurelius Ambrose,
who was of the race of Constance, who formerly had beene
murdred by Vortigeme. This Aurelius Ambrose raigned
thirty two yeares, to whom succeeded his brother Uter
Pendragon, who was the father of Arthur, the great king
of Britaine, of whose worthy acts and noble atchievements
this history makes mention. Bang Uter Pendragon begat
Arthur of the beauteous Igraine, wife to the duke of Com*
wall,' which lady king Uter afterward rewarded, and, by the
helpe of Merlin the great magitian, Arthur was brought up
and educated. He raigned king of Britaine in anno five
hundred and sixteene. In his raigne he curbed the inso-
lent power of the domineering Saxons, he wanne and sub-
dued Denmarke and Norway. He ordained and instituted
the order of the round table at Winchester, which was
honoured with the number of one hundred and fifty knights.
He was victorious beyond the seas against th6 Saracens,
and by his conquests made many of those ^misbeleeving
Pagans acknowledge the tme God. Whilest he was abroad
in these noble and heroicall imployments, his nephew,
Mordred, whom hee had put in trast with the government
of his realme, being puffed up with ambition and possessed
with treason, he caused himselfe to be croimed, and usurped
the kingdome ; which king Arthur hearing of, hee made

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TO THE READER. xidii

qtiicke expedition into this land, and landed at Dovei^,
where the trajtor Mordred was with a mighty army to im-
peach and hinder the Mngs arrivall. But in spight of all
trajtax>us and rebellious opposition, king Arthur landed his
troupes, and afiter two set battailes he slue Mordred, and
with the losse of his owne life, wonne a glorious victory, and
being dead, was buried at the towne of Glastonbury in
Somersetshire, afiter hee had raigned sizeteene yeares, to
whom next succeeded in the Britaine throne Constantine
the fifth, being a kinsman to king Arthur, and sonne to
Oadors duke of Cornwall.

All this former narration is set downe to confute the
errours of such as are of an opinion tiiat there was never
any such man as king Arthur, and though historians doe
disagree in their chronologies about times and places, some
haying written partially, some neglectirely, and some fabu-
Jously and superstitiously, yet in the mayne points which
are most materiall, they doe all conclude of the predeces-
sours and sucoessours of king Ariliur, according as I have
formerly related. It is apparent in all histories that there
were nine most famous and renowmed kings and princes,
'who for dieir noble acts and worthy atchievements, are stiled
the nine worthies, and it is most execrable infidelity to doubt
that there was a Joshua, it is wicked Atheisme to make a
question- if there were a David, it is hatefull to be diffident
of a sometime Judas Macchabeus ; besides there are none,
of any capacitie, but doe believe there was an Alexander.
The world is possest with th& acknowledgement of the life
and death of Julius Csesar, and the never dying fame of the
illustrious Trojan Hector is perspicuous; we must all
approve of the being of that magnanimous prince Godfrey

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xxiT TO THE READEK

dtike of BuDoigne, who was the christian generall at fhe
conquest of Jerusalem, in the yeare 1110. Besides, France,
Germany, and all the christian world hath in i&edb and ad-
mired memory the &mous emperour Charlemaigne* os
Charles the Great.

And shall the Jewes and the Heathen he honoured in the
memory and magnificent prowesse of their worthies ? shall
the French and Germane nations glorifie their triumphs with
iheir Godfrey and Charles, and shall we of this island he so
possest with incredulitie, diffidence, stupiditie, and ingrati-
tude, to deny, make douht, or expresse in speech and his-
tory, the immortaU name and fame of our victorious Arthur.
All the honour we can doe him is to honour ouj* selves in
rememhrance of him. This following history was first
written in the French and Italian tongues, so much did the
poets and ehronologers of forraine nations admire our Ar-
thur; It was many yeares after the first writing of it,
translated into English, hy the painfull industry of one sir
Thomas Maleore, knight, in the ninth ye{u*e of the raigne
of king Edward the Fourth, ahout one hundred and fifky
t^O yeares past ; wherein the reader may see the hest forme
and manner of writing and speech that was in use at those
limes. In many places fables and fictions are inserted,
which may be a blemish to the reputation of what is true in
this history, and it is unfitting for us to raze or blot out aU
the errours of our ancestours, for by our taking considera^-
tion of them, wee may be the better induced to beleeve and
reverence the truth. It is 1114 years since king Arthurs
raigne, which was long before the dayes of Edward the
Fourth, whereby it may be mused what speech they used
above 1100 yeares agoe, when as it wa^ so pkine and sup-
ple in king Edwards time.

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TO THE BEADEK xxr

And therefore, reader, I advertise thee to deale with
1Mb book as thou wouldest doe with thy house or thy gar-
ment, if the one doe want but a little repaire thou wilt not*
(madly) pull downe the whole frame, if the other hath a
small spot or a staine thou wilt not cast it away or bume
it, gdd hath its drosae, wine hath its lees, man (in all ages)
hath his errours and imperfections. And though the timea
are now more accute and sharp-witted, using a more elo-
quent and omated stile and phrase in speech and writing
then they did, whb lived so many yeares past, yet it may
be that in the age to come, our successours may hold and
esteeme of us as ridiculously as many of our over-nice
critickes doe of their and our progenitours, as we are re-
fined in words I wish we were reformed in deeds, and as we
can talke better, it were well if wee would not doe worse.
Wee perceive their darknesse through our light, let not our
light blind us that we may not see our owne ignorance. In
many places this volume is corrected (not in language but
in phrase), for here and there king Arthur or some of his
knights were declared in their communications to sweare
prophane, and use superstitious speeches, all, or the most
part, of which is either amended or quite left out, by the
paines and industry of the compositor and corrector at the
presse, so that as it is now it may passe for a famous piece
of antiquity, revived almost from the gulph of oblivion, and
renued for the pleasure and profit of present and future times.

As (by the favour of Heaven) this kingdome of Britaine
.was graced with one worthy, let us with thankfiilnes acknow-
ledge him ; let us not account it our shame, that he hath
bin our countries honour ; let us not be more cruell then
death to smother or murder his name ; or let us not be worse

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xivi TO THE BEABEB:

then the grave in burying his favour. Thus, readet^ I
leave thee at thy pleasure to reade hut not to judge, except
thou judge with understanding. The asse is no competent
judge betwixt the owle and the nightingale for the sweet-
nes of their voices ; cloth of Arras or hangings of tapistry
are not fit to adome a kitchin, no more are ketles, pots, and
spits to hang in a ladies bed-chamber. Neither is it be-
seeming for a man to censure "that" which his ignorance
cannot perceive, or his pride and malice will prejudicate or
cavill at.

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[THE PROLOGUE.]^

[ETER.that I had accomplysshed and fyn-
yssbed djvers hystoryes, as well of contem-
placyon as of other hystoryal and worldly
actes of grete conquerours and prynces, and
also certeyn bookes of ensaumples and doctryne, many
noble and dyvers gentylmen of thys royame of Englond
camen and demaunded me many and offcymes wberfore
that I have not do make and enprynte the noble hys-
torye of the saynt greal, and of the moost renomed crysten
kyng, fyrst and cbyef of the thre best crysten and worthy,
kyng Arthur, whyche, ought moost to be remembred
emonge us Englysshe men tofore aJ other crysten kynges.
For it is notoyrly knowen thorugh the unyversal world
that there been ix. worthy and the best that ever were,
that is to wete, thre paynyms, thre Jewes, and thre crysten
men. As for the paynyms, they were tofore the incama-
cyon of Cryst, whiche were named, the fyrst Hector of
Troye, of whome thystorye is comen bothe in balade and in
prose; the second Alysaunder the grete; and the thyrd
Julyus Cezar, emperour of Eome, of whome thystoryes ben

' This, and what the edition of 1634 calls the preface to the Chris-
tian reader, are from Caxton*s edition, and they are here printed ver-
batim from that edition, of vhich they will serve as a specimen. The
headings or titles of the edition of 1634 are given in brackets.

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xxviii THE PROLOGUE.

wel kno Mid had. And as for the thre Jewes, whyche
also were tofore thyncamacyon of our Lord, of whome the
fyrst waa due Josiie, whyche brought the chyldren of Is-
rahel mto the londe of byheste ; the second Davyd kyng
of Jherusalem ; and the thyrd Judas Machabeus ; of these
thre the Byble reherceth al theyr noble hystoryes and
actes. And sythe the sayd incamacyon have ben thre
noble crysten men stalled and admytted thorugh the uny-
versal world into the nombre of the ix. beste and worthy,
of whome was fyrst the noble Arthur, whos noble actes I
purpose to wryte in thys present book here folowyng ; the
second was Charlemayn, or Charles the grete, of whome
thystorye is had in many places bothe in Frensshe and
Englysshe ; and the thyrd and last was Godefray of Boloyn,
of whos actes and lyf I made a book unto thexcellent
prynce and kyng of noble memorye kyng Edward the
fourth.^ The said noble jentylmen instantly requyred me
temprynte thystorye of the sayd noble kyng and conquerour
kyng Arthur, and of his knyghtes, wyth thystorye of the
saynt greal, and of the deth and endyng of the sayd Ar-
thur ; affermyng that I ou^t rather tenprynte his actes and
noble feates, than of Godefroye of Boloyne, or ony of the
other eyght, consyderyng that he was a man borne wythm
this royame, and kyng and emperour of the same.

And that there ben in Frensshe dyvers and many noble
volumes of his actes, and also of his knyghtes. To whom
I answerd, that dyvers men holde oppynyon that there was
no suche Arthur, and that alle suche bookes as tteen maad
of hym, ben but fayned and fables, bycause that somme

' Edward the fourth. — This book was printed by Caxton at West-
Ininster in 1481, and therefore about three years and a half befell the
appearance of Caxton's King Arthur.

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THE PBOLOQUE. ixix

crony des make of hym no mencyon ne remembre hym noo
thynge ne of his knyghtes. Wherto they answerd, and
one in specyal sayd, that in hym that sh<dd say or thynke
that ti^re was never suche a kyng callyd Arthur, myght wel
be aretted grete folye and blyndenesse ; for he sayd that
there were n^any evydences of the contrarye. Fyrst ye
may see his sepulture in the monastei^e of Glastyngburye,
and also in Polycronycon, in the y book the syxte chap-
pytre, and in the seventh book the xxiii chappytre, where
his body was buryed and afiter founden and translated into
the sayd monasterye. Ye shal se also in thystorye of
Bochas in his book de casu ^rincipwfn, parte of his noble
actes and also of hia falle. Also Galfrydus,^ in his Brut-
ysshe bodk, recounteth his lyf. And in divers places of
Englond n^any remembraunces ben yet of hym and shall
remsLjne perpetuelly, and also of his knyghtes. Fyrst, in
the abbay of Westmestre at saynt Edwardes shryne re-
mayneth the prynte of his seal in reed waxe xclosed in be-
ryll, in whych is wryton Patricius Arthwus, Britannia
OaUie, Qermanie, Dade, iwjperator. Item, in the oastel
of Dover* ye may see Gauwayns skulle, and Cradoks man*
tel; at Wynchester,' the ix)unde table; in other places,
Launcelottes swerde, and many other thynges. Thenne
al these thynges consydered, there can no man resonably
gaynsaye but there was a kyng of thys lande named Ar-
thur. For in al places crysten and hethen he is reputed

' Galfrydia. — Of cotirse he means Geoffrey of Monmonth.

' Caktd, of D&ver.—See at the end of the History of King Arthur,
vol. iii. p. 323 of the present'edition.

' At Wynchester. — ^This *♦ rounde table "is still preserved at Win-
chester, and is a relic of some interest in other points of view, but it
is hardly necessary to state that it belongs to a far more recent date
than that which Caxton would seem to have :given to iL

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XXX THE PROLOGUE.

and taken for one of the ix. worthy, and the fjrst of the
thre crjsten men. And also he is more spoken of heyonde
the see, moo bookes made of his noble actes, than there be
in Englond, as wel in Duche, Ytalyen, Spanysshe, and
Grekysshe, as in Frensshe. And yet of record remayne
in wytnesse of hym in Wales, in the toune of Camelot,^ the
grete stones and mervayllous werkys of yron lyeing under
the grounde, and ryal vaut^s, which dyvers now lyvyrig
hath seen. Wherfor it is a mervayl why he is no more
renomed in his owne contreye, sauf onelye it accordeth
to the word of God, whyche sayth that no man is accept
for a prophete in his owne contreye. Thenne al these
thynges forsayd aledged, I coude not wel denye but that
there was suche a noble kyng named Arthur, and reputed
one of the ix worthy, and fyrst and chyef of the cristen
men, and many noble volumes be made of hym and of his
noble knyjtes in Frensshe, which I have seen and redde
beyonde the see, which been not had in our maternal tongue,
but in Walsshe ben many, and also in Frensshe, and
somme in Englysshe, but no wher nygh alle, Wh^rfore
fiuche as have late ben drawen oute bryefly into Englysshe,
I have after the symple cotmyng that God hath sente to
me, under the favour and correctyon of al noble lordes and
gentylmen, enprysed to enprynte a book of the noble hys-
toryes of the sayd kynge Arthur, and of certeyn of his
knyghtes, after a copye unto me delyvered, whyche copye
syr Thomas Malorye dyd take oute of certeyn bookes of
Frensshe and reduced it into Englysshe. And I, accord-

' Camdot. — It is curious that the writer of this preface should
have placed Camelot in Wales, contrary to the text of the book it-
self, which tells us several times that Camelot was Winchester.
Both statements are quite erroneous. See vol. i. p. 59,.

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THE PROL G UE. xxxi

jng to my copye, have doon sette it in enprynte, to the
entente that noblemen may see and lerne the noble acts
<rf chyvalrye, the jentyl and vertuous dedes, that somme
knyghtes used in tho dayes, by whyche they came to hon-
our, and how they that were vycious wete punysshed and
often put to shame and rebuke, humbly bysechying al noble
lordes and ladyes, wyth al other estates, of what estate or
degree they been of, that shal see and rede in this sayd
book and werke, that they take the good and honest actes
in their remembraunce, and to folowe the same. Wherin
they shalle fynde many joyous and playsaunt hystoryes and
noble and renomed acts of humanyte, gentylnesse, and
chyvahyes. For herein may be seen noble chyvalrye, cur-
tosye, humanyte, frendlynesse, hardynesse, love, frend-
shyp, cowardyse, murdre, hate, vertue, synne. Doo after
the good, and leve the evyl, and it shal brynge you to good
fame and renommee. And for to passe the tyme, this
book shal be plesaunte to rede in, but for to gyve fayth
and byleve that al is trewe that is contayned herin, ye be
at your lyberte ; but al is wryton for our doctryne, and for
to beware that we falle not to vyce ne synne, but texer-
cyse and folowe vertu, by whyche we may come and at-
teyne to good fame and renomme in thys lyf, and affcer thys
sborte and transytorye lyf to come unto everlastyng blysse
in heyen, the whyche he graunt us that reygneth in heven
the blessyd Trynyte. Amen.

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[THE PEEFACE OF WILLIAM CAXTON TO
THE CHEISTIAN EEADEE.]

PHENNE to precede forth in thjs sayd book,
whyche I dyrecte unto alle noble prjnces,
lordes, and ladyes, gentylmen, or gentyl-
wymmen, that desyre to rede or here redde
of the noble and joyous hystorye of the grete conquerour
and excellent kyng, kyng Arthur, somtyme kyng of
thys noble royalme, thenne callyd Brytaygne, I, Wyl-
lyam Caxton, symple persone, present thys book folowyng,
whyche I have enprysed tenprynte.^ And treateth of
the noble actes, feates of armes, of chyvalrye, prowesse,
hardynesse, humanyte, love, curtosye, and veray gentyl-
nesse, wyth many wonderful hystoryes and adventures.
And for to understonde bryefly the contente of thys vol-

* The edition of 1634, in which Oaxton's division into ^ books ** is
abandoned and the whole is divided into three parts or voIuoms,
omits the remainder of Gaxton's ** preface," and adds in its place : —
In which all those that dispose them to eschew itUenesse, which is the
mother of all viceSf may read historicaU matters. Some are willing to
reade devout meditations of the humanitie and passion of our Saviour
Jesus Christ; same the lives and paineftdl martyrdomes of holy saints;
some delight in moralisacion andpoeticall stories; and some in knightfy
and victorious deeds of noble princes and conquerours, as of this present

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^XAXTON'S PREFACE; xxjdii

nme, I have devyded it into xxi bookes, and eyery book
chapytred as here after shal by Goddes grace folowe. Tht
fyrst book shal treate how Utherpendragon gate the nobk
conqneronr kyng Arthur, and conteyneth xxviii chappytres.
The second book treateth of Balyn, the noble knyght, and
conteyneth xix chapytres. The thyrd book treateth of tli9
maryage of kyng Arthur to queue Guenever, wyth Other
maters, and conteyneth fyftene chappytres. The fotirth
book, how Merlyn was assotted, and of warre maad to kyng
Arthur, and conteyneth xxix chappytres. The fyfthe book
treateth of the conqueste of Lucius themperour, and con-
teyneth xii chappytres. The syxthe book treateth of syr
Launcelot and syr Lyonel, and menrayllous adventures,
and conteyneth xviii chapytres. The seventh book treat-,
eth of a noble knyght called syr Gareth, and named by
syr Kaye Beaumayns, and conteyneth xxxvi chapytres.
The eyght book treateth of the byrthe of syr Trystram, the
noble knyght, and of hys actes, and conteyneth xli chap-
ytres. The ix book treateth of a knyght named by syr
Kaye Le cote male tayUe, and also of syr Trystram, and
conteyneth xliiii chapytres. The x. book treateth of syr
Trystram and other mervayllous adventures, and conteyn-
eth Ixxxviii chappytres. The xi book treateth of syr Laun-
celot and syr Galahad, and conteyneth xiiii chappytres.
The xii book treateth of syr Launcelot and his madnessei

volume, which treateth of the nobk acts andfeates ofarmes, ofchivalry,
prowease, hardiiutse, humanitie, love, courtesie, and gentUnessCf with di-
vert and many wonderfuB histories and adventures. And for to under-
Mtand briefly the contents of this present volume, comprehending the vol"
iant acts of this noble conquerour, with his lamentable death caused by
sir Mordred his sonne and the subjects of his reahne, I have devided it
into three parts, and every part into sundry chapters, as hereafter, by
Cods grace, shaUfoUow,

VOL. I, C

Digitized by VjOOQIC

jxnt TO TEE CHRISTIAN READER.

and contejneth xiiii chappjtres. The voi book treateth
how Galahad came fyrst to kyng Arthurs courte, and the
quest how the sangreall was begonne, and conteyneth xi
chapjtres. The xiiii book treateth of the queste of the
sangreal, and conteyneth x chapytres. The xv book treat-
eth of syr Launcelot, and conteyneth vi chapytres. The
xvi book treateth of syr Bors and syr Lyonel his brother^
and conteyneth xvii chapytres. The xvii book treateth
of the sangreal, and conteyneth xxiii chapytres. The
xviii book treateth of syr Launcelot and the queue, and
conteyneth xxv chapytres. The xix, book treateth of
queue Guenever and Launcelot, and conteyneth xiii chap-
yti'es. The xx' book treateth of the pyetous deth of Ar^
thur, and conteyneth xxii chapytres. The xxi book treat-
eth of his last departyng, and how syr Launcelot came to
revenge his dethe, and conteyneth xiii chapytres. The
somme is xxi bookes, whyche conteyne the somme of v
honderd and yii chapytres, as more playnly shal folowe
herafter.

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mamm

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEK I.

Page
I OW Utherpendragonsent for the dukeof Cornewayle
and Igrayne his wife, and of their sodaine depart-
ing againe .1

Chap. n. How Utherpendragonmade warre on the
dnke of Comewaile, and how by the meanes of

Merlyn he lay by the duchesse and begat on her Arthur . 4
Chap. m. Of the birth of king Arthur, and of his nourishing, and

of the death of king Utherpendragon, and how Arthur was

chosen king, and of wonders and marvailes of a sword that was

taken out of stone by the said Arthur .... 6

Chap. rv. How king Arthur pulled out the sword divers times 12
Chap. v. How Arthur was crowned king, and how he made

officers .14

Chap, tl How king Arthur held in Wales at a Penticost a great

feast, and what kings and lords came to this feast . .15
Chap. yu. Of the first warre that king Arthur had, and how he

wanne the field and overcame his enemies . . . .17
Chap. yni. How Merlin counsailed king Arthur to send for

king Ban and king Bors, and of their connsaile taken for the

warre 19

Chap. rx. Of a great tumey made by king Arthur and the two

kings Ban and Bors, and how they went over the sea . • 23
CfitAP. X. How eleaven kings gathered a great hoast against king

Arthur 25

Chap. xi. Of a dreame of the king with the hundred knights . 26
Chap, xil How that the eleaven kings with their hoast fought

against king Arthur and his hoast, and of many great feates of

the warre . . 27

Chap. xm. Tet of the same battaile 30

Chap. xiy. Tet more of the said battaile, and how it was ended

by Merlin 33

Chap. xv. Yet of the said battayle 37

Chap. xvi. How king Arthur, king Ban, and king Bors reschewed
^ king Leodegraunce, and of other incidents . . . .40

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xxxvi CONTENTS,

Page
Chap. xvn. How king Arthur rode to Carlyon, and of his

dreame, and how he sawe the qaesting beast . . .43
Chap. xyui. How king Pellinore tooke king Arthurs horse,
and followed the questing beast, and how Merlin met with

kingAi'thur 44

Chap. xix. How XJlfius appeaches queene Igrayne, king Arthurs
'mother, of treason. And how a knight came and desired to
have the death of his master revenged \. . . .46
Chap. xx. How Griflet was made knight, and how he justed with

a knight 48

Chap. xxi. How twelve knights came from Rome and asked
truage of this land of king Arthur, and how king Arthur fought

with a knight 50

Chap. xxn. How Merlin saved king Arthurs life, and threw an
enchauntment upon king Pellinor, and made him to fall on

sleepe 53

Chap. xxm. How king Arthur, by the meanes of Merlin, gate

his sword of Excalibur of the lady of the lake . . .54
Chap, xxrv. How tidings came to king Arthur that king Ryence
had overcome eleaven kings, and how he desired king Arthurs

beard to purfel his mantell 56

Chap. xxv. How all the children were sent for that were borne

upon May day, and how Mordred was saved . . .57
Chap. xxvi. Of a damosel which came gjrrd with a sword for to

finde a man of such vertue to draw it out of the scabbard . 58
Chap, xxvii. How Balin, arayed like a poore man, pulled out

the sword, which afterward was cause of his death . . 60
Chap, xxyih. How the ladie of the lake demanded the knights .

head that had wonne the sword, or the maydens head . . 63
Chap. xxix. How Merlin told the adventure of the damosell . 65
Chap, xxx How Balin was pursued by sir Lanceor a knight of

Ireland, and how Balin slew him 65

Chap. xxxi. How a damosell which was in love with Lanceor,
slew her selfe for his love, and how Balin met with his brother

Balan 67

Chap. xxxn. How a dwarfe reproved Balin for the death of
Lanceor, and how king Marke of Comewayle found them, and
made a tombe over them • . . • . . .69
Chap. xxxm. How Merlin prophesied that two of the best
knights of the world should fight there, which were sir Lance-
lot and sir Tristram 70

Chap, xxxrv. How Balin and his brother, by the counsaile of

Merlin, tooke king Rience and brought him unto king Arthur 72
Chap. xxxy. How king Arthur had a battaile against Nero
and king Lot of Orkeney, and how king Lot was deceived by
Merlin, and how twelve kings were slaine . . . .73
Chap, xxxyi. Of the entertaiuement of twelve kings, and of the

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CONTENTS. xxxvii

Page
prophesie of Merlin, and how Balin should give the dolorous

stroke . 76

Chap, xxxvu. How a sorrowfoll knight came tofore king Ar>
thur, and how Balin fet him, and how that knight was slaine

by a knight invisible 77

Chap, xxxvm. How Balin and the damosell met with a
knight that was in likewise slaine, and how the damosel bled

for the custome of a castle 79

Chap, xxxix. How Balin met with the knight named Garlon
at a feast, and there he slew him, to have his blood to heale
therewith the sonne of his hoast 80

Chap. xl. How Balin foaght with king Pellam, and how his
sword brake, and how he gate a speare, wherewith he smote
the dolorous stroke 82

Chap. xu. How Balin was delivered by Merlin, and saved a
knight that would have slaine himselfe for love . . 83

Chap. xui. How that knight slew his love and a knight lying
by her, and after how he slew himselfe with his owne sword,
and how Balin rode toward a castle where he lost his life . 85

Chap. xliu. How Balin met with his brother Balan, and bow
each of them slew other unknowen till they were wounded
to death 87

Chap. xliv. How Merlin buried Balin and Balan the two bre-
thren in one tombe, and of Balins sword . . . .89

Chap. xlv. How king Arthur tooke and wedded Guenever
unto his wife, which was daughter to Leodegraunce king of
the land of Cameliard, with whom he had the round table . 91

Chap, xlvl How the knights of the round table were ordained,
and how their sieges were blessed by the archbishop of Can-
terbury 93

Chap. xlvh. How a poore man riding upon a leane mare de-
sired king Arthur to make his sonne a knight ... 94

Chap. XLvni. How sir Tor was knowen for the sonne of king
Pellinore, ^d Gawayne was made knight ... 96

Chap. xlix. How at the feast of the wedding of king Arthur
unto Guenever a white hart came into the hall, and thirty
couple of hounds, and how a brachet pinched IJie hart, the
which was taken away 97

Chap. l. How sir Gawayne rode for to fetch againe the hart,
and how two brethren fought each againe other for the hart 99

Chap. u. How the hart was chased into a castle and there
slaine, and how sir Gawaine slew a lady . . . .100

Chap, ixl How foure knights fought against sir Gawaine and
Gaheris, and how they were overcome and their lives saved
at the request of foure damosels . . . . c 102

Chap. im. How sir Tor rode after the knight with the brachet,
and of his^adventures by the way . • . ^ . 104

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xxxviii CONTENTS.

Page

Chap. liv. How sir Tor found the brachet with a lady, tad
how a knight assailed him for the said brachet . . . 105

Chap. ly. How sir Tor overcame the knight, and how he lost
his head at the request of a lady 107

Chap. lyi. How king Pellinore rode after the lady and the
knight that led her away, and how a lady desired helpe of
him, and how hee fought with two knights for that lady, of
whom he slew the one at the first strooke . . . 109

Chap. lvii. How king Pellinore gate the lady, and brought
her to Camelot unto the court of king Arthur . . .Ill

Chap. lvui. How king Pellinore heard two knights, as he lay
by night in a valey, and of other adventures . . .113

Chap. lix. How king Pellinore, when he was come to Came-
lot, was swome upon a booke to tell truth of his quest . 114

Chap. lx. How Merlin was assotted and doted on one of the
ladies of the lake, and he was shut in a roche under a stone
by a wood side, and there died . . . . . .116

Chap, lxl How five kings came into this land to warre
against king Arthur, and what counsaile king Arthur had
against them 118

Chap. lxu. How king Arthur overthrew and slew the five
kings, and made the remnant to flee .. . . . . 119

Chap. lxih. How the battaile was finished or that king Pelli-
nore came, and how king Arthur founded an abbey where
the battaile was 121

Chap. lxiy. How sir Tor was made knight o^ the round table,
and how Bagdemagus was displeased .... 123

Chap. lxy. How king Arthur, king Urience, and sir Accolon
of Gaule, chased an hart, and of their man^ailous adventures 124

Chap. lxyi. How king Arthur tooke upon him to fight for to
be delivered out of prison, and also to deliver twentie knights
that wer in prison 126

Chap. Lxvn. How sir Accolon found himselfe by a well, and
he tooke upon him to doe battaile against king Arthur . 128

Chap. Lxvm. Of the battaile betweene king Arthur and sir
Accolon 130

Chap. lxix. How king Arthurs sword that he fought with
brake, and how he recovered of sir Accolon his owne sword
Excalibur, and overcame his enemie . . . .132

Chap. lxx. How sir Accolon confessed the treason of Morgan
le Fay, and how she would have caused her brother king Ar-
thur to be slaine 134

Chap. lxxi. How king Arthur accorded the two brethren, and
delivered the twentie knights, and how sir Accolon died . 135

Chap. Lxxn. How Morgan le Fay would have slaine king
Urience her Husband, and how sir Ewaine her sonne saved
him . 137

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CONTENTS. Mxix

Page

Chap, ijcxin. How Morgan le Fay made great sorrow for the
death of sir Accolon, and how she stale away from king Ar-
thur the scabbard . » • 138

Chap, lxxiv. How Morgan le Fay saved a knight that should
have beene drowned, and how king Arthur returned home
againe to Camelot . , 140

Chap. lxxv. How tfie damosell of the lake saved king Arthur
from a mantell which should have brent him . . .142

Chap, lxxvi. How sir Gawaine and sir Ewaine met with
twelve faire damosels, and how they complained upon sir
Marhaus 144

Chap. Lxxvn. How sir Marhaus jasted with sir Gawaine and
sir Ewaine, and overthrew them both • . . .145

Chap, lxxvui. How sir Marhaus, sir Gawaine, and Ewaine,
met three damosels, and each of them tooke one . .148

Chap. ugox. How a knight and a dwarfe strove for a lady . 149

Chap. lxxx. How king Pelleas suffered himselfe to be taken
prisoner because he would have a sight of his lady, and how
sir Gawaine promised him for to get to him the love of his
lady 152

Chap, lxxxi. How sir Gawaine came to the lady Ettarde, and
lay by her, and how sir Pelleas found them sleeping . .154

Chap. TiXXXh. How sir Pelleas loved no more the lady Ettard
by the meanes of the damosell of the lake, whom he loved
ever after during his life 158

Chap, t.xxxht. How sir Marhaus rode with the damosell, and
how he came to the duke of the South Marches . ,158

Chap, lxxxtv. How sir Marhaus fought with the duke and
his sixe sonnes, and made them to yeeld them . . .160

Chap, lxxxv. How sir Ewaine rode with the damosell of three-
score yeeres of age, and how he gate the prise at a tui*ney . 163

Chap, lxxxvi. How sir Ewaine fought with two knights, and
overcame them * . « 164

Chap, lxxxvh. How at the yeares end all the three knights
with their three damosels met at the fountaine . . .166

Chap, lxxxvui. How twelve aged men, embassadours of
Rome, come to king Arthur for to demaund truage for the
realme of Brittaine 167

Chap. TiXyxTTf. How the kings and lords promised unto king
Arthur ayde and heipe against the Romaines . . . 169

Chap. xc. How king Arthur held a parliament at Torke, and
how hee ordeined in what maner the realme should bee go*
vemed in his absence 172

Chap, xcl How king Arthur being shipped and lying in his
cabin, had a marvailous dreame, and of the exposition thereof 1 73

Chap. xcn. How a man of the countrey told him of amervail-
0118 gyaDt>aud.how he fought and conquered him . . 174

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xl CONTENTS.

Page

Chap. xcm. How king Arthur sent sirGawdne and others to
Lucius the emperoar, and how they were assailed, and es-
caped with worship . . 178

Chap. xciv. How Lucius sent certaine spies into ambush for
to have taken his knights, being prisoners, and how they
were letted 181

Chap. xcv. How a senatour told to the emperour Lucius of
their discomfiture, and also of the great battaile betweene
king Arthur and Lucius 182

Chap. xcvi. How king Arthur, after that he had atchieved
the battaile against the Romaines, entred into Almaine, and
so into Italy 186

Chap. xcvn. Of the battaile done by sir Gawaine against a
Sarasin, which after was taken and became Christian . 187

Chap, xcvifl. How that the Sarasins came out of a wood for
to rescew their beasts, and of a great battaile . . .191

Chap. xcix. How sir Gawaine returned to king Arthur with
his prisoners, and how the king wan a citie, and how he was
crowned emperour 192

Chap. c. How sir Launcelot and sir Lionell departed ft-om the
court for to seeke adventures, and how sir Lionell left sir
Launcelot sleeping, and was taken 196

Chap. ci. How sir Ector de Maris followed to seeke sir Laun-
celot, and how he was taken by sir Torquine . . .198

Chap. en. How foure queenes found sir Launcelot sleeping,
and how by enchauntment he was taken and led into a strong
castle 199

Chap. cm. How sir Launcelot was delirered by the meanes
ofadamosell 201

Chap. civ. How a knight found sir Launcelot lying in his
lemans bed, and how sir Launcelot fought with that knight 203

Chap. cv. How sir Launcelot was received of king Bagde-
magus daughter, and how he made his complaint unto her
father 204

Chap. cvi. How sir Launcelot behaved him in a tumeyment,
and how hee met with sir Turquine leading away sir Gaheris
with him 206

Chap. cvn. How sir Latmcelot and Turquine fought together 209
" Chap. cvm. How sir Turquine was slaintf, and how sir Laun-
celot bad sir Gaheris deliver all the prisoners . . .210

Chap. cix. How sir Launcelot rode with the damosel and
slew a knight that distressed all ladies, and a villain that
kept the passage over a bridge 212

Chap. ex. How sir Launcelot slew two gyants, and made a
castle free 215

Chap. CXI. How sir Launcelot disguised in sir Kays armour,
and how hee smote dow?ie a knight . • . • ^218

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CONTENTS. xK

Page
Chap. cxn. How sir Latincelot justed against foure knights

of the round table, and overthrew them .... 220
Chap. cxin. How sir Launcelot followed a brachet into a
castle, where as he found a dead knight, and how afterward
he was required of a damosell for to heale her brother . 222
Chap. cxiv. How sir Launcelot came into the chappell peril-
ous, and gat there of a dead corps a peece of the cloath and

a sword 223

Chap. cxy. How sir Launcelot at the request of a lady re-
covered a fawcon, whereby he was deceived . . , 226
Chap. cxyi. How sir Launcelot overtooke a knight which

chased his wife to have slaine her, and what he said to him 228
Chap, cxvii. How sir Launcelot came unto king Arthurs
court, and how there were recounted of his noble feates and

acts 230

Chap, cxvni. How Beaumains came unto king Arthurs court

and demanded three petitions of king Arthur . . .231
Chap. cttx. How sir Launcelot and sir Gawaine were wroth
because sir Kay mocked Beaumains, and of a damosell which
desired a knight for to doe battaile for a lady . . . 234
Chap. cxx. How Beaumains desired the battaile, and how it
was graunted him, and how he desired to be made knight of

sir Launcelot 236

Chap, cxxl How Beaumains departed, and how he got of sir
Kay a speare and a shield, and how he justed and fought

with sir Launcelot 237

Chap. cxxn. How Beaumains told his name to sir Lancelot,
and how hee was dubbed knight of sir Lancelot, and after

overtooke the damosell 238

Ch4P. cxxni. How sir Beaumains fought and slew two knights

at a passage 240

Chap, cxxiy. How sir Beaumains fought with the knight of
the blacke launds, and he fought so long with him that the

blacke knight fell downe and dyed 242

Ch\p. cxxv. How the brother of the knight that was slaine
met with sir Beaumains, and fought with sir Beaumains,

which yeelded him at the last 244

Chap, cxxvl How the damosell alwayes rebuked sir Beau-
mains, and would not suffer him to sit at her table, but called

him kitchin page 246

Chap, oxxvn. How the third brother, called the red knight,
justed and fought against sir Beaumains, and how air Beau-
mains overcame him ....... 248

Chap, cxxym. How sir Beaumains suffered great rebukes of
the damosell, and he suffered it patiently .... 250

Chap« cxxdl How sir Beaumains fought with sir Persaunt of
Inde, and made him to be yeelden . . . . • 253

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xlii CONTENTS.

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Chap. cxxx. Of the goodly commanication between sir Per-
saunt and sir Beilumains, and how he told him that his name
was sir Gaureth 255

Chap, cxxxi. How the lady which was besieged had word
from her sister how she had brought a knight to fight for
her, and what battailes he dad done ' 257

Chap, cxxxii. How the damosel and sir Beaumains came to
the siege, and came to a siekamore tree, and there sir Bean-
mains blew an home, and then the knight of the red launds
came to fight with him 259

Chap, cxxxin. How the two knights met together, and of
their talking, and how they began their battaile « « 261

Chap, cxxxiy. How after long fighting sir Beaimiains over-
came the knight, and would have slaine him, but at the re-
quest of the lords hee saved his life and made him to yeeld
him to the lady . . 263

Chap, cxxxv. How the knight yeelded him, and how sir Beau-
mains made him to goe unto king Arthurs court, and to crle
sir Launcelot mercy 265

Chap, cxxxvi. How sir Beaumains came to the lady, and when
he came unto the castle the gates were closed against him,
and of the words that the lady said unto him . . .267

Chap, cxxxvn. How sir Beaumains rode after for to rescew
his dwarfe, and came into the castle where he was . . 269

Chap, cxxxvni. How sir Gareth, otherwise called sir Beau-
mains, came unto the presence of his lady, and how they
tooke acquaintance, and of their love • * . . 272

Chap, cxxxix. How in the night came in an armed knight
and fought with sir Gareth, and hurt him sore in the thigh,
and how sir Gareth smote off the knights head . . .273

Chap. cxl. How the same knight came againe the next night,
and was beheaded againe. And how at the feast of Pente-
cost all the knights that sir Gareth had overcome came and
yeelded them unto king Arthur 276

Chap. cxli. How sir Launcelot and sir Gawaine pardoned
him, and demaunded him where sir Gareth was . .279

Chap. cxlu. How the queene of Orkeney came to this feast
of Pentecost, and how sir Gawaine and his brethren came to
aske her blessing -280

Chap, clxiii. How king Arthur sent for the lady Liones, and
how shee let crie a tumement at the castle, where as came
many good knights 282

Chap, cxliv. How king Arthur went to the tumement with
his knights, and how the lady dame Liones received him
worshipfuUy, and how the knights encountred together • 285
Chap. cxly. How the knights bare them in the battaile • 287
Phap. cxlyi. How sip Gareth was espied by the heraulds, and
how he escaped out of the field ..... 292

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CONTENTS. xliu

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Chap, cxlyu. How sir Gareth came unto a castle, where he
was well lodged, and how he justed with a knight, and how
he slew him 293

Chap, cxlyiu. How sir Gareth fought with a knight that
held within his castle thirtie ladies, and how he slew him . 295

Chap. gxux. How sir Gawaine and sir Gareth fought each
against other, and how they knew each other by the damo-
sellLinet 297

Chap. cl. How sir Gareth acknowledged that they loved each
other to king Arthur, and of the day of their wedding . 300

Chap. cli. Of the great royaltie and what officers were made
at the feast of sir Gareth and dame Liones wedding, and of
the great justing at the same feast and wedding . 301

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HISTORIE OF KING ARTHUR

AND HIS NOBLE KNIGHTS OF
THE ROUND TABLE.

CHAP. I. — How Utherpendragon sent for the duke of Cornewayle
and Igrayne his wife, and of their sodaine departing againe.

jT befell in the dajes of the noble Utherpen-
dragon, when he was king of England and
so reigned, there was a mighty and a noble
duke in Cornewayle,^ that held long time
warre against him ; and the duke was named
&e duke of Tintagil ;^ and so by meanes king Uther sent
fbr this duke, charging him to bring his wife with him,
for shee was called a right faire lady, and a passing wise,
and Igrayne was her name. So when the duke and his
wife were come to the king, by the meanes of great lords,
they wete both accorded, and the king liked and loved this
lady well, and made her great cheere out of measure, and
desired to have lyen by her. But she was a passing good

^ Called by Geofi&ey of Monmouth Gorlois dux ComubuB, and his
wife Jgema.

' Tmtagil. — ^The small town of Tintagell, in Cornwall, is situated
on the coast of the Bristol Channel, about four miles from Camelford.
The ruins of the castle, which had become so celebrated in medieval
romance, are still seen on the brow of a rock, partly insulated, over-
looking the sea^

VOL. I. B

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2 THE HISTORIE OF

woman, and would not assent to the king. And then she
told the duke, her husband, and said : " I suppose that we
were sent for that I ^ould be dishonoured, wherefore,
husband, I counsell jou that we depart fix)m hence so-
dainely, that we may ride all night* to our owne castell/'
And like as shee had said so they departed, that neither
the king nor none of his counsell were ware of their de-
parting. As soone as king Uther knew of their departing
so sodainly, hee was wonderfull wroth. Then he called to
him his privie counsell, and told them of the sodaine de-
parting of the duke and his wife. Then they advised the
king to send for the duke and his wife by a great charge ;
" and, if he will not come at your oommandement, then may
yee doe your best, for then have you a cause to make
mighty warre upon him." So that was done, and the mes-
sengers had their answeres, and that was this, shortly, that
neither hee nor his wife would not come at him. Then was the
king wonderous wroth. And then the king sent him plaine
word againe, and bad him bee ready and stuffe him and
garnish* him, for within threescore^ dayes he would fetch
him out of the strongest castle that hee had. When the
duke had this warning, anone he went and furnished and
garnished two strong castles of his, of the which the one was
Tyntagyll, and that other called Terabyl.* So his wife,
dame Igrayne, hee put in the castle of Tyntagyll, and hee
put himselfe in the castle of Terrabyll, the which had many
issues and postemes out. Then in all haste came Uther
with a great boast, and layd a siege about the castle of Ter-

* Bide all night. — From Camelot in Somersetshire, where Uther is
evidently supposed to be holding his court, they would, by riding
all night, reach Tintagell before they could be pursued : but not so if,
according to the account of Geoffrey of Monmouth, the king had been
holding his court in London.

* Gamuh, — To store. The Fr. gamin,

' Threescore. — Caxton's text has toithin xL dayes.

* Terabyl, — Geoffrey of Monmouth calls the castle in which duke
Gorlois established himself casteUum Dimilioe. It does not seem now
possible to identify the place intended by either of these names.

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KING ARTHUR. 8

rabyll, and there hee pight many payilions. And there was
great warre made on both parties, and much people daine.
Then, for pure anger and for great love of faire Igrayne,
king Uther fell sicke. Then came to king Uther, sir
Ulfius,^ a noble knight, and asked the king why hee was
sicke ? ** I shall tell thee," said the king, " I am sicke
for anger and for love of fair Igrayne that I may not be
whole." " Well, my lord," sayd Sir Ulfius, " I shal seeke
Merlyn,^ and he shal get you remedy that your heart shal
be pleased." So Ulfius departed, and by adventure he met
Merlyn in a beggers araye. And there Merlin asked Ulfius
whom he sought. And he said he had Uttle adoe to tel
him. " Wei," sayd Merlyn, " I know whom thou seekest,
for thou seekest Merlin, therfore seeke no further, for I
am he, and if king Uther wil wel rewarde me, and bee
swome to me to fulfil my desire, the which shal be his
honour and profit more then mine, for I shal cause him to
have all his desire." " All this will I undertake," said
Ulfius, " that there shal be no thing reasonable, but thou
shalt have thy desire." " Well," said Merlyn, " he shal
have his intent and desire ; and therefore," said Merlin,
" ride on your way, for I will not be long behind."

' Xllfius, — This is one of the names of Teutonic origin which are
mixed up so heterogeneously in these strange romances. It is
hardly necessary to remark that it is the Latinized form of the Anglo-
Saxon name Wulf. Geoffrey of Monmouth calls him Ulfinut de 2K-
caradock. In the early French romances it is Ulfins, and the Uljius
of the English editions may be a mere misreading.

• Merlyn, — Merlin is here introduced rather abruptly, and the
original story of Merlin*s birth and early years, which is here omitted,
is altered in the subsequent romances. According to Greoffrey of
Monmouth (lib. vi. cc. 18, 19), Merlin had been the court magician
since the time of Yortigim, who had caused him to be sought as the
only one capable of relieving him out of the difficulty he had en-
countered in raising a castle on Salisbury plain. This version of
the story also is followed in the early French prose romance of Merlin.

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THE HISTOEIE OF

CHAP. 11. — How Utherpendragon made wane on the duke of
Gornwaile, and how by the meanes of Merlin h6 lay by the
dachesse and begat on her Arthur.

PHEN Ulfius was glad, and rode on more then
a pace til that he came unto king Utherpen-
dragon, and told him he had met with Merljn.
" Where is hee ? '' said the king. " Sir," said
Ulfius, " hee will not tarrie long." Therewithal! Ulfius was
ware where Merlyn stood at the porch of the pavilions dore.
And then Merlyn was hounde to come to the king. "When
king Uther saw him, he said that he was welcome. <' Sir,'^
said Merlyn, " I know all your heart every dele ; so you
will he sworne to mee, as you he a true king anoynted, to
fulfil my desire, you shal have your desire." Then the king
was sworne upon the foure Evangelists. "Sir,^* sayd^
Merlyn, " this is my desire. The first night that you shall
lye hy Igrayne you shall get a child on her, and when it
is home that it shall bee delivered to mee for to nourish
there as I will have it, for it shall be your worship and the
childes availe as much as the child is worth." " I will
well," said the king, " as thou wilt have it." " Now make
you ready," said Merlyn, " this night shall you lye with
Igrayne in the castle of Tintagyll, and you shall be like the
duke her husband.* Ulfius shall be like sir Brastias, a
knight of the dukes, and I will bee like a knight called sir
Jordanus,^ a knight of the dukes. But beware you make
not many questions with her, nor with her men, but say
you are diseased, and so hye you to bed and rise not on the

* Like the duke. — It may be remarked that this incident is evidently
taken from the fable of Jupiter and Alcmena, which was very popular,
under different forms, in the Middle Ages. Arthur, the offspring of
this intrigue, answers to the classical Hercules.

^ Sir Jordanus. — Geoffrey of Monmouth calls him Jordantts de
Tintagol; and according to that writer it was Ulfius who assumed his
form, while Merlin assumed that of Briceles, the Brastias of our
romance.

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KING ARTHUR. 8

morrow till I come to you, for the castle of Tintagill is but
ten miles hence." So, as they had devised, it was done.
But the duke of Tintagill espied how the king rode fromi
the seige of Terrabill, and, therefore, that night he issued
out of the castle at a posteme for to have distressed the
kings hoast. And so, through his owne issue, the duke
himselfe was slwn or ever the king came at the castle of
Tintagill. So after, the death of the duke, king Uther lay
with Igrayne more then three houres after his death and
begat on her Arthur the same night, and, ere day came.
Merlin came to the king and bad him make him ready ; and
so he kist the lady Igrayne and departed in all haste. But
^en the lady hard tell of the duke, her husband, and by
all record hee was dead or ever king Uther came to her,
then shee marvailed who that might be that lay with her in
likenesse of her lord, so shee mourned privily and held her
peace. Then all the barons by on assent prayed the king
of accord betweene the lady Igrayne and him. The king
gave them leave, for faine would hee have beene accorded
with her. So the king put al his trust in Ulfius to entreat
betweene them, so by that entreat at the last the king and
she met together. " Now wil we doe well," said Ulfius,
" our king is a lusty knight and wivelesse, and my lady
Igrayne is a passing faire lady ; it were great joy unto us
all and it might please the king to make her his queene."
Unto that they were all well agreed, and moved it to the
king. And anon like a lusty knight he assented thereto
with a good will, and so in all haste they were married in
a morning with great mirth and joy. And King Lot^ of

' King Lot — Geoflrey of Monmouth, lib. viii. c. 21, calls him
Lot do Loudonesia (Lot of Lothian), and says that he was consul
Leir, by which he perhaps means ** earl ** of Leicester. The compi-
lers of the later romances were much given to making their heroes
kings. Uther's daughter who married Lot is called by Geoffi-ey
Anna. Lot was, according to the same authority, father of Wal-
ganus (Gawaine), and Modred. In the English metrical life of
Merlin, Lot's wife is called Belicent, and they are said to have had
four sons, Gawaine, Gaerehes, Agravain, and Oaheiiet.

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6 THE HISTOBIE OF

Lowthan and of Orkeny then weded Margawse, that was
Gawyns mother. And king Nentres* of the land of Gar-
lot wedded Elain. All this was done at the request of king
Uther. And the third sister, Morgan le Fay,* was put to
Bchole in a nunry, and there shee learned so much that shee
was a great clarke of nigromancy,' and after shee was
wedded to king Urience* of the land of Gore, that was
sir Ewayns^ le Blanchemaynes father.

CHAP. III. — Of the birth of king Arthur, and of his nourishing,
and of the death of king Utherpendragon, and how Arthur was
chosen king, and of wonders and marvailes of a sword that was
taken out of stone by the said Arthur.

f HEN the queene Igrayne wared dayly greater
and greater, so it fell after within halfe a yeere
as king Uther lay hy his queen, he asked her
hy the faith she ought^ unto him whose was the
child within her body. Then was shee sore abashed to give
answere. " Feare you not," said the king, " but tell me
the truth, and I shall love you the better by that faith of
my body." " Sir," said she, " I shal tel you the truth.

* King Nentres. — ^In the English metrical romance of Merlin he
is called Nanters king of Gerlot ; his wife is there called Blasine,
^ eldest daughter" of Utherpendragon, and he is stated to have had
a son named Gorlaas.

* Morgan le Fay. — ^This celebrated personage of romance was, ac-
cording to the auUior of the prose romance of Merlin, an illegitimate
daughter of Igueme, though it is not explained how this happened.
It was, we are told, on her mother's marriage with king Uther that
she was sent to the nunnery, where she employed herself in studying
magic. This may perhaps account for the ill-will she so constantly
bore to her half-brother Arthur.

' Nigromancy, — This was the old English form of what is more
correctly called necromancy.

* Urience. — Urience is the Urianus of Geoffrey, who makes him
king of the Murefmses, or people of Murray in Scotland. Hist. Brit,
ix. 9. The Urien of medieval romance.

* Ewayns. — Iwayn ; a well-known hero of medieval romance.

* Ought — i. e. owed.

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KING ARTHUR. 7

The same night that my loxA was dead, that houre of his
death there came into my castle of Tintagil a man like my
lord in speech and countenance, and two knights with him
in likenes of her^ two knights Brastias and Jordanus, and
80 I went to bed with him as I 6ught to do with my lord,
and that same night, as I shal answere unto God, this child
was begotten upon mee." " That is truth," said the king,
<' as you say, for it was I my selfe that came in his like-
nesse, and, therefore, feare you not, for I am fE^her to the
child." And there hee told her all the cause how it was
by Merlins counselL Then the queene made great joy
when she knew who was the father of her child. Soone
came Merlin unto the king, and said, '< Sir, you must pro-
vide you for the nourishing of your child." " As thou
wilt," said the king, " be it." " Well," said MerUn, « I
know a lord of yours in this land that is a passing true man
and a faithful, and he shal have the nourishing of your child ;
his name is sir Ector, and hee is a lord of faire livelyhood
in many parts of England and Wales. And this lord sir
Ector, let him be sent for, for to come and speake with you,
and desire him your selfe, as he loveth you, that hee will put
his owne child to noi]drishing to another woman, and that
his wife nourish yours.^ And when the child is borne, let
it bee delivered unto mee at yonder privie posteme un-
christned." As Merlin had devised, so was it done, and
when sir Ector^ was come, he made affiance to the king for to

* Her, — Caxton's text has, more correctly, hu,

* Nourish yours* — Southey has given several illustrations of the
care which was taken that children of noble birth should not suck the
milk of plebeians. This feeling was preserved longest in Spain ; and
we are told that the mother of Pero Nino having discovered one day
that her infant son had sucked another woman, had him tossed about
in a cloak till his stomach threw back the stranger's milk. (Southey,
notes, p. 460). The soH of relationship formed by this practice of
fostering was considered stronger even than the natural relation-
ship of blood.

' Sir Ector, — He is called Sir Antoor in the English metrical life
of Merlin.

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8 THE HISfOBIE OF

nourish the child like as the king desired, and there the king
granted sir Ector great rewards. Then when the queene
was delivered, the king commanded two knights and two
ladyes to take the child hound in rich cloath of gold, " and
deUver him to what poore man you meete at the posteme
gate of the castle." So the child was delivered unto Merlin,
and SQ hee hare it forth unto sir Ector, and made an holy
man to christen him, and named him Arthur ; and so sir
Ectors wife nourished him with her owne brests.^ Then
within two yeeres king Uther fell sick* of a great maladie ;
and in the meane while his enemies usurped upon him, and
did a great battle upon his men, and slew many of his peo-
ple. " Sir," said MerUn, " you may not lie so as you doe,
for you must to the field though you ride in an horse-litter ;
for you shall never have the better of your enemies, but if
your person be there, and then shal you have the victory."
So it was done as Merlin had devised, and they carried the
king forth in a horse-litter with a great hoast toward his
enemies. And at Saint Albons there met with the king a
great hoast of the north ; and that day sir Ulfius and sir
Brastias did great deedes of armes, and king Uther*s men
over came the northen battle and slew much people, and
put the remnant to flight. And then the king returned to
London, and mtide great joy of his victorie. And within
a while after hee was passing sore sicke, so that three dayes
and three nights hee was speecheles, wherefore all the
barons made great sorrow, and asked Merlin what oounsell
were best.

" There is none other remedy," said Merlin, " but God
wiU have his wil. But looke that yee al his barons bee
before him to-morrow, and Grod and I shal make him to
speak." So on the morrow al the barons with Merlin came

^ Caxton's text reads with her owne pappe.

^ King Uther fell «c*.— The incidents of Uther's last battle, of his
being carried to it in a litter, and of his subseqaent death, are taken
from Creofi&ey of Monmouth.

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KING AETHUB. 9

before the king. Then Merlin said aloud unto king Uther :
" Sir, shall jour sonne Arthur bee king after your dayes
of this realme, with all the appurtenances ? " Then Uther-
pendragon turned him, and said in hearing of them all ;
'' I give him Gods blessing and mine, and bid him pray
for my soule, and righteously and worshipfully that he
daime the crowne upon forfeiture of my blessing." And
therewith hee yealded up the ghost. And then he was
entered as belonged unto a king, wherefore Igraine the
queene made great sorrow and all the barons. Then stood
the realme in great jepardie a long while, for every lord
that was mighty of men made him strong, and many wende
to have beene king. Then Merlin went to the archbishop
of Canterbury,^ and counselled him to send for all the lords
of the reahne, and all the gentlemen of armes, that they
should come to London afore Christmasse, upon paine of
cursing, and for this cause, that as Jesus was borne on that
night, that Hee would of His great mercy shew some miracle
as He was come to bee king of all mankind ; for to shew
some miracle who should be rightwise king of this realme.
So the archbishop, by the advise of Merlin, sent for all the
lords and gentlemen of armes, that they should come by
Christmasse eve to London. And many of them made
ihem deane of their lives, that their prayer might be the
more acceptable to God. So in the greatest church of
London (whether it were Paules^ or not, the French booke
maketh no mention) all the states and lords were, long or
it was day, in the church for to pray. And when matins
and the first masse was done there was seene in the church-
yard, against the hie altar, a great stone foure square, like
to a marble stone, and in the midest thereof was an anvile

' ArehbUhop of Canterbury, — ^He is called bishop Brice in the
English metrical romance.

' Paules, or, as in Caxton, PowKa. The latter was the old spel*
Ung. It 18 hardly necessary to remark that the doubt of the English
compfler of this romance was well fonndedt

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10 THE HISTORIE OF

of Steele^ a foote of height, and therein stooke a faire sword
naked by the point, and letters of gold were written about
the sword that said thus : — Who so pulleth ojit this

SWOBD OF THIS STONE AND ANVILE, IS BIGHTWISE KINO

BOBNE OF England. Then the people marvailed and told
it to the archbishop. " I commaund you,'' said the arch-
bishop, " that you keepe you within your church, and pray
unto God stil that no man touch the sword til the hie mas
be al done." So when al the masses wer don, al the
states^ went for to behold the stone and the sword. And
then they saw the scripture, some assaied, such as would
have been king. But none might stir the sword nor move
it. " He is not yet here " said the archbishop, " that
shal achieve' the sword, but doubt not God will make
him to be knowne. But this is my counsaile," said the
archbishop, " that wee let purvey ten knights, men of good
fame, and they to keepe this sword." And so it was
ordeined ; and then there was made a crie that every man
should assaie that would for to winn the sword. And upon
new yeeres day the barons let make a justes and a tumey-
ment, that all knights that would just and tumey there
might play. And all this was ordained for to keepe the
lords together and the commons, for the archbishop trusted
that God would make him knowne that should win the
sword. So upon new yeeres day, when the service was
done, the barons rode to the feild, some to just and
some to turney. And so it happened that sir Ector, that
had great hvelihood about London, rode to the justs, and
with him rode sir Key,* his sonne, and yong Arthur

' Caxton's text says, * lyhe * an anvylde of stele,
' States. — All the hrdes, Caxton. The meetings of estates belonged
to the political history of a later period.

* Achieve, — Encheve, Caxton.

* Sir Key. — Caxton has Syr Kaynxa. Kay (Cbttts), king Ar-
thur's foster-brother and steward, is one of the most celebrated per-
sonages in this cycle of romances. He is understood to have been of a
good disposition naturally, but this was mixed with a large amount

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KING ART HUE. 11

that was his uourished brother, and sir Key was made
knight at all halowmasse afore. So as they rode toward
the justes, sir Key had lost his sword, for hee had left
it at his fathers lodging, and so hee prayed yong Arthur
to ride for his sword. ** I will with a good will," said Ar-
thur, and rode fast after the sword ; and when he came home,
the lady and all were gonne out to see the justing. Then
was Arthur wroth, and saide to himselfe, " I will ride to the
church-yard and take the sword with mee that sticketh in
the stone, for my brother sir Key shall not bee without a
sword this day." And so when he came to the church-
yard Arthur alighted, amd tied his horse to the stile, and
so went to the tent, and found no knights there, for they
were all at the justing ; and so hee handled the sword by
the handles, and lightly and fiersly hee pulled it out of the
stone and tooke his horse and rode his way till hee came to
his brother sir Key, and delivered him the sword. And
assoone as sir Key saw the sword, hee wist well that it
was the sword of the stone, and so hee rode to his father,
sir Ector, and said : " Sir, loe here is the sword of the
stone ; wherefore I must bee king of this land." When
sir Ector beheld the sword, hee returned againe and came
to the church, and there they alighted, all three, and went
into the church, and anone hee made sir Key to sweare
upon a booke how hee came to that sword. " Sir," said
sir Key, " by my brother Arthur, for hee brought it to
me." " How gate you this sword ? " said sir Ector to
Arthur. " Sir, I will tell you. When I came home for my
brothers sword, I found no body at home for to deliver mee
his sword, and so I thought my brother sir Key should
not be swordles, and so I came thither egerly and pulled it
out of the stone without any paine." " Found yee any

of envy and spitefolness, and some other evil qualities. These de-
fects are ascribed to the fact of his having been taken from his mother's
breast to make way for the infant Arthur, and from his thus having
sacked a stranger's milk. See before the note on p. 7.

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12 THE HISTORIE OF

knights about this sword ? " said sir Ector. ** Nay," said
Arthur. " Now/' said sir Ector to Arthur, " I under^
stand that you must bee king of this land." " Wherefore
I ?" said Arthur ; " and for what cause ? " " Sir," said sir
Ector, " for God will have it so 5 for there should never no
man have drawne out this sword but hee that shall be
rightwise king of this land. Now let me see whether yee
can put the sword there as it was and pull it out againe.'*
<* That is no mastety,"^ said Arthur ; and so hee put it in
the stone. Therewith sir Ector assayed to pull out the
sword, and failed.

CHAP. IV. — How king Arthur pulled out the sword divers times.

JOW assay you," said sir Ector to sir Key.
And anon hee pulled at the sword with all his
might, but it would not be. " l^ow shal ye
assay? " said sir Ector to Arthur. '* With a
good wil," said Arthur, and pulled it out easily. And
therewithal sir Ector kneeled downe to the earth, and sir
Key abo. " Alas ! " said Arthur, ^* mine owne deare
father and my brother, why kneele you to me? " " Nay,
nay, my lord Arthur, it is not so, I was never your father
ne of your bloud, but I wote well that you are of an higher
blood then I wende you were." And then sir Ector told
him all, how he was betaken him to nourish, and by whose
commandement, and by Merlins deliverance. Then. Arthur
made great mono when hee understood that sir Ector was
not his father. " Sir," said sir Ector unto Arthur, *^ will
you bee my good and gracious lord when you are king ? '*
^* Else were I too blame," said Arthur, "for you are the man
in the world that I am most beholding unto, and my good

* Mastery, — This word was formerly used for skill or perfection in
any art or science. Arthur means here to say that it wanted no
gteat skill to perform this task.

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KING ARTHUR. 13

lady and mother your wife that as well as her owne hath
fostred and kept me ; and if ever it bee G^ds will that I
he king, as you say, yee shall desire of mee what I may
doe, and I shall not faile you ; God forbid I should fails
you." " Sir," sdd sir Ector, " I will aske no more of you
but that you will make my sonne, your fostred brother sir
Xey, seneshall^ of all your lands/' " That shall be done>
sir," said Arthur, " and more by the faith of my body ; and
that never man shall have that office but hee while that hee
and I live." Therewithall they went unto the archbishop,
and told him how the sword was achieved, and by whom.
And upon the twelfth day all the barons came thither for to
assaie to take the sword, who that would assaye. But there
afore them al, there might none take it out but onely
Arthur; wherefore there were many great lords wroth, and
said, " It was great shame unto them all and the realme to
bee governed with a boy of no high blood borne." And so
they fell out at that time, that it was put of till Oandlemasse,
and then all the barons should meete there againe. But
alwayes the ten knights were ordained for to watch the
sword both day and night ; and so they set a pavilion over
Ihe stone and the sword, and five alwayes watched. And
at Oandlemasse many more great lords came thither for to
have wonne the sword, but none of them might prevaile.
And right as Arthur did at Christmasse he did at Oandle-
masse, and pulled out the sword easily, whereof the barons
were sore agreived, and put it in delay till the high feast
of Ester. And as Arthur sped afore, so did hee at Ester ;
and yet there were some of the great lords had indignation
that Arthur should be their king, and put it off in delay till
the feast of Penticost. Then the archbishop of Oanterbury,
by Merlins providence, let purvey of the best knights that
might be gotten, and such knights as king Utherpendragon
loved best and most trusted in his dayes, and such knights

* SeneshaU, — The seneschal, or steward, was one of the highest
and most influential offices about the king's person.

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14 THE H 1ST OBI E OF

were put about Arthur, as sir Bawdewine of Britaine, sir
Key, sir Ulfius, and sir Brastias; all these with many
other were alwayes about Arthur day and night till the feast
of Penticost.

CHAP. Y. — ^How Arthur was crowned king, and how he made officers.

>ND at the feast of Penticost, all maner of men
assayed for to pull at the sword that would
assaye ; and none might prevaile but Arthur,
[and] pulled it out afore all the lords and comons
that were there, wherefore all the comons cryed at once :
" We will have Arthur unto our king, we wiU put him no
more in delay ; for wee all see that it is Gods will that hee
shaU bee our king, and who that holdeth against it we will
slay him." And therewithall they kneeled downe all at
once, both rich and poore, and cryed Arthur mercy because
they had delayed him so long. And Arthur forgave it
them, and tooke the sword betweene both his hands and
offered it up to the alter where the archbishop was, and
was made knight of the best man that was there. And so
anone was the coronation made, and there was hee sworne
to the lords and commons for to be a true king, to stand
with true justice from thenceforth all the dayes of his life :
and then hee made all the lords that held off the crowne
to come in and to doe him service as they ought to doe.
And many complaints were made unto king Arthur of great
wrongs that were done since the death of Utherpendragon,
of many lands that were bereved of lords, knights, ladyes,
and gentlemen. Wherefore king Arthur made the lands
for to be rendred againe unto them that ought^ them.
When this was done that the king had stabhshed all the
countries about London, then hee did make sir Key sene-
shall of England, and sir Bawdewine of Britayne was

^ Ought here means owned, or had a right to them.

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KING ARTHUR. 16

made constable, and sir Ulfiiis was made chamberfine, and
sir Brastias was made warden for to waite upon the
nortii fro Trent forward, for it was tbat time as for the
most part enemie unto the king. But within few yeares
after king Arthur wonne all the north, Scotland and all
that were under their obeysance. Also a part of Wales held
against king Arthur, but hee overcame ^em aU, as hee did
the remnant, and all through the noble prowesse of him-
selfe and his Knights of the Eound Table.

CHAP. VI. — How king Arthur held in Wales at a Penticost a great
feast, and what kings and lords came to this feast.

f EDEN King Arthur removed into Wales, and let
crie a great feast that it should be holden at
Pentecost after the coronation of him at the
citie of Carlion.^ Unto this feast came king
Lot of Lowthean and of Orkeney, with five hundred
knights^ with him. Also there came unto this feast king
Urience of Gore, which brought with him foure hundred
knights. Also to this feast there came king Nentres of
Garlothe, and with him seven hmjdred knights. Also there
came unto this feast the king of Scotland, with six hundred
knights with him, and hee was but a yong man. And
there came imto this feast a king that was called the king
with the ' hundred knights ;3 but hee and his men was
passing weU beeseene at all points. Also there came the

* Carlion, — Caerleon-upon-Usk, the Isca Silurum of the Romans,
the extensive ruins of which were celebrated at the period of the com-
position of these romances. See the description of them by Giraldns
Cambrensis. It was imagined to be the chief city of Arthur and the
imaginary' British kings of his age.

* Five hundred kni^iU, — The reader must bear in mind that, as
each knight had to appear in the field with a certain number of
followers, equally on horseback and armed, this number of knights
answers to a considerable force of men.

' The king toiA the hundred knight*, — ^This king is called, in the
English metrical life of Merlin, Agntgines*

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16 THE HIBTOEIE OF

king of Cardos with five hundred knights. Then was
king Arthur glad of their coming ; for hee wend that all
the kings and knights, had come for great love, and for to
have done him worship at his feast, wherefore the king
made great joy, and sent unto the kings and knights great
present. But the kings would none receive, hut rehuked
the messengers shamefiillj, and said they had no joy to
receive gifts of a herdles hoy that was come of low Wood ;
and sent him word that they would have none of his gifts,
and that they were come to give him gifts with hard swords
hetweene the neck and the shoulders, and therefore they
came thither, so they told the messengers plainly ; for it
was great shame to all them to see such a hoy^ to have the
rule of so noble a realme as this land was. With this
answere the messengers departed, and told this answere
unto king Arthur. And for this cause, by the advise of
his barons, hee tooke him to a strong toure^ with ^yq
hundred good men of armes with him : and all the kings
aforesaid in a manner laid a seige afore him, hut king
Arthur was well vitaled. And within fifteene dayes after
Merlin came among them into the citie of Corhon. Then
all the kings were passing glad of Merlins comming, and
asked him, "For what cause is that berdles boy Arthur made
your king ?" " Sirs," said Merlin, " I shall tell you the
cause. For hee is king Utherpendragons sonne, borne
in wedlock, begotten upon faire Igraine the dukes wife of
Comewaile." "Then hee is a bastard," said they all.
" Nay," said Merlin, " after the death of the duke more
then three houres was Arthur begot, thirteene dayes after
king Utherpendragon wedded faire Igrayne, and there-
fore I prove him hee is no bastard, and who soever saieth

* Boy, — This word was formerly used as a word of contempt or
reproach. Below, Caxton's text reads, for that berdles boy, simply
that boye Arthur^

* A strong toure. — Giraldus speaks of the ruins of an imposing
tower at Caerleon, which may perhaps have given the idea of this
tower to the romance writer.

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KING ARTHUR. 17

liaj, he sliall bee king and overcome all his enemies, and
or Ihat hee die hee shall be long king of all England, and he
shaQ have under his obeysance Wales, Ireland and Scot-
land, and many moe realmes then I wil now reherse."
Some of the kings had mervaile of Merlins words, and
deemed well that it should be as he said ; and some of them
laughed him to scome, as king Lot, and moe other called
him a witch. But then were they accorded with Merlin
that king Arthur should come out and speake with the
kings, and for to come safe and goe safe ; such assurance
was made or Merlin went. So Merlin went unto king
Arthur and told him how he had done, and bad him that
he should not feare, but come out boldly and speake with
them, '^ and spare them not, but answere them as their king
and cheftayne, for you shall overcome them all, whether
they vnll or will not.''

CHAP. Vn.— Of the first wane that king Arthur had, and how he
wanne the field and overcame his enemies.

J HEN king Arthur came out of his toure, and
had imdemeath his gowne a jesseraunt^ of
double maile, which was good and sure ; and
there went with him the archbishop of Canter-
bury, and sir Bawdwin of Britayne, and sir Key the
senesshal, and sir Brastias ; these were the men of most
worship that were with him, and when they were met to-
gether there was but little meekenesse, for there was stout
and hard words on both sides. But alwayes king Arthur
answered them, and said that he woidd make them to bow
and he hved; wherefore they departed with wrath, and
king Arthur bad keepe them wel, and they bad the king
keepe him wel. So the king returned to the toure againe,

■ Jetteraunt, — The jesserannt was a light coat of armour, usually
made of small plates of metal overlapping each other, and having no
sleeves.

VOL. I. C

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18 THE HIBTOBJE OF

and armed him and all his knigHts. " What wil ye doe ?"
said Merlin to the kings ; ** yee ar6 hetter to stint/ for here
je shal not prevailed though ye were teii times so mahy.^'
" Be we wd adyi«ed to hee f^id of a dreame-reader ?"*
said king Lot. With that Merlin yi^khed away, and
eame to king Arthur, aod had him set on them fiersly;
and in the meane while there were three himd^ed good^men^
of the heat that were with the kings, that went straight to
king Arthur,* and that comforted him greatly. "Sir,"
said Merhn to king Arthur, " fight not with the sword that
yott had hy miracle till you see that you goe to ik^ worst,
then draw it out and doe your hest."^ So forthwithall
king Arthur set upon them in their lodging. And sir
B&wdewinne, sir Key, and sh* Brastias slew on the right
hand and on the left, and it was marvaile ; and alway king
Arthur on horseback laid on with a sword and did marvel-
ous deedes of armes, that many of the kings had great joy
of his deedes and hardines. Then king Lot brake out on
the back side, and the king with the hundred knights and
king Carados,^ and set on king Arthur fiersly behind him.
With that king Arthur turned with his knights and smote
behind and before, and king Arthur was in the formost
preea* till his horse was slaine under him. And therewith
king Lot smote downe king Arthur. With that his foure
knights received him, and set him on horseback. Then hee
drew his sword Excalibar ;^ but it was so bright in his enemies

* To tHnt^To cease, or stop.

* Dreame-reader,— An interpreter of dreams. A profession of
great importance in the Middle Ages.

^ Ehtg Carados* — He is called in the English metrical romance
king of Strangore. But the same romance^ a little farther on, calls
Brangores king of Strangore.

* Frees. — A crowd.

^ ExecMar, — ExcdBbw^ Caxton. This is the- first, and ratiier
abrupt, mention in this book of king Arthur's celebrated sword. The
Fr^ch romance of Merlin gives the following interpretation of the
name,—*' Escalibort est un nom Ebrieu, qui vault autant k dire en
Fran9ois comme trfes cher fer et acier, et aussi disoyent-il vrai.**

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KING ARTHUR. 19

eyes, that it gave light like thirtie torches, and therewith
hoe put them backe and slew much people. And then aU
the eonunons of Carlion arose with clubes and staves, and
slew many knights ; but all the knights held them togethw
ynih the knights that were left alive, and so fled and de-
parted. And Merlin came to king Arthur, and counsailed
him to follow them no farther.

GHAP. Yin. — How MerliB coansailed king Arthur to send for king
Ban and king Bors, and of their counsaile taken for the warre.

£0 after the feast and journey, king Arthur drew
him to London, and by the coimsaile of MerUn
the king let call his barons to counsaile. For
Merlin had told the king tbat sixe knights that
made warre upon him would in all hast bee avenged on him,
and on his lands. Wherefore the king asked counsaile of
them alL They could no counsaile give, but said they were
enough. ** Yee say well," said king Arthur, " and I
Ihanke you for your good courage ; but will yee that love
mee speake with Merlin ? yee know well that hee hath done
much for me, and hee knoweth many things ; and when he
is afore you, I would that yee prayed him hartily of his
best advise." And all the barons said they would pray
him and desire him. So Merlin was sent for, and was faire
desired of all the barons to give them the best coimsaile.
" I shall tell you, sirs," said Merlin, " I warn you all that
your enemies are passing strong for you, and they are good
men of armes as any that now live, and by this time they
have gotten foure kings more, and a mighty duke also ;

According to the English metrical romance of Merlin this celebrated
sword bore the following inscription : —

Ich am y-hote Escalibore ;
Unto a king fair tresore.
And it is added in explanation,

On Inglis is this writing,

** Kerve steel and yren and al thing."

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20 THE HISTOBIE OF

and but' if our king had more chivalrie with him then hee
may make himselfe within the bonds of his owne reahne,
and hee fight with them in battaile, hee shall be overcome
and slaine." ** What were best to doe in this case ?" said
all the barons. " I shall tel you," said Merlin, ** mine
advise ; there are two brethren beyond the sea, and they be
kings both, and marvelous good men of their hands ; the
one hight king Ban of Benwicke and that other hight
king Bors of Gaule,^ that is France; and on these two
kings warreth a mighty man of men, king Claudas,* and
striveth with them for a castle ; but this Claudas is so mighty
of goods, wherof he getteth good knights, that he putteth
these two kings for the most part to the worst ; wherefore
this is my counsaile, that our king send unto the two kings,
Ban and Bors, by two trusty knights, with letters well de-
vised, if that they will come and see king Arthur and his
court, and so helpe him in his warres, that hee will bee
swome to them to helpe them in their warres against king
Claudas. Now what say yee imto this counsaile?" said
Merlin. " This is well counsailed," said the king, and
aU the barons. Eight so in all the haste were ordained to
goe two knights upon the message unto the two kings. So
were there made letters in most pleasant wise, according
imto king Arthurs desire. Ulfius and Brastias were
made the messengers, and so rode forth well horsed and
well armed, as the guyse was that time ; and so passed the
sea, and rode towards the citie of Benwicke, and there
besides were eight knights that espied them. And at the
straight passage^ they mette with sir Ulfiua and sir Bras-

* Ban — Bors, — These are called in the versions of the romance of
Merlin, Ban, king of Benoit, in " Lesser Britany,'* and Bohort, king
of Cannes, (perhaps Vannes.) The former place is, of course, what
oar romance calls Benwicke.

* King Claudas, — King Claudas of Gaul appears first in the early-
French prose romance of Merlin by Walter Map, or Mapes. He
makes a conspicuous figure in the romance of Sir Launcdot. He
is always spoken of as the "tyrant" of Gaul.

' Caxton'fl text has at a sirayt passage*

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KING ARTHUR. 21

tias, and would have taken them prisoners. So they
prayed them that they might passe^ for they were messen-
gers unto king Ban and Bors sent from king Arthur.
" Therefore," said the eight knights, ** yee shall die orhee
our prisoners, for wee he knights of king Claudas." And
therewith two of them dressed their speares, and Ulfius and
Brastias dressed their speares, and ran together with great
strength, and Claudas knights hrake their speares and the
other two held, and hare the two knights out of their sadels
unto the earth, and so lefk them lying and rode their way.
And the other sixe knights rode afore to a passage to meete
with them againe, and so Ulfius and Brastias smote other
two downe, and so past on their way.

And at the third passage smote downe other two. And
at the fourth passage there met two for two, and both were
laid to the earth. So there was none of the eight knights
but that he was sore hurt or els brused. And when they
came to Benwicke it fortuned there were both the kings
Ban and Bors. When it was told the kings that there
were come messengers, there were sent to them two knights
of worship, the one hight Lyonses, lord of the countrie of
Payame,^ and sir Phariance a worshipful knight. Anone
they asked from whence they came, and they said from
king Arthm* of England ; then they tooke them in their
armes and made great joy each of other. But anon as the
two kings wist that they were messengers of king Arthurs,
no tarrying was made, but forthwith they spake with the
knights, and welcomed them in the faithfrillest wise, and
said they were most welcome unto them before all the kings
Kving ; and therewith they kist the letters and delivered
them straight, and when king Ban and Bors understood
the letters, then were they better welcome then before ; and
after the haste of the letter they gave them this answere,
that they would fulfil the desire of king Arthurs writing.
And Ulfius and Brastias taryed there as long as they would,

* Payame. — ^Tt would be in vain to 'attempt to. identify tliis and
many other names of places in this romance.

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22 THE HIJSTOBIE OF

and bad as good cheere as might be made tbem in those
marches.^ Then Ulfius and Brastias told the kings of the
adventure of their passages of the eight knights. '* Ha I
ha ! " said king Ban and Bors, ** they were our good frinds,
I would I bad wist of them, they should not have escaped
so." So Ulfius and Brastias had good cheere and great
gifts, as much as they might beare away ; and had thdu*
answ^e by mouth and by writing, that those two kings
would come to king Arthur in all the baste that they-
might. So the two knights rode on afore, and passed the
sea, and came to their lord and told him how they had sped,
whereof king Arthur was passing glad. " At what time
suppose yee the two knights will be beer ? " " Sir," said
they, " dbre all boUowmasse." Then the king Id; purvye
for a great feast, and let crie a great justes. And by all
holowmasse, the two kings were comen over the sea, with
three hundred knights well arayed both for the peace and
for the warre. And king Arthur met with them ten miles
out of London, and there was great joy as could bee thought
or made ; and on all halowmasse, at the great feast, sate
in the hal the three kings. And sir Key the senediall
served in the ball, and sir Lucas? the butler, that was
duke Corneus sonne, and sir Griflet,^ that was the sonne
of Cardol ; these three knights bad the rule of all the ser-
vice that served the kings. And anone, as they b^d washed
and were risen, all knights that would just made them ready.
By than* they were ready on horseback there were seven
hundred knights. And king Arthur, Ban, and Bors, with
the archbishop of Canterbury, and sir Ector, Kay's father,
they were in a place covered with cloth of gold, like an hall,
with ladies and gentlewomen, for to behold who did best,
and thereon to give judgement.

^ Marches. — Borderlands. Preserved in the names of the marches
of Wales and the marches of Scotland.
' Sir I/ttca».-^Called in the English metrical romance sir Lucan.
' Sir Griflet. — The English romance of Merlin calls him Grifles.
* vB^ than, — By the time that. An old Anglo-Saxon form.

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KINQ ARTHUR. 23

CHAP. rX.— Of a great tumey made by kiog Artimr and the two
kiogs Ban and Bors, and how they went over the sea.

^IKG Arthur and the two kings let depart the
seven hundred knights in two parties. And
there were three hundred knights of the reahse
of Benwicke, and thej of Gaule turned on the
other sid§. Then they dressed thdr shields, and many
good knights couched their speeres. So sir Griflet, was the
first that met with a knight that was called Ladynas, and
they met so egerly that al men had wonder, aad they fought
so that their shields fell to peeces, and h<H'se and men fdl
to the earth, and hoth the English knight and the Fr^ich
knight lay so long, that al men wend that they had heene
dead. And when Lucas the hufler saw Griflet lie so,
hee quickly horsed him againe ; and they two did marvailous
deedes of armes with many hatchelers. And also sir Xey
came out of An emhushment with five good knights with
him^ and they sixe smote other sixe downe horse and man.
But sir Key did that day marvelous deedes of arms, that
there was none that did sp well as hee that day. Then
there came ^ flersly sir Ladinas and sir Giastian, two
knights of FrcMice, and did passing well, &at all men
praysed them. Then came there sir Pladdas; a good
knight, and mette with sir Key and smote him downe hon^
and man; where&re sir Griflet was wroth, and mette with
sir Placidas so hard that horse and man fel to the earth.
But when the five knights wist that sir Key had a fall,
they were wondrous wrath^ and therwith each of the^
five bare downe a knight When kijog Arthur a^d tha
two knights saw th^n hegin to waxe wroth on hoth parts^
they lepte on small hacknyes and let crie that al men should
depart unto their lodging. And so they went home and
miarmed them ; and so to even-song mhI supper. And
after the three kings went into a garden, and gave the
pryoe unto sir Key, aud to ^ X'ucas Hs^ h^tl^9 |U)d to

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24 THE HISTOBIE OF

sir Griflet. And then they went to counsaile, and with
them Gwenbaus, brother unto sir Ban and Bors, a wise
clarke, and thither went Ulfius, and Brastias, and Merlin.
And after they had beene in counsaile, they went to bed.
And on the morrow they heard masse, and aft^r went to
dinner,^ and so to their counsaile, and made many arguments
what were best to doe. At the last they were concluded, that
Merlin should goe with a token of king Ban, and that was
a ring, unto his men and king Bors, and Gracian and
Placidas should goe againe and keepe their castles and
their countries, as for king Ban of Benwicke and king
Bors of Gaules had ordeined them, and so passed the sea
and came to Benwicke. And when the people saw king
Bans ring, and Gracian and Pladidas, they were glad, and
asked how the king fared, and made great joy of their
welfaire and cording. And according unto their soveraigne
lords desird, the men of warre made them readie in al
haste possible, so that they had fifteene thousand on horse-
back and on foot, and they had great plenty of victuaU with
them by Merlins provision. But Gracian and Placidas
were left to furnish and garnish the castles for dread of
king Claudas. Eight so Merlin passed the sea, well yic-
tualed both by watfer and by land. And when he came to
the sea, he sent home the foote men againe, and tooke no
more with him but ten thousand men on horsebacke, the
most part men of armes ; and so shipped and passed the sea
into England, and landed at Dover ; and through the witte
of Merlin hee led the boost northward the previest way
that could be thought unto the forrest of Bedgraine,* and
there in a valey he lodged them secretly. Then rode Mer-
lin unto king Arthur and the two kings, and told them

* To dirmer, — The dinner was formerly an early meal. At no
great distance of time the dinner honr was ten o'clock in the forenoon.

' Forut of Bedgraine. — I cannot at all identify this forest. The
English romance of Merlin has Rockingham, both for the forest and
for the castle mentioned subsequently ; but a little further on (see
p. 39) it seems to be identified with Sherwood. - - ■

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KING ARTHUR. 25

how he had sped, whereof they had great manraile, that
man on earth might speede so soone, and goe and come.
So Merlin told them that ten thousand were in the forrest
of Bedgraine, wel armed at al points. Then was there no
more to say hut to horsehacke went all the hoost, as king
Arthur had afore purveyed. So with twenty thousand he
passed hy night and day. But there was made such an
ordinance afore hy Merlin, that there should no man of
warre ride nor goe in no countrie on this side Trent water,
hut if hee had a token from king Arthur, wherethrough
Ihe kings enemies dm^st not ride as they did hefore to espie.

CHAP. X — How eleayen kings gathered a great hoast against
king Arthur.

^ND so within a Uttle space the three kings came

imto the castle of Bedgraine, and found there

a passing faire fellowship and well heseene>

whereof they had great joy, and yittaile they

wanted non. This was the cause of the northern hoast

that they were reared for the despite and rehuke that the

six kings had at Carlion. And those six kings hy their

meanes gate to thoQi five other kings, and thus they hegan

to gather their people, and how they swore that for

weale nor wo they should not leave each other til they had

destroyed king Arthur. And then they made an oath*

The first that hegan the oath was the duke of Candehenet,

that hee would bring with him five thousand men of armes

which were ready on horseback. Then swore king Bran^

degoris of Latangor,^ that he would bring five thousand

men of armes on horsehacke. Then swore king Clariance of

Northumberland that hee would bring three thousand men of

armes. Then swore the king of the hundred knights, that waa

a passing good man and a young, that hee would bring foure

thousand men on horseback. Then king Lot swore, a

* Latangor. — CtcLUmYiza Brandegorit of Strcmggort*

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26 TBE HI8T0BIE OF

passing good knight and sir Gwynas^ father, that hee
Fould bring ^yQ thousand men of arms on horseback. Also
ther swore king XJrience, that was sir Gwinas* £ath^, of
the land of Gore^ and hee would bring slxe thousand men
of armes on horsbacke. Also there swore king Idres of
Oomewaile, that hee would bring five thousand m^i of
armes on horseback. Also there swore king Cradelmans
to bring five thousand men of armes on horsebacke. Also
there swore king Agwisance of Ireland, to bring few
thousand m^i of armes on h(»:sebacke. Also there swozse
king Nentres to bring five thousand men of armes on
horsebacke. Also there swore king Oarados to bring five
thousand men of armes on horsebacke. So their whole
hoost was of cleane men of armes on horsebacke fifty thou-
sand. And on foote ten thousand of good mens bodies.
Then were they soone redie and mounted upon horse, and
sent forth their fore-riders ; for these eleaven kings in their
wayes laid syege unto the castle of Bedgndne: and so they
departed and drew toward Arthur, and left few to byde at
^he syege, for the castle of Bedegrayne was holden of king
Arthur, and the men that were therein were Arthurs.

CHAP. XI.— Of a dreame of the king with the hundred ioiieh^.

/ND so by Merlins advice there were sent fore-
riders to skum^ the countrie, and there* met
with the fore-riders of the north, and made
them to tell which way the hoost came ; and
then they told it to king Arthur, and by king Ban and
Bors counsaile iSiiej let bren and destroyed all the countrie
afore them where they shoidd ride. The king with the

' Sir Gwyntu, — In Caxton's text it is more correctly given Sir
Gawayns,

^ Sir Gwinas, — A similar error. Caxton's text has air Uwaytu
fader,

* Skum, — Caxton, akumme. To skim, to sweep.

* TAere.— CJaxton, <ft^.

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KINQ ARTHUR. 27

hundred knights dreamed a wonderful! dreame two nights
afore the battaile, that there blew a great wind, and blew
downe their castles and their townes, and after that came
a water and bare it al away. Al that heard of the dreams
said it was a token of great battaile. Then by the coun-
saile of Merlin, when they wist which way the eleaven kiugs
would ride and lodge that night, at midnight they set
upon them as they were in their paviliims; but the scoute
watch by their boost cried, '^ Lords, at armes ! ^ for heere be
your ^lemies at your hand."

CHAP. XII. — How that the eleaven kings with their hoast fonght
against king Arthur and his hoast, and of many great feates of
the warre.

f HEN king Arthur, and king Ban, and king Bors,
with their good and trustie knights, set upon
them so fiersly, that they made them overthrow
their pavilions on theu* heads ; but the eleaven
kings by manly prowesse of armes tooke a faire field. But
there was slaine that morrow tide ten thousand of good
mens bodies. And so they had afore them a strong pas-
sage, yet were they fifty thousand of hardy men. Then it
drew toward day. '* Now shall you doe by mine advise,"
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 heere besides in an embush^nent and
keepe them prevy, and that they be led or the light of the
day come, and that they stirre not till yee and your knights
have fought with them long, and when it is daylight, dresse
your battaile even afore them and the passage, that ttey
may see all your hoast, for then they wiU bee the more
hardy when they see you have but twenty thousand, and
eause them to bee the gladder to suffer you and your hoast

' At armes, — The translation, no doubt, of the Fr^ch aux armef /
i.e. arm yourselves, take to your arms.

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28 THE HISTOBIE OF

to come over the passage." All the three kings and the
barons said that Merlin had said passing well, and it was
done as hee had devised. So on the morrow when either
hoast saw other, the hoast of tlie north was well conforted.
Then to Ulfius and Brastias were delivered three thousand
men of armes, and thej set on them fierslj in the passage,
and slew on the right hand and on the left hand, that it was
wonderfiill to tell. When the eleaven kings saw that
there was so few a fellowship and did such deedes of armes,
thej were ashamed, and set on them fierslj againe ; and
there was sir Ulfius horse slaine under him, but he did well
and marvelouslj on foote. But the duke Eustace of Cam-
benet, and king Clariance of Northimiberland, were alway
grievous on sir Ulfius. When Brastias saw his fellow so
fared withall, hee smote the duke with a speare, that horse
and man fell downe. That saw king Clariance, and re-
turned to Brastias and either smote other, so that horse and
man went to the earth, and so they lay long astonyed, and
their horses knees brast to the hard bone. Then came sir
Kay the senesshall, with sixe fellowes with him, and did
passing well. With that came the eleaven kings, and there
was sir Griflet put to the earth horse and man, and Lucas
the butler horse and man, by king Grandegors, and king
Idres, and king Agusance.^ Then waxed the meddle^ pas-
sing hard on both parties. When sir Kay saw sir Griflet
on foote, hee rode to king Nentres and smote him downe,
and led his horse to sir Griflet and horsed him againe.
Also sir Kay with the same spere smote downe king Lot,
and hurt him passing sore. That saw the king with the
hundred knights, and ran to sir Kay and smote him downe,
and tooke his horse and gave him to king Lot, whereof hee

' Agusance occurs in Geofirey of Monmouth, under the form
Augutelus, as king of the Scots. Lib. ix. c. 9. The others are
mostly arbitrary names introduced by the writers of the romances.

^ Meddk,^The battle; medley.

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KING ARTHUR. 29

said, " gramercie." When sir Griflet saw sir Kaj and
Lucas the hutler on foote, hee tooke a sharpe spere great
and square, and rode to PjneU, a good man of arms, and
smote downe horse and man, and then hee tooke his horse
and gave him sir Kay. When king Lot saw king Nentres
on foote he ran to Melot de la Koch, and smote him downe
horse and man, and gave king Nentres the horse and
horsed him againe. Also the king of the hundred knights
saw king Idres on foote; then hee ran unto Guimiart de
Bloi, and smote him downe horse and man, and gave king
Idres the horse and horsed him againe. And king Lot
smote downe Clariance de la Forrest Savage, and gave the
horse to duke Eustace. And so when they had horsed the
kings againe, they drew them all eleaven kings together,
and said they would he revenged of the domage that they
had taken that day. In the meane while came in sir
Ector with an eger countenance, and found Ulfius and
Brastias on foote in great peril of death, which were foule
defoyled under the horse feete. Then king Arthiu* as a
lyon ran unto king Cradelmont of Northwales, and smote
him through the left side, that the horse and the king fell
downe ; and then he tooke the horse hy the rayne and lad
him unto Ulfius, and said, "Have this horse, mine old friend,
for great neede hast thou of an horse." " Gramercy,"
said Ulfius. Then king Arthur did so marvelously in
armes that all men had wonder thereof. When the king
with the hundred knights saw king Cradelmont on foote,
he ranne unto sir Ector, that was well horsed, sir Kays
&ther, and smote downe horse and man, and gave the
horse to the king, and horsed him againe. And when king
Arthur saw the king ride on sir Ectors horse he was wroth,
jand with his sword hee smote the king on the helme, that
a quarter of the helme and shield fell downe, and the sword
kerved downe unto the horse necke, and so the king and
the horse fell downe to the ground. Then sir Kay came

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30 TBE HI ST OBI E OF

to sir Morganore sencyall^ with the king of the hundred
knights, and smote him downe horse and man, and lad the
horse unto his father sir Ector. Then sir Ector ran unto
a knight that hight Kardens,^ and smote downe horse and
man, and lad the horse unto sir Brastias, that had great
neede of an horse and was greatly defoyled.^ When Bras-
tias heheld Lucas the butler, that lay like a dead man
imder the horse feete, and for rescew him sir Griflet did
marvelously, and there were alwayes fourteene knights upon
sir Lucas, and then Brastias smote one of them on the
helme that it went to the teeth, and hee rode to another
and smote him that the arme flew into the fielde. Then
hee went to the third and smote him on the shoulder that
both shoulder and arme flew into the field. And when sir
Griflet saw him rescued,* hee smote a knight on the temples,
that head and helme went to the earth, and sir Griflet
tooke the horse of that knight and ledde him unto sir Lu-
cas, and bad him mount upon the horse and revenge his
hurts. For Brastias had slaine a knight tofore, and hor^d
sir Griflet.

CHAP. XIII.— Yet of the same battaile.

f BffiN Lucas saw king Agwysance that late had ,
slaine Moris de la Eoche, and Lucas ran to
him with a short speare that was great,* that
he gave him such a fsX that the horse fel downe
to the earth. Also sir Lucas found there on foote Bloyas
de la Flaundres and sir Gwynas, two hardy knights, and
in the woodnes^ that sir Lucas was in, hee slew two bat-
chelers and horsed them againe. Then waxed the battaile
passing hard on both parties, but king Arthur was glad

* SencyaU. — ^i. e. the seneschal of the king of the hundred knights*
The text is literally copied from Gaxton, where it appears to be not
quite correctly printed. * Kardens, — Caxton has Larden$,

* De/by&d.— Bruised. * Sawe rescowes, Caxton.

* Great. — ^i. e. thick and strong. • Wbodnea. — ^i. e. furionsness.

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KING ABTHUB. 31

that his knights were horsed againe ; and then they fought
together that the noise and soimd rang hy the water and
. the wood, wherefore king Ban and king Bors made them
ready and dressed their shieldes and hameys, and they
were so cenragious that many knights shooke and tremhled
for egemesse. All this while Lucas, and Guinas, and
Briaimt, and Bellas of Flaunders, held a strong meddle
against sixe kings, that was king Lot, king Nentres, king
Brandegoris, king Idres, King Urience, and king Agwi-
sance4 So with the helpe of sir Kay and sir Griflet they
held these sixe kings hard, that unnethes they had any
power ta defend them selves. But when king Arthur saw
the hattaile would not be ended hy no manner, he fared
Hke a wood^ lion, and stirred his horse heere and there on
the ri^t hand and on the left, that hee stinted not till hee
had slaine twenty knights. Also hee wounded king Lot
sore on the shoulder, and made him to leve that ground, for
Sff Kay and sir Griflet did there, with king Arthury great
deedes of armes. And then sir Ulfius, sir Brastias, and
sir Ector, encountred against the duke Eustace, king Cra-
delmont, king Oardelmans, king Clauriance of Northum-
berland, king Oardos, and against the king with the hun-
dred knights. So these knights encountred with these
kings that they made them to avoide the ground. Then
king Lot made great moane for his domages and his
fellowes, and said unto the eleaven kings, " But if yee will
not doe as I devise, wee shall bee slaine and destroyed.
Let me have the king with the hundred kni^ts, king
Agwisanoe, king Idres, and the duke of Cambenet,* and
we five kings will have fifteene thousand men of armes
with us ; and wee will goe apart while yee sixe kings hold
the meddle with twelve thousand, and as we see that yee
have foughten with them long, then wUl we come on fiersly ;
and else shall we never match them," said king Lot, " but

* fFood.— i. e. mad, furious.

' Camhenet^ — Caxton reads Qxnbenec*.

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32 THE HI8T0BIE OF

by this meane." So anone they departed as they had de-
vised, and the sixe kings made their party strong against
king Arthur, and made great warre longe. In the meane
while brake the embushment of king Ban and Bors, and
Lionses and Phariamice had the vant-guard, and the two
kings met with king Idres and his fellowship, and there
began a great meddle of breaking of speares and smiting
of swords, with sleyng of men and horses, and king Idres
was nere at discomfitm*e. That saw Agwisance the king,
and put Lyonses and Phariaunce in point of death, for the
duke of Cambenet came on them with a great fellowship.
So these two knights were in great danger of their lives
that they were faine to retume, but alwaies they rescued
themselves and their fellowship marvelously. When king
Bors saw those knights put backe, it grieved him sore,
then he came on so fast this his fellowship seemed as blacke
as the men of Inde.* When king Lot had espied king
Bors, hee knew him well, then he said : " O Jesus, defend
us fix) death and horrible maymes, for I see well we ben in
great peril of death, for I see yonder a king, one of the most
worshipfiillest men and one of the best knights of the world is
joyned to his fellowship.'* " WTiat is he?" said the king
with the hundred knights. *< It is,"^ said king Lot, ", king
Bors of Graule ; I marvaUe how they com into this countrey
without weting of us all." " It was by the advise of Mer-
lin," said a knight. " As for him," said king Carados,
** I will encounter with king Bors, if yee will rescewe me
when it is neede." " Go on,'* said they al, '< we wil doe
al that we may for you." Then king Carados and his
boost rode on a softe pace til they came as nigh king Bors

* At blak as Indct Caxton. Jnde was the name of a colour, a very
dark blue.

' It is. — ^It mav perhaps be well to explain, for the benefit of the
general reader, that, in the later feudal age, king Bors would be
known hy his coat of arms, blazoned on his shield. This was the
great object of armorial bearings ; and it was an important branch of
the education of a knight to know people by their arms.

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KING ARTHUR. 33

as a bow shotte. Then either battaile let their horses
runne as- fast as they might, and sir Bleoheris, that was
god-sonne unto king Bors, bare his chiefe standard, which
was a passing good knight. ** Now shall we pee," said
king Bors, "how these northern Britons can beare their
armes." And king Bors encountred with a knight and
smote him throughout with a speare that hee fell downe
dead unto the earth, and after drew his sword and did mer-
vailous deedes of armes, that both parties had great wonder
thereof, and his knights failed not, but did their part ; and
king Carados was smitten to the eaith. With that came the
king with the hundred knights, and rescued king Carados
mightily by force of armes, for he was a passing good
knight, and was but a young man.

CHAP. XIV. — Yet more of the said battaile, and how it was ended
by Merlin.

S|, Y then came into the field king Ban as a fierce
lion, with bandes of grene, and thereupon gold.
" Ha, ha," said king Lot, " now shall we be
discomfited, for yonder I se the most valiant
knight of the world, and the man of most renowne ; for
such two brethren as is king Ban and king Bors are not
living, wherefore we must needs void or die ; and but we
avoid manly and wisely ther is but death." When king
Ban came into the battle, he came in so fiersly, that the
strok redounded againe fro the wood and the water ; where-
fore king Lot wept for pittie and sorrow, that he saw so many
good knights take their end. But through the great force
of king Ban they made both the northern batailes that
were departed to hurtle^ together for great dread ; and the
three kings with their knights slew downe right, that it
was pitie to behold, and a great multitude fled.

* ITur^.— To rush together in a crowd.
VOL. I. D

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34 THE HISTORIE OF

But king Lot and the king with the hundred knights,
and king Morganore, gathered the people together passing
knightly, and did great deedes of annes and held the /
hattaile all that day like hard. When the king with the
hundred knights heheld the great domage that king Ban
did, hee thrust unto him with his horse, and smote him a
mighty stroke upon the helme, which astonied him sore.
Then was king Ban wroth with him, and set upon him
fiersly. When that other saw that, hee cast up his shield
and spurred his horse forward, but the stroke of king Ban
fell downe and carved a cantelP of the shield, and the sword
slod downe by the hawberke behinde his backe, and cut in
twaine the trappour^ of Steele and the horse also in two
peeces that the sword fell to the ground. Then the king
with the hundred knights voyded the horse lightly, and
with his sword hee broched the horse of king Ban through
and through. With that king Ban with great diligence .
voyded the dead horse, and came and smote at the other
so egerly upon the helm that hee fell to the earth. Also
in that ire he felled king Morganore, and there was great
slaughter of good knights and much people. By that time
came into the presse king Arthur, that found king Ban
standing among dead men and dead horses, fighting on
foote as a wood lion ; that there came none nigh him as
farre as hee might reach with his sword, but that hee
caught ^ grievous buffet, whereof king Arthur had great
pitie. Arid king Arthur was so bloody that by his shield
no man might know him, for all was blood and brains on
his sword. And as king Arthur looked by him, he saw
a knight that was passing well horsed, and therewith he
ranne to him and smote him on the helme with such force,
that his sword cutt him in two peeces, that the one halfe
fell on the one side and the other on the other side,'"' and king

' CanteU, — ^A small piece.

'^ Trappour. — Caxton, trappere. The trapper or harness.

' This was evidently intended as an improvement upon Caxton*s

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KING ARTHUR. 35

Arthur tooke the horse and led him unto king Ban, and
said : " Faire hrother, have this horse, for yee have great
neede thereof, and me repenteth sore of your great
domage." " It shall be soone revenged," said king Ban,
" for I trust in God mine hurt is not much, but some of
them may sore repent this." " I will well," said king
Arthur, " for I see your deedes full actual ; neverthelesse
I might not come at you at that time." But when king
Ban was mounted oh horsebacke, then there began a new
battaile, which was sore and hard, and passing great
slaughter.

And so through great force king Arthur, and king Ban,
and king Bors, made their knights a litte* to withdraw them.
But alwayes the eleaven kings with their chivalrie never
turned backe ; 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 in the field. And then the
eleaven kings and their knights assembled them all on an
heape together, as men adread and all discomforted. But
there was no man might passe them, they held them so
hard together, both behinde and before, that king Arthur
had marvaile of their great deedes of armes, and was pass-
ing wroth, " Ah, sir Arthur," said king Ban and king
Bors, ** blame them not, for they doe as good men ought
to doe ; for by my faith," said king Ban, " they are the
best fighting men and knights of most prowes that ever
I saw or hard speak of; and those eleven kings are men
of great worship, and if they wer belonging to you, there
were no king under heaven had such eleven knights, and
joi such worship." " I may not love them," said king Ar-
thur, " they would destroy me." " That know we wel,"
said king Ban and king Bors, " for they are your mortall

text, which reads, and therewith syre Arthur ranne to hyfiu and smote
kym on the helme that his sworde toente unto his teeth, and the knyght
sttnke dtmne to the erthe dede,

* lAtte, more nsnally written lite, a little.

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36 THE HISTOBIE OF

enemies, and that hath ben proved aforehand, and this
day they have done their part, and that is great pittie of
their wilfuUnesse." Then all the eleaven kings drew them
together, and then said king Lot : " Lords, yee must take
other wayes then you doe, or els the great losse is behinde ;
yee may see what people we have lost, and what good men
wee leese, because alwayes we waite upon those foote men,
and ever in saving one of the foote men wee leese tenne
horsemen for him, therefore this is mine advise, let us
put our foote men fro us, for it is ahnost night. For king
Arthm* wil not tary upon the foote men, therefore they may
save them selves, the wood is neare hand. And when we
horsemen be together, looke that everyche^ of you kings
make such an ordinance that none breake upon paine of
death. And who that seeth any man dresse him for to
flee, lightly that he be slaine, for it is better that we slay
a coward, then through a coward all we be slaine. How
say ye ? " said king Lot ; " answere unto mee, all yee
kings." " It is well said," quoth king Nentres ; and so
said the king with the hundred knights, and the same said
king Carados and king Urience, so did king Idi^es and king
Erandegoris, and so did king Cardelmans and the duke of
Cambenet ; the same said king Clariance and king Agwy-
sance. And they swore that they would never fdile the
one unto the other, neither for life nor for death. And
who that fled, but did as they did, should be slaine. Then
anone they amended their hamyes, and righted their
shieldes, and tooke new speares, and set them on their
thighes, and stood stil as it had beene a plompe^ of wood.

' Everyclie. — Every one.

' Plompe.—A clump of trees is still called a plump in the dialects
of the north of England.

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KING AETffUB, 37

CHAP. XV.— Yet of the said battayle.

^HAN kinge Arthur, and kynge Ban, and kinge
Bora behelde them and all their knyghts, they
praised them greatly for their nohle cheere of
chyvalry, for the hardyest fyghtera that ever
they heard or sawe. With that there dressed them a
fortie noble knyghtes, and sayd unto the three kings that
they would breake theyr batayle, these were theyr names :
Lyonses, Pharyaunce, Ulfyus, Brastias, Ector, Key, Lucas
the butler, Griflet le Fyse de Dieu, and Meryet of the
Eocke,^ Guynas de Bloy, and Briant de la Forest Savage,
Ballaus and Moryans of the Castel of Maydens, Flanedrius
of the Castell of Ladies, Annecians, which \f as kinge Bora
god-sonne, a valyaunt knight, Ladinas de la Bouse, Eme-
raus, Caulas, and Gracience le Castleyn, one Bloyse de la
Case, and sir Colgrevaunce of Gorre. All these fortie
knightes rode on afore, with great speres on their thyghes,
and spurred theyr horaes myghtely as fast as theyr horses
might runne. And the eleaven kinges, with part of their
good knightes, rushed with their horaes as fast as they
might with theyr speres, and there they did on both par-
ties mervaylous deedes of armes. So came into the
thyckest of the presse kinge Arthur, Ban, and Bora, and
slewe downe ryght on both handes, that theyr horaes went
in bloode up to the fytlockes. But ever the eleaven kinges
and theyr boost were alwayes in king ALrthurs vysage.
T\Tierefore king Ban and Bora had great mervaill consy-
deringe the great slaughter that there was, but at the last
they were driven backe over a lytle ryver. With that came
Merlyn upon a great black horse, and sayde to king Arthur,
'* Ye have never done ; have ye not done ynough ? of three
score thousand ye have left on lyve but fifteene thousand ;

* Mariet de la Boche, Caxton.

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38 THE HISTORIE OF

it is tyme for to saye ho/ for God is wrothe wjth you
that you wyll never have done, for yonder eleaven kinges
at this tyme will not bee overthrowen ; hut and if yee tary
upon thepi any longer, all your fortune wyll tume, and
theirs shall encrease, and therefore withdrawe you to your
lodginge, and there rest you as soone as you may, and re-
warde well your good knightes wyth gold and silver, for
they have ryght well deserved it, for there may no ryches
be too deere for them, for of so fewe men as ye have, there
were never men did more prowesse than they have done
this day, for yee have this day matched with the best
fyghters of the worlde." *^ That is trouth," sayde king
Ban and Bors. "Also,'' said Merlin, "wythdraw you
where you lyst, for these three yeres I dare undertake they
shall not hurt ne greeve you, and by than ye shall here
newe tydinges/* And than Merlyn said to king Arthur,
" These eleaven kinges have more in hand than they are
ware of, for the Sarasyns are landed in their countries
more than fortie thousand that brenne and sley, and have
layde seyge at the castell Wandsbrought^ and made great
destruction; therefore dreade ye not these three years.
Also, sir, all the goods that ye have gotten at this battaile
let it be searched, and when ye have it in your handes, let
it be given freely to these two kings that be here, Ban and
Bors, that they may reward their knightes withall, and
that shall cause straungers to be of a better wyll to doe you
service at a neede. Also ye be able ynough to reward your
owne knights of your owne goods when so ever it lyketh
you." " It is well sayde," quod king Arthur, " and as
thou hast devised so shall it be done." Whan it was de-
livered to kinge Ban and king Bors, they gave the goodea
as freely to their knights as it was given them.

^ Ho» — This was the formal exclamation used hy the king or um^
pire of a tournament to command the combatants to cease.

' WandtbrougM, — Caxton, Wandesborow. Perhaps this is the
ancient camp of yandlebary,on the Gogmagog hills near Cambridge,
concerning which a legend is related by Gervase of Tilbury, There
is, however, a Wanborough in Wiltshire.

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KING ARTHUR. 39

Than Merlyn tooke his leave of king Arthur and of the
two kinges, for to goe see his master Bleise* which dwelt
in Northumberland; and so departed and came to his
master, which was passing glad of his commmg, and there
he told him how kinge Arthur and the two kinges had sped
at the great battayle, and how it was ended, and tolde him
the names of every kinge and knyght of worship that was
there. And so Bleyse wrote the battayle word by worde
as Merlyn tolde him, how it began, and by whom, and in
like wise howe it was ended, and who had the worst. All
the batayles that were done in king Arthurs dayes Merlyn '
caused Bleyse his master to write them. Also he caused
hym to wryte all. the batayles that every worthy knyght
did of king Arthurs court. After this Merlyn depaited
from his master and came to kinge Arthur that was in the
castell of Bedegraine, that was one of the castels that stood
in the forrest of Sherwood, and Merlyn was so disguysed
that king Arthur knewe him not, for he was all furred in
black sheeps skynnes, and a great payre of bootes, and a
bow and arowes, in a russet gowne, and brought wild geese
in his hand, and it was on the morow after Candelmasse
daye, but king Arthur knew him not. " Syr," sayde Mer-
lyn to king Arthur, "willyee give mee a gift?" "Wher-
fore," sayde the king, " should I give thee a gift? thou
chorle ! " " Syr," sayde Merlyn, " yee were better to give
mee a gyft, the which is not in your hands, than to leese
gi*eat riches. For here in the same place where as the
great battayle was, is great treasure hid in the earth."
" Who told thee so, chorle?" sayd king Arthur. " Mer-
lyn told me so," saide he.

Than Ulfius and Brastias knew him well ynough, and

* JTts master BleUe, — Blaise, according to the lep^end of Merlin,
was a holy hermit who had protected the mother of Merlin from the
fiend, and had undertaken his education after he was horn. It is pre-
tended that Merlin afterwards employed Blaise as his historiofrrapher,
and communicated to him, as they occurred, the events in which he
took a part, or which he witnessed.

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40 THE HISTORIE OF

smiled at him. " Syr," sayde these two knightes, " it is
Merlyn that speaketh so mito you." Than king Arthur
was greatly abasshed, and had mervaile of Merlyn, and so
had king Ban and king Bors, and so they had great sport
at him. So in the mean while there came a damoysell
which was an earles dau^ter, and hir fathers name was
Sanam, and her name was Lyouors, a passing fayre
damoysell, and so she came thyther for to doe homage, as
other lords did after the great bataile. And kinge Ar-
thur set his love greatly upon hir, and so did she upon
him, and the king had adoe with hir, and begate upon hir
a childe, and his name was Borre, that was after a good
knight of the round table. Than there came word that
kinge Ryence of Ndrth Wales made strong warre upon king
Leodegraunce of Camelyarde.^ For the which thinge
kinge Arthur was wrothe, for bee loved him well and hated
king Ryence, because bee was alwayes agaynst him. So
by the ordinance of the three kinges that were sent home
to Benwycke, they all would depart for dreade of king
Claudas, and Pharyaunce, and Antemes, and Gracians,
and Lyonses, Payarne, with the leaders of those that should
keepe the kings lands.

CHAP. XVI. — How king Arthur, king Ban, and king Bors
reschewed king Leodegraunce, and of other incidents.

fHEN king Arthur, and king Ban, and king
Bors departed with their felowship, about
twentie thousand, and came within six dayes
into the countrie of Camelyard, and there re-
scewed king Leodegraunce, and slewe there much people
of king Ryence, unto the number of ten thousand of men,

^ Cbm€/yar£2e.— Cameliard is apparently the district called Carme"
Ude in the English metrical romance of Merlin, on the border of
which was a town called Breckenho ( ? Brecknock). Further on in
the same poem the capital of Carmelide is said to be Carohaise.

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KING ARTHUR, 41

and put him to flight. And than had these three kings
great chere of king Leodegraunce, and thanked them of
their great goodnes that they woulde revenge him of his
enemies. And there had king Arthur the first sight of
Guenever/ daughter unto king Leodegraunce, and ever
after he loved hir. And afterward they were wedded, as
it shall he shewed hereafter. So hrevely to make an ende,
these two kings tooke their leave to go into their owne
countrie, for king Claudas did great distruction on both
their landes. Than said king Arthur, " I will goe with
you.'* **Nay," sayde the two kings, "yee shall not
at this time, for yee have yet much to doe in these lands ;
therfore wee will depart, and with the great goods that
we have gotten in these landes by your gyffcs, we shall wage
many good knyghts, and withstand the malyce of king
Claudas, for, by the grace of God, if wee have need, we will
send to you for succour. And if yee have need, send for
us, and we will not tarry, by the faith of our bodies.'' " It
shall not neede," said Merlyn, " that these two kings come
againe in the way of warre, but I know well that the noble
king Arthur may not be long from you, for or twelve
moneths^ .be past ye shall have great need of him, and
than he shall revenge you on your enemies, as ye have
revenged him on his. For these eleaven kings shall dye
all in one day, by the great might and prowesse of armes
of two valiant knights, as it shall be shewed hereafter, their
names ben Balyn le Savage and Balan his brother, which
bene mervaylous good knightes as any be now living."

Nowe turne we unto the eleaven kings, which returned
to a city that hyght Sorhaute, which city was wythin king
Uryence land, and there they refreshed them as well as

* Guenever. — Geoffrey of Monmouth, the head of all these legends,
calls the lady Guanhumara, and tells ns that she was of a noble
Roman family» and the most beautiful woman In the whole island.
Her unfaithfulness to her illustrious husband is well known to every
reader, and was proverbial in the later Middle Ages.

* Twelve moneths. — Caxton reads, within a yere or two.

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42 THE HISTORIE OF ,

they myght, and made leches* to search their woundes,
and sorowed greatly for the death of their people. With
that there came a messenger and told them that there was
comen into their lands people that were lawlesse as well as
Sarasins fortie thousand, and have brent and slayne all the
people that they may come by without mercy, and have layd
seige unto the castel of Vandesborugh. " Alas," saide
the eleaven kings, " here is sorrow upon sorrow, and if we
had not warred against king Arthur as we had done, hee
would soone revenge us ; and as for king Leodegraunce, he
loveth king Arthur better than us ; and as for king
Ryence, hee hath ynough to doe with king Leodegraunce,
for he hath layde seige unto him." So they consented
to keepe all the marches of Comewayle, of Wales, and of
the. north. So first they put king Idres in the city of
Nauntes in Brytayne, with foure thousand men of armes
for to watch both the water and the land. Also they put
in the city of Windesan king Nentres of Garlot, with
foure thousand knights, for to watch both the water and the
land.

Also they had of other men of warre more than eight
thousand, for to fortify all the fortresses in the marches of
Comewayle. Also they put moe knyghtes in all the mar-
ches of Wales and of Scotland, with many good men of
armes. And so they keept them togither the space of three
yere, and ever alyed them with mighty kings, dukes, lords,
and gentelmen. And to them fell king Ryence of North
Wales, which was a mighty man of men, and also Nero,
that was a mighty man of good men also. And al this
while they fumyshed and gamyshed them of good men of
armes and vytale, and of al manner of ordynaunce that
belongeth to warre, for to avenge them of thtf battayle of
Bedegrayne, as it is rehersed in the booke of adventure
following.

* Leches.— i, e. physicians.

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KING ARTHUR. 43

CHAP. XVn. — How king Arthur rode to Carlyon, and of his dreame,
and how he sawe the questing beast.

JHEN after that king Ban and king Bors were
departed, king Arthur rode unto Carljon, and
thyther came to him Lots wyfe of Orkeny in
manner of a messenger, but shee was sent
thither to espye the court of king Arthur, and she came
richly beseene with hir foure sonnes, Gawayne, Gaherys,
Agravayne, and Gareth, with many other knights and
ladies, and she was a passing fayre lady; wherefore the
king cast great love imto her and desired her to lye by her.
So they were agreed, and hee begate upon her Mordred,
and she was his sister on the mothers side Igrayne. So
there shee rested her a month, and at the last she departed.
Than on a time the king dremed a mervaylous dreame,
whereof he was right sore adread. But all this time king
Arthur knewe not that king Lots wife was his sister. This
was king Arthurs dreame. Him thought that there waa
comen into this lande many gryffons^ and serpents, and
him thought* that they brent and slew all the people in the
land, and then him thought that he fought with them, and
that they did him passing great domage and wounded him
fiill sore, but at the last hee slewe them all. "Whan the
king awoke, hee was passing heavy and right pensive of
his dreame. And so for to put away al these thoughts hee
made him ready with many knights to ryde on hunting.
As soone as hee was in the forest, the king saw a great
hart afore him. " This hart will I chace," said king Ar-
thur ; and so he spurred his horse and rode long after, and
80 by fine force oft he was like to have smitten the hart ;
where as the king had chaced the hart so long, that his
horse had lost his breath and fell downe dead. Then a

* Gryffom, — Flying dragon^.

' Him thought.^lt seemed to him. The verb thinke had two
senses in old £nglish-rto think and to seem.

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44 THE HISTOBIE OF

yeoman fet the king another horse. The king saw the hart
embushed, and his horse dead ; he sat him down by a foun-
taine, and there he fel in great thoughts, and as he sat
there alone, him thought he heard a noise of hounds to the
number of thirtie. And with that the king saw comming
toward him the strangest beast that ever he saw or heard
tell of; so the beast went to the fountaine and dranke, and
the noyse was in the beasts belly like unto the questyn^ of
thirtie couple of hounds, but all the while that the beast
dranke there was no noyse in the beasts belly, and there-
with the beast departed with a great noyse, whereof the
king had grieat mervaile, and so he was in great thought,
and therwith he fel on sleepe. Eight so there came a
knight on foote to king Arthur, and said, " Knight, full of
thought and sleepy, tel me if thou sawest a strange beast
passe this way ? " " Such one saw I," said king Arthur
unto the knight, "that is past two miles. What would
you with that beast ? " said king Arthur. " Sir, I have
followed that beast long time, and have killed my horse, so
would God I had another to follow my quest." Eight so
came one with the kings horse, and when the knight saw
the horse hee prayed the king to give him that horse, — "For
I have followed this quest these twelve monethes, and either
I shall acheave him or bleede of the best blood of my body."
King Pellinore that time followed the questing beast, and
after his death sir Palomides followed it.

CHAP. XVni. — How king Pellinoi^ tooke king Arthurs horse, and
followed the questing beast, and how Merlin met with king Arthur.

2IE knight," said king Arthur, " leave that quest
and suflfer mee to have it, and I will follow it
other twelve moneths." " Ah, foole," said the
knight to king Arthur, " thy desire is in vaine,

* Q^Mtyn. — To queste^ in the language of hunting, means to give
tongue as hounds when on the scent of game.

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KING ARTHUR. 45

for it shall never be acheaved but by me, or by my next
kynne." Therewith he stert to the kings horse and
mounted into the saddle, and said, " Gramercy, this horse
is mine." " Well," said king Arthur, " thou maist take
my horse by force, but and I might prove thee whether
thou wert better on horseback or I, I would be content."
" Well," said the knight, " seeke me here when thou wilt,
and here nigh this well thou shalt find me," and so passed
forth on his way. Then sat king Arthur in a great study,
and bad his men fetch his horse as fast as ever they might.
Bight so came Merhn like a child of foureteene yeeres of
age, and saluted the king, and asked him why he was so
pensive and heavy. " I may well be pensive and heavy,"
said the king, " for here even now I have scene the most
marvailous sight that ever I saw." " That knowe I well,"
said Merlin, " as well as thy selfe, and of aU thy thoughts ;
but ihou art but a foole to take thought, for it will not
amend thee. Also I know what thou art, and also who was
thy father, and also on whom thou wert begotten ; king
Utherpendragon was thy father, and begat thee on
Igraine." " That is false," said king Arthur ; " how
shouldest thou know it, for thou art not so old of yeeres
for to know my father?" " Yes," said Merlin, " I know
it better then you, or any man living." " I will not be-
leeve thee," said king Arthur, and was wroth with the child.
So Merlin departed, and came againe in the likenesse of
an old man of foure score yeeres of age, whereof the king
was glad, for hee seemed to be a right wise man. Then
said the old man, " why are you so sad? " ** I may wel
be heavy," said king Arthur, *^ for divers things ; also here
was a chUd and told me many things that me seemeth he
should not know, for he was not of age for to know my
father." " Yes," said that old man, " the child told you
the truth, and more would hee have told you and you
would have suffered him. But you have done a thing late
wherefore God is displeased with you, for you have lyen by

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46 THE HISTOBIE OF

your sister/ and on her you have gotten a child that shall
destroy you and all the knights of your reahne." " What
are you," said king Arthur, "that tell me these tidings?"
" I am Merlin, and I was hee in the childs likenesse."
^* Ah ! " said king Ai*thur, " yee are a marvailous man,
but I marvaile much of thy words, that I must die in
battaile." " Mervaile not," said Merlin, " for it is GtKb
will that your body be punished for your foule deedes.
But I may well be sory," said Merlin, " for I shal die a
much^ shameful death, as to be put into the earth all quicke,
and yee shall die a worshipfull death." As they thus
talked, came one with the kings horses,^ and so the king
mounted on his horse and Merlin on another, and so rode
to Carlion. And anon the king asked Ector and Ulfius
how hee was begotten. And they told him tbat Uther-
pendragon was his father, and queene Igraine his mother.
Then king Arthur said unto Merlin, "I will that my
mother be sent for that I may speake with her, and if shee
say so her selfe, then will I beleeve it." In all hast the
queene was sent for ; and she came anon, and brought with
her Morgan le Fay hir daughter, that was as faire a lady
as any might be. And the king welcomed Igraine in the
best manner.

CHAP. XIX. — How Ulfius appeaches queene Igrajne, king Arthurs
mother, of treason. And how a knight came and desired to have
the death of his master revenged.

IGHT so came Ulfius, and said openly, that the
king and all that were there might heare : —
*' Yee are the falsest lady of the world, and the
most traytresse unto the kings person." ** Be-

* Your sister. — Lot's wife is said to have heen a daughter of
Igraine, bom before her intercourse with Utherpendragon. See be-
fore, p. 43. As, according to the following chapter, Arthur did not
yet know who was his father or mother, his incest was involuntary'.

* Much. — This word was not unusual in the sense of very.
. ' Horu9, — Caxton's text has horit in the singular.

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KING ARTHUR, 47

ware, Ulfius," said king Arthur, " what thou sayst, for thou
speakest a great word." " I am well ware," said sir Ul-
fius, " what I speak, and heare is my glove for to prove it
upon , any man that saith the contrary, that this queene
Igraine is cause of all yom' domage, and of your great
warre that yee have had, for and shee would have uttered
in the life of king Utherpendragon of the hirth of you and
how you were begotten, yee should never have had halfe
the mortall warres which ye have had. For the most part
of yoiu* great lords, barons, and gentlemen of your realme
knew never whose sonne ye were, nor of whom you were
begotten ; and she that bare you of her body should have
made it knowne openly in excusing of her worship and
yours, and in likewise to all the realme. Wherefore I prove
her false to God and you, and to all your realme, and who
will say the contrary, I wiU prove it upon his body." Then
spake Igraine, and said, " I am a woman, and may not
fight ; but rather then I should be dishonoured, there would
some good man take my quareU. More," she said, " Mer-
lin knoweth weD, and you, sir Ulfius, how king Uther
came to me in the castle of Tintagill, in the likenesse of
my lord, that was dead three houres tofore, and thereby
gat a child that night upon me. And after the thirtenth
day king Uther wedded me, and by his commandement
when the child was borne, it was delivered to Merlin, and
nourished by him ; and so I saw the child never after, nor
wote not what is his name, for I never knew him yet." And
then sir Ulfius said unto the queene, " Merlin is more to
blame then ye." " I wote well," said the queene, " that
I bare a child by my lord king Uther, but I wote not
where he is become." Then Merlin tooke the king by the
hand, saying, " This is your mother." And therwith sir
Ector bare witnesse how he nourished him by king Uthers
commandement. And therewith king Arthur tooke his
mother, queene Igraine, in both his armes and kissed her,
and either wept upon other. And then the king let make .

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48 THE HIS TO EI E OF

a feast which lasted eight dayes. Then on a day there
came into the court a squire on horsehacke, leading a knight
hefore him wounded to the death, and told him there was
a knight in the forest that had reared up a pavihon by a
well side, '* and hath slaine my master, a good knight, and
his name was Miles ; wherefore I beseech you that my
master may be buried, and that some good knight may re-
venge my masters death." Then was in the court great
noise of the knights death, and every man said his advise.
Then came Griflet, that was but a squire,^ and he was but
young, of the age of king Arthur, so he besought the king,
•for aU his service that he had done, to give him the order
of knighthood.

CHAP. XX. — How Griflet was made knight, and how he justed with
a knight.

^HOU art full yoimg and tender of age," said
king Arthur, "for to take so high an order
upon thee." " Su-," said Griflet, " I beseech
you to make me a knight." " Sir," said Mer-
Un, " it were pittie to leese Griflet, for he will be a passing
good man when he commeth to age, abiding with you the
terme of his life ; and if he adventure his body with
yonder knight at the fountaine, he shall bee in great perill
if ever he come againe,* for he is one of the best knights
of the world, and the strongest man of armes." " Well,"
said king Arthur. So, at the desu-e of Griflet, the king
made him knight.

" Now," said king Arthur to sh- Griflet, " sithen that I
have made thee knight thou must graunt me a gift." " What
ye will, my lord," said sir Griflet. '* Thou shalt promise

* But a squire. — It is perhaps hardly necessary to remark that the
position of squire was that of the young noble before he obtained the
dignity of knighthood.

2 i. e. in danger of never returning.

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KING ARTHUR. 49

me, by the feith of thy body, that whan thou hast justed
with tiie knight at the fountaine, whether it fall that ye be
on foot or on horsebacke, that in the same manner ye shall
come againe unto mee without any question or making
any more debate." " I will promyse you,'' said Griflet,
" as ye desire/' Than sir Griflet tooke his horse in great
hast, and dressed his shield, and tooke a great spere in his
hand, and so he rode a great gallop* till he came to the
fountaine, and thereby he saw a rich pavillion, and thereby
under a cloth stood a fayre horse well sadled and brideled,
and on a tree a shielde of divers colours, and a great spere.
Than sir Griflet smote upon the shielde with the end* of
his spere, that the shield fell downe to the ground. With
that came the knight out of the pavilion, and said, "Fayre
knight, why smote ye downe my shield ? " " For I will
just with you," said sir Griflet. " It were better ye did
not," said the knight, " for ye are but young and late made
knight, and your might is nothing to jnine." " As for
that,^' said sir Griflet, " I will just with you." " That is
mee loth," said the knight, " but syth I must needs, I will
dresse me thereto ; but of whence be ye ? " said the knight.
" Sir, I am of king Arthurs court." So they ran together
that sir Griflets spere all to-shevered, and therwithall he
smot sir Griflet through the shield and the left side, and
brake his spere, that the tronchon stacke in his body, that
horse and knight fell downe.

' GaUop. — Caxton has, he rode a grete wallop,
' End, — Caxton has, with the bott of his spere.

VOL. I.

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60 THE HISTORIE OF

CHAP. XXI. — How twelve knights came from Rome and asked
truage of this land of king Arthur, and how king Arthur fought
with a knight

^HEN" the knight sawe him lye so on the ground,
hee alighted and was passing heavy, for he
wend he had slaine him, and than he unlaced
his helme and gave him wind, and so with the
tronchon he set him upon his horse and betooke him to
God, and said he had a mighty heart, and if he might
live he would prove a passing good knight. And so sir
Griflet rode to the court, where as great mono was made for
him ; but through good leeches he was healed, and his
life saved. Eight so came in the court twenty' knights,
and were aged men, and they came from the emperour of
Kome, and asked of king Arthur truage' for this realme,
or els the emperour would destroy him and his land.
" Well," said king Arthur, " yee are messengers, therfore
may ye say what ye will, or els ye should die therfore.
But this is mine answere : I owe the emperour no truage,
nor none wiU I send him ; hut upon a fayre field I shall
give him my truage, that shall he with a sharpe spere, or
els with a sharpe swerd, and that shall be witliin these few
dayes, by m}' fathers soule." And therwith the messen-
gers departed passingly wroth, and king Arthur was as
wroth as they, for in an evill time came they then, for the
king was passing wroth for the hurt of sir Griflet. And
by and by he commaunded a prevy man of his chamber,
that or it be day his best horse and armour with al that
belonged to his person ** that it be without the citie or to
morrow day." Eight so in the morning afore day he mette
with his man and his horse, and so mounted up and dressed

* Twenty. — In Caxton it is twelve. Geoffrey of Monmouth, from
which this part of the romance is taken, agrees with Caxton in the
number of ambassadors.

• TrMfl^— Fealty.

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KINi^ ARTEUM. 51

lusi^eld, and todce kis spere, and badde his chamberlayne
tary there till he came againe. And so Mng Arthur rode
bitt a soft pace till it was day, and then was he ware of
three t^orles^ which chased Merlin, and would have slaine
him. Than king Arthm* rode unto them a good pace, and
cried to them : " Flee, chorles," Than w«re they a&ayde
whan ihey saw a knight,* and fled away. *' O, Merlin,"
said king Arthur, " heere haddest thou bene sliune for all
Ihy craft, had I not bene." " Nay," said Merlin, ^* not
80, for I could sa^e my selfe if I would, and thou art more
neere thy death then I am, for thou goest toward thy
death, and^ God be not thy friend." So as they went thus
talking they came to the fountaine, and the rich pavilion
by it. Than king Arthur was ware where a knight sate
all armed in a chayre. " Sir knight," said king Arthur,
** for what cause abidest thou heere? That there may no
knyght ryde this way but if he do jiMt with thee ? " said
the king. '^ I reade thee leeve that custome," said king
Arthur. " This custome," said the knight, " have I used
and win use, maugre who saith nay ; and who is grieved
with my custome, let bim amende it that will." " I will
amend it," said king Arthur. " And I shall defend it,"
said the knight Anone he tooke his horse, and dressed
his shield, and t^oke a spere, and they met so hard either on
others shield, that they all to-dievered theu' speres. There-
with king Arthur drew his swerde. " Nay, not so," said
Ae knight, " it is fayrer that we twayne ren more together
with sharpe speres." " I will well," said king Arthur,
" and I had any mo speres." ** I have speres ynough,"
said the knight. So Idiere came a squire, and brought two
good speres, and king Arthur tooke one and he another,
so they spurred their horses, and came together with al

' Chorles. — i. e. peasants.

* Saw a knight — In the feudal ages the aristocratic class treated
the peasantry with such brutal tyranny, that a peasant gladly avoided
encountering a knight.

• .^Tirf.— i.e.if.

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52 THE HISTOBIE OF

their might, that either brake their speres in their hands.
Than king Arthur set hand to his swerd. " Nay," said
the knight, "ye shall do better, ye are a passing good
juster as ever I met withal, for the love of the high order
of knighthood, let us just it once again." " I assent me,"
said king Arthur, Anon, there were brought two good
speres, and every knight gate a spere, and therwith they
ran together, that king Arthurs spere all to-shivered. But
the knight hit him so hard in the middes of the shield, that
horse and man fell to the earth, wherwith king Arthur
was sore angred, and drew out his swerd, and said : " I
will assay thee, sir knight, on foot, for I have lost the
honour on horsebacke." " I will bee on horsbacke," said
the knight. Then was king Arthur wroth, and dressed his
shield toward him with his swerde drawen. When the
knight sawe that, bee alighted for him. He thought it was no
worshippe to have a knight at such avauntage, he to be on
horsbacke, and the other on foot, and so alight, and dressed
him to king Arthur. And there began a strong battaile,
with many great strokes, and so hewed with their swerds,
that the cantels^ flew in the fields, and much blood they
bled both, so that all the place where they fought was all
bloody, and thus they fought long, and rested them, and
then they went to battayle agayne, and so hurtled together
like two wilde bores,^ tiiat either of them fell to the earth.
So at the last they smote together, that both their swerds
met even together. But the swerd of the knight smote
king Arthurs swerd in two peeces, wherfore he was heavy.
Than said the knight to the king : ^' Thou art in my
daunger,^ whether me lyst to save thee or sley thee, and
but thou yeeld thee as overcome and recreaunt, thou shalt
dye." " As for death," said king Arthur, " welcome be

* Cante/s. — Fragments.

* Bores, — Caxton's text has, fyke two rammes,

' In my daunger. — ^The original meaning of dianj)fer was lordship or
dominion ; to be in the danger of any one, meant to be in his power.

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KINQ ABTHUR. 53

it when it oommeth, but as to jeeld me to thee as recreannt,
I had leyer die than to he so shamed." And therwithaU
the king lept unto Pellynore, and tooke him by the middle,
and threw him downe, and raced off his hehne. Whan
the knight felt that, hee was adread, for hee was a passing
big man of might, and anone he brought king Arthur
under him, and raced^ off his helme, and would have
smitten off his head.

CHAP. XXII. — How Merlin saved king Arthurs life, and threw an
enchaontment upon king Pellinor, and made him to fall on sleepe.

fHEEEWITHALL came Merlin, and said:
" Knight, hold thy hand, for and thou sley that
knight, thou puttest this realme in the greatest
domage that ever realme was in, for this
knight is a man of more worship then thou wettest of."
"Why, who is he?" said the knight. "It is king Ar-
thur." Then whould he have slaine him for dread of his
wrath, and heaved up his sword, and therwith Merlin cast
an enchauntment on the knight, that he fell to the earth
in a great sleepe. Then Merlin tooke up king Arthur,
and rode forth upon the knights horse. " Alas," said king
Arthur, " what hast thou done. Merlin ? hast thou slaine
this good knight by thy craftes ? there lived not so wor-
shipfull a knight as hee was ; I had lever than the stint* of
my land a yeare, that he were on live." " Care yee not,"
said Merhn, " for he is wholer then ye, for he is but on
sleepe, and will awake within three houres. I told you,"
said Merlin, " what a knight he was ; heere had yee beene
slaine had I not beene. Also, there Hveth not a better
knight then he is, and he shall doe you hereafter right
good service, and his name is Pellinore, and he shal have
two sonnes, that shal be passing good men, and save one,

> Baced.Seaeed of, Caxton. * i9ttet— The loss.

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54 THE RISTOEIE OF

they w^aU: kave no fslkyir of prowesse and e£ good living ;
tKie one shall he named Percivale^ of Wales, and the other
Lamerocke of Wales, and they^ shall teU yon the name c^
your own hegotten sonne upon your sislOT, that shall he
ih& distruction of all this reahne."

CHAP. XXni.— How kin^ Arthur, bv the meanes of Msrlnv gate
his sword of Excalibor of the lady of the lake.

IIGHT SO the king and he departed, and went
unto an hermitage where as was a good man
and a great leache.* So the hermit searched
all his woundes, and gave good salves, and the
king was there three dayes, and then were his wounds wd
amended that he might ride and goe. And so Merlin and
he departed, and as they rode king Arthur said, '< I have
no swwd." " No fwce,*'* said Merlin, " here hy is a sword
that shall he yours and I may." So they rode til they
came to a lake, which was a faire water and a hroade, and
in the middes of the lake king Arthtu* was ware of an 2am0
dothed in -vdiite samite,^ that held a £aire sword^ in the
hand. '^ Lo," said Merlin to the king, '* yonder is the
BwcHrd that I spake of." With that they saw a damofiell
going upon the lake. ^^ What damosell is that?" said the
king. " That ia the lady of the lake," said MerKn, " and
within that lake is a roeh, and th^^ is as &ire a plaee^ a9
any is on earth, and richly beseene, and this damoseU will
come to you anone, and then i^ak faire to her that she will
give you that sword." Therewith came the damoadl to

* Percivale, — Caxton, Persyvah

* They. — Caxton has, Ae, no doubt the correct reading.

' Leaeke, — ^A pbysician. * No f tree, — ^No matter.

* 8ataUe.-^A rich silk, (^n interwoven with gold or silver thread.

* Sword. — ^This, according to the title of the chapter, was the cele-
brated swerd Exeidibur, which our romaace gives to Aiilnar at aa
earlier period. See p. 18.

^ Fki^ — i. e, a dweUing, or mansloiL

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KING ARTHUR. 55

king 'Arthor and saluted bim, and he her againe. ^' Damo-
sel," said the king, ^^ what sword is that which the anne
holdeth yonder above the water? I would it were mine, for
I have no sword." " Sir king," said the damosell of the
lake, '^ that sword is mine, and if yee wU give me a gift
when I aske it you, yee shal have it." ** By my faith,"
said king Arthur, " I will give you any gift that you will
aske or desire." " Well," said the damosell, " goe ye in^
to yondw barge, and rowe your selfe unto the sword, imd
take it and the scabbard with you, and I will aske my gift
when I see my time." So king Arthur and Merlin alighted,
tyed their horses to two trees, and so they went into the
barge. And when they came to the sword that the hand
held, king Arthur tooke it up by the handles and toc^e it
with him ; and the arme and the hand went under the
water ; and so came to tJie land and rode forth. Then king
Arthur saw a rich pavilion. " What signifieth yonder pavi-
lion?" " That is the knights pavilion that yee fought
with last, sir Pellinore, but hee is out, for he is not there,
hee hath had adoe with a knight of yours, that hight
Egglame, and they have fough^n together a great while,
but at the last Egglame fled, and else he had beene dead, and
hath chased him to Oarlion, and we shall anone meete with
him in. the high way." " It is well said," quoth king Ar-»
thur, " now have I a sword, and now will I wage battaile
with him and be avenged on him." " Sir, ye shall not
doe so,'' said Merlin, " for the knight is weary of fighting
and diaceing, so that ye shall have no worship to have a-
doe with him ; abo he wil not lightly be matched of one
knight living ; and therefore my counsaile is that ye let
him passe, for he shall doe you good service in shwt time,
and his sonnes after his dayes. Also ye shall see that day
in short space, that ye shall be right glad to give him your
sister to wife." " When I see him," said king Arthiu:,
" I will doe as ye advise me." Than king Arthur looked
upon the sword, and liked it passing well. '^ Whether

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56 THE HISTOBIE OF

liketh you better," said Merlin/*the sword orthescabbard?"
" Me liketh better the sword/* said king Arthur. " Ye
are more unwise,'* said Merlin, " for the scabbard is worth
ten of the sword, for while ye have the scabbard upon you
ye shall leese no blood be ye never so sore wounded, there-
jfore keepe well the scabbard alway with you." So they rode
on to Carlion, and by the way they met with sir Pellinore.
But Merlin had done such a craft that Pellinore saw not
Arthur, and so he passed by without any words. " I mar-
vaile,'* said the king, " that the knight would notspeake."
"Sir," said Merlin, "he saw you not, for and he had
scene you he had not lightly departed." So they came
unto Carlion, whereof the knights were passing glad ; and
when they heard of his adventures, they marvailed that he
would jeopard his person so alone. But all men of worship
said it was mery to be under such a chiefetaine that would
put his person in adventure as other poore knights did.

CHAP. XXIV. — How tidings came to king Arthur that king Ryence
had overcome eleaven kings, and how he desired king Arthurs
beard to purfel his mantell.

[ HE meane while came a messenger hastely from
king Eyence^ of Northwales, and he was king
of all Ireland, and of many iles ; and this was
his message, greeting wel king Arthur in this
manner wise, saying, that king Reyence had disconfited and
overcomen eleaven kings, and everiche of them did him
homage, and that was this, they gave him their beards
deane flayne of as much as there was ; wherefore the mes-
senger came for king Arthurs beard, for king Rience had
purfeled^ a mantell with kings beards, and there lacked for

* King Ryence, — He is called in the English metrical romance <»f
Merlin, Rjance king of Ireland. In other romances he is called
king Ryon.

' Fw/ekd, — ^Trimmed, or hemmed.

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KING ARTHUR. 57

one place of the mantell, wherefore he sent for his beard,
or else bee would enter into his lands '^ and brenn and slej,
and never leave till he have thy head and thj beard."
" Well," said king Arthur, " thou hast said thy message,
which is the most vilainous and lewdest message that ever
man heard sent to a king. Also thou mayest see my beard
full young yet for to make a purfell of, but tell thou the
king this. I owe him none homage, ne none of mine
elders, but or it belong he shall doe to me homage on both
his knees, or else he shal leese his head, by the faith of my
body, for this is the most shamefiilest message that ever I
heard speak of; I see well the king met never yet with a
worshipful man, but tell him I will have his head without
he doe homage unto me." Then the messenger departed.
" Now is there any heere," said king Arthur, " that
knoweth king Eyence ? " Then answered a knight that
bight Naram : ^' Sir, I know him well, hee is a passing
good man of his body as few beene living, and a passing
proude man, and, sir, doubt yee not hee wil make warr on
you with a mighty puissance." " Well," said king Ar-
thur to the knight, "I shall ordayne for him, and that
shall he finde."

CHAP. XXV. — How all the children were sent for that were borne
upon May day, and how Mordred was saved.

J HEN king Arthur let send for all the children^
that were borne on May day, begotten of lords
and borne of ladies. For Merlin told king Ar-
thur that he that should destroy him should be
borne on May day, wherefore he sent for them al upon
paine of death. And so there were foimd many lords sons,
and all were sent unto the king, and so was Mordred sent
by king Lots wife, and all were put in a shippe to the sea,

* AU the children. — ^The idea of this incident is evidently taken
from that of the murder of the innocents in the New Testament.

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58 THE HISTOMIE OF

and some were foure weekes olde, and some lesse.^ And
so by fortune the shippe drove unto a castle and was al to*
riven and destroied the most part, save that Mordred was
cast up, and a good man found him, and nourished him til
he was foureteene yeeres old, and then he brought him to
the court, as it is rehearsed afterward toward the end of
the death of king Arthur. So many lords and barons of
this reahne were sore displeased, because that their children
wer so lost, and many put it on the wit^ of Merlin more
then on king Arthiur. So what for dread, and what for
love, they held their peace. But when the messenger
came to king Byence, then was he wood out of measure for
anger, and purveied him for a great boast, as it is rehersed
afterward in the booke of Balin le Savage that followeth
next after, and how by adventure Balin gate the sword.

CHAP. XXVI. — Of a damosel which came gyrd with a sword for to
finde a man of such vertae to draw it out of the scabbard.

^FTEE the death' of king Utherpendragon
reigneth king Arthur his sonne, which had
great warre in his dayes, for to get all Eng-
land into his hands ; for there were many kings
at that time within the realme of England, in Wales, in
Scotland, and in Cornewayle. So it befel upon a time

* And some lesse, — One does not clearly understand how, all being
borne on May-day, if some were four weeks old, others could be less.
Yet this is literally copied from Caxton's text. It must have beea
intended for " and some more."

* Wit — The printer of the edition of 1684 has mistaken Caxton's
text, which here reads, and memy put the wyte on MtrlyHf i. •. roaay
threw the bham on Merlin.

' After the death, — Here commences, in Caxton's text, the second
book ; it appears, as indicated at the close of the preceding chapter,
to have been taken for, or to have been abridged from, a separate
romance, and it opens accordingly with a statement of the accession
^ king Arthur, as though that event had not been already related in
detml.

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KINd ARTRUB. 5^

when king Arthur ivas at London, there came a knight
that brought the king tydings how that king Eyence of
Noediiwales had reared* a great nmnber of people, and were
entred isto the land, and brent and sleif the kings true liege
people. " If that be true," said king Arthur, " it were
great dbame unto mine estate but that he were mightily
withstanden." " It is troth," said the knight, " fcff I saw
the hoast my selfe." Then king Arthur let make a erie^
that all the lords, knightes^ and gentlemen of armes should
draw unto a castle that was called in those dayes Camelot,'
and there the king would let make a eounsaile generall,
and a great justes. So when the king was comen thither
with all his baronage, and lodged as them seemed best^
there came a damoseU which was sent on message from the
great lady Lyle of Avelyon.^ And when she came before
king Arthur ^ee told him from whom she came, and how
ihe was sent on message unto him for these causes^ and
ghe let her mantle &U that was richly fiured, and then was
she girded with a noble sword, wherof the king had great
marvaile and said : '^ Damosdl, for what cause are ye gird
wi& that sword ? it beseemeth you not." << Now shall I teU
yon," said the damoseU ; " this sword that I am gird with-
aU doth me great sorrow and encombrance, for I may not
be delivered oi this sword but by a good knight, and bee
must be a passing good man of his hands and of his deedes^
and without vilany or trechery ; if I may finde such a knight
that hath all these vertues, he may draw out this sword of
the scabbard. For I haye beene at king Ryence, for it

* Beared, — i. e. raised.

' Camdot. — Tbis waathe plaee now cdled Camel, near Sottth-Ca^-
baiy in Somersetshire, where the vast entrenchmenta of an ancient
town or station are still seen. Strangely enough, our romance, a
Httlc fiirther on, see chap, xlir., identifies Camelot, very erroneously,
with Winchester ; and Caxtcm, as appears by his preface, imagined
it to be in Wales.

' Avdyon. — No doubt Avallon, the celebrated island in which
Glastonbury was boflt. Perhaps the original was merely la dame de
Vyk d^AveiyoHy the lady of the iile «f AveLyoB.

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60 THE HISTOBIE OF

was told that there were passing good knights, and he and
al his knights have assayed it, and none can speede."

" This is a great mervaile," said king Arthur ; " and it
he soothe, I will my selfe assay to draw out the sword, not
presuming upon my selfe that I am the best knight, but
that I will beginne to draw at your sword, in giving example
to al the barons, that they shall assay every one after other
when I have assayed." Then king Arthur took the sword
by the scabard and by the girdel and pulled at it egerly,
but the sword would not out. " Sir," said the damoseU,
" yee neede not to pull halfe so hard, for he that shall pul
it out, shall doe it with little might." " Ye say well," said
king Arthur, " now assay ye, all my barons ; but beware ye
be not defiled with shame, trechery, ne guile." " Then it
will not availe," said the damosell, " for he must be a cleane
knight without viUany, and of gentell streamed of father
side and mother side." Most of all the barons of the round
table that were there at that time assayed all by rowe f but
none might speede, wherefore the damosel made great
sorrow out of measure, and said : *' Alas ! I wend in this
court had beene the best knights without trechery or trea-
son." "By my faith," said king Arthur, "heere are
good knights as I deeme any beene in the world, but their
grace is not to helpe you, wherefore I am greatly dis-

CHAP. XXVII. — How Balin, arayed like a poore man, pulled out
the sword, which afterward was cause of his death.

tT happened so at that time that there was a
poore knight with king Arthur, that had beene
prisoner with him halfe a yeare and more, for
sleying of a knight which was cossen to king
Arthur, This knight was named Balin le Savage, and

* Streame, — Caxton has, correctly, strenef i e. race, progeny.
' ^If rowe* — L e. in torn, one aft^ the ether.

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KING ARTHUR. 61

by good meanes of the barons hee was delivered out of
prison, for hee was a good man named pf his body, and
hee was borne in ^Northumberland. And so he went privily
into the court, and saw this adventure, whereof his heart
raysed/ and would assay it as other knights did, but, for
because he was poore and poorely arayed, he put him not
£Ehrr in presse. But in his heart he was fully assured to
doe as well (if his grace happened hun) as any knight that
was there. And as that damosell tooke her leave of king
Arthur and al the barons, this knight Balin caled unto her
and said, " Pamosell, I pray you of your courtesie to suffer
me as well to assay as these lords ; though I be poorely
cloathed, in mine heart me seemeth I am fully assured as
some of these other lords, and me seemeth in my heart to
speede right well." The damosell beheld the poore knight,
and saw hee was a likely man ; but because of his poore
aray she thought he should be of no worshippe without
vilany or trechery. And then she said to the knight Balin,
" Sir, it is no neede to put me to any more paine or labour,
for it beseemeth not you to speede there as other have
jGuled." " Ah, faire damosell," said Balin, ** worthynesse
and good taches,^ and good deedes, are not all onely in
rayment, but manhood and worship is hid within mans per-
son, and many a worshipfull knight is not knowen unto all
people, and therefore worship and hardinesse is not in ray-
ment and clothing." " By God," said the damosell, *' ye
say troth, therefore yee shall assay to doe what ye may."
Then BaUn tooke the sword by the girdell and scabbard,
and drew it out easily, and when hee looked upon the
sword it pleased him much. Then had the king and all
the barons great marvaile, that Balin had done that ad-
venture, and many knights had great spite at Balin.
" Truely," said the damosell, *' this is a passing good
knight, and the best man that ever I found, and most

' RaysecL — Rose. * Good taches, — Good qualitiea.

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62 TEE EISTOEIE OF

of worship without treason,- trechery, or viflany, and many
manrailes shall he a^ea?e. Now gentle and courteous
knight," said t^ damosell, " give mee the sword againe.'*
" Nay," said Balin, *' for this sword wiU I keepe, but it be
taken from me by force.*' ^Well," said the damoseH,
" yee are not wise to ke^e the sword from me, for ye shall
sley with the sword the best friend that ye have, and tl»e
man that ye most love in this world, and the sword shall
be your destruction." " I shall take the adventure," said
Baling " that God will ordaine to me, but the sword ye shall
not have at this time by the faith of my body."

" Ye shall repent it within a short time," said the
damosell, " for I would have the sword more for your availe
then for mine, for I am passing heavy for your sake, for
ye will not beleeve that the sword shall be your destruc-
tion, and that is as great pittie as over I knew." Willi
that the damosell departed, making the greatest sorrow
that might be. Anon after Balin sent for his horse and
his armour, and so would depart fro the comi;, and tooke his
leave of king Arthur. " Nay," said the king, " I suppose
ye will not depart so lightly fix) this fellowship. I beleeve
yee are displeased that I have shewed you unkindenesse,
blame me the lesse, for I was misenformed against yon ;
but I wend you had not beene such a knight as ye are of
worship and prowesse, and if ye will abide in this court
with my good knights, I shall so avaunce you that ye shall
be well pleased." " God thanke your highnesse," said
Balin, " for your bountie and highnesse may no man praise
halfe to the value ; but as now at this time I must needes
depart, beseeching you alway of your good grace."
" Truely," said king Arthur, " I am right wroth for your
departure ; I beseech you, feire knight, that ye wil not tarry
long, and ye shall be right welcome to me and to all my
barons, and I shall amend al that is amisse and that I have
done against you." " God thanke your lordship," said
Balin, and therewith made him ready to depart. Then the

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KING ARTHUR. 63

most part of the knights of the round table said that Balin
did not this adventure all onely by might, but by witch-
craft.

CHAP. XXVin.— How the ladie of the lake demanded the knights
head that had wonne the sword, or the maydens head.

JHE meane while that this knight was making
him ready to depart, there came into the court
a lady, which hight the lady of the lake, and
she came on horsebacke richly beseene, and
saluted king Arthur, and there she asked him a gift that
he had promised her when she gave him the sword.

" That is sooth," said king Arthur, " a gift I promised
you; but I have forgotten the name of the sword which ye
gave me." " The name of it," said the lady, " is Excali-
bur,* that is as much to say as cutte-steele." " Ye say
well," said king Arthur, " aske what ye will, and ye shall
have it, if it lye in my power to give it." " Wei," said
the lady of the lake, " I aske the head of the knight that
hath wonne the sword, or else the damosels head that
brought it ; and though I have both their heads I force*
not, for he slew my brother, a full good knight and a true,
and that gentlewoman was causer of my fathers death."
"Truely," said king Arthur, "I may not graunt you
neither of their heades with my worshipe, therefore aske
what ye will else and I shall ftilfill your desire." " I will
aske none other thing of you," said the lady. When Ba-
lin was redy to depart he saw the lady of the lake there, by
whose meanes was slaine his owne mother, and he had
sought her three yeeres. And when it was told him that
she demanded his head of king Arthur, he went strait to
her and said, " Evill be ye found, ye would have my head,
and therefore ye shall loose yours ; " and with his sword

* JTxcaKtur.— Sec before, pp. 18, 54. * Force, — I care.

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64 THE HIS TO RIB OF

lightly he smote of her head, in the presence of king Ar-
thur. " Alas, for shame ! " said the king, ** why have you
done 80 ? you have shamed me and all my court, for this
was a lady that I was much heholden unto, and hither she
came under my safe conduite ; I shall never forgive you
that trespasse." " My lord," said Balin, " me forthinketh^
much of your displeasure, for this lady was the untruest
lady living, and by her enchauntement and witchcraft she
ha^ beene the destroyer of many good knights, and she
was causer that my mother was brent through her false-
hood and trechery." " What cause soever ye had," sayd
king Arthm*, " ye should have forborne her in my presence ;
therefore thinke not the contrary, ye shal repent it, for such
another despite had I never in my court afore, therfore
withdraw you out of my court in all the haste ye may."
Then Balin tooke up the head of the lady and bare it with
him to his hostry,* and there he met with his squire, that
was sorry he had displeased king Arthur. And so they
rode foorth out of the towne, " Now,'' said Balin, " we
must heere depart ; take you this head and bare it to my
friends, and tell them how I have sped, and tel my friends
in Northumberland that my most foe is dead ; also tell them
how I am out of prison, and also what adventwe did befall
me at the getting of this sword." " Alas,'* said the squire,
" ye are greatly to blame for to displease king Arthur."
" As for that," said Balin, " I will hie me in all the haste
I may to meete with Rience, and destroy him, or else to
die therfore ; and if it may happen me to winne him, then
will king Arthur be my good and gracious lord." " Where
shall I meete with you ? " said the squire. ** In king Ar^
thurs comt," said Balin. So his squire and he departed
at that time* Then king Arthur and all the court made
great dole,^ and had great shame of the death of the lady
of the lake. Then the king full richly buried her.

» Forthinketh.—B,ei^nteth.

* Bostry, — ^An inn, or lodging. * Dole. — Griet

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KING ARTHUR. 65

CHAP. XXIX.— How Merlin told the adyentture of the damosell.

^T that time there was in king Arthurs court a
knight that was the kings sonne of Ireland,
and his name was Lanceor, and he was a proude
knight, and hee counted himselfe one of the
best knights of the court, and he liad great spite at Balin
for the atcheaving of the sword, that any should be ac-
counted of more prowesse then he was ; and he asked king
Arthur if he would give him leave to ride after Balin and
to revenge the dispite that he hath done. "Doe your
best," said king Arthur, " for I am right wroth with Balin ;
I would hee were quite of the dispite that he hath done to
me and to my court.'' Tlien this Lanceor went to his
hostrie to make him redy. In the meane while came Mer-
lin to king Arthurs court, and there it was told him of the
adventure of t^e sword, and of the lady of the lake. " Now
shall I say to you," said Merlin, " this damosell that here
standeth, that brotight the sword unto your court, I shal tel
you the cause of her comming, she is the falsest damosel
that Kveth." " Say not so," said they, " she hath a bro-
ther a passing good knight of prowesse and a full true man,
and this damosell loved another that held her to paramour,
and this good knight her brother met with the knight
that held her to paramour, and slew him by force of his
hands. When this false damosell understood this, she went
to the lady Lile of Avelyon, and besought her of helpe to
be avenged on her brother.

CHAP. XXX. — ^How Balin was pursued by sir Lanceor a knight of
Ireland, and how Balin slew him.

I ND 80 this lady Lile of Avelion tooke her this
sword which she brought with her, and told
that there should no man draw it out of the
scabbard, but if he were one of the best knights

VOL. I. p

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66 THE HISTORIE OF

of this realme, and he should be hardy and fid of prowesse,
and with that sword he should slej her brother. This was
the cause that the damosell came into this court." " I
know it as well as yee doe/' said MerUn, " would to God
she had never come into this court, for she came never in
fellowship of worshippe to doe good, but alway great harme ;
and that knight which hath acheaved the sword shal be
destroyed by that sword, wherfore it shall be great domage,
for there is not living a knight of more prowesse then he
is, and he shall doe unto you, my lord king Arthur, great
honour and kindenesse, and great pittie it is for he shall
not endure but a while, and as for his strength and hardi-
nesse I know not his match living.'' So the knight of
Ireland armed him at all points, and dressed his sheild on
his shoulder and mounted up on horsebacke, and tooke his
speare in his hand, and rode after as fast as his horse could
run, and within a little space on a mountaine he had a
sight of Balin, and with a loude voice he cried to him, and
said : ** Abide knight, for ye shall abide whether ye will
or will not, and the sheild that is tofore you shall not helpe
jou."

When Balin heard that noyse, he turned his horse fiersly,
and said, " Faire knight, what will you with me, will yee
just with me ? " " Yea," said the Irish knight, " there-
fore am I come after you." " Peradventure," said Balin,
" it had beene better to have holden you at home, for many
a man weneth to put his enemy to a rebuke, and often it
falleth to himselfe. Of what court be ye sent ftx> ? " said
Balin. '* I am come fro the court of king -Arthur," said
the knight of Ireland, " that am come hither for to revenge
the despite that ye have done this day to king Arthur and
to his court."

" Well," said Balin, " I see weU I must have adoe mik
you, which me forethinketh^ for to greive king Arthur or
any of his knights ; and your quarell is ftiU simple to me,"
* Forethinketh, — i. e. repenteth.

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KIF6 ARTHUR. 67

said Balin, '^ for the lady that is dead did great domage,
and else I would have beene as loth as any knight that
liveth for to sley a lady.'* " Mak you ready/' said the
knight Lanceor, ^^ and dresseyou to me, for one of us shall
abide in the field." Then they tooke their speares in all
the haste they might, and came together as fast as their
horses might drive, and the kinges sonne of Ireland smote
Balin upon his shield, that his speare went all to shivers.
And Balin smot him with such a might that it went through
his shield, and perished the hawberke, and so pearced
through his body and the horse croupe, and Balin anone
turned his horse fiersly, and drew out his sword, and wist
not that he had slaine him, and then he saw him lye as a
dead corps.

CHAP. XXXI. — How a damosell which was in love with Lanceor,
slew her selfe for his love, and how Balin met with his brother
Balan.

[HEN he looked by him and was ware of a
damosell that came riding as fast as her horse
might gallop, upon a fair palfray ; and when
she espied that sir Lanceor was slaine then she
made sorrow out of measure, and said, " O Balin, two
bodyes haste thou slayne and one heart, and two hearts in
one body, and two soules thou hast lost." And therewith
she tooke the sword from her love that lay dead, and as
she tooke it shee fell to the ground in a swoone, and when
she arose she made great dole out of measure, which sorrow
greeved Balin passing sore, and went to her for to have
taken the sword out of her hands, but she held it so fast,
that in no wise he might take the sword oiit of her hands,
but if he should have hurt her ; and sodainly she set the
pomel of the sword to the grounde and runne her selfe
through the body. And when Balin saw her dead, he
was passing heavy in his heart, and ashamed that so faire

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68 THE HISTOBIE OF

a damosell had destroyed her selfe for the great loye she
had unto sir Lanceor. '^ Alas," said Balin, '^ me repent-
eth sore the death of this knight for the love of this damo-
sell, fcH' there was much true love hetweene them hoth."
And for sorow might no longer hehold them, hut turned
his horse and looked toward a forrest, and there heeespjed
the armes of his hrother Balan. And when they were met,
they put off their helmes and kissed together, and weept
for joye and pittie. Then said Balan, '* I wend* little to
have met with you at this sodaine adventure ; I am right
glad of your deliverance out of your dolorous prisoning, for
a man told me in the castle of foure stones that ye were
delivered, and that man had seene you in king Arthurs
court, and therefore I came hither into this country, for here
I supposed to finde you." And anone Balin told unto his
hrother of all his adventures of the sword and of the death of
the lady of the lake, and how king Arthur was displeased
with him, " Wherefore he sent this knight after me that
lieth here dead, and the death of this damosell greiveth me
fill sore." " So doth it me," said Balan, " hut ye must
ti^e the adventure that Gt)d will ordiune untq you."
" Truely," said Balin, " I am right heavy of minde that
my lord king Arthur is displeased with me, for he is the
most worshipfiilest knight that reigneth now on the earth,
and his love I will get or else I will put my life in adven-
ture ; for king Eyence of Northwales hedi at a syege at
the castle Terrahill, and thither will wee draw in al haste,
to prove our worship and prowesse upon him." " I will
well," said Balan, " that we doe so, and we willhelpe each
other as brethren ought to doe."

* Wend, — Supposed, expected.

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KINO ARTHUR.

CHAP. XXXII.— How a dwarfe reproved Balin for the death of
Lanceor, and how king Marke of Comewayle found them, and
made a tombe over them.

^KOTHEE," said Balin, " let us goe hence, and
well bee we met." The meane while as they
talked, there came a dwarfe from the citie of
Camelot on horsebacke as fast as hee might,
and found the dead bodyes, wherefore he made great dole,
and drew his haire for sorrow, and said, " Which of you
knights hath done this deede ? " " Wherby askest thou
it?" said Balin. "For I would wite," said the dwarfe.
" It was I," said Balin, " that slew this knight in my de-
fence, for hither came he to chace me, and either I must
sley him or he me, and this damosell slew her selfe for his
love, which me sore repenteth, and for her sake I shall owe
all women the better love and favour." " Alas," said the
dwarfe, " thou haste done great domage unto thy selfe, for
this knight that is here dead was one of the most valiantest
men that lived, and trust thou well Balin that the kinne of
this knight will chace thee through the world till they have,
slaine thee." *' As for that," said Balin, " I feare it not
greatly ; but I am right heavie because I have displeased
my sovewdgne lord king Arthur, for the death of this
knight." So, as they talked together, there came a king,
of Comewaile riding by them, which was named king
Marke,* and when he saw these two bodies dead and un-
derstood how they were dead by one of the two knights
above said, then made king Marke great sorrow for the true
love that was betweene them, and said : " I wil not depart
from hence til I have on this earth made a tombe." And
there he pight his pavilions, and sought through all the

' Rng Marke. — ^This personage is so celebrated among the herpes
of the romances of king Arthur, that it is hardly necessary to give
an J particalar account of him here, especially as we shall find him
acting a more prominent part farther on.

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70 THE HIBTQBIE OF

countrie to finde a tombe. And in a church thej found
x)ne was rich and faire, and then the Jibing let put them both
in the earth, and put the tombe on them, and wrote both
their names on the tombe. " Here lieth Lanceor, the
kings Sonne of Ireland, that at his owne request was slayne
by the hands of Balin, and how his lady Colombe and
paramour slew her selfe with her loves sword for dole and
sorrow."

CHAP. XXXIII.— How Merlin prophesied that two of the best
knights of the world should fight there, which were sir Lancelot
and sir Tristram.

f HE meane while as this was in doeing, came Mer-
lin unto king Marke, and seeing all his doings
said, << Here in this place shall be the greatest
battaile betweene two knights that ever was or
ever shall bee, and the truest lovers, and yet none of them
shall sley other." And there Merlin wrote their names
upon the tombe with letters of gold that should fight in that
place, whose names were Lancelot du Lake and Tristram
de Liones.i " Thou art a marvailous man," said king Marke
unto Merlin, ^' that speakest of such marvailes,thouartabois-
trous fellow and an unlikely to tell of such deedes. What is
thy name? " said king Marke. " At this time," said Merlin,
^' I will not tell, but at that time when sir Tristram shal be
taken with his soveraigne lady, then ye shall knowe and
heare my name ; and at that time yee shall hearetydings that
shall not please you," Then said Merhn to Balin, " Thou
hast done thy selfe great hurt, because thou did not save
this lady that slew her selfe, that might have saved her if
thou had would." " By the faith of my body," said Balin,
'^ I could not nor might not save her, fbr she slew her selfe

* The history of sir Tristram, or more properly sir Tristan, one of
the most celebrated heroes of mediieyal romance, occupies a large
place in a subsequent part of the present work*

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KING ARTHUR. 71

sodainely." '^ Me repenteth," said Merlin, ^^ because of
the deatli of that ladj, thou shalt strike a stroke the most
dolorous that ever man stroke, except the stroke of our
Lord ; for thou shalt hurt the truest knight and the man of
the most worship that now hveth, and through that stroke
three kingdomes shall be in great povertie, miserie, and
wrechednesse twelve yeeres, and the knight shall not be
whole of that wound in many yeeres." And then Merlin
tooke his leave of Balin. Then said Balin, " If I wist
that it were sooth, that ye say, I should doe such a perilous
deede as that I would slay my selfe to make thee a Iyer."
And therewith anon Merlin sodainly vanished away. Then
Balin and his brother tooke their leave of king Marke.

" First," said the king, " tel me your name." " Sir,"
said Balan, " ye may see he beareth two swords, thereby
je may call him the knight with the two swords." And
so departed king Marke, and rode to Camelot to king Ar-
thur, and Balin and his brother took the way to king
Bience, and as they rode together they met with Merlin
disguised, but they knew him not. " Whether ride ye ? "
said Merlin. ** We have little to doe," said the two knights,
** for to tell thee ; but what is thy name ? " said Balin.
** As at this time," said Merlin, " I will not tell thee."
*' It is full evil scene," said the two knights, " that thou
art a true man, when thou wilt not tell thy name." " As
for that," said Merlin, '^ be it as it may, but I can tel you
wherefore yee ride this way, for to meete king Bience, but
it wil not availe you without you have my counsail."
*' Ah ! " said BaUn, " ye are Merlin. We wil be ruled
by your counsaile." " Come on," said Merlin, " ye shall
have great worship, and looke that ye doe knightly, for
yee shaU have great neede." " As for that," said Balin,
" dread ye not, we will doe what we may."

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72 THE HISTORIE OF

CHAP. XXXIV.— How Balin and his brother, by the coansaile of
Merlin, tooke king Rience and brought him nnto king Arthur.

f HEIST Merlin lodged them in a wood amongst
leaves beside the high way, and took off the
bridles of their horses, and put them to grasse,
and laid them downe to rest them till it was
nigh midnight. Then Merlin bad them arise and make
them ready, for the king was nigh them, that was stolen
away from his hoast with three score horses of his best
knights, and twenty of them rode tofore to warn the lady de
Vauce that the king was comming, for that night king
.Rience should have layen with her. " Which is the king? "
said Balin. " Abide," said Merlin, " here in a straight
way ye shal meete with him." And therwith he shewed
Balin and his brother where he rode. Anone Balin and
his brother met with the king, and smpte him downe, and
woimded him fiersly, and laid him to the ground, and they
they slew on the right hand and on the left, and slew moe
then fortie of his men, and the remnant fled. Then went
they againe to king Eience, and would have slaine him, if ■
he had not yeelded him to their grace. Then said the king
againe, " Knights full of prowesse, slay me not, for by my
life ye may winne and by my death yee shal winne nothing."
Then said these two knights, " Ye say sooth and troth."
And so laid him on an horse litter. With that Merlin was
vanished and came to king Arthur afore hand, and told
him how his most enemy was taken and disconfited. " By
whom? " said king Arthur. " By two knights," said Mer-«
lin, " that would please your lordship, and to-morrow ye
shall know what they be." Anone after came the knight
with the two swords and Balan his brother, and brought
with them king Rience, and there delivered him to the
porters and charged them with him ; and so they two re-

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KING ARTHUR. 73

tamed againe in the springing^ of the day. Xing Arthur
came to king Bience and said, '^ Sir king, jou are welcom,
by what adventure come ye hither? " ** Sir," said king
Eienoe, " I came hither by an hard adventure." " Who
wan you ? '* said king Arthur. " Sir," said Eience, " the
knight with the two swords and his brother, which are twe
•marvilous knights of prowes." '^ I know them not," said
king Arthur, "but much I am beholden unto them."
*^ Ah," said Merlin, " I shidl tell you, it is Balin that at-
cheaved the sword, and his brother Balan, a good knight,
there Hveth not a better in prowesse and worthinesse ; and
it shal be the greatest dole of him that ever was of knight,
for he shall not long endure." " Alas," said king Arthur,
" that is great pittie, for I am greatly beholden unto him,
and I have full evill deserved it unto him for his kinde-
nesse." " Nay," said Merlin, " he shall doe much more
for you, and that shall ye know or it be long. But, sir, are
ye purveyed ? " said Merlin, " for to morrow the hoast of
Nero, king Eience brother, will set upon you afore diner
with a mighty hoast, therefore make you ready, for I will
depart from you."

CHAP. XXXY.— How king Arthur had a battafle against Keroand
king Lot of Orkeney, and how king Lot was deceived by Merlin,
and how twelve kings were slaine.

PHEN king Arthur made ready his hoast in teA
battailes, and Nero was ready in the field af(Nre
the castle Terrabil with a mightie hoast, for hee
had ten battailes with much more people than
king Arthur had. So Nero himselfe had the taward* with
the most party of his people ; and Merlin came to king Lot,
of the yle of the Orkeney, and held him with a tale of
prophesie till Nero and his people were destroyed^ And

* Springing, — QtmUmliBainthedaunyngoftheday.
' FatMot/.-rTbe van-guard, or avant^ua^d. '

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74 THE HISTOBIE OF

there sir Kaj the seneshall did passing well, that all the
dajes of his life he had thereof worship. And sir Hervis
-de Eevel did marvailous deedes with king Arthur. And
king Arthur slew that day twentie knights, and maimed
fortie. At that time came in the knight with the two
swords, and his hrother Balan ; hut they two did so mar-
velously that the king and al the knights had great mar-
vaile thereof, and all that heheld them said that they were
sent from heaven as angels, or as divels from hell ; and
king Arthur said himselfe that they were the hest knights
that ever he saw, for they gave such stroks that al men
had wonder of them. In the meane while came one to
king Lot, and told him that while he toried there Nero waa
destroyed and slaine with al his people. '^ Alas ! I am
shamed," said king Lot, ^* for through my default is slaine
many a worshipfull man ; for if wee had heene together
there had heene no hoast under heaven that had beene
able to match us. This fayter^ with his prophecie hath
mocked me." All that did Merlin, for he knew well that if
king Lot had heene there with his body at the first battaile,
king Arthur and aU his people should have beene destroied
and slaine. And Merlin knew wel that one of the kings
should be dead that day, and loth was Merlin that any of
them both should be slaine ; but of the twaine he had lever
king Lot had beene slaine then king Arthur.

** Now, what is best to doe," said king Lot, " whether
is it better for to treat with king Arthur, or to fight, for
the most part of our people are slaine and destroyed?"
" Sir," said a knight, " set upon king Arthur, for he and
his men are weary of fighting, and we be fi^sh." " As for
me," said king Lot, " I would that every knight would
doe his part as I will doe mine." And then they advanced
their baners and smote together, and al to-shivered their
spears ; and king Arthurs knights, with the helpe of the
knight with the two swords and his brother Balan, put king
* FayUr, — ^A flatterer, or deceiver.

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KING ARTHUR. 75

Lot and his hoast to the worst ; but aLwaj king Lot held
him in the fonnost, and did great deedes of armes, for all
his hoast was borne up bj his hands, for he abode and
withstood al knights. Alas ! he might not ever endure,
the which was great pittie that so worthy a knight as he
was should be over-matched, and that of late time afore
had beene a knight of king Arthurs, and had wedded king
Arthurs sister ; and because king Arthur lay by king Lots
wife and begat upon her Mordred, therefore king Lot held
against king Arthur. So there was a knight that was
called the knight with the strange beast, and at that time
his right name was Pellinore, which was a good man of
prowesse, and he smote a mightie stroke at king Lot as he
fought with his enemies, and he failed of his stroke, and
smote the horse necke that he fell to the ground with king
liOt, and therewith anone sir Pellinore smote him a great
stroke through the helme, and hewed him to the browes.
And then all the hoast of Orkeney fled for the death of
king Lot, and there was slaine many a mothers sonne.
But king Pellinore bare the wit* of the death of king Lot ;
wherefore sir Gawaine revenged the death of his father the
tenth yeare after he was made knight, and slew king
Pellinore with his owne hands. Also there was slaine at
the battaile twelve kings on king Lots side with Nero, and
all were buried in the church of Saint Stevens, in Oamelot ;
and the remnant of knights and of other were buried in a
great roche.* -

* Wit. — ^Blame. An Anglo-Saxon word.

* Roche, — A rock.

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76 THE HISTORIE OF

CHAP. XXXVI. — Of the entertainement of twelve kings, and of the
prophede of Merlin, and how Balin should give the dolorous stroke.

20 at the entertainement^ came king Lots wife
Morgause, with her fom^ sonnes, Gawaine,
Agravaine, Gaheris, and Gareth. Also there
came thither, king Urience, sir Ewaynes father,
and Morgan le Faj his wife, that was king Arthurs sister.
AH these came to the entertainement. But of all these
twelve knights king Arthur let make the tomhe of king Lot
passing richly ; and his tomhe stood hy it selfe apart, and
then king Arthur let make twelve images of latin^ and of
coper, and made them to be overgilt with fine gold, in signe
and token of the twelve kings ; and every image held a taper
of waxe, which brent night and day. And king Arthur was
made in signe of a figure standing above them all, with a
$word drawen in his hand. And all the twelve figures had
countenance like unto men that were overcomen. All this
made Merlin by his subtill craft, and there he said to
king Arthur, " When I am dead, the twelve tapers shall
bume no longer. And soone after this the adventures of
the holy sancgreall shall come among you, and shaD also
be atcheaved." Also bee told unto king Arthur how Balin
the worshipfiill knight, should give the dolorous stroke,
** whereof shall fall great vengeance," " O where is Balin
and Balan and Pellinore ? " said king Arthur.

*^ As for sir Pellinore," sayd Merlin, " he will meete
with you anone ; and as for Balin he will not be long from
you ; but the other brother Balan will depart, and ye shall
see him no more." " Now, by my faith," said king Ar-
thur, " they are two marvailous knights, and namely Balin
passeth of prowesse farre of any knight that ever I found,
for I am much beholden unto him ; would to God that he

* EntertainemenU — In Caxton*8 text it is, evidently more cor-
rectly, at the etUerement.
' Latin, — ^A mixed metal, resembling brass.

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KING ARTHUR. 77

would abide still with me." " Sir," said Merlin, "looke
that jee keepe well the scabbard of Excalibur; for, as I
told jou, yee shall loose no blood as long as yee haye the
scabbard upon jou, though yee have as many wounds upon
your body as yee may have." So afterward for great trust
king Arthur betooke the scabbard to Morgan le Fay his
sister ; and she loved another knight better then her hus-
band king Urience, or king Arthur, and she would have
had king Arthiu* slaine ; and therefore she let make an other
scabbard like it by enchauntement, and gave the scabbard
of Excalibur to her love, a knight named sir Accolon,
which after had nigh slaine king Arthur. After this, Merlin
told unto king Arthur of the prophecie that there should
be a great battaile beside SaUsbury, and that Mordred his
owne Sonne should be against him. Also he told him that
Basdemegus was his cossen, and germaine imto king
Uryence.

CHAP. XXXVII. — How a 8orrowfull knight came tofore king Ar-
thur, and how Balin fet him, and how that knight was slaine by
a knight invisible.

^ITHIN" a day or two king Arthur was some-
what sicke, and he let pitch his pavilion in
a medow, and there he laid him downe on
a pallet to sleepe; but he might have no
rest. Kight so he heard a great noyse of a horse,
and therewith the king looked out at the porch of the
pavilions dore, and saw a knight comming by him making
great sorrow. "Abide, faire sir," said king Arthur,
" and tell me wherefore thou makest this sorrow." " Yee
may little amend it," said the knight; and so passed
forth unto the castle of Meliot. Anone after there came
Balin, and when he saw king Arthur, anon he alighted off
his horse and came to the king on foote, and saluted him.
" By my head," said king Arthur, " yee be welcome, sir.

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78 THE HISTOBIE OF

Right now came riding this way a knight maiing great
sorrow, and I can not tel for what cause, wherefore I would
desire you of your courtesie and gentilenesse that yee will
fetch that knight againe, either hy force, or else hy his good
wil." "I will doe more for your lordship then that," said
Balin ; and so rode more ^an a pace,^ and found the
knight with a damosell in a forrest, and said, '* Sir knight,
ye must come with me unto my lord king Arthur, for to
tell him the cause of your sorrow." " That will I not,"
said the knight ; " for it would scath^ me greatly, and doe
you non availe." " Sir," said Balin, ** I pray you make
you ready, for ^ee must needes go with me, or else I must
fight with you, and bring you by force, and that were I
loth to doe.'* ** Will ye be my warrant," said the knight
to Balm, " if I goe with you ? " " Yea," said Balin, " or
else I will die therefore." And so he made him ready to
goe with the good knight Balin, and left there the damosell.
And as they were afore king Arthurs pavilion there came
one invisible, and smote this knight that went with BaJin
throughout the body with a speare.

" Alas ! " said the knight, " I am slaine under your
conduct and guarde with a traitrous knight called Garlon ;
therefore take my horse the which is better then yours,
and ride to the damosel, and follow the quest that I was in
where as shee wil leade you, and revenge my death when
yee may best." ** That shall I doe," said Balin, " and
thereof I make avowe to you, by my knighthood." And
so he departed from this knight, making great sorrow. So
king Arthur let burie this knight richly, and made a men-
tion upon the tombe, how there was slaine Herleus le Ber-
beus, and also how the trechery was done by the knight
Garlon. But ever the damosell bare the truncheon of the
speare with her, that sir Herleus was slaine withall.

* PcKt. — A step. P<u, from the Latin passus, meant originally a
certain extent of ground. ' Scath, — To grieve ; injure.

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KING ARTHUR.

CHAP. XXXVIIL--Hpiri5aliii and the damosell met with a knight
that was in likewise slaine, and how the damosel bled for the cos-
tome of a castle.

|0 Balin and the damosell rode into a forrest,
and there met with a knight that had heene on
hunting, and that knight asked Balin for what
cause he made so great sorrow. " Me list not
to tell you," said Balin. " Now," said the knight, " and
I were armed as ye he, I would fight with you." " That
dbould little neede," said Bahn, " for I am not afraid to tell
it you ; '* and told him all the cause how it was. " Ah," said
the knight, " is this aU ? heere I ensiu^ you hy the faith
of my hody never to depart from you as long as my life
lasteth." And so they went to the hostry* and armed him,
and so rode forth with Balin. And as they came hy an
hermitage fast hy a churchyard, there came the knight
Garlon invisible, and smote this good knight Perin de
Mounthelyard with a speare through the body. " Alas ! "
said the knight, " I am slaine by this traitour knight that
rideth invisible." " Alas ! " said Balin, " it is not the first
despite that he hath done to me." And there the hermit
and Balin buried the knight under a rich stone and a tombe
royall. And on the morow they found letters of gold
written how sir Gawame shall revenge king Lots death
his father upon king Pellinore. And anone after this,
Balin and the damoseU rode tiU they came to a castle, and.
there Balin alighted, and he and the damosell wend to have
gone into the castle. And anone as Balin came within
the castle gate, the portecolis fel downe at his backe, aad
there came many men about the damosell, and would have
slaine her. And when Balin saw that, he was sore grieved,
because he might not helpe the damosell. And then he
went upon the walles and lept over into the ditch and hurt
him not ; and anon he pulled out his sword and would have
* Hostry, — The hostelry, or inn where he lodged.

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80 THE HISTOBIE OF

fougbten with tliem. And tbej all said that they would
not fight with him, for thej did nothing but the old custom
of the castle, and told him how their lady was sicke, and
had layen many yeares, and shee might not be whole but if
shoe had a silver dish full of blood of a cleane maide and
a kings daughter ; and therefore the custome of this castle
is, that there shall non passe this way but that shee shal
bleede of her blood a silver dish full. " Well," said Balin,
" shee shall bleede as much as shee may bleede, but I will
not that shee leese her life while my life lasteth." And
so Balin made her to bleede by her good will. But her
blood helped not the lady. And so he and shee rested
there all that night, and had there right good cheare ; and
on the morrow they passed on their way. And as it telleth
afterwards in the sancgreall that sir Percivalles sister
helped that lady with her blood, whereof she died.^

CHAP. XXXIX.— How Balin met with the knight named Garlon
at a feast, and there he slew him, to have his blood to heale there-
with the Sonne of his hoast.

J HEN they rode three or foure dayes, and never
met with adventure ; and by happe they were
lodged with a gentleman that was a rich man
and well at ease. And as they sate at their
supper, Balin heard one complaine grievously by him in a
chaire. " What noyse is this ? " said Balin. " Forsooth,"
said his hoast, " I will tell you ; I was but late at a justing,,
and there I just with a knight that is brother unto king
Pellam, and twice I smote him downe ; and then he pro-
mised to quit* me on my best friend, and so he wounded my
Sonne that cannot be whole till I have of that knights blood,
and he rydeth alway invisible, but I know not his name."
" Ah," said Balin, " I know that knight, his name is Gar-
lon, he hath slaine two knights of mine in the same maner,

' See the third part of this romance, chapters 91 and 92.
* To quit. — To quite, to repay or revenge.

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KING ARTHUR. 81

therefore I had rather meet with that knight then all the
gold in this reahne, for the despite that he hath done mee."
" WeD," said his hoast, ^* I shall tell you : king Pellam, of
listenise,^ hath made a crie in all this country a great feast
that shal bee within twentie dayes ; and no knight may come
there but if he bring his wife with him, or his paramour ;
andvthat knight, your enemie and mine, yee shall see that
day." " Then. I behote you," said Balin, " part of his
blood to heale your sonne withal." ^* We will be forward
to-morrow," said his hoast. So on the morrowe they rode
all three toward Pellam, and had fifleene dayes journey or
they came thither ; and that same day began the great
feast. And they alight, and stabled their horses, and went
into the castle ; but Balins hoast might not be let in, be-
cause he had no lady. Then was Balin wel received, and
brought to a chamber and unarmed him ; and there were
brought him robes to his pleasure, and would have had
Balin leave his sword behinde him. ^* Nay," said Balin,
" that wiU I not doe, for it is the custome of my countrey a
knight alway to keepe his weapon with him, and that cus-
tome will I keepe, or else I wiU depart as I came." Then
diey gave him leave to were his sword. And so he went
to tiie castle, and was set among knights of worship, and
his lady afore him. Soone Balin asked a knight, " Is there
not a knight in this court whose name is Garlon ?" " Yon-
der he goeth," said the knight, " he with that blacke face j
he is the marvailest knight that is now living, for he de-
stroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible."

" Ah, wel," said Balin, « is that he?" Then Balin ad-
yised him long : " If I slay him heere, I shall not scape ;
and if I leave him now, peradventiu*e I shall never meete
with him againe at such a steven -^ and much harm he will
doe and he live." Therewith this Garlon espied that this
Balin beheld him, and then he came and smote Balin on

* Listenise, — Lyatyneyse^ Caxton.

* At tuck a Steven. — On such a favourable occasion.

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82 THE EISTOEIE OF

the face with the backe of his hand, and said, ^' Knight^
why beholdest thou me so ? for shame, therefore, eate thy
meate, and doe that thou came for." " Thou aaist soOth,"
said Balin ; << this is not the first despite that thou hasi
done me, and therefc»^ I will doe that I came for;" and
rose up fiersly, and clave his head to the shoulders. " Give
me the troncheon," said Balin to his lady, " wherewith he
slew your knight." Anone she gave it him, for alway she
hare that troncheon with her; and therewithBalin smc^ him
through the body, and said openly, " With that troncheon
thou hast slaine a good knight, and now it sticketh in thy
body." And then Balin called to him his hoast, saying,
** Now may yee fetch blood inough to heale your sonne
withaU."

CHAP. XL.~How Balin fought with king Pellam, and how his
sword brake, and how he gate a speare, wherewith he smote the
dolorous stroke.

^NONE all the knights rose up from the table
for to set on Balin. And king Pellam him-
selfe arose up fiersly, and said, ** Knight, why
hast thou slaine my brother ? thou shalt dye
therefore, or thou depart." " Wei," said Balin, " then doe
it your selfe." " Yes," said king Pellam, " there shall no
man have adoe with thee but my selfe for the love of my
brother." Then king Pellam caught in his hand a grim
weapon, and smote egerly at Balin, but Balin put the sword
betweene his head and the stroke, and therewith his sword
burst in sunder ; and when Balin was weponlesse he ranne
into a chamber for to seeke some weapon, and so from
chamber to chamber, and no weapon could he find, and
alway king Pellam followed him ; and at the last he entred
into a chamber that was marvelously well dight and richly,
and a bed arayed with cloth of gold, the richest that might
be thought, and one lying therein ; and thereby stood a

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KINO ARTHUR. 83

table of cleane gold, with foure pillars of silver that bare
up the table, and upon the table stood a marvailous speare
strangely wrought. And when Balin saw the spere, hee
gat it in his hand and tiumed him to king Fellam, and smote
him passingly sore with that speare that king Peliam fell
downe in a swowne, and therewith the castle rove^ and walls
brake and fell to the earth, and Bahn fel downe so that he
might not stir hand nor foot. And so the most part of the
castle that was fallen downe through that dolorous stroke
lay upon king Peliam and Balin three dayes.

CHAP* XLI. — How Balin was delivered by Merlin, and saved a
knight that would have slaine himselfe fur love.

PHEK Merlin came thither, and took up Balin,
and gat him a good horse, for his horse was
dead, and bad him ride out of that countrey.
<*I would have my damosell," said Balin.
" Loe," said Merlin, " where shee lieth dead." And king
Peliam lay so many yeeres sore wounded, and might never
be whdie till Galahad the haut^ prince healed him in the
quest of the sancgreal, for in that place was part of the
blood of oiu* Lord Jesus Christ that Joseph of Arimathy^
brought into this land ; and there himselfe lay in that rich
bed. And that was the same speare that Longius^ smot

* Bovc^i. e. split, became riven. King Peliam, as well as his
brother Garlon who went about invisible, appear to have been living
in a state of enchantment.

' fiattt— High, lofty.

' Joseph ofArimathy. — According to the legend, Joseph of Ari-
mathea, after the death of our Saviour, obtained possession of the
hanap, or cup, from which Christ had served the wine at the Last
Sapper, which he brought with him to Britain, the inhabitants of
which be is represented to have converted to Christianity. This cup
was the holy grail, or, as it called in our romance, the sancgreal.

^ Longius. — ^This was the name given in the Middle Ages to th«
knight, or soldier, who pierced the sidet}f the Saviour with his sword
to ascertain if he were dead*

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84 THE HISTORIE OF

our Lord to the heart. And king PeUam was nigh of
Josephs kinne, and that was the most worshipfiill man that
lived in those dajes, and great pittie it was of his hurt, for
the stroke turned him to great dole, traj, and teene.^ Then
departed Balin from Merlin, and said, ** In this world we
shal never meete more." So hee rode forth through the
faire countries and cities, and found the people dead on
every side. And aU that were on Uve crjdy " O Balin,thou
hast caused great domage in these countries, for the dolorons
stroke that thou gavest unto king Pellam three countries
are destroyed, and douht not hut the vengeance will fall on
thee at the last." When Balin was past the countries hee
was passing faine,* so he rode eight dayes or he met with
adventure, and at the last he came into a faire forrest in a
valley, and was ware of a towre, and there heside he saw a
great horse of warre tied to a tree, and there heside sate a
faire knight on the ground and made great mourning, and
he was a likely man and a well made. BaUn said, '^ Gbd
save you, why he yee so heavie, tell me, and I will amend
it and I may to my power. Sir knight," said hee againe,
" thou doest me great griefe, for I was in mery thoughts,
and now thou puttest me to more paine." Balin went a
little from him and looked on his horse ; then Balin heard
him say thus : " Ah, faire lady, why have yee hroken my
promise, for ye promised me to meete me heare hy noone,
and I may curse you that ever ye gave me this sword, for
with this sword I wil slay my selfe," and pulled it out; and
therewith Balin stert to him and tooke him hy the hand.
" Let goe my hand," said the knight, " or else I shall slay
thee." " That shall not neede," said Balin, '' for I shall
promise you my helpe to get you your lady, if you will tell
me where she is." " "What is your name ?" said the knight.
" My name is Balin le Savage." " Ah, sir, I know you
well inough ; ye are the knight with the two swords, and the

' Tray.— Vexation. Teen«.— Grief.
« Fainc— Glad.

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KING ABTHVR. 85

man of most prowesse of your hands living." " What is your
name ?" sidd Balin. '^ My name is Garnish of the Mount,
a poore mans sonne, hut hy my prowesse and hardinesse a
duke hath made me knight and gaye me lands ; his name is
duke Hermell, and his daughter is she that I love, and she
me, as I deemed." " How farre is shee hence ? " said Balin.
" But sixe miles," said the knight. "Now ride we hence,"
said the two knights. So they rode more then a pace till
that they came unto a faire castle well walled and ditched.
" I will into the caade," said Balin, " and looke if she he
there." So he went in, and searched from chamber to
chamber, and found her bed, but shee was not there ; then
Balin looked into a faire little garden, and under a laurel
tree he saw her lye upon a quilt of greene samite,^ and
a knight in her armes fast halsing^ either other, and under
their heades grasse and hearbes. When Balin saw her
lye so with the foulest knight that ever he saw, and she
a Mre lady, then Balin went through all the chambers
againe, and told the knight how he had found her as she
had slept fast, and so brought him in the place there she
lay &st sleeping.

CHAP. XLTT. — How tbat knight slew his love and a knight lying
by her, and after how he slew hiraselfe with his owne sword, and
how Balin rode toward a castle where he lost his life.

^ND when Garnish beheld her so lying, for pure
sorrow his mouth and nose brast out on bleed-
ing, and with his sword he smote off both their
heads, and then he made sorrow out of mea-
sure, and said, " Oh, Balin, much sorrow hast thou brought
to me, for haddest thou not shewed me that sight I should
have passed my sorrow," "Forsooth," said Balin, "I

* Samite, — A rich sOken stuff. See before, p. 54,
' Haldng. — Holding one another in their arms.

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86 THE H I ST RIB OF

did it to this intent, that it should aswage thy courage, and
that yee might see and know their falshood, and to cause
you to leave that ladyes love. God knoweth, I did none
other hut as I would you did to me." " Alas ! " said Gar-
nish, " now is my sorrow douhle that I may not endure;
now have I slaine that I most loved in all my hfo." And
therewith sodainely he rove himselfe on his owne sword unto
the hilts. When Balin saw that, he dressed him from
thence, least folke should say that he had slaine them ; and
so he rode forth, and within three dayes he came hy a
erosse, and thereon was letters of gold written, that said :
** It is not for a knight alone to ride toward this castle.'*
Then saw he an old hore gentleman comming toward him,
that said, << Ealin le Savage, thou passest thy hounds this
way, therfore turne againe, and it will availe thee." And
he vanished away anone, and so he heard an home hlow,
as it had heene the death of a heast. ^' That blast," said
Balin, " is hlowen for me, for I am the prise, and yet am I
not dead." And therewith he saw an hundred ladyes and
many kni^ts that welcomed him with faire semhlant, and
made him passing good cheere imto his sight, and led him
into the castle ; and there was daunsing and ministralsy
and al manor of joy. Then the chiefe lady of the castle
said, ** Knight with the two swords, ye must have ado and
just with a knight here hy that keepeth an Hand, for there
may no man passe this way hut hee must just or hee
passe." "That is an unhappie custome," said Balin,
" that a knight may not passe hut if he just." " Yee
shall have adoe hut with one knight," said the lady.
" Well," said Balin, ** sith I shall, thereto am I ready, hut
traviling men are often weary, and their horses also ; hut
though my horse he weary my heart is not weary, I would
he faine there my death should bee." " Sir," said a knight
to Balin, " me thinketh your shield is not good, I wil lend
you a higger." " Thereof I pray you ; " and so tooke the
shield that was unknowen, and left his owne, and so rode

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KING AETHUB. 87

tinto the iland, and put him and his horse in a great boate ;
and when he came on the other side, he met with a damo-
sell, and shee said, " knight Balin, why have you left
your owne sheild, alas ! ye have put yout selfe in great
danger, for by your sheild you should have beene knowen ;
it is great pittie of you as ever was of knight, for of prow-
esse and hardinesse thou hast no fellow living."

" Me repenteth," said Baiin, " that ever I came within
this country, but I may not tume now againe for shame ;
and what adventure shall fall to me, be it life or death, I
will take the adventure that shall come to me." And then
he looked on his armour, and understood he was well
anned, and therewith blessed him, and mounted upon his
horse.

CHAP. XLIIT. — ^How Balin met with his brother Balan, and how
each of them slew other unknowen till they were wounded to death.

J HEN afore him hee saw come riding out of a
castle a knight and his horse trapped al in
red, and himselfe in the same colour. And
when this knight in the red beheld Balin, him
tiiought it should be hia brother Balin because of his two
swords, but because he knew not his shield, he deemed that
it should not be he. And so they aventred^ their speares,
and came mervailously fest together, and smote either other
in the shields, but their speares and their course was so big
that it bare downe horse and man, so that they lay both in
a swowne ; but Balin was sore brused with the fall of his
horse, for he was weary of travaile. And Balan the first
that rose on foote and drew his sword and went toward
Balin ; and he arose and went against him, but Balan smote
Balin first, and he put up his shield, and smote him through
the shield, and brake his helme* Then Balin smote him

' Avewtred. — To aventer was to place the spear in the position for
striking an adversary.

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88 THE HISTOBIE OF

againe with that unhappy sword, and wel nigh hadfeld his
brother Balan, and so they fought there together till their
breaths failed. Then Ealin looked up to the castle, and
saw the towers stand fiill of ladyes. So they went to
battaile againe, and woimded each other grievously, and
then they breathed oftentime, and so went to battaile, that
all the place there as they fought was red of their blood.
And at that time there was none of them both but they had
smitten either other seaven great wounds, so that the least
of them might have been the death of the mightiest giant
in the world. Then they went to battaile againe so mar-
yailously, that doubt it was to heare of that battaile for
the great bloodsheding, and their hawberks unnailed, that
naked they were on every side. At the last Balan, the
younger brother, withdrew him a little and laid him down.
Then said Balin le Savage, " What knight art thou ? for
or now I found never no knight that matched me." " My
name is," said he, " Balan, brother to the good knight
Balin." " Alas I" said Balin, " that ever I should see this
day." And therewith he fel backward in a swowne. Then
Balan went on all foure feete and hands, and put off the
helme of his brother, and might not know him by the
visage it was so full hewen and bebled ; but when he awok
he said, " O Balan my brother, thou hast slaine me, and
I thee, wherefore all the wide world shall speake of us both."
" Alas ! " said Balan, " that ever I saw this day, that
through mishap I might not know you, for I espied well
your two sWords, but because yee had another shield, I
deemed you had beene another knight." " Alas ! " said
Balin, " al that made an unhappy knight in the castle, for
he caused me to leave mine owne shield to the destruction
of us both ; and if I might live, I would destroy that
castle for the ill customes." " That were well done," said
Balan, " for I had never grace to depart from them sitli
that I came hither ; for heere it happened me to slay a
knight that kept this iland, and sith might I never depart ;

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KING ARTHUR. 89

and no more should jee brother and ye might have slaine
me as ye have and escaped your selfe with your life."
Bight so came the lady of the tower, with foure knights and
size ladyes, and sixe yeomen unto them; and there she
heard how they made their mono either to other, and said,
" We came both out of one wombe, that is to say, mothers
belly, and so shall we lye both in one pit." So Balan
prayed the lady of her gentlenesse for his true service that
shee would burie them both in that place there the battel
was done. And she graunted them with weeping cheere,
and said, " It should be done richly and in the best manner^"
" Now will ye send for a priest, that we may receive the
sacrament and blessed body of our Lord Jesus Christ."
" Yea," said the lady, " it shal be done." And so she
sent for a priest, and gave them their rightes. " Now,"
said Balin, '' when we are buried in one tombe, and the
mention made over us how two brethren slew each other,
there wiU never good knight nor good man see our tombe
but they will pray for our soules." And so all the ladyes
and gentlewomen wept for pittie. And anon^ Balan dyed ;
but Balin dyed not till the midnight after, and so were
buried both ; and the lady let make a mention^ of Balan,
how he was there slaine by the hands of his owne brother,
but she knew not Balins name.

CHAP. XLIY.— How Merlin buried Balin and Balan the two bre-
^ thren hji one tombe, and of Balins sword.

CN the morrow came Merlin, and let write Balins
name uppon the tombe with letters of gold :
*' Heere lyeth Balin le Savage, that was the
knight with the two swords, and hee that smote
the dolourous stroke." Merlin let make there also a bed,

^ It may, perhaps, be well to remark that the word mention is,
here and in other passages, nsed in the sense of a monumental in-
scription.

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90 THE HISTORIE OF

that there should never man lye in but he went out of his
wit, yet Lancelot du Lake foredid^ that bed through his
noblenesse. And anon after as £alin was dead, Merlin
tooke his sword, and tooke off the pomel and set on anodier
pomell. Then Merlin bad a knight that stood afore him
to handle that sword, and he assayed, but he could not
handle it. Then Merlin laught. "Why laugh ye?"
said the knight. " This is the cause," said Merlin ; " there
shal never no man handle this sword but the best knight
of the world, and that shall bee sir Lancelot, or else Gala-
had his Sonne ; and Lancelot with this sword shal slay the
man that in this world he loved best, that shall bee sir
Gawayne." All this he let write in the pomell of the
sword. Then Merlin let make a bridge of iron and of
Steele into that iland, and it was but halfe a foote broade,
and there shall never man passe that bridge, nor have
hardinesse to goe over, but if he were a passing good naan
and a good knight without trechery or vilany. Also the
scabbard of Balins sword Merlin left it on this side the iland
that Galahad should iinde it. Also Merlin let make by
his subtiltie and craft that Balins sword was put in marble
ston, standing upright as great as a milstone, and the stone
hoved alwayes above the water, and did many yeares, and
so by adventure it swam downe the streame to the citie of
Camelot, that is in English, Winchester;^ and that same
day Galahad the haute prince came with king Arthur, and
so Galahad brought with him the scabbard, and atchieved
the sword that was there in the marble ston hoving upon
the water. And on Whitsunday he atchieved the sword,
as it is rehearsed in the booke of the sancgreall. Soone
after this was done, Merlin came to king Arthur, and told
him of the dolorous stroke that Ealin gave to king Pellam,
and how Balin and Balan fought together the marvailest

* ForedW.— Destroyed.

' Winchester. — An evident mistake of the compiler of this romance,
see before, the note to p. 59. '

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KING ARTHUR. 91

battaile that ever was heard of, and how they were buried
both in on tombe. " Alas ! " said king Arthur, " this is
the greatest pittie that ever I heard tell of two knights ;
for in the world I know not such two knightd as they were."
Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren
borne in Northumberland, good knights.

CHAP. XLV. — How king Arthur tooke and wedded Gnenever unto
his wife, which was daughter to Leodegraunce king of the land of
Cameliard, with whom he had the round table.

CN the beginning of king Arthur, after that bee
was chosen king by adventure and by grace,
for the most part of the barons knew not that
he was Utherpendragons sonne, but as Merlin
made it openly knowen. But yet many kings and lords
made great war against him for that cause, but king Ar-
thur fiill well overcame them all ; for the most part of the
dayes of his life he was much ruled by the counsaile of
Merhn. So it befell on a time that king Arthur said unto
Merlin : " My barons wiU let me have no rest, but needes
they will have that I take a wife, and I will none take but
by thy counsaile and by thine advise.*' " It is well done,"
said Merlin, "that ye take a wife, for a man of your
bountie and noblenesse should not be without a wife. Now
is there any faire lady that yeelove better then another? "
" Yea," said king Arthur, " I love Guenever,^ the kings
daughter Leodegrance of the land of Camelyard,* which
Leodegrance holdeth in his house the table round that ye
told he had of my father Uther. And this damosell is

• Gnenever. — Geoflfrey of Monmouth calls this celebrated hero-
ine of romance, Gnanhumara. Hist. Keg. Brit. ix. 9. See a former
note, p. 41. According to some of the romances, it wasGuenever who
first became enamoured of king Arthur, on account of his gallant ex-
ploits, and she took care to show herself to the best advantage, in
order to excite his passion.

' Lodigrean of the land of Camefyard, Caxton.

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92 THE HISTORIE OF

the most gentilest and fairest lady that I know living, or
yet that ever I could find." " Sir/* said Merlin, " as of
her heautie and Mrenesse she is one of the fairest that live ;
hut and you loved her not so well as ye doe, I would finde
you a damosell of heautie and of goodnesse that should
like you, and please you, and your heart were not set. But
there as a mans heart is set, he will be loth to retume."
<^ That is truth," said king Arthtir. But Merlin warned
the king privily that Guenever was not wholesome for
him to take to wife, for he warned him that Lancelot should
love her and shee him againe ; and so he turned his tale
to the adventures of the sancgreall. Then Merlin desired
of the king to have men with him that should enquire of
Guenever. And so the king graunted him. And Merlin
went forth to kingLeodegrance of Cameliard, and told him
of the desire of the king, that he would have to his wife
Guenever his daughter. " That is to me," said king Leo-
degrance, "the best tidings that ever I heard, that so worthy
a king of prowesse and of nohlenesse will wed my daughter.
And as for my lands I will give him, wisht' I that it might
please him, but he hath lands enough, hee needeth none ;
but I shall send him a gift that shal please him much
more, for I shal give him the table round, the which Uther-
pendragon gave me ; and when it is fill compleate; there is
an hundred knights and fifde, and as for an hundred good
knights I have my selfe, but I lack fifty, for so many have
beene slaine in my dayes." And so king Leodegrance
delivered his daughter Guenever unto Merlin, and the table
round with the hundred knights ; and so they rode freshly
with great royalty, what by water and what by land, till
they came that night unto London.

^ Wisht, — i. e. wist, knew.

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KING ARTHUB. 93

CHAP. XLVI. — ^How the knights of the round tahle were ordained,
and how their sieges >fere blessed by the archbishop of Canterbury.

WIEN king Arthur heard of the comming of
Gtienever and the hundred knights with the
table round, hee made great joy for their
comming, and said openly, <* This faire lady is
passing welcome to me, for I loved her long, and therefore
there is nothing so pleasing to me. And these knights
with the round table please me more then right great
riches." Then in all haste the king did ordaine for the
manage and the coronation in the most honourablest wise
that could be devised. " Now, MerUn," said king Arthur,
*' goe thou and espie me in al this land fiftie knights that
beene of most prowesse and worshippe." Within short
time Merhn made the best speede he might, and found
twenty eight good knights, but no more could hee find.
Then the archbishop of Canterbury was sent for, and he
blessed the sieges* of his table round with great roialty and
devotion, and there set the twenty eight knights in their
sieges. And when this was done. Merlin said, " Faire
sirs, ye must al Arise and come unto king Arthm* for to doe
him homage, he will have the better wil to maintaine you."
And so they arose and did their homage. And when they
were gone. Merlin found in the sieges letters of gold that
told the knights names that had sitten therein. But two
sieges were void. And so anon came young Gawayne and
asked the king a gift. " Aske," said the king, " and I
shall grant it you." " Sir, I aske that ye will make me
knight the same day that ye shall wed faire Guenever."
** I will doe it with a good will," said king Arthur, " and
doe to you al the worship that I may, for I must so doe by
reason you are my nephew and sisters sonne."

* Sieget. — Seats.

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94 THE HIST OBI E OF

CHAP. XLYII. — How ^ poore man riding upon a leane mare desired
king Arthur to make his sonne a knight.

iOETH withall there came a poore man into
the comi;, and brought with him a faire young
man of eighteene yeares of age, riding upon a
leane mar^. And the poore man asked al men
that he met, " Where shall I find king Arthur ? "
" Yonder hee is," said the knights, ** wilt thou any thing
with him? " " Yea," said the poore man, " therefore I came
hither." Anone as he came before the king he saluted him,
and said, " O king Arthur, the floure of all knights and
kings, I beseech Jesus save thee. Sir, it was told me that
at diis time of your marriage ye would give any man the
gift that he would aske, except it were unreasonable.'^
" That is truth," said the king, " such cries I let make,
and that wil I hold, so it appaire not my realme nor mine
estate." " Yee say well and graciously," said the poore
man. " Sir I aske nothing else but that ye will make my
Bonne here a knight." " It is a great thing that thou askest
of me," said the king. " What is thy name ? " said the king
to the poore man. " Sir, my name is Aries the cowheard."^
" Whether commeth this of thee or of thy sonne ?" said the
king. " Nay, sir," said Aries, " this desire commeth of
my sonne and not of me. For I shall tel you I have thir-
teene sonnes, and all they will fall to what labour I put
them to, and will bee right glad to doe labour, but this
child will doe no laboiu* for me, for any thing that my wife
or I may do, but alwayes he wil be shooting or casting of
darts, and glad to see battailes and to behold knights, and

^ Aries the cowheard. — This notion of noble blood irregularly
grafted in a plebeian family, and showing itself by the warlike and
aristocratic tendency of the youth who had sprung from the connec*
tion.was a favourite one in the Middle Ages, and is tibe subject of many
romances and stories. It may be remarked that riding on a mare
was not considered honourable in a knight.

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KINO ARTHUR. 95

al way es both day and night he desireth of me that hee might
be made a knight.'? " What is thy name ? " said the king
unto the young man. " Sir, my name is Tor." The king
beheld him fast, and saw he was passingly well visaged and
passingly well made of his yeares. ** Well," said king
Arthur to Aries the cowheard, " fetch all thy sonnes afore
me, that I may see them." And so the poore man did, and
aQ were shapen much like the poore man, but Tor was not
like none of them all in shape nor in countenance, for he
was much more* then any of them. ** Now,'* said king
Arthur unto Aries the cowheard, " where is that sword that
he shal be made knight withal ? " " It is here," said Tor.
" Take it out of the sheath," said the king, " and require me
to make you a knight." Then Tor alight off his mare, and
pulled out hissword kneeling,requiringthekingthathe would
make him knight, and that he might be a knight of the table
round. " As for a knight, I will make you ; " and therewith
smote him in the neck with the sword, saying, " Bee yee a
good knight, and so I pray to God ye may be ; and if ye be
of prowesse and of worthynesse ye shal be a knight of the
table round. Now, Merlin," said king Arthur, " say whether
this Tor shal be a good knight or no." "Yea, sir, he
ought to be a good knight, for he is come of as good a man
as any is on live, and of kings blood." " How so, sir ? "
said ihe king. " I shall tell you," said Merlin ; " this
poore man Aries the cowheard is not his father, he is no-
thing like^ to him, for king Pellinore is his father." " I
suppose nay," said the cowheard. " Fetch thy wife afore
me," said Merlin, " and she shall not say nay." Ajion
the wife was fet,^ which was a faire houswife ; and there she
answered Merlin full womanly, and there she told the king
and Merlin, that when she was a maide and went to milke

' More, — Greater.

* Uke. — Caxton reads syh, i. e. akin, which is, no doubt, the more
correct.

' IfW.— Fetched..

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96 THE HISTOniE OF

kien, ^'tiher met with me. a steme knight^ and lialfe bj
force he had my maidenhead, and at that time he begat
my Sonne Tor, and he tooke away from me my greyhound
that I had that time with me, and said that he would keepe
the greyhound for my love." " Ah," said the cowheard,
" I wend not this, hut I may beleeve it well, for hee had
never no tatches^ of me." " Sir," said Tor to Merlin,
" dishonoiu* not my mother." " Sir," said Merhn, " it is
more for yoiu* worshippe then hurt, for yoiu* father is a good
man and a king, and he may right well advance you and
your mother, for ye were begotten or ever she was wedded."
" That is truth," said the wife. " It is the lesse griefe to
me," said the cowheard.

CHAP. XL VIII. — How sir Tor waa knowen for the sonne of khig
Pellinore, and Gawayne was made knight.

10 on the morrow king Pellinore came to the
court of king Arthur, which had great joy of
him, and told him of Tor, how he was his sonne,
and how he had made him knight at the request
of the cowheard. When king Pellinore beheld Tor, hee
pleased him much. So the king made Gawayne knight,
but Tor was the first that he made at the feast. " What
is the cause," said king Arthur, " that there bene two
places void in the sieges ? " " Sir," said Merlin, " there
shall no man sit in those places but they that shall be of
most worship. But in the siege perillous there shall no
man sit therein but one, and if there be any so hardy to do
it, he shall be destroyed, and he that shall sit there shall have
no fellow." And therewith Merlin tooke king Pellinore by
the hand, and in the one hand next the two sieges and the
siege perillous, he said in open audience, '^ This is your

' Tatchet. — Qualities or dispositions.

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KING ABTEUR. 97

place^ and best je be wortbj to stt themn of any that is
here. Thereat had sir Gawajne great enyj, and said to
Gaheris his brother, " Yonder knight is put unto great
worship, the which greveth me sore, for he slew our father
king Lot, therefore I will slaj him," said sir Gawaine,
" with a sword that was sent me, which is passing tren-
chainL" " Ye shall not doe so," said Gaheris, " at ^is
time ; for at this time I am but a squier, and when I am
made knight I will be avenged on him ; and therefore,
brother, it is best ye sujBfer till another time, that we may
have him out of the court, for and wee did so now we should
trouble this high feast*" ** I will well," said sir Gawayne,
."asyewiD."^

CHAP. XLIX— How at the feast of the wedding of king Arthur unto
Gnenever a white hart came into the hall, and thirty couple of
hounds, and how a brachet pinched the hart, the which was taken
away.

PHEN was the high feast made ready, and the
king was wedded at Camelot unto dame Gxien-
ever in the church of Saint Stevens with great
solemnitie ; and as every man was set afiter hk
degree, Merlin went unto all the knights of the roimd table
and bad them sit still, and that none should remove, " for
ye shall see a strange and a marvelous adventure." Eight
so as they sat, there came running in a white hart into the
hal, and a white brachet* next him, and thirtie couple of
black running hounds came afiter with a great crie, and the
hart went about the table round ; as bee went by other

' It has been remarked, by more than one writer, that the compiler
of this romance of the Morte Arthur, whether Malory wrote it or
merely translated it, labours always to depreciate the character of
Gawaine, and speaks disparagingly of him, quite contrary to the
spirit of the older romances, in which he is held forth as a pure ex-
ample of the perfect knight.

' A brachet. — ^A kind of small scenting hound.

VOL. I. H

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98 THE HISTOBIE OF

hordes, the white hrachet hote^ him hy tiie huttoAe, and
pulled out a peece, wherethrough the hart leapt a great
leape and overthrew a kmght that sat at the hcHxis side, and
therewith the knight arose and tooke up the hrachet, and
so went forth out of the hall, and took his horse and rode
his way with the hrachet. Eight so anone came in a lady
on a white palfrey, and cryed aloud to king Arthur, <^ Sir,
suffer me not to have this dispite, for the hrachet was mine
that the knight lad away." ** I may not doe therewith,"
said the king. "With this there came a knight riding all
armed on a great horse, and tooke the lady away with him
hy force, and she cried and made great moane. When she
was gone the king was glad, hecause she made such a noyse.
'* Nay," said Merlin, " yee may not leave these adventures
so lightly, for these adventures must he brought againe, or
else it would be dis worship to you and to your feast." " I
will," said the king, " that all be done by your advise."
" Then," said Merlin, " let caU sir Gawayne, for he must
bring againe the white hart. Also, sir, ye must let eal
sir Tor, for he must bring againe the hrachet and the
knight, or else slay him. Also let call king Pellinore, for
he must bring againe the lady and the knight, or else slay
him. And these three knights shall doe marvailous ad-
ventm-es or they come againe." Then were they called all
three, as it is rehearsed afore, and every each of them
tooke his charge, and armed them surely. But sir Ga-
wayne had the first request, and therefore we wiU beginne
at him.

* Bote.— Bit. The preterite of to bite.

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KING ARTHUR. 99

CHAP. L. — How sir Gawayne rode for to fetch againe the hart, and
how two brethren fought each againe other for the hart.

JIE Grawayne rode more then a pace, and Gra-
heres his brother rode with him in stead of a
squire, for to doe him service. So as they rode,
they saw two knights fight on horseback pass-
ing sore ; so sir Grawayne and his brother rode betweene
them, and asked them for what cause they fought so. The
one knight answered, and said, " We fight for a simple
matter, for we two be two brethren, and borne and begotten
of one man and of one woman." " Alas !" said sir Gawayne,
" why doe ye so ? " " Sir," said the elder, " there came
a white hart this way this day, and many hounds chaced
him, and a white brachet was alway next him, and we un-
derstood it was aventure made for the high feast of king
Arthur, and therefore I would have gone after to have won
me worship, and here my younger brother said he would
go after the hart, for he was a better knight then I, and
for this cause we fell at debat, and so we thought to prove
which of us both was better knight." " This is a simple
cause," said sir Gawayne, " uncouth^ men ye should debate
withall, and not brother Avith brother ; therefore, and if ye
'wil doe bj my counsell, I will have adoe with you, that is
ye shall yeeld you imto me, and that ye goe unto king Ar-
thur and yeeld you unto his grace." " Sir knight," said
the two brethren, " we are fw-foughten,^ and much blood
have we lost through our wilftilnesse, and therefore we would
be loath to have adoe with you." " Then doe as I wil
have you," said sir Gawayne. " We will agree to fullfiU
-your wil, but by whom shall we say that we be thither
sent?" " Yee may say by the knight that followeth the
quest of the white hart. Now what is your names? " said
sir Gawayne. " Sorlouse of the Forrest," said the elder.

* Uncouth. — Stranpje.

* For-fouffhten. — Weary with fighting.

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100 THE MISTOBIE OF

" And my name is," said the yonger, " Brian of the For-
rest." And so they departed and went to the kings court,
and sir Gawayne went on his quest ; and as sir Gawayne
followed the hart by the crie of the hounds, even afore him
ther was a great river, and the hart swam over, and as sir
Gawaine would have followed after, there stood a knight
on the other side and said, " Sir knight, come not over after
the hart, but if thou wilt just with me." " I will not faile
as for that," said sir Gawayne, " to follow the quest that I
am in." And so he made his horse to swim over the
water, and anon they gat their speares and ran together
full hard, but sir Gawaine smote him off his horse, and then
he turned his horse and bad him yeeld him. " Nay," said
the knight, " not so, though thou have the better of me on
horseback, I pray thee, valiant knight, alight on foot, and
match we togither with swords." " What is your name ? "
said sir Gawayne. " Allardin of the lies," said the other.
Then either dressed their shields and smote together, but
sir Gawaine smot him through the helme so hard that it
went to the braines, and the knight fel down dead. "Ah,"
said Gaheris, " that was a mighty stroke of a yong knight."

CHAP. LI. — How the hart was chased into a castle and there slaine,
and how sir Gawaine slew a lady.

J HEN sir Gawayne and Gaheris rode more then a
pace after the white hart, and let slip at the hart
three couple of greyhounds, and so they chaced
the hart into a castle, and in the chief place of
the caslJe they slew the hart that sir Gawayne and Gaheris
folowed after. Right so there came a knight out of a cham*
her with a sword in his hand, and slew two of the hoimds
even in the sight of sir Gawaine, and the remnant he chaced
them with his sword out of the castle. And when hee came
againe, he said, " O my white hart, me repenteth that thou
art dead, for my soveraigne lady gave thee to me, and evil

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KTNG'ABTHUB. 101

Hare I kept thee, and thy death shall he deare hought and I
live." And anone he went into his chamber and armed him,
and came out fiersly, and there he met with sir Gawaine,
*' Why have ye slaine my houndes ?" said sir Gawaine; " for
they did but their kind, and I had rather ye had worken
your anger upon me then upon the dombe beasts." " Thou
saist truth," said the knight ; " I have avenged me on thy
hounds, and so will I be on thee or thou goe." Thgn sir
Gawayne alighted on foote, and dressed his shield and
strooke mightily, and clave their shields, and stonyed their
helmes, and brak their hawberks, that the blood ranne downe
to their feete. At the last sir Gawaine smote the knight
so hard that he fel to the earth ; and then he cried mercy
and yeelded him, and besought him as he was a knight and
gentleman to save his life. " Thou shalt die," said sir
Gawaine, " for claying of my hounds." " I will make
amends unto my power," said the knight. Sir Gawaine
would no mercy have, but unlaced his helm to have striken
of his head, right so came his lady out of her chamber and
fell over him, and so he smote off her head by misadven-
ture. " Alas," said Gaheris, " that is foule and shame-
fully done, that shame shall never from you. Also ye should
give mercy unto them that aske mercy, for a knight without
mercy is without worshippe." Sir Gawaine was so astonied
at the death of this faire lady that hee wist not what hee
did, and said to the knight, " Arise, I will give thee mer-
cy." " Nay, nay," said the knight, *< I take no force of
mercy now, for thou hast slain my love and my lady that
I loved best of all earthly things." " Me repenteth it sore,"
said sir Gawaine, " for I thought to have striken at thee.
But now thou shalt goe imto king Arthur, and tell him of
thine adventures, and how thou art overcome by the knight
that went in the quest of the white hart." " I take no
force,'' said the knight, " whether I live or die." But for
dread of death hee swore to goe unto king Arthur, and hee
made him for to beare one greyhound before him upon his

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102 THE HISTOEIE OF

horse, and another behind him also. " What is your name/*
said sir Gawaine, " or we depart?" " My name is," said
the knight, " Ablemore of the Marise."^ So he departed
toward Camelot.

CHAP. LII. — How foure knights fought against sir Gawaine and
Gaheris, and how they were overcome and their lives saved at the
reqifest of foure damosels.

^ND sir Gawaine went into the castle, and made
him ready to lye there all night, and would have
unarmed him. " What will ye doe?" said Ga-
heris; " will yee unarme you in this coimtrey?
ye may well thinke that yee have many enemies here
about." They had no sooner said that word but there came
foure knights well armed, and assayled sh* Gawaine hard,
and said thus unto him : ^' Thou new-made knight, thou
hast shamed thy knighthood, for a knight without mercy is
dishonoiu-ed. Thou hast also slaine a faire lady, which is
unto thee great shame for evermore, and doubt thou not
thou shalt have great neede of mercy or thou depart from
us." And therewith one of them smote sir Gawaine such
a strooke that he had nigh felled him to the earth, and Ga-
heris smote him againe sore; and so they were on the one
side and on the other that sir Gawaine and Gaheris were
in great jeopardie of their liyes, and one of them with a
bowe, an archer, smote sir Gawaine through the arme, that
it grieved him wondrous sore. And as they should have
beene both slaine, there came foure ladyes and besought the
knights of grace for sir Gawaine ; and goodly at the request
of the ladyes, they gave sir Gawaine and Gaheris their
lives, and made them to yeeld them as prisoners. Then
sir Gawaine and Gaheris made great mono. '^ Alas," said
sir Gawaine, " mine arme grieveth me sore. I am like to
be maimed ; " and so made his complaint piteously. On
^ Maritc-^A marsh.

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KING ARTHUE. 103

the morrow early came one of the foure ladyes to sir
Gawaine, which had hard all his complaints, and said,
** Sir knight, what cheare ? " ** Not good," said he. *< It is
your owne default," said the lady, " for ye haye done a
passing foule deede in the slaying of the lady, which will he
great villany to you. But hee yee not of king Arthurs
kinne?" said the lady. "Yes, truly," said sir Gawaine.
f* What is your name ?" said the lady ; " ye must tel it or
that ye passe." " My name is Gawaine, king Lots sonne of
Orkeney, and my mother is king Arthurs sister." " Ah,
then yee are nephew unto kingArthur,"said the lady, "and
I shall so speake for you that yee shall have conduct to goe
to king Arthur for his love." And so shoe departed, and
told the foure knights how their prisoner was king Arthurs
nephew, " and his name is Gawaine, king Lots sonne of
Orkeney." Thenthey.gave him the head of the white hart,
because it was in his quest.^ Then anon they delivered sir
Grawaine under this promise, that he should bare the dead
lady with him in this manor : — ^her head was hanged about
his necke, and the whole body (tf her lay before him upon the
maine of his horse. And in this manner he rode forth to-
wards Camelot. Ajid anon as he was come to the court,
Merlin desired of king Arthur that sir Gawayne should be
swome to tell of all his adventures, and so hee was, and
shewed how he slew the lady, and how he would give no
mercy to the knight, wherethrough the lady was vilanously
slaine. Then the king and the queene were greatly dis-
pleased with sir Gawaine for the slaying of the lady; and
there by the ordinance of the queene was set a quest^ of la-r
dys on sir Gawaine ; and they judged him ever while he
lived to be with al ladyes and to fight for their quarrels,
and that he should ever be curteous, and never to refuse
mercy to him that asketh mercy. Thus was sir Gawaine

' Quest occurs in this chapter in two different senses ; first, in that
Off a search or chase, and secondly, io that of a committee of inquiry,
or inquest.

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104 TEE EI8T0BIE OF

Bworne upon the fonre evangelists that hee would never be
against ladjes ne gentlewomen, but if he fought for a lady
and his adyersaiie for another. AimI thus ^ndeth the ad-
venture of sir Gawaine, which he did at the marriage of
king Arthur,

CHAP. LIIL— How sir Tor rode after the knight with the bradiet^
and of his adventures by the way*

f HEN sir Tor was ready, and hee mounted on
horseback, and rode forth his way a good pace
after the knight with the brachet. And so as
he rode he met with a dwarfe sodainely, which
smote his horse on the head with a staffe that he went back-
ward more then his speares length. ^^ In what intent doest
thou smite my horse ?'* said sir Tor. " For thou shalt not
passe this way," said the dwarfe, " but that thou shalt first
just with yonder knights that abide in yonder pavilions that
thou seest." Then was sir Tor ware where two pavilions
wer, and great speres stood out, and two shields hung on
two trees by the pavilions. " I may not tarry," said sir
Tor, " for I am in a quest which I must needs follow."
" Thou shalt not passe," said the dwarfe, and therewith he
blew his home. Then there came one armed on horseback,
and dressed his shield, and came fast toward sir Tor, and
he dressed him against him, and so ranne together that sir
Tor bare him from his horse. And anon the knight yeelded
him to his mercy ; " but sir, I have a fellow in yonder pa-
vilion that wil have adoe with you anon." ^^ He shall bee
welcome," said sir Tor. Then was hee ware of another
knight conmiing with great raundon,* and each of them
dressed to other, that marvaile it was to see, but the knight
smote sir Tor a great strooke in the middest of the shield,
that his speare all to-shievered, and sir Tor smote him

' Great mufKfon.— JSaumicm or random meant, originally, force or
impetuosity*

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KING ARTHUR. 105

through the shield hylow, that it went through the side of
the knight, hut the strooke slew him not. And therewith
sir Tor alight, and smote him upon the helme a great stroke,
and therewith the knight yeelded him, and hesought him
of mercy. " I wil wel," said sir Tor, " hut thou and thy
fellow must goe unto king Arthur, and yeeld you prisoner^
to him." **By whom shall wee say that wee are thither
sent ?" " Yee shal say, * hy the knight that went in quest
of the knight that went with the hraehet.' Now, what he
your two names ?" said sir Tor. " My name is," said the
one, "sirFelot of Langdock."^ "And my name is," said
the other, " sir Petipace of Winchelsee." " Now, goe ye
forth," said sir Tor; " God speede you and mee." Then
came the dwarfe and said to sir Tor, " I pray you to give
me a gifk." " I wil wel," said jair Tor. <* I aske no more,"
said the dwarfe, " hut that yee will suffer mee to doe you
service, for I will serve no more recreaunt knights." "Then
take a horse anon," said sir Tor, " and come on and ride
with me." " I wot ye ride after the knight with the white
hrachet ; I shall hring you there hee is," said the dwarfe.
And so they rode through the forrest, and at the last they
were ware of two paviKons hy a priorie with two shields,
and the one shield was renewed^ with white, and the other
shield was red.

CHAP. LIV. — How sir Tor found the bracket with a lady, and how
a knight assailed him for the said brachet.

; HEREWITH sir Tor alighted and tooke^ the
dwarfe his speare, and so came to the white
pavilion and saw three damosels lye therein on
a pallet sleeping. And then hee went unto
tiiat other pavilion, and there he foimd a faire lady sleeping.-

' Langdock, — Lcmgduk^ Caxton. Perhaps a corruption of Lan-
gnedoc.
* .BmeiM(2.— Caactonreadtanet&Ai. ' Toofe.— ri.c. Gave.

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106 THE EISTOBIE OF

And there was the white hrachet that hayed^ at her fast.
And therewith anon the lady awoke, and went out of the
pavilion, and all her damosels. But anon as sir Tor es-
pied the white hrachet, hee tooke her hy force and tooke
her to the dwarfe. *< What will ye doe," said the lady,
" will yee take away my hrachet from me ?" " Yea," said
sir Tor, " this hrachet have I sought from king Arthurs
court tQ this place." " Well," said the lady, " sir knight,
ye shall not goe farre with her hut that yee shall be met
withall or it be long, and also evill handled." ** I shall abide
it what adventure soever commeth by the grace of God."
And so moimted upon his horse, and passed forth on his
way toward Camelot, but it was so neere night that he
might not passe but little farther. " Know ye any lodg-
ing ? " said sir Tor. " I know none," said the dwarfe ; " but
here beside is an hermitage, and there yee must take such
lodging as ye find." And within a while they came to
the hermitage, and tooke lodging. And there was grasse,
otes, and bread for their horses ; soone it was sped, and
full hard was their supper ; but there they rested them all
the night til on the morrow, and heard a masse devoutly,
and tooke their leave of the hermite, and sir Tor praied the
hermite to pray for him. He said he would, and betooke*
him to God, and so mounted on horsebacke and rode toward
Camelot a long while. With that they heard a knight call
lowd that came after them, and said, " Knight, abide, and
yeeld my hrachet that thou tookest from my lady." Sir Tor
returned againe, and beheld him, and saw hee was a seemely
knight, and well horsed and armed at all points. Then sir
Tor dressed his shield, and tooke his speare in his hand,
and the other came fiersly upon him, and smote each other
that both horse and men fell to the earth. Anon they lightly
arose, and drew their swords as egerly as two lyons, and pulf
their shields afore them, and smote through their shields

» ^yed— Barked. ^ J3etoo*c.— Committed,

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KING ARTHUR. 107

tbat the canteles^ fel off on both parties, and also they brake
theirhehnes^ that the hot blood ranne out, and the thick mailes
of their halbeards^ they carved and rove in sunder, that the
hot blood ranne downe to the ground, and they had both
many great wounds, and were passing weary. But sir Tor
espied that the other knight fainted,* and tiien he pursued
fast upon him, and doubled his strookes, and made him fall to
the ground on the on side. Then sir Tor bad him yeeld him*
" That will I not," said Abellius, " while my life lasteth and
the soule within my body, unlesse that thou wilt give mee
the bra<jhet." " That will I not doe," said sir Tor, " for it
was my request^ to bring againe the brachet and thee, or
else slay thee."

CHAP. LV. — How sir Tor overcame the knight, and how he lost his
head at the request of a lady.

|ITH that came a damosell riding upon a palfray
as fast as shee might drive, and cried with a
loud voice unto sir Tor. ** What will ye with
me ? " said sirTor. " I beseech thee," said the
damosell, ** for king Arthurs love, give me a gift ; I require
thee, gentle knight, as thou art a gentleman." " Now," •
said sir Tor, " aske a gift, and I wil give it you." "Gra-
marcie ! " said the damosell, " I aske the head of this false
knight Abellius, for he is the most oufragious knight that
liveth and the greatest murderer." " I am right sorry and
loth," sayd sir Tor, " of that gift which I have graunted
you ; let him make you amends in that which he hath tres-
passed against you." ** He can not make amends," said

* Cantdes. — Portions, fragments.

' Hiebnes. — Caxton's text has tamt/d their hdmes. To tamey meant
to make a cut into.

» Hdlbeards.—Hawherks, Caxton. The printers of the edit, of 1634
perhaps mistook the meaning of the word.

* Fainted, — i. e. was becoming weak.

* Btxiuutt^Queit^ Caxton, and so all through the next chapter.

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108 THE HI8T0RIE OF

the damosell, *< for hee hath slaine mine owne brother, which
was a better knight then ever hee was, and he had no merej
upon him, in so much that I kneeled halfe an houre afore
him in the myre for to save my brothers life, which had done
him no dammage, but fought with him by adventure of armes,
as knights adventurous doe; and for all that I could doe or
say, he smote off my brothers head, wherefore I require
thee as thou art a true knight to give me my gift, or else I
shall shame thee in all the court of king Arthur, for he is
the falsest knight living, and a great destroyer of good
knights." Then when Abelleus heard this, he was sore aferd,
and yeelded him and asked mercy. " I may not now," said
sir Tor, ** but if I should be found false of my promise, for
when I would have taken you to mercy, ye would none aske,
but if ye had the brachet again that was my request." And
therewith he tooke off his helme, and he iarose and fled, and
sir Tor after him and smote off his head quite. " Now,
sir," said the damosell, " it is neere night, I pray you come
and lodge with me here at my place,^ it is here fast by."
" I will wel," said sir Tor, for his horse and hee had fared
evil sith they departed from Camelot, and so he rode with
her, and had passing good cheere with her, and shee had a
passing faire old knight to her husband which made hin^
passing good cheere, and well eased sir Tor and his horse.
And on the morrow he heard masse, and brake his fast, and
tooke his leave of the knight and of the lady, which besought
hun to tell them his name. " Truly," said he, '* my name
is sir Tor, that late was made knight, and this was the first
request of armes that ever I did, to bring again^ that this
knight Abelleus tooke awayfrom king Arthurs court." " Oh,
knight," said the lady and her husband, " if ye come heere
in our marches, come and see our poore lodging, and it shal
be alwaies at your commandement." So sir Tor departed,
and came to Camelot on the third day by noone ; and the
ing and the queene and all the court was passing glad of
* Place, — A mansion, a dwelling-house.

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KJKQ ARTHUR. 109

his comming, and made great joy that he was come agidne,
for he w^it from the court with little succour, hut that his
fatlier king Pellinore gave him an old courser, and king
Aiiliur gave him armour and a sword, and else had hee none
other succour, hut rode so forth himselfe alone. And then
the king and the queene hy Merlins advise made him to
sweare to tell of his adventures, and so he told and made
proofes of his deedes as it is afwe rehearsed, wherefore the
king and the queene made great joy. " Nay," said Merlin,
" these he hut japes^ to that he shal do ; hee shal prove a
nohle knight of prowesse, as good as any is living, and gentle
and curteous, and full of good p«ui», and passing true of
Jiis promise, and never shall doe outrage." "^Tiere through
Merlins words king Arthur gave him an earledome of lands
that fell imto him. And heere endeth the quest of sir Tor,
king Pellinors sonne«

CHAP. LVI. — How king Pellinore rode after the lady and the knight
that led her away, and how a lady desired helpe of him, and how
hee fought with two knights for that lady, of whom he slew the
one at the first strooke.

f HEN king Pellinore armed him, and mounted
upon his horse, and rode more then a pace after
the lady that the knight led away. And so as
hee rode in a forrest he saw in a valej a damo-
.sell sit by a well side, and a wounded knight hetweene her
armes, and sir Pellinore saluted her. And when shee was
ware of him, shee cried over loud : " Helpe me, knight, for
Christs sake." King Pellinore would not tarry, hee was so
eger in his quest, and ever shee cried more then an hundred
times after helpe. And when shee saw he would not abide,
shee praied unto God for to send him as much neede of
helpe as shee had, and that he might know it or he died.
And as the booke telleth, the knight died that lay there

* J^a/ws.— Jests. .

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110 TBE HISTOBIE OF

-wounded, wherefore the lady for pure sorrow slew her selfe
with her loves sword. So as king Pellinore rode in that
valey, hee met with a poore labouring man. ^* Sawest thou
not," said king Pellinore, " a knight riding and leading
away a lady ? " " Yes," said the poore man, " I saw that
knight and the lady that made great mono, and yonder
beeneath in a valey there shall ye see two pavilions, and
one of the knights of the pavilions chalenged that lady of
that knight, and said shoe was his neere cosen, wherefore
he should lead her no farther ; and so they waged battaile
in that quarell, for the one said he would have her by force,
and the other said he would have the rule of her because
he was her kinsman, and would leade her to her friends.
For this quarell I left them fighting, and if yee ride a pace
ye shall find them yet fighting, and the lady is in keeping
with the two squiers in the pavilions." "God thanke
thee," said king Pellinore. Then he rode a gallop* till
that he had a sight of the two pavilions, and the two knighta
fighting. Anone rode he to the two pavilions, and saw the
lady that was his quest, and said to her : " Faire lady, yee
must come with me unto king Arthurs court," ^* Sir
knight," said the two squiers that were with her, " yonder
be two knights that fight for this lady, goe thither and de-
part them and be agreed with them, and then may ye have
her at your owne pleasure." *^ Yee say well," said king
Pellinore. And anone he rode betweene them, and parted
them in sender, and asked the cause why they fought.
" Sir knight," said the one, " I shall tell you. This lady
is my nigh kinswoman, mine aimts daughter, and when I
heard her complaine that she was with him maugre her
head, I waged battaile to fight with him." " Sir knight,"
said the other, whose name was Hontzlake of Wentland,*
<^ this lady I gate by my prowesse of armes this day of king

' A gallop, — Caxton reads a wallop,

* WeiMand. — Gwentland, the district in Monmouthshire of which
Caer-Went (the Roman Yenta Silorum) was the chief town.

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KING AETHUB. Ill

Arthurs court." " That is truely^ said," quoth king Pelli-
nore, ** for ye came in there all sodainelj as we were at the
high feast, and tooke away this lady or any man might
make him ready ; and therefore it was my request for to
hring her againe and you also, or else the one of us to ahide
infield. Therefore the lady shall goe with me to king Ar-
thur, or I shall die for it, for I have promised it unto him,
and therefore fight no more for her, for none of you hoth
shall have no part of her at this time ; and if yee list to fight
for her, fight with me, and I will defend her." " Well,"
said the knight, " make you ready, and wee shall assaile
you with all our power." And as king Pellinore would have
put his horse from them and alight on foote, sir Hontz-
lake runne his horse through with the sword, and said,
** Now art thou on foote as wel as we." And when king
Pellinore saw that his horse was so slaine, he was wroth,
and then fiersly and lightly leapt from his horse, and in
great hast drew out his sword, and put his shield afore him,
and said, " Knight, keepe well thy head, for thou shalt have
a buffet for the slaying of my horse." So king Pellinore
gave him such a strooke upon the helme that he clove
downe the head to tiie chin, and therewith he fell to the
earth dead. .

CHAP. LVII. — How king Pellinore gate the lady, and brought her
to Camelot unto the court of king ^thur,

^ND then he turned him to that other knight
that was sore wounded. But when hee had scene
the buffet that the other had, hee would not
fight, but kneeled downe and said, " Take my
cosin the lady with you at your request, and I require you,
as je be a true knight, put her to no shame n6 vilany."

* Truebf. — Caxton has untruly^ which is no doubt correct, for the
knight did not obtain her by his prowess of arms at the court of king
Arthur.

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112 • T^E HISTOEIE OF

"What," said king Pellinore, *^ will ye not fight for her?'*
" No, sir," said the knight, " I wil not fight with akniglrt
of prowes as ye he." " Wei," said kingk Pellinore, " ye
say well, I promise you she shall have no vilany hy me, as I
am a true knight. But now I lack a horse," said king Pelli-
nore ; " I will have Hontzlakes hcH-se." " Yee shall not
neede," said the knight, " for I shall give you such a horse
as shall please you, so that ye will lodge with me, for it is
neere night." " I will well," said king Pellinore, " ahide
with you al night." And there he had with him right
good cheere, and fared of the hest, with passing good wine,
and had merry rest that night. And on the morrow he
heard a inasse, and after dined,^ and then was brought him
a faire bay courser and king Pellinores saddle set upon him.
"Now what shall I call you?" said the knight, " in m
much as yee have my cosin at your desire of your quest"
" Sir, I shall tell you, my name is Pellinore, king of the
iles, and knight of the round table." " Now I am glad,"
said the knight, " that such a noble man as ye be shal have
the rule of my cosin." " What is now your name ? " said
king PeUinore ; " I pray you tell me." " Sir," said he,
" my name is sir MeUot of Logurs, and this lady my cosin
hight^ Nimue, and the knight that is in that other pavilion
is my swome brother, a passing good knight, and his name^
is Brian of the Iles, and he is full loth to doe any wrong,
and full loth to fight with any man or knight, but if he be sore
sought upon, so that for shame he may not leave." " It
is marvaile," said king Pellinore, " that he will not have
adoe with me." " Sir, he will not have ado with no man
but if it be at his request." " Bring him one of these dayes
to the court of king Arthur," said king Pellinore. " Sir,
we will come together." " Yee shal be greatly welcome
there," said king Pellinore, " and also greatly alowed for

' Dined. — It has been before remarked tbat dinner was formerly
a very early meal in the day. See p. 24.
* Eight.— Is caXied,

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KING ARTHUR. 113

your coming." And so hee departed with the lady, and
brought her to Camelot. So as they rode in a valey
that was full of stones, the ladies horse stumbled and threw
her down, wherwith her arme was sore brused, and neere
she sowned for paine and anguish. '' Alas I sir," said the
lady, " mine arme is out of joynt, wherethrough I must
ne^ rest ;ne." ** Yee shall doe well," said king Pelli-
noi-e ; and so he alighted under a faire tree, where as was
£Eiire grasse, and he put his horse thereto, and so laid him
under the tree and slept till it was nigh night, and when
he awoke hee would have riden. '* Sir," said the lady, " it
is so darke that ye may as well ride backward as for^^ard."
So they abode still, and made there their lodging. Then
king Pellinore put off his armour, and then a litte before
midnight they heard the troting of an horse. " Be ye still,"
said king Pellinore, " for we shall heare of some adven-
ture."

CHAP. LVni. — How king Pellinore heard two knights, as he lay-
by night in a valey, and of other adventures.

^ND therewith he armed him. So right even
afore him there met two knights, the one came
jfrom Camelot and the other from the north,
and either saluted other. " What tidings at
•Camelot? " said the one. *' By my head," said the other,
" there have I beene, and espied the court of king Arthur,
and there is such a fellowship that they may never be brok,
and wel nigh al the world holdeth with king Arthur, for
th^re is the floure of chivalry. Now for this cause I am
riding into the north, to tel our chiefetaines of the fellowship
which is withholden with king Arthur." " As for that,"
said the other knight, " I have brought a remedy with me,
that is the greatest poison that ever ye hard speake of, and
to Camelot will I with it, for we have a friend right nigh
king Arthur, and well cherished, that shall poyson king

VOL. I. I

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114 THE EISTOBIE VF

Arthnf ; so he hath promised our chiefetaines/ and hath
received great gifts for to do it." "Beware," said the
other knight, " of Merlin, for he knoweth all things h j the
divelfl craft." « Therefore will I not let^ it," said the knight.
And so thej departed in sunder. Anone after king PeUi*
nore made him ready, and his ladj, and rode toward Came-
lot. And as they came h j the well where as the wounded
knight was and ^e ladj, there he found the knight and the
lady eaten with Hons or wilde heasts all save the head,
wherefore he made great mono and wept passing sore, and
said, " Alas ! her life I might have saved, hut I was so fierce
in my quest, therefore I would not ahide." " Wh^'efore
make ye such dole?" said the lady. "I wot not," said
king Pellinore, " hut my heart moumeth sore for the death
of this lady, for shee was a passing faire lady and a young."
" Now shall ye doe hy mine advise," said the lady ; " take
this knight and let him he huried in an hermitage, and .then
take the ladyes head and beare it with you unto king Ar-
thurs court." So king Pellinore tooke this dead knight on
his shoulders, and had him to the hermitage, and charged
the hermit with his corps, and that service should he done
fw the soule, " and take his hameis iw your labour and
paine." << It shall be done," said the hermit, " as I wH
answere to God."

CHAP. LIX. — How king PelHnore, wb^i he was come to Camelot,
was swonie upon a booke to tell truth of his quest.

iNB therewith they departed, and came wherea3
the head of the lady lay, with faire yellow haire,
which grieved king Pellinore passing sore when
he looked upon it, for much he cost his heart
on the visage. And so by noone they came to Camelot,
and king Arthur and the queene were passing glad of his
comming to the court. And there he was made to swere
upon the four evangelbts for to tel al the truth oi his quest,
' Let, — Leave; abandon.

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KING AST HUB. 115

from the begining unto the ending. " Ah, sir Pellinore,**
said the queene, " ye were greatly to blame that yee saved
not the ladyes life." " Madam," said king Pellinore, "ye
were greatly to blame and if ye would not save your owne
life, and ye might; but, saving your honour, I was so furious
in my quest that I would not abide, and that repenteth me,
and shall doe all the dayes of my Ufe." " Truely," said
Merlin, ** ye ought sore to repent it, for the lady was your
owne daughter, begotten on the Lady of theKule, and that
knight that was dead was her love, and should have wedded
her, and bee was a right good knight of a young man, and
would have proved a good man, and to this court was bee
comming, and his name was sir Miles of the Launds, and
a knight came behind him and slew him with a speare, and
his name is Loraine le Savage, a false knight and a very
coward, and she for great sorrow slew her selfe with his
sword, and her name was Eleine ; and because ye would not
abide and helpe her, ye shal se your best frind faile you
when ye be in the greatest distresse that ever ye wer or shal
be in, and that penance God hath ordeined you for that
deede, that he that ye shall most trust to of any man alive,
he shall leave you there as ye shal be slaine." " Me fore-
thinketh," said king Pellinore, " that this shall betide mee,
but God may well foredoe all destinies."

Thus when the quest was don of the white hart that sir
Gawaine followed, and the quest of the brachet followed of
sir Tor, son unto king Pellinore, and the quest of the lady
that the knight tooke away, the which king Pellinore at that
time followed, then king Arthur stablished all his knights,
and gave them lands that were not rich of land, and charged
them never to do outrage nor murder, and alway to flee
treason ; also by no meanes to be cruel, but to give mercy
unto him that asked mercy, upon paine of forfeiture of their
worship and lordship of king Arthur for evermore ; and al-
way to doe ladies, damosels, and gentlewomen succour upon
paine of death. Also that ho man take no battailes in a

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116 THE HISTOBIE OF

wrong quarell for no law, nor for worldly goods. Unto this
were all the knights sworne of the round table, both old and
young. And every yeare they were sworne at the high
feast of Penticost.

CHAP. LX.— How Merlin was assotted and doted on one of the
ladies of the lake, and he was shut in a roche under a stone by a
wood side, and there died.

{HEN after these quests of sir Gawaine, of sir
Tor, and of king Pellinore, Merlin fel in a do-
tage on the damosel that king Pellinore brought
to the court with him, and she was one of the
damosels of the lake which hight Nimue. But Merhn
would let her have no rest, but alwayes he would be with
her in every place. And ever she made Merlin good cheere,
till she had learned of him all manner thing that shoe de-
sired ; and hee was so sore assotted upon her that he might
not be from her. So upon a time he told unto king Arthur
that he should not endure long, and that for al his crafts he
should be put in the earth quicke ;^ and so he told the king
many things that should befall, but alwayes he warned king
Arthur to keepe well his sword Excalibur and the scabbard,
for he told him how the sword and the scabbard should be
stolen by a woman from him that hee most trusted. Also
he told king Arthur that he should misse him, " yet had yee
rather then all your lands to have me againe." "Ah," said
the king, " sith ye know of your adventure, purvey for it,
and put away by your crafts that misadventure." " Nay,"
said Merlin, " it will not be." And then he departed from
king Arthur. And within a while the damQsell of the lake
departed, and Merlin went evermore with her wh^:«8oever
she went. And oftentimes Merlin would have had her
privily away by his subtile crafts, and then she made him to
sweare that he should never do none enchauntment upon

* QutcAc^L e. alive.

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KING ARTHUR. 117

her if he would have his will, and so he swore. So she and
Merlin went over the sea unto the land of Benwicke, where
as king Ban was king, that had great warre against king
Claudas, and there Merlin spake with king Bans wife, a
faire lady and a good, and her name was Elein ; and there
he saw young Launcelot. There the queene made great
sorrow for the mortall waire that king Claudas made on her
lord and on her lands. " Take no heavinesse,*' said Mer-
lin, " for this child within this twenty yeare shall revenge
you on king Claudas, that all Christendome phall speakeof
it, and this same child shall be the most man of worship of
this world, and I know well that his first name Yffi^ Galahad,
and sith ye have confirmed him Lancelot.". " That is truth,"
said the queene, " his first name was Galahad. Merlin,*'
said the queene, *^ shall 1 Hve to see my sonne such a man
of prowesse ?" " Yea, lady, on my perill; ye shall see it,
and Hve after many winters." And then soone after the lady
and Merlin departed ; and by the way as they went Merlin
shewed her many wonders, and came into Cornewaile. And
alwaies Merhn lay about the lady for to have her maiden-
head, and she was ever passing wery of him, and faine would
have beene -delivered of him, for she was afraid of him, be-
cause he was a divels sonne, and she could not put him away
by no meanes.

And so upon a time it hapned that Merlin shewed to her
in a roche where as was a great wonder, and wrought by en-
chauntment, which went under a stone.^ So by her subtile
craft and working, she made Merlin to goe under that stone
to let her wit* of the mervailes there, but she wrought so
there for him, that he came never out, for all the craft that
he could doe. And so she departed, and left Merlin.

' Under a ttone, — The manner of Merlin's death is variously re-
lated. In the French romance it is a bush of hawthorn in which he
was enclosed by the fairy Yiviana, (the lady of the lake,) to whom
he had communicated the charm. She tried it upon her lover to
ascertain if what he told her were true, an^ was grieved when she
found that he could not be extracted from his thorny coverture.

* IFtf.— For »«te, know.

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118 T^E HISTOEIE OF

CHAP. LXL— How five kings came into this land to warre against
king Arthur, and what counsaile king Arthur had against them.

^ND then king Arthur rode to Camelot, and there
he made a solemne feast with mirth and jo j. So
anon after he returned unto Cardojle/ and there
came to king Arthur niew tidings that the king of
Denmarke and the king of Ireland his brother, and the king
of the VaJe, and the king of Soleyse, and the king of the isle
of Longtainse,* all these five knights with a great hoast were
entered into king Arthurs land, and burnt and slew all that
they found afore them, both cities and castles, that it was great
pittie tosee. "Alas," said king Arthur, "yet had I never rest
one moneth sith I was crowned king of this land. Now shall
I never rest till I meete with those kings in a faire field, and
to that I make mine avow; for my true Uege people shall not
be destroyed in my default, goe with me who will, and abide
who will." Then the king let write unto king Pellinore, and
praied him in all haste to make him ready with such people as
he might lightliest reere,^ and hie him after in al haste. Al
the barons were priviely wroth that the king would depart so
sodainely ; but the king by no meanes would abide, but made
writings unto them that were not there, and bad them hie after
him such as were not at that time in the court. Then the king
came to queene Guenever, and said, " Lady, make you ready,
for ye shall goe with me, for I may not long misse you, ye
shall cause me to be the more hardier what adventure so-
ever befall me. I will not wit* my lady to be in no jeopar-
die." " Sir," said she, " I am at your command, and shall
be ready what time soever ye be ready.*' So on the mor-
row the king and the queene departed, with such fellowship

^ CardoyU, — Carlisle, which was so called by the Normans, appa-
rently through a difficulty of pronunciation, as they called Lincoln,
Nicole.

* Longtainse, — One might imagine this name to be made from
rUfe laingtaine, the distant or remote island.

' Reere, — Raise.

* fTiV.— Know.

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KING ABTffUR 119

as they had, and came into the north into a fotrest beside,
Humber, and there lodged them. When the tidings came
to the five kings above said, that king Arthur was beside
Hmnber in a forest, ther was a knight brother nnto one of
the five kings that gave them this Counsaile : ^' Ye know
wel that king Arthur hath with him the floure of chivabrie
of the world, as it is proved by the great battaile that he did
with the eleaven kings, and therefore hie unto him night
and day, till that we be nigh him, for the longer he tarielh
the bigger he is, and we ever the weaker, and he is so cou-
ragious of himselfe that he is come to the field with little
people, and therefore let us set upon him or it be day, and
wee shfdl so slay of his knights that there shall not one
escape."

CHAP. LXn.— How king Arthur overthrew and slew the five kings,
and made the remnant to flee.

^NTO thig counsaile the five kings assented, and
so they passed forth with their boast through •
Northwales, and came upon king Arthur by
night, and sot upon his boast, he and his knights
being in their pavilions, and king Arthur was unarmed, stad
had laid him to rest with the queene« '' Sirs,'' said sir
Kay, " it is not good that we be unarmed." " We shall
have no neede," said sir Gawaiiie and sir Griflet, that lay
ki a little pavilion by the king. With that they hard a great
noise, and many cried treason. " Alas ! " said king Arthur,
"we are al betraied. Unto armes, fellowes !" cried he then.
80 they were anon armed at all points. Then came there
a wounded knight to king Arthur, and said to him, " Sir,
save your selfe and my lady the queene, for our boast is
destroyed, and much people of ours slaine." So anon the
king and the queene and three knights tooke their horses
and rode toward Humber to passe over it, and the water was
so rough that.they were^ afewd to passe over. " Now may

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120 THE HISTOBIE OF

ye choose," said king Arthur, " whether ye will abide and
take the adventure upon this side, for and ye be taken they
will slay you." " It were me rather," said the queene, "to
die in the water then for to fall into your enemies hands, and
there to be slaine." And as they stood so talking, sir Kay
saw the ^yq kings comming on*horsback by themselyes
alone, with their speares in their hand toward them. " Lo,"
said sir Kay, " yonder be the %yq kings, let us goe to them
and match them." " That were folly," said sir Gtiwaine,
" for we are but foure and they be five." " That is truth,"
said sir Griflet, " No force," said sir Kay, " I will under-
take two of them, and then may ye three undertake the
other three." And therewith sir Kay let his horse runne
as fast as he might, and strooke one of them through the
shield and the body of a fadom deepe, that the king fel to
the earth starke dead. That saw sir Gtiwaine, and ran unto
another king so hard, that he smote him through the body*
And therewith king Arthur ran to another, and smote him
through the body with a speare that he fell downe to the
earth dead. Then sir Griflet ran to the fourth king, anid
gave him such a fall that he brake his necke. Anon s&
£jty ran unto the fifi king, and smote him so hard upon
the helme that the strooke clave the helme and the head to
the shoulders. " That was well stricken," said king Arthur,
" and worshipfully haste thou holden thy promise, therefore
I shall honour thee as long as I live." And therwith they
set the queene in a barge in Humber, but alwayes queene
Guenever praised sir £jiy for his noblQ deedes, and said,
" What lady that ye love, and she love you not againe, she
were greatly to blame; and among ladies," said the queene,
" I shall beare your noble fame, for ye spake a great word,
and fulfilled it worshipfully." And therewith the queene de-
parted. Then the king and the three knights rode into the
forrest, for there they supposed to heare of them that were
escaped, and there king Arthur found the most part of his
people^ and told them aU how the five kings were deadi;

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KING ARTHUR. 121

** and therefore let we hold us together till it he day, and
when their hoast espie that their chiefetaines hee slaine they
will make such sorrow that they shall not he ahle to helpe
themselves." Eight so as the king had said, so it was ;
for when they found the ^le kings dead, they made such
sorrow that they fell downe from their horses. Therewith
came king Arthur with a few people, and slew on the right
nand and on the left, that well nigh there escaped no man,
hut ail were slaine, to the numher of thirtie thousand men.
And when the hattaile was all ended, king Arthur kneeled
downe and thanked God fuU meekly. And then he sent
for the queene, and she came anon, and made great joy for
the yicttorie of that dangerous hattaile.

CHAP. LXIII.— How the battaile was finished or that king Pellii
nore came, and how king Arthur founded an abbey where the bat-
taile was.

JHEKEWITHALL came one to king Arthur^
and told him that king Pellinore was within
three mile with a great hoast, and said, '' Goe
imto him, and let him have knowledge how wee
have sped." So within a while king Pellinore came with
a great hoast, and saluted the people and the king. And
there was great joy made on every side. Then king Ar-
thur let search how much people of his party there was
slaine. And there were found not past a two hundred men
slaine, and eight knights of the round tahle in their pavi-
lions. Then the king let reare and huilt in the same place
there as the hattaile was done a faire ahhey, and endowed
it with great livelihood, and let call it the ahbey of Le Beaue
Adventure. But when some of them came into their coun-
tries, there as the five kings were kings, and told them how
they were slaine, there was made great sorrow. And when
all king Arthurs enemies (as the king of Northwales and
the king of the North) wist of the hattaile, they were pass-

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122 THE HIStOBIE OF

ing heavie. And bo the king returned to Camelot in haste ;
and, when he was. come to Camftlot, he called king Pelli-
nore unto him, and said : " Yee understand wel that we
have lost eight good knights of the table round, and by
your advise wee will choose eight againe of the best that
we may find in this court." " Sir," said king Pellinore,
^ I shall counsaile you after my conceite the best. Th^e
are in your court right noble knights both old and young,
and therefore by mine advise ye shal choose the one halfe of
old, and the other halfe of young." " Which be the old ? ''
said king Arthur. " Sir," said king Pellinore, " me seem-
ieth that king Urience, that hath wedded your sister Mor-
gan le Fay, and the king of the lake, and sir Hervise de
Eevel, a noble knight, and. sir Galagars the fourth." " This
is well devised," said king Arthur, " and right so shall it
be. Now which are the foure young knights ? " said kin^
Arthur. " Sir," said king Pellinore, " the first is sir Gla-
wayne your nephew, that is as good a knight of his time
as any is in this l^nd ; and the second as me seemeth is sir
Griflet^ le Ilze de Deve, that is a good knight and fiill de-
i^irous in armes, and who may see him live he shal prove a
good knight. And the third, as me seemeth, is well worthy,
sir Kay the seneshaU, for many times he hath done fiill
worshipfully, and now at your last battaile he did full
honourably for to undertake to slay two kings." ** By my
head," said king Arthur, "he is best worthie to bee a
knight of the round table of any that ye have rehearsed,
and he had done no more prowesse all the dayes of my
life."

* Sir Or%flet,-^ejL.Um reads, tyre Gryflet hfym Hu dene.

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KING ARTHUR. 123

CJHAP. L?:iV. — How sir Tor was made knight of the round Uble,
and how Bagdemagos was displeased.

f HEN said king Pellinore, " Now shal I put to
you two knights, and ye shal choose which is
most worthy, that is sir Bagdemagus^ and sir
Tor my sonne ; hut hecause sir Tor is my son,
I may not praise him, hut else and he were not my sonne,
I durst say that of his age there is not in this land a hetter
knight then he is, nor of hetter conditions, and loth to doe
any wrong, and loth to take any wrong." " By my head,*'
9aid king Arthur, ** he is a passing good knight as any yee
spake of this day, and that know I full well, for I have
Beene him proved, and he saith little, hut he doth much
more ; for I know hone in all this court and he were as
well home on his mothers side as he is on your side, that
is like him of prowesse and of might, and therefore I will
liave him at ^s time, and leave Bir Bagdemagus till an*
other time." And when they were so chosen hy the assent
of al the herons, so were there found in their sieges every
knight^ name as afore is rehearsed. And so were they set
in their sieges, whereof sir Bagdemagus was wonderoud
wroth that sir Tor was so advanced afore him; and there-*
fore sodainly he departed from tiie court of king Arthur,
and tooke his squire with him, and rode long in a forrest,
till they came to a crosse, and there he alighted and said
his praiers devoutiy. The meane while his squire found
written upon the crosse that Bagdemagus should never re-
tume againe to the court till hee had wonne a knights hody
of the round tahle, hody for hody. ** Lo, sir," said his
squire, ** heere I find written of you, therefore I hid you
retume againe to the court." " That shall I never," said
Bagdemagus, '* til men speake of me great worship, and
that I he worthie to hee a knight of the round tahle." And

. ' 1 BagdemaffHt,y^TYiis personage, called Baldemagns in the English
metricai romance of Merlin, was the nephew of Urien.

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124 THE HI8T0BIE OF

80 he rode foorth, and by the way he found a branch of an
holy hearbe, that was the signeof the sancgreall ; and no
knight found such tokens but he were a good liver. So as
sir Bagdemagus rode to se many adventures, it happened
him to come to the roche there as the lady of the lake had
put Merlin under a stone, and there hee heard him make
great mone, wherefore sir Bagdemagus would have holpen
him, and went to the great stone, and it was so heavy that
an hundred men might not lift it up. When Merlin wist
that he was there, he bad him leave his labour, for all was
in vaine, and he might never be holpen but by her that put
him there. And so sir Bagdemagus departed, and did many
adventures, and proved after a full good knight of prow*
esse, and came againe to the court of king Arthur, and was
made knight of the round table. And so on the morrow
there fell new tidings and other adventures*

CHAP. LXV. — How king Arthur, king Urience, and rir Accolon of
Gaule, chased an hart, and of their marvailons adventures.

k HEN it befell that king Arthur and many of his
knights rode on hunting into a great forrest,
and it happened king Arthur, king Urience,
and sir Accolon of Gtiule followed a great hart^
for they three were well horsed, and they chased so fast that
within a while they three were ten mile from their fellow-
ship, and at the last they chaced so sore that they slew
their horses under them. Then wer they al three on foot,
and ever they saw the hart afore them passmg weary and
embushed. " What will we doe ? '' said king Arthur, ** we
are hard bested.'' "Let us goe on foote," said king
Urience, *^ tiQ we may meete with some lodging." Then
were they ware of the hart that lay on a great water-banck,
and a brachet biting upon his throate, and many other
hounds came after. Then king Arthur blew the price* and

' Bkuf (i^jDnce.— The prite was the note blown on the death of
the deer, .

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KING ARTHUR. 125

dight the hart there. Then king Arthur looked ahout
him, and saw afore him in a great water a little ship al
apparelled with silke downe to the water, and the ship came
straight unto them, and landed^ on the sands. Then king
Artibur went to the hanck and looked in, and saw none
earthly creature therein. " Sirs,'' said the king, " come
thence and let us see what is in this ship." So they went
in all three, and found it richly hehanged with cloath of silk,
and hy that time it was darke night ; there suddainly were
ahout them an hundred torches set on all the sides of the
shippe bords and gave a great hght. And therewith came
out twelve faire damosels, and saluted king Arthur on their
knees, and called him by his name, and ^said he was wel-
come, and such cheere as they had he should have of the
best. And the king thanked them faire. Therewith they
led the king and his two fellowes inUb a faire chamber, and
there was a cloth laid richly beseene of all that belonged
to a table, and there they were served of all wines and
meates that they could thinke of, that the king had great
marvaile, for he fared never better in his life for one supper.
And so when they had supped at their leasure, king Ar-
thur was led into a chamber, a richer beseene chamber saw
he never none, and so was king Urience served, and led
into anotjber chamber, and sir Accolon was led into the third
chamber, passing rich and well beseene. And so were they
laid in their beds right easily, and anon they fell on sleepe,
and slept mervailously sore^ all that night. And on the
morrow king Urience was in Camelot abed in his wives
armes, Morgan le Fay. And when he awok he had great
mervaQe how he came there, for on the even afore hee wad
about a two dayes journey from Camelot. And also when
king Arthur awoke, he found himselfe in a darke prison,
hearing about him many complaints of wofiill knights.

* Landed. — ^i. e. came to land.
' /Sorc^—Hard ; soundly.

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126 THE HI8T0BIE OF

CHAP. LXVI.— How king Arthur tooke upon hkn to fight for to be
delivered out of prison, and also to deliver twentie knights that wer
in prison.

[HEN said king Arthur, " What are ye that so
complaine?" " We are here twentie good
knights prisoners,'* said they, " and some of us
have Hen here seaven yeere, and some m(H^
and som lesse." " For what cause ? '* said king Arthur.
<* We shall tell you,*' said the knights. "The lord of
this castle is named sir Damas, and he is the Msest
knight that liveth, and full of treason, and a very coward
as any liveth, and hee hath a yonger hrother, a good knight
of prowesse, his name is sir Ontzlake, and this trait(Mr
Damas, the elder hrother, wil give him no part of his live-
lihood hut that sir Oatzlake keepeth through his prowesse,
and so he keepeth from him a full faire manner and a rich,
and thenn sir Ontzlake dwelleth worshipfully, and is well
heloved of the people and comminalty. And this sir Damas
our master is as evil beloved, for he is without mercy and
he is a very coward, and great war hath bene hetwenthem
hoth, hut sir Ontzlake hath ever the hotter, and ever he
proffereth sir Damas to fight for the hvelihood,^ hody for
hody, hut he will doe nothing ; or else to find a knight to
fight for him. Unto that sir Damas hath granted to find a
knight, hut he is so evill and hated that there is no knight
that wil fight for him. And when sir Damas saw this,
that there was no knight that would fight for him, he hath
dayly layen in a waite with many knights with him to take
all the knights in this countrey to see and espie their ad-
ventures ; he hath taken them hy force and hrought them
into his prison, and so hee tooke us severally as wee rode
on our adventures, and many good knights have died in
this prison for hunger, to the uumher of eighteene knights,

* For the Kvelihood,^, e. for the property which sir Damas with-
held from him.

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KING ARTHUU. 127

and if any of us al tiiat is here or hath beene would have
foughten with his brother Ontzlake, he would have deKvered
us ; but because this sir Damas is so false and so fiill of
treason^ we would never fight for him to die for it. And
we be so leane for hunger, that unnethes we may stand on
our feete.^* " God deliver you for His mercy!" said king
Arthur. Anon therewith came a damosell imto king Ar^
thur, and asked him, " "What che^e ? " "I can not tel,''
said he. " Sir," quoth she, " and ye will fight for my
lord, ye shall be delivered out of prison, or else ye shall
never escape with your hfe." " Now," said king Arthur,
" that is hard; yet had I rather to fight with a knight then
to die in prison, if I may be delivered with this and all these
prisoners," said king Arthur, " I will doe the battaile."
** Yes," said the damosell. " I am ready," said king Ar-
thur, " if I had a horse and armor." ** Yee shal lacke
none," said the damoseU. '^ Me seemeth, damosell, I should
have seene you in the court of king Arthur." " Nay,"
said the damosell, " I came nevey there, I am the lorda
daughter of this castle." Yet was shee fedse, for she was
- one of the damosels of Morgan le Fay. Anon shee went
unto sir Pamas, and told him how bee would doe battaile
for him. And so he sent for king Arthur, and when bee
came bee was well coloured and well made of his linabes,
and that all the kni^ts that saw him said it were pittae that
such a knight should die in prison. So sir Damas and he
were agreed that he should fight for him upon this covenant,
that al the other knights should be delivered, and unto that
was sir Damas swome unto king Arthur, and also to doe
this battaile to the uttermost. And with that all the
twentie knights were brought out of the? darke prison into
the hall and delivered. And so they all abode to see the
battaile.

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128 TSE mSfORIE OF

CHAP. Lxvil. — ^How sir Accolon found himselfe by a well, and he
tooke upon him to doe battaile against king Arthur.

fUENE we unto sir Accolon of Gaule, that when
he awoke he found himselfe by a deepe wel side
within halfe a foote in great perill of death, and
there came out of that fountaine a pipe of silver,
and out of that pipe ranne water all on high in stone of
marble. And when sir Accolon saw thiB, hee blessed him
and said, '^ Jesus, save mj lord king Arthur and king
Urience ! for these damosells in this ship have betraied us,
they were-divels and no women, and if I may escape this
misadventure I shall destroy all where I may find these
false damosels that use inchantments." And with that
there came a dwarfe with a great mouth and flat nose, and
saluted sir Accolon, and said how he came from queene-
Morgan le Fay, "and she greeteth you well, and biddeth you
to bee strong of hart, for yee shall fight to morrow with a
knight at the houre of prime^'^d therefore she hath sent
you here Excalibur, king Arthurs sword, and the scabbard,
and she desireth you, as you love her, that ye doe the battail
to the uttermost without any mercy, like as ye have pro-
mised her when ye spake together in private; and what
damosell that bringeth her the knights head that ye shall
fight withall, shee wil make her a rich queene for ever."
" Now I understand you well," said sir Accolon, " I shall
hold that I have promised her, now I have the sword.
"When saw yee my lady queene Morgan? " " Eight late,*'
said the dwarfe. Then sir Accolon tooke him in his armes,
and said, " Kecommend me imto my lady queen Morgan,
and tell her that all shall be done as I have promised her,
or else I will die for it. Now, I suppose,'* said sir Ac-
colon, " she hath made all these crafts and enchantments
for this battel." "Yee may wel beleeve it," said the
dwarfe. Eight so came a knight and a lady with sixe
squires^ and saluted sir Accolon, and praied him to arise

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KIl^Q ARTHUR, 129

and come and rest bim at his manor. And so sir Aec(don
mounted upon a voide horse, and went with the knight unto
a faire manor by a priorie, and there he had passing good
dieere. Then sir Damas sent unto his brother sir Ontz-
lake, and bad him make him ready by to-morrow at the
houre of prime, and to be in the field to fight with a good
knight, for he had found a good knight that was ready to
doo battaile at al points. When this word came unto sir
Ontzlake, he was passing heavie, for he was wounded a
little to-fore through both his thighes with a speare, and
made great mono ; but for all bee was woimded he would
haye taken the battell in hand. So it happened at that
time by the meanes of Morgan le Fay, sir Accolon was
lodged with sir Ontzlake, and when he heard of that battaile,
and how sir Ontzlake was wounded, he said he would fight
f(N* him ; because Morgan le Fay had sent him Excalibur
and the scabbard for to fight wilii the kni^t on the mor-
row, this was the cause sir Accolon tooke the battaile in
hand. Then sir Ontzlake wbs passing gkd, and thanked
sir Accolon hartily, that he would doe so much for him.
And therewith sir Ontzlake sent word to his brother sir
Damas, that he had a knight that for him should be ready
in the fidd by the houre of ipnme. So on the morrow king
Arthur was armed and well horsed, and asked sir Damas ,
« When shall we goe to the field ? " " Sir," said sir Da-
mas, '^ ye shal heare masse." And when masse was doone,
there came a squire on a great horse and asked sir Damas,
if his knight were ready ; " for our knight is ready in the
field." Then king Arthur mounted on horsebacke, and
there were al the knights and commons of the countrey,
and so by al advises there were chosen twelve goodmen^ of
the countrey for to waite upon the two knights. And as
king Arthur was upon horsebacke, there came a damosell
from Morgan le Fay, and brought unto king Arthur a sword

• ' (Toorfmen.-^The term good-men (boni homines) iraa cquiyalent
with freemen. .

VOL. I. K

Digitized by VjOOQIC

130 TEE HISTOBIE OF

like unto 'Excalibur and the scabbard^ and siud unto king
Arthur, " Morgan le Fay sendeth you here your sword for
great love." And he thanked her, and wend it had beene
80 ; but she was false, for the sword and the scabard wa9
counterfeit^ brittle, and false.

CHAP. LXVIII.^Of the battaile betweene king Arthur and sir
Accolon.

I^ND then they dressed them on both parties of
the field, and let their horses run so fest, that
either smote other in the middest of their
shields with their speares, that both horses and
men went to the ground ; and then they started up both and
drew out their swords. And in the meane while that they
were thus fighting came the damosel of the lake into the
field, that had put Merlin under the stone, and she came
thither for the love of king Arthur, for she knew how Mor-
gan le Fay had so ordained that king Arthur should have
beene slaine that day, and therefore she came to save his
life. And so they went egerly to doe their battaile, and
gave manie great strokes. But alway king Arthurs sword
was not like sir Accolons sword, so that for the most part
every strooke that sir Accolon gave wounded king Ar-»
thur sore, that it was marvaile that he stood, and alway his
blood fell fast from him. When king Arthur beheld the
ground so sore beblooded,' bee was dismaied, and then he
deemed treason that his sword was changed, for his sword
was not still^ as it was wont to doe ; therefore was he sore
adread to be dead, for ever him seemed that the sword in

* Beblooded, — Covered with blood. The use of the prefix he in an
intensitive or distributive sense is veiy common in this book, and it
will be hardly necessary to point it out except in particular instances
where the passage requires explanation.

* Was notstiU. — ^An error of the printer of the edition of 1634.
Caxton has, boote not 8iyl,u e. did not bite or cut into the steel as it
used to do. See the explanation of the name, p. 18*

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KING ARTHUR. 131

sir Accolons hand was Excalibur, for at every strooke that
sir Accolon strooke, he drew blood on king Arthur. "Now
^night/* said sir Accolon to king Arthur, " keepe thee weH
from me." But king Arthur answered not againe, and
gave him such a buffet on the hehne that he made him to
,stoope, nigh falling to the groimd. Then sir Accolon
withdrew him a little, and came on with Excalibur on high,
and smote king Arthur such a buffet that he fell nigh to
the earth. Then were they both wroth, and gave each other
many sore strookes, but alwayes king Arthur lost so much
blood thas it was marvaile that he stood on his feete, but
he was so full of knighthood that knightly he endured the
paine. And sir Accolon lost not a drop of blood, there-
fore he waxed passing light; and king Arthur was passing
feeble, and thought veiily to have died. But for all that
he made countenance as though he might endure, and held
sir Accolon as short as he might, but sir Accolon was so
bold because of Excalibur, that he waxed passing hardy.
.But al men that beheld them said they saw never knight
fight so well as did king Arthur, considering the blood that
he bled, and all the people were sory for him, but the two
brethren would not accord. Then alway they fought together
as fierce knights, and king Arthur withdrew him ahttle for
to rest him, and sir Accolon called him to battaile, and
^d, ** It is no time for me to suffer thee to rest." And
herewith he came fiersly upon king Arthur, and king Ar-
thur was wroth for the blood that he had lost, and smote sir
Accolon upon the helme so mightily that hee made him
nigh fall to the earth, and therewith king Arthurs sword
brak at the crossed and fel in the grasse among the blood,
and the pomell and the handle he held in his hand. When
king Arthur saw that, he was greatly afeard to die, but
alwayes he held up his shield and lost no ground, no bated
noe cheere.

* Chrotu, — The piece of metal which crossed the sword above the
handle, to guard the hand.

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132 TJSE HI8T0BIE OF

CHAP. LXIX. — How king Arthurs sword that he fought with brake,
aud how he recovered of sir Accolon bis owne sword Excalibor,
and overcame his enemie.

J HEN sir Accolon began to say thus with words
of treason : " Knight, thou art overcome and
maist no longer endure, and also thou art
weaponlesse, and thou hast lost much of thy
blood, and I am full loth to sley thee, therefore yeeld thee
to mee as recreaunt." " Nay,'* said king Arthur, " I may
not so, for I have promised to doe the battaile to the utter-
most by the faith of my body while my Kfe lasteth, and
therefore I had rather to die with honour then to live with
shame, and if it were possible for me to die an hundred
times, I had rather so often die then to yeeld me to thee ;
for though I lacke weapon and am weaponlesse, yet shall I
Jacke no worship, and if thou sley me weaponlesse it shaft
be to thy shame." " Well," said sir Accolon, " as for the
shame I wil not spare. Now keepe thee from me," said
sir Accolon, " for thou art but a dead man.'* And there-
with sir Accolon gave him such a strooke, that he fel nigh
to the earth, and would have king Arthur to crie him
mercy. But king Arthur pressed unto sir Accolon with
his shield, and gave him with the pomell in his hand such
a buffet that he went three strides back. When the damo-
seU of the lake beheld king Arthur, how full of prowesae
and worthinesse his body was, and the false treason that
was wrought for him to have slaine him, she had great
pittie that so good a knight and so noble a man of worship
should be destroyed. And at the next strooke sir Accdon
strooke him such a strooke, that by the damosels enchaunt*
ment the sword Excalibur fell out of sir Accolons hand to
the earth. And therwith king Arthur lightly leapt to it,
and quickly gate it in his hand, and forthwith he perceived
clearely that it was his good sword ExcalibuTy and said,

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KTN& AETHUE. 133

'^ Thou hast heene from me al too long, and much domage
hast thou done me." And therewith he espied the scab-
bard hanging bj sir Accolons side, and suddenly hee leapt
to him^ and pulled the scabbard from him, and anon threw
it fixHn him as farrfe as he might throw it. " O, knight,'*
said king Arthur, '' this day thou hast don me great do-
mage with this sword. Now are ye come to your death, for
I diall not warrant you but that ye shall be as well rewarded
with this sword or we depart asunder as thou hast re-
warded me, for much paine have yee made me to endure,
and have lost much blood." And therewith king Arthur
rushed upon him with all his might, and pulled him to the
earth, and then rushed off his helme, and gave him such a
buffet on ihe head that the blood came out of his eares,
nose, and moulli. " Now will 1 sley thee," said king Ar-
thur. " Sley me yee may," said sir Accolon, " and it
please you, for ye are the best knight that ever I found,
imd I see well that God is with you ; but for I promised ta
doe this battaile," said sir Accolon, " to the uttermost, and
sever to be recreaunt while I lived, therefore shall I never
yeeld me with my mouth, but God doe with my body what
he wiL" And then king Arthur remembred him, and
thought he should have scene this knight. '^^ Now tel me,"
9aad king Arthur, ^' or I will sley thee, of what countrey
art thou ? and of what court? " " Sir knight," quoth sir
Accolon, " I am of the court of king Arthur, and my name
is sir Accolon of Gaule," Then was king Arthur more
dismaied then he was before, for then he remembred him
of his sister Morgan le Fay, and of the endiantment of the
ship. *' Oh, sir knight,'' said he, " I pray thee tell me
who gave thee this sword and by whom had ye it ? "

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134 THE HISTOEIE Ut

CHAP. LXX. — How sir Accolon confessed the treason of Morgan 1e
Fay, and how she would have caused her brother king Arthur to be
slaine.

•HEN sir Accolon bethought him, and said :
" Woe worth this sword, for by it have I gotten
my death." " It may wel be," said king Ar-
thm*. " Now sir," said sir Accolon, " I wil
tel you. This sword hath beene in my keeping the most
of these twelve monethes, and queene Morgan le Fay, kin^
Urience wife, sent it me yesterday by a dwarfe to this in-
tent, that I should sley king Arthur her brother, for ye
shall understand that king Arthur is the man which shee
most hateth in this world, because that he is the most o^
worship and of prowesse of any of her blood. Also she
loveth me out of measure as her paramoure, and I hei'
againe. And if she might bring about for to sley king
Arthur with her crafts, she would sley her husband king
Urience lightly, and then had she me devised to be king in
this land, and so for to raigne, and she to be my queene ;
but that is now done," said sir Accolon, " for I am sure of
my death." " Well," said king Arthur, " I feele by you
ye would have beene king in this land; it had beene great
domage for to have destroyed your lord," said king Arthur^
** It is truth," said sir Accolon, " but now have I told you .
the truth, wherefore I pray you that ye will tell me of
whence ye are, and of what court ? '' ** Oh, sir Accolon,'*
said king Arthur, " now I let thee to wit that I am king
Arthur, to whom thou hast done great domage." When*
ftir Accolon heai*d that, he cried out aloud : ** Oh, my
gracious, lord, have mercy on me, for I knew you notl**^
" Oh, sir Accolon," said king Arthur, "mercy shalt thou
have, because I feele by thy words at this time thou knewest
not my person. But I understand well by thy words that
thou hast agreed td the death of my person, and therfore
thou art a traitour. But I blame thee the lessei for my

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\. KING AETHUE. 135

^ster Morgan le Fay, by her felse crafts, made thee to agree
And consent to her false lusts ; but I shall so be avenged
upon her and I live, that all Christendome shall speake of
it. Grod knoweth, I have honoured her and worshiped her
more then any of my kin, and more have I trusted her then
mine owne wife and all my kin after." Then king Arthur
jcalled the keepers of the field, and said, " Sirs, come hither>
for here we be two knights that have fought unto a great do-
jnage to us both, and like each one of us to have slaine
other, if it had happened so ; and had any of us knoweU
other, here had.beene no battaile nor stroke stricken."
Then al aloud cried sir Accolon unto all the knights and men
.that there wer gathered together, and said to them in this
manner wise : " Oh, my lords, this noble knight that I have
fought withall, which me fiill sore repenteth, is the most
man of prowesse, of manhood, and of worship that in all
ihe world liveth, for it is himselfe king Arthur, our most
k)veraigne liege lord and king, and with great mishap and
^reat misadventure have I done this battaile against my king
imd lord, Chat I am holden withall."

CHAP. LXXI. — How king Arthur accorded the two brethren, and
delivered the twentie knights, and how sir Accolon died.

JHEN all the people fell downe on their knees,
and cried king Arthur mercie. " Mercie shall
ye have," said king Arthur 5 " here may ye see
what adventures befalleth oftentimes to erraunt
kni^ts ; how I have fought with one of mine owne knights
to my great domage and his hurt. But, sirs, because I am
'sore hurt and he both, and have great neede of a little rest,
ye shall understand my opinion betweene you two brethren.
'As to thee, sir Damas, for whom I have beene champion
jftnd won the field of this knight, yet will I judge because
ye, sir Dainas, are called a very proud knight and full of
vilany, and nothing worth of prowoss^ of 'your deedes,

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136 THE HISTOBIE OF

therefore I will <ihat ye give unto your brother all the whole
manor with the appurtenance under this manor of forme,
that sir Ontzlake hold the manor of you, and yearely to give
you a palfrey to ride upon, for that will become you better
to ride on then on a courser. Also, I dbarge thee, sir Da-
mas, upon paine of death, that thou never distreeee none
erraunt knights that ride on Iheir adventures. Also, that
thou restore these twentie knights which thou hast long kept
in prison of all their hameis, and that thou content them,
and if any c^ them come Ur my court and complaine of
thee, by my head thou shalt die therefore. Also, sir Ontz-
lake, as to you, because ye are named a good knight and
ful of prowesse, and true and gentle in all your deedes, thi«
shal be your charge. I will that in all goodly hast ye come
to me and to my court, and ye shal be a knight of mine, and
if your deedes be therafter, I shall so advance you by the
grace of God that ye shall in sh(Ht time be in case for to
live as worshipfully as doth your brother sir Damas."
*' God thanke you of your largesse and of your great good-
nesse," said sir Ontzlake, '' and I promise you that from
hencefoorth I shall be at all times at your commando-
ment. For sir,'' said sir Ontzlake, " as God would I was
hurt but late with an adventurous knight through Iboth my
thighes, which grieved me sore, and else had I done this
battaile with you." " Would to God," said king Arthur,
^ it had been so, for then had not I beene hurt as I am, I
shall tell you the cause why ; for I had not beene hint as I
am had not it beene mine owne sword that was stolen frona
me by treason, and this battaile was ordeined aforehand f<^
to have slaine me, and so it was brought to the purpose by
false engine,^ and Isreason, and false enchantment." ''Alas! ''
jsaid sir Ontzlake, '' that is great pittie that so noble a man
as you are of your deedes and prowesse, that any man
or woman might find in their hearts to weak any treason
against your person." '' I shal reward them," said kiag
^ - ^* JE'n^tNe^-^Ingeiittity; oont4vaaioe*' -/.

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KING ABTHUK 137

Arthur, ^* in short space hy the grace of God. Now tel
me," said king Arthur, "how far am I from Camelot?"
" Sir, ye are two daies journey therfro." " I would fain
he at some place of worship," said king Arthur, " that I
might rest my selfe." " Sir," said sir Ontzlake, " heerehy
is a rich abhey of nuns of our' elders foundation, hut three
miles hence." So then the king tooke his leave of all the
people, and mounted on horseback, and sir Aocolon with
him. And when they were come to the abbey, he let fetch
surgions and leeches^ for to search*^ his wounds, and sii*
Accolons both; but sir Aocolon died within foure dayesj
after, for he had bled so much blood that hee might not
live, but king Arthur was well recovered. And when sir
Accolon was dead, he let send him on horsbacke with sixe
knights to Camelot, and said, *'Beare him to my sister
Morgan le Fay, and say that I send him hir for a present,
and tel her that I have my sword Excalibur and the scab-
bard." So they departed with the body.

CHAP. LXXn.— How Morgan le Fay wonld bave fliaine kingUri*
ence her husband, and 'how sir Ewaine her sonne saved him.

[ HE meane while Morgan le Fay had wend that
king Arthur had beene dead. So on a day
she espied king Urience how he lay in his bed
sleeping, then she called unto her a damosel of
her counsel and said, " Goe fetch me my lords sword, for I
saw never better time to sley him then now." " O madam,"
said the damosell, " and if ye sley my lord, ye can never
escape." " Care not thou," said Morgan le Fay, " for
now I see my time in the which it is best to doe it, and
therefore hie ^ee fast and fetch me the sword." Then the

* 0«r.— FoMT, Caxton.

' Leechet. — Physicians. Surgiom is not found in Cazton's text;
It was a more modem word.

* To tearcfu-^To pr(d)e> to eaottUBe^

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X3? THE EI8T0RIE OF

dfonos^I departed, and found sir Ewaine^ sleeping upon k
bed in ano^er chamber ; so she went unto sir Ewaine and
wakned him, and bad him " arise and waite upon my lady
your mother, iot she will sley the king your father sleeping
in his bed, for I goe to fetch her his sword." " Well,"
said sir Ewaine, " goe on your way and let me deaJe." Anon
the damoseU brought the sword unto Morgan with quaking
hands, and shee Kghtly tooke the sword and drew it out,
and went boldly to the beds side, and awaited how and
where she might sley him best. And as she lift up the
sword for to smite, sir Ewaine lept unto his mother and
caught her by the hand, and said, " Ah ! fiend, what wilt
<hou doe ? and thou were not my mother, with this sword
I would smite off thy head. Ah," said sir Ewaine, " men
say that Merlin was begotten of a divell, but I may say an
earthly divell bare me." " Oh, faire sonne Ewaine," said
Morgan, "have mercy upon me, I was tempted with a
divell, wherefore I crie thee mercy, I wil never more doe
so, and save my worship and discover me not." " On this
covenant," said sir Ewaine, " I wil forgive you, so you wil
never be about to do such deeds." " Nay, son," said she>
" and therto I mak you assurance."

CHAP. LXXni. — How Morgan le Fay made great sorrow for the
death of sir AccoIod, and how she stale away from king Arthur
the scabbard.

[HEN came tidings unto Morgan le Fay that
sir Accolon was dead, and his body brought to
the church, and how king Arthur had his sword
againe. But when Morgan wist that sir Ac-
colon was dead, she was so sorowful that neere her hart
burst. But because she would not that it were knowen, she
kept her countenance outward, and made no semblance of
sorrow. But well she wist and if she abode till her brother
^ Sir EwavM^r^Syn Uwa^, Caxton*

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KING AETEUB. 13Sr

Arthffr came thither, there should no gold save her life.
Then she went unto queene Guenever, and asked her leave
to ride into the country. " Ye may ahide," said queene
Guenever, ** til your brother the king come home.'' " I
may not," said Morgan le Fay, " for I have such hastie
ladings that I may not tarry." " Well," said queene Gue-
never, " ye may depart when ye will." So early on the
morrow or it was day, she tooke her horse and rode all that
day and the most part of the night, and on the morrow by
noone she came to the same abbey of nuns wher as king Ar-
thur lay, and she knowing that he was there, she asked
where he was. And they answered and said, " That he
had laid him downe in his bed to sleepe, for he had had
but Httle rest these three nighte." ** Well," said she, *^ I
oharge you that none of you awake him till I awake him
my selfe." And then she alight from her horse, and thought
to steale away Excalibur, his good sword, and so she went
straight imto his chamber, and no man durst disobey hei?
commandement, and there she found king Arthur asleepc
in his bed, and ExcaHbur in his right hand naked. When
she saw that, she was passing heavie that she might not
come by the sword, without she had wakened him, and then
she wist well that she had beene dead. Then she tooke the
^abbard, and went her way on horsebacke. When the king
awoke and missed his scabbard, he was wonderous wroth^
and asked who had beene there. And they said his
sister queene Morgan had beene there, and had put the
scabbard under her mantell, and was gone. "Alas!"
sfiid king Arthur, " falsely have ye watched me." " Sir,'^
said they al, " we durst not disobey your sisters commando-*
ment." . " Ah," said the king, " let fetch the best horse
that may be found, and bid sir Ontzlake arme him in aft
haste and take an other good horse and ride with me."

So anon the king and sir Ontzlake were well armed, and
lode After this lady. And as they rode they came by a
crosse^ and found a cowheard^ and they asked the poore man

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14a THE HI8T0RIE OF

if there came any lady late riding that way. ** Sir/' said
this poore man, <^ right late came a lady riding with fortie
horses, and to yonder fwrest she rode." Then they spured
liieir horses and followed fast after, and within a while king
Arthm* had a sight of her, that he chased as fast as he might.
And when she espied him following her, she rode through
the forrest a great pace till shee came to a plaine. And when
she saw she might not escape, she rode unto a lake therehy,
and said, ^< Whatsoever hecommeth of me, my brother shall
not have this scabbard." And then she let throw the scab-
bard in the deepest of the water, and it sunke, for it was
so heavie of gold and precious stones. Then she rode into
a valey where many great stones were. And when shee
saw that shee must needes be overtaken, she diop^ hersd^*,
horse and man, by enchantment, into a great marble stone.
So anon king Arthur and sir Ont^lake came, wheras the
king might know his sister and her men, and one knight
from another. *' Ah," said the king, " here may ye see
the yengance of God, and now am I sorrie that this mis-
adventure is befallen." And then he looked for the scab-
ard, but it could not be found. So he returned again to the
abbey that he came from. When king Arthur was gone,'
she turned all into the likenesse as she and they were before,
and said, " Sirs, now may we goe wheresoever we'will,f(Mr
my brother Arthur is gone."

CHAP. LXXIV.— How Morgan le Fay saved a knight that should
have beene droMrned, and how king Arthur returned home againe
' to Camelot.

HEN said Morgan, " Saw ye my brother sir
Arthur?" "Ye," said her knights, "right
wel, and that ye should have found and we
might have stirred from one steede, for ]ij his.

^ Shop, — Shaped, i. e. trsnsfbrmed. ^

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KING AETHUR. I4l

^mniyestalP countenance he would have caused iis to have
fled." " I bekeve you wel," said Morgan. Anon after
sbee rode, she met with a knight leading another knight
vOn his horse hefore him, hound hand and foote hlindfold, to
hare drowned him in a fountaine. When shee saw that
knight so hound, shee asked what hee would doe with that
knight. ** Ladj/' said he, " I will drowne him."

" For what cause ? " said she. *' For I found him with
my wife, and she shal have the same death anon." "That
were pittie," said Morgan. " Now what say you, ye knight,
is it truth that he saith of you ? " said she to ihe knight
that should he drowned. " Nay truely, madam, he saith
not right of me." " Of whence he yee ? " said Morgan le
Fay ; " and of what countrey ? " ** I am of the court of king
Arthur, and my name is Manassen, cosin unto sir Accolon
of Gaule." " Ye say well," said she, " and for the love of
him ye shal be delivered, ye shall have your adversary in
the same case that ye be in." And so Manassen was loosed,
and the other knight hound. And anon Manassen un-
armed him, and armed himselfe in his hameis, and so
mounted on horseback, and the knight afore him, and so
threw him into the fountaine and drowned him. And then
he rode to Morgan againe, and asked her if she would any-
thing unto king Arthur. " Tel him not that I rescewed
thee for the love of him, but fc«* the love of sir Accolon, and
tel him that I feare him not while I can make me and them
that hee with me in likenesse of stones ; and let him wit I
can doe much more when I see my time." And so she
departed and went into the countrey of Gore,^ and there was
shee richly received, and made her castles and townes pass-
ing strong, for alwayes she dread much king Arthur. When
king Arthur had well rested him at that abbey, he rode to
Camelot, and found his queene and his barons right glad of

. • -^mmwsfafl.*— i.e. warlike; fierce.

' Gore, — This country may perhaps be intended for the district of
Gower in North Wales.

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m THE HISTORIE OF

his comming. And when they heard of his strange adven-*
tures, as is afore rehearsed, they all had mervaile of the
falsehood of Morgan le Fay, and many knights wished her
brent. Then came Manassen to the court and told the
king of his adventure. " Well/' said the king, " she is a
kind sister, I shall so he avenged on her and I live, that
al Christendome shall speake of it." So on the morrow
there came a damosell from Morgan to the king, and shee
brought with her the richest mantell that ever was seene
in the court, for it was set as fill of precious stones as might
stand on by another, and there were the richest stones that
ever the king saw. And the damosell said, " Your sister
sendeth you this mantell, and desireth you that yee will
take this gift of her, and in what thing shee hath offended
you, she will amend it at your owne pleasure." When the
king beheld this mantell, it pleased him much^ but he said
but htUe.

CHAP. LXXV. — How the damosell of the lake saved king Arthur
from a mantell which should have brent hun.

I^ND with that came the damosel of the lake
unto the king, and said, " Sir, I must speake
with you in private." ** Say on," said the king,
" what ye will." « Sir," said the lady, '' put
not on you this mantell till ye have seene more, and in no
wise let it not come upon yoil nor on no knight of yours
till ye commaund the bringer thereof to put it upon her."
** Well," said king Arthur, " it shall be done as ye counsaile
me." And then he said unto the damosell that came from
his sister, " Damosell, this mantell that ye have brought
me, I will see it upon you." " Sir," said she, "it will not
beseeme me to weare a knights^ garment." " By my head,"
said king Arthur, *^ ye shall weare it or it come on my

' A kynges, Caxton.

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KING ABTSUB, 143

bocke, or on any man that heere is ; " and so the king made
it to be put upon her ; and foorthwith she fell downe dead,
and never more spake word after, and was brent to coles.^
Then was the king wondrous wroth, more then he was
afore, and said unto king Urienee, " My sister, your wife,
is alway about to beti-ay me, and wel I wot either yee or
my nephew your sonne is of counsaile with her to have me
destroyed ; but as for you," said king Arthur to king Uri-
enee, " I deeme not greatly that ye be of her counsaile, for
sir Accolon confessed to me with his owne mouth that she
should have destroyed you as well as me, therefore I hold
you excused; but as for your sonne sir Ewaine, I hold him
suspect, therefore J charge you put him out of my court."
So sir Ewaine was charged. And when sir Grawaine* wist of
it, he made him ready to goe with him, and said, " Who
so banished my cosin Ewaine, shall banish me." So they
two departed, and rode in a great forrest; and so they
came to an abbey of monkes, and there were well lodged.
But when the king wist that sir Gawaine was departed froni
the court, there was made great sorrow among all the states*
** Now," said sir Gaheris, sir Gtiwaines brother, " we have
lost two good knights for the love of one." So on the mor-
row they^ hard masse in the abbey, and so they rode foorth
till they came to a great forrest ; then was sir Gawaine ware-
in a valey by a turret of twelve faire damosels, and two
knights armed, upon two great horses, and the damosels
went to and fro by a tree. And then was sir Gawaine
ware how there hung a white shield on that tree, and ever
as the damosels came by it, they spot upon it, and some
threw mire upon it.

* Coles. — Coal, in the Middle Ages, meant always charcoal ; the
phrase here used is equivalent to burnt to cinders.

* Gawaine, — The text of the edition of 1634 reads here Ewcdne,
bi^t Caxton has correctly, JSyr Gawayne,

^ They, — i. e. Ewaine and Gawaine.

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144 TBE HISTOBIE OF

CHAP. LXXVL — How sir Gawaine and sir Ewaine met with twclTe
faire damosels, and how thej complained upon sir Marhaus.

PHEN sir Gawaine and sir Ewaine went and sa-
luted them, and asked why they did that despite
to the shield. " Shrs," said the damosels, " we
shall tell you. There is a knight in this coun-
trey that oweth^ this white shield, and he is a passing good
knight of his hands, but he hateth all ladies and genlie-
women, and therfore we doe all this despite to the white
shield." " I shall say to you," said sir Gawaine to the
ladies, ^' it beseemeth evill a good knight to despise all ladies
and gentlewomen, and also peradventure though he hate
you he hath some cause, and peradventure that he loveth in
some other places good ladies and gentlewomen, and to be
loved againe, if he be such a man of prowesse as ye speake
of; now what is his name?" "Sir," said they, "his
name is Marhaus,^ the kings sonne of Ireland." " I know
him well," said sir Ewaine, " he is a passing good knight
as any is living, for I saw him once prooved at a justing,
where as many knights were gathered, and that time there
might no man withstand him." "Ah," said sirGawaine;
" damosels, me thinketh ye are to blame, for it is to suppose
that he that hung that shield ther, he wil not be long there-
from, and then may those knights match him on horse-
backe, and that is more your worship then thus, for I will
abide no longer to see a knights shield dishonoured." And
therewith sir Ewaine and sir Gawaine departed a little from
them, and then were they ware where sir Marhaus came
riding upon a great horse strait toward them. And when
the twelve damosels saw sir Marhaus, they fled into the
turret as they had beene wilde, so that some of them fell by

' Oweth. — i. e. owneth.

* Marhaus. — Of this personage, who is called Morhonlt in the
French prose romance of sir Tristan, a further account will be foimd
in the second part of the present work.

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KING ARTHUR. 146

the way. Then the one of the knights of the turret dressed
his shield, and said an high, " Sir Marhaus, defend thee ;"
and so thej ran together that- the knight hrake his speare
on sir Marhaus, and sir Marhaus smote him so hard that
he hrake his necke. That saw the other knight of the
turret, and dressed him toward sir Marhaus, and they met
80 egerly together that the knight of the turret was soone
smitten downe, horse and man, starke dead.

CHAP. LXXVII. — How sir Marbans justed with sir Gawaine and
sir Ewaine, and overthrew them both.

/ND then sir Marhaus rode unto his shield, and
saw how it was defowled, and said, " Of this
despit I am a part avenged, hut for her love that
gave me this white shield I shal were thee, and
hang mine here in thy steed." And so hee hung it ahout
his neck,^ and then he rode straight to sir Gawaine and sir
Ewaine, and asked them what they did there. They answered
that they came from king Arthurs court for to seeke adven-
tures. " Well," said Marhaus, " heere am I ready, a knight
adventurous, that wil fulfill any adventure that yee will
desire of me." And so departed from them to fetch his
raunge. " Let him goe," said sir Ewaine to sir Gawaine,
'< for he is a passing good knight as any is living in this
world ; I would not hy my will that any of us two should
match with him." " Nay," said sir Gawaine, " not so ; it
were shame to us if hee were not assaied, were hee never
80 good a knight." " Well," said sir Ewaine, " I will as-
say him afore you, for I am more weaker then ye are, and
if he smite me downe then may ye revenge me." So these
two knights came together mth great raundon, that sir
Ewaine smote sir Marhaus that his speare hurst in peeces
on the shield, and sir Marhaus smote him so sore that horse

* About his neck, — This was the usnal manner of carrying the
shield when not in actual use.
VOL. I. L

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146 THE HISTOBIE OF

and man he bare to the earth, and hurt sir Ewaine on the
left side. Then sir Marhaus turned his horse, and roda
toward sir Gawaine with his speare. And when sir Gawidne
saw that, hee dressed his shield, and they adventred their
speares, and they came together with all the might of their
horses, that either knight smote other so hard in the mid-
dest of their two shields that sir Gawaines speare brake, and
sir Marhaus speare held, and therewith sir Gawaine and his
horse rushed downe to the earth, and lighliy sir Gawaine
arose upon his feete, and drew out his sword, and dressed
him toward sir Marhaus on foote. And sir Marhaus saw
that, and drew out his sword, and began to come to sir Ga-
waine on horsebacke. " Sir knight," said sir Gawaine,
" alight on foote, or else I will sley thy horse/' " Gramercy,"
said sir Marhaus, '^ of your gentilnesse ye teach me curtesie,
for it is not according for one knight to bee on foote and the
other on horsebacke." And therewith sir Marhaus set his
speare against a tree and alighted, and tied his horse to a
tree, and dressed his shield, and either came to other egerly,
and smot together with their swords that their shields flew in
cant^ls, and they brused their helmes and their hawberkes,
and wounded either other. But sir Gawaine, fro it passed
nine of the clock, waxed ever stronger and stronger, for then
it came to the houre of noone, and thrice his might was in-
creased. All this espied sir Marhaus, and had great won-
der how his might increased, and so they wounded each
other passing sore. And when it was past noon and drew
toward evensong time, sir Gawaines strength waxed passing
faint, that unneth he might not endure any longer ; and sir
Marhaus waxed bigger and bigger. " Sir knight," said sir
Marhaus, " I have well felt that ye are a passing good
knight, and a marvailous man of might as ever I felt any,
while it lasteth, and our quarrels are not great, and there-
fore it were pittie to do you hurt, for I perceive ye are
passing feeble." "Ah," said sir Gawaine, " gentle knight,
ye say the words that I should say." And therewith they

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KING AETHUB. 147

tooke off their Helmes, and either kissed other, and there
they swore together either to love other as hrethren. And
sir Marhaus prajed sir Gawaine to lodge with him that
night. And so they tooke their horses and rode toward sir
Marhaus place. And as they rode hy the way, sir Gawaine
said, '^ Sir knight, I marvaile that so valiant a man as ye
he love no ladies nor gentlewomen." " Sir," said sir Mar-
haus, ^^ they name me wrongfully that give me that name;
hut well I wot it is the damosels of the turret that so name
me, and other such as they he. Now shall I tell you for
what cause I hate them so. For they hee witches and en-
chauntresses the most part of them, and hee a knight never
so good of his hody and of prowesse as any man may hee,
they will make him a coward for to have the hotter of him,
and this is the principal cause that I hate them. And to
all good ladies and gentlewomen I ow my service as a knight
ought to doe." And as the French hooke rehearseth, there
were many knights that overmatched sir Gawaine, for al the
thrioe-might that he had; as sir Launcelot du Lake, sir
Tristram, sir Bors de Gaule,^ sir Percivale,and sir Marhaus,
these five knights had the hotter of sir Gawaine. Then
within a little while they came to sir Marhaus place, the
which was in a little priorie, and there they alight, and
ladies and damosels unarmed them and hastily looked to
their hurts, for they were all three hurt. And so they had
there good lodging with sir Marhaus and good chore. For
when he wist that they were king Arthurs sister sonnes, he
made them all the cheere that lay in his power. And so
they sojourned there ahout a seaven nights, and were right
well eased of their wounds, and at the last departed. "Now,"
said sir Marhaus, " we will not depart so lightly, for I will
bring you through the forrest ;" and rode day hy day well
a seaven dayes or they found any adventure. At the last
they came into a great forrest which was named the coun-
trey and forrest of Arroy, and the countrey of strange ad-
* Sir Bors de Gaule, — Syr Bors de Ganys, Caxton.

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148 THE HISTOEIE OF

Tentures. " In this countrey," said sir Marhaus, " came
never knight sithen it was christned,^ but hee found strange
adventures." So long they rode till they came into a deepe
valey full of stones, and therby they saw a faire streame of
water, and above thereby the head of the streme was a faire
fountaine, and three damosels sitting thereby. And then
they rode unto them, and either saluted other, and the eldest
had a garland of gold about her head, and shoe was three-
score winters of age or more, and her haire was white under
the garland. The second damosel was of thirtie winters of
age, with a serklet* of gold about her head. The third
damosell was but fifkeene yeares of age, and she had a gar-
land of flowers about her head. When these knights had
well beholden them, they asked them the cause why they
sate at that fountaine. '^ We be heere," said the damosels,
" for this cause : if we may see any erraunt knights, to teach
them unto strange adventures, and ye be three knights that
seeken adventures, and we three damosels, and therefore
each of you must choose one of us ; and when ye have done
so, we will leade you unto three high waies, and there each
of you shall choose a way, and his damosell with him ; and
this day twelve monethes yee must meete heere againe and
God spare you your lives, and thereto ye must plight your
troth." " This is well said,'' said sir Marhaus.

CHAP. LXXVIII. — How sir Marhaus, sir Gawaine, and Ewaine met
three damosels, and each of them tooke one.

I O W shall we choose every each of us a damo-
sel ?" "I shal tel you," said sir Ewaine ; " I
am the youngest and most weakest of you both,
therefore I will have the eldest damosell, for she
hath scene much and can helpe me best when I have neede,
for I have most neede of helpe of you both." Then said
sir Marhaus, " I will have the damosell of thirtie yrinters

* C%ri«/ncd.—i. e. made Christian; converted.

• Serklet. — A wreath, or band, for the head.

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KING ARTHUR. 349

of age, for she falleth best to me." Then said sir Gawaine,
" I thanke you, for ye have left me the yomigest and the
fairest, and she is most levest to me." Then every damosell
tooke her knight by the raine of the bridle, and brought
tiiem to the three wayes, and there was their oath made to
meete at the fountaine that day twelvemoneth and they
lived. So they kist and departed, and each knight set his
lady behind him. And sir Ewaine tooke the way that lay
west, and sir Marhaus tooke the way that lay south, and
sir Gbwaine took the way that lay north. Now wil we
be^ at sir Gawaine, that held that way till he came to a
faire manner, where as dwelleth an old knight and a good
housholder, and there sir Gawaine demanded of the old
knight if he knew any adventures in that countrey. " I shall
shew you some to-morrow," said the old knight, " and that
marvailous." So on the morrow they rode into the forrest
of adventures, til they came to a laund, and thereby they
foimd a crosse, and as they stood and hoved,^ there came
by them the fairest knight and the seemeliest man that ever
they saw, making the greatest moane that ever man made.
And then he was ware of sir Gawaine, and saluted him,
and prayed to God to send him much worship. ^^ As to
that," said sir Gawaine, " gramercy. Also I pray to God
that he send to you honour and worship." <* Ah," said the
knight, ^' I may lay that on side, for sorrow and shame
commeth to mee after worship."

CHAP. LXXIX. — How a knight and a dwarfe strove for a ladj.

/ND therewith he passed to that one side of the

laund. And on that other side sir Gawaine saw

ten knights that hoved still, and made them

ready with their shields and spears against that

one knight that came by sir Gawaine. Then this one knight

adventred a great speare, and one of the ten knights en-

* Hoved, — Hovered ; halted.

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160 THE HI S TORI E OF

countred with him, but this'wofuU knight fimote him so
hard that he fel over the horse taile. So this dolorous knight
served them all, and smote tliem downe horse and man, and
all he did it with one speare. And when they were ail ten
on foote, they went to that one knight, and he stood ston
stil and suffered them to pull him down off his horse, and
bound him hand and foote, and tjed him under his horse
belly, and so led him with them. ^' Oh, Jesus !" said sir
Gawaine, " this is a dolefull sight to see yonder knight so to
be entreated, and it seemeth by the knight that he suffereth
them to bind him so, for bee maketh no resistance." ** No,
verily," said his boast, " that is truth, for and if that he
would, they were all to weake so to doe to him.'' " Sir,"
said the damosell unto sir Gtiwaine, " me seemeth that it
were your worship and honour to helpe that dolorous knight,
for me thinketh he is one of the best knights that ever I
saw.'* " I would be glad to doe for him," said sir G^awaine,
" but it seemeth that he wil have no helpe." Then said
the damosell, ^' Mee seemeth ye have no list to helpe him."
Eight thus as they talked, they saw a knight on that other
side of the laund, all armed save the head. And on that
other side of the laund came a dwarfe on horsebacke all
armed save the head, with a great mouth and a short nose.
And the dwarfe when bee came nigh to the knight and swd,
" Where is the lady that should meete us heere ?" And
therewithall she came foorth out of the wood. And then
they began to strive for the lady ; for the knight SMd he
would have her, and the dwarfe said he would have her.
" Wil ye doe wel ?" said the dwarfe ; " yonder is a knight
at the crosse, let us put it to his judgement, and as he deem-
eth even so be it." " I will well," said the knight. And
then they went all three imto sir Gawaine, and told him
wherefore they two strove. " Well, sirs," said he, " will
ye put the matter into my hand ? " ** Yea, sir,'' said they
both, <* Now, damosell," said sir Gawaine, " ye shall stand
betweene them both, and whether ye list better to goe to,

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KING ARTHUR. 151

he shall have you/' And so when the damosell was set
betweene them both, she left the knight and went to the
dwarfe. And the dwarfe tooke her, and went his way sing-
ing ; and the knight went his way with great mourning.
Then came there two knights all armed, and cried on high,
** Sir Grawaine ! knight of king Arthur, make thee ready in
all hast and just with me/' So they ran together that either
fell downe ; and then on foote they drew their swords and
did fiill actually. In the meane while the other knight
went unto the damosell, and asked her why she abode with
that knight, and " if ye would abide with me, I wil be your
faithfuU knight." " And with you will I be," said the
damosell, <' for with sir Gawaine I may not find in mine
hart to bee with him ; for now here was one knight that
discomfited ten knights, and at the last hee was cowardly
led away, and therefore let us two goe our way while they
fight." And sir Gawaine fought with that other knight
long, but at the last they were both accorded ; and then
the knight prayed sir Gawaine to lodge with him that night.
So as sir Gawaine went with this knight, he demaunded
him : ** What knight is he in this countrey that smot down
the ten knights? for when he had done so manfidly, he suf-
fered them to bind him hand and foote, and so led him
away." " Ah," said the knight, " that is the best knight
I trow in the world, and the man roost of prowesse, and he
hath beene served so as he was even now more then ten
times ; and he is named sir Pelleas, and he loveth a great
lady in this countrey, and her name is Ettarde,«and so
when hee loved her, there was cried in this countrey a
great justes three daies ; and all the knights of this coun-
trey were there, and also the gentlewomen, and who that
proved him the best knight should have a passing good
Bword and a serklet of gold, and the serklet the knight
should give it to the fairest lady that was at those justes.
And this knight sir Pelleas was the best knight that was
there, and there were five hundred knights, but there was

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162 THE HI8T0RIE OF

never man that ever sir Pelleas met withal, but that he
strooke him downe, or else from his horse. And every day
of the three dajes he strooke down twentie knights, therfore
they gave him the price. And foorth withall he went there
as the lady Ettarde was, and gave her the serklet, and said
openly that she was the fairest lady that was there, and that
would he prove upon any knight that would say nay.

CHAP. LXXX.— How king Pelleas saffered himselfe to be taken
prisoner because he would have a sight of his lady, and how sir
Gawaine promised him for to get to hun the love of his lady.

/ND SO he chose her for his soveraigne lady, and
never to love other but her. But she was so
proud that she had scorn of him, and said that
she would never love him, though he would die
for her. Wherefore al ladies and gentlewomen had scome
of her because she was so proud, for there were fairer then
she, and there was none that was there but and sir Pelleas
would have proffei*ed them love they would have loved him
for his noble prowease. And so ^is knight promised the
lady Ettarde to follow her into this countrey, and never to
leave her tiU she loved him. And thus he is here the most
part nigh her, and lodgeth by a priorie, and every weeke
she sendeth knights to fight with him ; and when he hath
put them to the worst, then will he suffer them wilfully to
take him prisoner, because he would have a sight of iMs
lady, ^nd alway she doth him great dispite, for sometime
she maketh her knights to tie lum to the horse taile, and
sometime binde him under the horse belly. Thus in the
most shamefullest wise that she can thinke he is broi^ht
to her. And al this she doth for to cause him to leave this
countrey, and to leave his loving ; but all this cannot make
him to leave, for and bee would have fought on foote hee
might have had the better of the ten knights as well on
foote as on horseback." ^'Alas!" said sir Gawaine^ ''it

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KING ARTHUR. 153

is great pittie of him^ and after this night in the morning I
will goe seeke him in the forrest,to doe him all the helpe that
I can." So on the morrow sir Gawaine tooke his leave of his
hoast sir Carodos, and rode into the forrest. And at the last
hee met with sir Pelleas making great mono out of measure ;
80 each of them saluted other, and asked him why he made
such sorrow. And as it is ahove rehearsed, sir Pelleas told
to sir Gawaine, '' hut alway I suffer her knights to fare so
with me as ye saw yesterday, in trust at the last to winne
her love, for she knoweth wel that al her knights should not
lightly winne mee and mee list to fight with them to the
uttermost. Wherefore and I loved her not so sore, I had
rather to die an hundred times, and I might die so often,
rather then I would suffer this great despite ; hut I trust she
wil have pittie upon me at the last, for love causeth many
a good knight to suffer for to have his intent, hut alas, I
am unfortunate.'' And therewith he made so great mone
and sorrow that unneth hee might hold him on horshack.
*•' Now," said sir Gawaine, " leave off your mourning, and
I shall promise you hy the faith of my hody to doe all that
lieth in my power to get you the love of your lady, and
thereto I will plight you my troth." " Ah, my good friend,"
said sir Pelleas, " of what court are ye; I pray you that you
will tell me ?'* And then sir Gtiwaine said, " I am of the
court of king Arthur, and am his sisters sonne ; and king
Lot of Orkeney was my father, and my name is sir Ga-
waine." And then hee said, " My name is sir Pelleas, horn
in the Isles, and of many isles I am lord, and never have I
loved lady nor damosell till now in an unhappie time ; and,
sir knight, sith ye are so nigh cosin unto king Arthur and a
kings Sonne, therefore I pray thee hetray me not, hut helpe
me, for I may never come hy her hut hy the helpe of some
good knight, for she is in a strong castle here fast hy within
this foure mile, and over all this countrey she is lady of.
And so I may never come unto her presence hut as I doe
fiufifer her knights for to take me; and hut if I did so, that

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164 THE HISTOBIE OF

I might have a sight of her, I had heene dead long afore
this time, and yet had I never one fiure word of her; hut
when I am hroi^t before her she rehnketh me in the foulest
manner that ever she may. And then her knights take me
and my horse and my hameis, and put me out of the gates ;
and shee will not suffer me to eate nor drinke, and alwayes
I offer mee for to be her prisoner, but so she wiU not take
me, for I would desire no more whdt paines soever I had,
so that I might have a sight of her dayly/' "Well,*' said sir
Gawaine, " all this shall I amend, and ye will doe as I shall
devise. I wil have your horse and your armour, and so will
I ride to her castle, and tell her that I have slaine you, and
so shal I come within to her to cause her to cherish me, and
then I shall doe my true part, that yee shall not faile to
have her love."

CHAP. LXXXI.— How sir Gawaine came to the ladj Ettarde» and
lay by her, and how sir Pelleas found them sleeping.

^ND therewithall sir GtkwaiDe plight his troth
unto sir Pelleas to be true and futhfiill unto
him. When they had plight their troth the one
to the other, they changed horses and hameis,
and sir Gawaine departed, and came to the castle where as
stood the pavilions of this lady without the gate ; and as
soone as Ettarde had espied sir Gawaine, she fled toward the
castle. Then sir Gawaine spake on high, and bad her abide,
for he was not sir Pelleas, " I am another knight that hath
slaine sir Pelleas." " Doe off your helme," said the ladj
Ettarde, "that I may behold your visage." And when
she saw it was not sir Pelleas, she made him to alight, and
led him unto her castle, and asked him fiedthfully whether
he had slaine sir Pelleas. And he said, yea. And then sir
Gawaine told her that his name was sir Gtkwaine, and of the
court of king Arthur, and his sisters sonne. " Truely," said
she, " that is great pittie, for hee was a passing good knight

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KING ABTHUE. 155

of his body, but of all men on lire I hated him most, for I
could never be quiet for him. And for that jee have slaine
him, I shall bee jour woman, and doe any thing that may
please you." So shee made sir Gawaine good cheere. Then
sir Gawaine said that he loved a lady, and by no meanes
*she would love him. " She is to blame," said Ettarde,
" and she wil not love you, for that ye be so well borne a
man and such a man of prowesse, there is no lady in this
world too good for you." " Will ye," said sir Gawaine,
" promise me to doe all that ye may doe by the faith of your
body, to get me the love of my lady ?" " Yea, sir," said
she, " and that I promise you by the feith of my body."
" Now," said sir Gawaine, " it is your selfe that I love so
well, therefore I pray you hold your promise." " I may
not choose," said the lady Ettarde, " but if I should be for-
swome." And so she graunted to fulfill all his desire. And
then it was in the moneth of May, that she and sir Gawaine
went out of the castle and supped in a pavilion, and there
was a bed made, and there sir Gawaine and the lady Ettard
wmt to bed together, and in another paviUon she layed her
damosels, and in the third pavilion shee laid part of her
knights ; for then she had no di*ead nor feare of sir Pelleas.
And there sir Gawaine lay with her, doing his pleasure in
that pavilion two daies and two nights, against the faithfuU
promise that he made to sir Pelleas. And on the third day
in the morning early sir Pelleas armed him, for he had not
slept sith that sir Gawaine departed from him ; for sir Ga-
waine had promised him by llie faith of his body to come
unto him to his pavilion by the priory within the space of a
day and a night. Then sir Pelleas mounted on horsebacke,
ai^ came to the pavilions that stood without the castle, and
found in the first pavilion three knights in their beds, and
three squires lying at their feete. Then went he to the
second pavilion, and found foure gentlewomen lying in foure
beds. And then bee went to the third pavilion, and found
sir Gtiwidne lying in a bed with his lady Ettard, and either

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156 THE HISTOBIE OF

clipping other in armes ; and when he saw that^ his heart
ahnost hrast for sorrow, and said, ''Alas ! that ever a knight
should hee found so false." And then he tooke his horse,
and might no longer ahide for sorrow. And when he had
ridden nigh halfe a mile, he turned againe and thought
to sley them hoth, and when he saw them hoth lye so
fast sleeping, unneth hee might hold him on horsehacke
for sorrow, and said thus to himselfe,'' Though this knight
he never so false, I will not sley him sleeping, for I will
never destroy the high order of knighthood." And there-
with hee departed againe, and left them sleeping. And
or hee had riden halfe a mile he returned againe, and
thought then to sley them both, making the greatest sorrow
that any man might make. And when he cam to the
pavilions he tied his horse to a tree, and pulled out his
sword naked in his hand, and went straight to them wher as
they lay together, and yet he thought that it were great
shame for him to sley them sleeping, and laid the naked
sword overthwart both their throates, and then hee tooke
his horse, and rod foorth his way, making great and wofull
lamentation. And when sir Pelleas came to his pavilions,
he told his knights and squires how he had sped, and said
thus to them : " For your true and faithfull service that
you have done to me, I shall give you all my goods, for I
will goe unto my bed and never arise untiU I be dead.
And when I am dead, I charge you that ye take the heart
of my body, and beare it unto her betweene two silver
dishes, and tell her how I saw her lie in her pavilion with
the false knight sir Gawame." Kight so sir Pelleas un-
armed himselfe, and went to his bed, making the greatest
sorrow that ever man heard. And then sir Gawaine and
the lady Ettard wakned out of their sleepe, and found the
naked sword overthwart both their throates. Then she
knew wel that it was sir Pelleas sword. " Alas ! " said she
to sir Gawaine, " ye have betraied me and sir Pelleas also,
for yee told me that yee had slaine him, and now I know well

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KING ARTHUR. 157

it is not so, he is on live. And if sir Pelleas had heene as
tmcourteous* to you as you have beene to him, ye had
beene a dead knight, but ye have deceived me and betraied
me &lsly, that all ladies and damosels may beware by you
and me." And therewith sir Gavaine made him ready, and
went into the forrest. Then it hapned that the damosell
of the lake, Nimue, met with a knight of sir Pelleas, which
went on foote in the forrest making great mone, and she
asked him the cause of his sorrow. Then the wofiil knight
told her how that his master and lord was betraied through
a knight and a lady, and how he would never arise out' of
his bed til he were dead. " Bring me to him anon, and I
wil warrant his Hfe, that he shall not die for love ; and shee
that hath caused him to love, she shall be in as evill a plite
as he is now or it bee long, for it is no joy of such a pre-
sumptuous lady that wil have no mercy of such a valiant
knight." Anon the knight brought her unto his lord and
master. And when she saw him so lying in his bed, she
thought shee had never scene so likely a knight. And
therewith she threw an enchantment upon him, and he fel
on sleepe. And in the meane while she rode to the lady
Ettard, and charged that no man should waken him til she
came again. And so within two houres she brought the
lady Ettard thither, and both the ladies found him on sleepe,
" Loe," said the damosell of the lake, " ye ought to be
ashamed to murder such a knight." And therewith she cast
such an enchantment upon her, that shee loved him out of
measure, that well nigh shee was out of her mind.* " Oh,
Lord Jesus," said the lady Ettard, " how is it befallen me
that I now love him which I before most hated of all men
living? " ** This is the rightwise judgement of God," said
the damosell of the lake. And then anon sir Pelleas

• Unctmrteous, — I have corrected this from Caxton's text The
edition of 1634 hias courteous,

* Out of her mind. — This incident reminds us of a scene in Shake-
speare's *' Midsummer Night's Dream," the idea of which may perhaps
have been suggested by it.

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158 THE HI8T0RIE OF

liwoke, and looked upon the ladj Ettard. And when he
saw her, he knew her, and then hee hated her more then
any woman alive, and said, *^ Goe thy way hence, thou
traitresse, come no more in my sight." And when she
heard him say so, she wept and made great sorow out of
measure.

CHAP. LXXXII.— How sir Pelleas loved no more the lady Ettard
by the meanes of the damosell of the lake, whom he loved ever
after during his life.

j[IR knight Pelleas,'* said the damosell of the
lake, " take your horse, and come with me out
of this countrey, and yee shall have a lady that
shall love you." ** I will well," said sir Pel-
leas, " for the lady Ettard hath done me great dispite and
shame." And there he told her the beginning, and how
he had purposed never to have risen till that he had beene
dead, '^ and now God hath sent me such grace that I hate
her as much as ever I loved her, thanked be our Lord God."
" Thanke me," said the damosell of the lake. Anon sir
Pelleas armed him, and tooke his horse, and commanded his
men to bring after his pavilions and his stuff where as the
damosell of the lake would assigne. So the lady Ettard
died for sorrow, and the damosell of the lake rejoyced sir
Pelleas, and loved together during their lives.

CHAP. LXXXIII. — How sir Marhaus rode with the damosell, and
how he came to the duke of the South Marches.

5 OW retume we unto sir Marhaus, that rode with
the damosell of thirtie winters of age southward ;
and so they came into a deepe forrest, and by
fortune they were nighted, and rode long in a
deepe way, and at the last they came unto a courtlage^ and

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KING ART HUB. 169

there they demanded harhour.^ But the man of the com*t-
lage would not harbour them for no treating that thej could
treat, but thus much the good man said : <' And ye wil tak
the adventure of your lodgmg, I shall bring you there yee
shall bee lodged." ** What adventure is that, that I shall
have for my lodging ? " said sir Marhaus. " Yee shall wit
when yee come there," said the good man. " What ad-
venture so ever it bee, I require thee bring me thither," said
sir Marhaus, " for I am weary, and my damosel, and my
horse." So the good man went and opened the gate, and
within an houre he brought him unto a faire castle. And
then the poore man caUed the porter, and anon he was let
into the castle, and forthwith hee shewed to the lord how hee
had brought him a knight erraunt and a damosell that
would bee lodged with him. " Let him come in," said the
lord, " it may happen that they shall repent that they tooke
their lodging here in this castle." So sir Marhaus was let
in with torch light, and there was a goodly sight of young
men that welconmied him. And then his horse was led
into the stable, and he and his damosell were brought into
the hall, and there stood a mightie duke and many goodly
men about him. Then this lord asked him how he bight,
and from whence he came, and with what man hee dwelled.
" Sir," said he, " I am a knight of king Arthurs, and knight
of the table round, and my name is sir Marhaus, and I am
borne in Ireland." And then said the duke imto him,
" That me sore repenteth, and the cause is this. I love not
thy lord, nor none of all thy fellowes that be of the table
round, and therfore ease thy selfe this night as well as thou
mayest, for to morrow I and my sixe sonnes shall match
with thee, if God will." " Is there none other remedy, but
that I must have adoe with you and your sixe sonnes at
once ? " said sir Marhaus. " No," said the duke, " for this
cause I made mine avow. Sir Gawaine slew myseaven sonnes

* Harbour, — i. e. a lodging. A cowtelage was properly a court-
yard, or the inclosure <^ a house.

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160 THE HISTOBIE OF

in an encounter, and therefore I made mine avow, that there
should never no knight of king Arthurs court lodge with
me, or come there as I might have adoe with him, hut that
I should revenge the death of my seven sonnes." " Sir,
I require you," said sir Marhaus, " that ye will tell me, if
it please you, what your name is ? " " Wit ye will that I
am the duke of the Southmarches." " Ah," said sir Mar-
haus, " I have heard say that ye have heene a long time a
great foe unto my lord king Arthur, and to his knights."
" That shall ye feele to morrow," said the duke. ** Shall
I have adoe with you ? " said sir Marhaus. " Yea," said
the duke, " thereof thou shalt not choose, therefore take
thee to thy chamber, where thou shalt have all that to thee
belongeth." So sir Marhaus departed, and was led to a
chamber, and his damosell was also led to her chamber.
And on the morrow the duke sent to sir Marhaus, that he
should make him ready. And so sir Marhaus arose, and
armed him, and then there was a masse sung afore him,
and after brake his fast, and so mounted on horsebacke in
the court of the castle where they should doe the battiule.
So there was the duke all ready on horsebacke cleane
armed, and his sixe sonnes by him, and every each had a
speare in his hand, and so they encountred, whereas the
duke and two of his sonnes brake their speares upon him,
but sir Marhaus held up his speare and touched none of
them.

CHAP. LXXXIV.— -How sir Marhaus fought with the duke and his
sixe sonnes, and made them to yeeld them.

'HEN came the foure sonnes of the duke by
couples, and two of them brake their speares,
and so did the other two. And all this while
sir Marhaus did not touch them. Then sir
Marhaus ranne to the duke, and so smote him with his

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KING ARTHUR. 161

speare, that horse and man fell to the earth, and so he served
Ids sonnes. And then sir Marhaus alighted downe, and
bad the duke yeeld him or else he would sley him. And
then some of his sonnes recovered and would have ^t upon
sir Marhaus. Then said sir Marhaus to the duke, " Sease
thy sonnes, or else I will doe the uttermost to you all."
Then when the duke^ saw he might not escape death, hee
cried to his sonnes, and charged them to yeeld them unto
sir Marhaus. And they kneeled all downe, and put the
pomels of their swords unto sir Marhaus, and he re-
ceived them. And then they holpe their father ; and there
by a common assent promised unto sir Marhaus never to be
foes unto king Arthur, and thereupon, at Penticost^ after,
he to come and his sixe sonnes and put them in the kings
grace. Then sir Marhaus departed, and within two daies
his damosell brought him where as was a great turnament
that the lady de Vause had cried, and who that did best
should have a rich serklet of gold worth a thousand be-
saunts.* And there sir Marhaus did so nobly that hee was
renowned to have smitten downe fortie knights, and so the
serklet of gold was rewarded him. Then he departed from
thence with great worship. And within seven dayes after
tiie damosell brought him to an carles place, whose name
was called Fergus, which after was sir Tristrams knight.
And this carle was but a young man and late come to his
lands, and there was a giant fast by him that hight Tau-
lurd, and he had another in Comewaile that hight Taulas,
that sir Tristram slew when he was out of his minde. So
this earle made his complaint unto sir Marhaus, that there
was a giant by him that destroyed all his lands, and how
he durst no where ride nor goe for him. " Sir," said sir
Marhaus^ " useth he to fight on horsebacke or on foote ? "

* Pmiicost. — Caxton's text says, Whytttmtyde.

^ BesaurUs, — A gold coin, named from Byzantium, or Constanti-
nople, of vrhich it is understood to have been the coinage. Its value
varied at different times,

VOL. I, M

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162 T6E EIStORIE OF

" Nay/' said the earle, " there may no horse beare him, h6
is so great." " Well," said sb Marhaus, " then will I
fight with him on foote." So on the morrow sir Marhaus
prayed the earle that one of his men might bring him
where as the giant was, and so he was ware of him, for he
saw him sit under an holy tree, and many clubbes of iron
and gisarmes^ about him. So sir Marhaus dressed him to
the giant, putting his shield afore him, and the giant stert
to a club of iron, and came against sir Marhaus as fast as
he might drive ; and at the first strooke he clave sir Mar-
haus shield all to peeces, and light on a stone and frushed^
it into the earth, and there he was in great perill, for tiie
giant was a wilely fighter ; but at the last sir Marhaus smote
off his right arme above the elbow. Then the giant fled^
and the knight after him, and so hee drove him to a water ;
but the giant was so hie that he could not wade after him ;
and then sir Marhaus made the earle Fergus man to fetch
stones, and with those stones he gave the giant many a
sore knock, till at the last he made him to fall downe in
the water, and so was he there drowned. Then sir Mar-
haus went to the giants castle, and there he delivered out
of the giants prison twentie foure ladies, and twentie two^
knights, and ther he had riches without number ; so that all
the dayes of his life he was never poore man after. Then
he returned to the earie Fergus, which greatly thanked him,
and would have given him halfe his lands, but he would
take none. So sir Marhaus dwelled with the earle nigh
halfea yeere, for he was sore bruised with the giant, and at
the last he tooke his leave. And as he rode by the way, he
met with sir Gawaine and sir Ewaine ; and so by adventure
he met with foure knights of king Arthurs court, the first
was sir Sagramore le Desirous, sir Osanna, sir Dodinas le

* Gisarmeg. — The gisanne was a sort of bill or battle-axe.

* Fntshed. — ^Braised or crushed. This incident of the stone is not
foond in Gaxton.

* TwaiiUtwo. — Ttpe/oe, Gaxton.

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KING ARTHUR. 163

Savage, and sir Felot of Listinoyse ; and there sir Marhaus
with one speare smote downe these foure knights, and hurt
them sore. So hee departed, and met at his day afore set.

CHAP. LXXXV. — How sir Ewaine rode with the damosell of three-
score yeeres of age, and how he gate the prise at a turney.

|0W tnme we unto Ewa'ne, which rode west-
ward with his damosell of threscore winters of
age, and she brought him there as was a
tumeyment nigh the march of Wales. And
at that tumeyment sir Ewaine smote downe thirtie knights,
wherfore the price was given him, and the price was a
jerftiwcon* and a white steede trapped with cloth of gold.
So then sir Ewaine did many strange adventures by the
meanes of the old damosell that went with him ; and so she
brought him unto a lady that was called the lady of the
roche, which was a full curteous lady. So there were in
that coimtrey two knights that were brethren, and they
were called two perilous knights, the one bight sir Edward
of the reed castle,^ and the other bight sir Hue of the reed
castle. And these two brethren had disherited the lady of
the roch of a baroney of lands, by their extortion. And as
sir Ewaine lodged with this lady, she made her complaint
unto him of these two knights. " Madam," said sir
Ewaine, " they are too blame,3 for they doe against the high
order of knighthood and the oath that they have made, and
if it like you I will speake with them, because I am a knight
•of king Arthurs, and I will entreate them with fairenesse,

* Jerfawcon. — The gerfalcon was the finest kind of hawk, procured
chiefly from the north, but also, I believe, from Wales, and much
prized.

' Reed castU, — The red castle was Powis castle, still called in the
Welsh language, " castel-coch," which has the same signification.

' Too blame, — On this phrase, see the Glossaiy of Nares, under the
word blame.

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164 THE HISTOBJE OF

and if thej will not, I shall doe battaile with them in the
defence of your right/' " Gramarcie," said the lady, " and
there as I may not acquite you, God shall.'' So on the
morrow the two knights were sent for that they should come
thither to speake with the lady of the roch. And wit it
well, they failed not, for they cam with an hundred horses.
But when the lady saw them in this maner so many, she
would not suffer sir Ewaine to goe out unto them, neither
upon suretie nor for faire language, but she made him to
speake with them out of a towre. But finally these two
brethren would not be entreated, and answered that they
would keep that they had. " Wei," said sir Ewaine, "then
wil I fight with one of you both, and prove upon your bodies
that yee doe wrong and extortion unto this lady." " That
will we not doe," said the two brethren. " For and we doe
battaile, we two will fight with one knight at once ; and
therefore if ye will fight so, we will be ready at what houre
ye will assigne us. And if that yee winne us in plaine bat-
taile, then the lady shall have her lands againe." *^ Yee
say well," said sir Ewaine, " therefore make you ready,
so that ye be heere to morrow in the defence of theladyes
right."

CHAP. LXXXYI.—How sir Ewaine fongbtwith two knigbts, and
overcame them.

[HEN was there peace* made on both parties,
that no treason should be wrought on neither
parties. So then the knights departed, and
made them ready. And that night sir Ewaine
had great cheere. And on the morrow hee arose early, and
heard masse, and brake his fast, and after rode unto the
plaine without the gates, where hoved the two brethren bi-
ding him. Then rode they together passing sore, that sir
Edward and sir Hue brake their speares upon sir Ewaine.
' Ftact,— Cazton has »ykemeiMe, i. e. surety.

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KING AETHUK 165

And sir Ewaine smote sir Edward tliat he fell over his horse
taile, and yet brake not his speare. And then hee spurred
his horse and came upon sir Hue, and overthrew him ; but
they soone recovered and dressed their shields, and drew
their swords, and had sir Ewaine alight and doe his battaild
to the uttermost. Then sir Ewaine avoyded sodainely his
horse, and put his shield afore him, and drew his sword, and
80 they dressed together, and either gave other great
strookes. And there these two brethren wounded sir
Ewaine passing sore, that the lady of the roche wend that
he would have died. And thus fought they together ^yQ
houres, as men enraged and without reason. And at the
last sir Ewaine smote sir Edward upon the helme such a
buffet Ihat his sword karved him unto his canel bone,' and
then sir Hue abated his courage. But sir Ewaine pressed
fast to have slaine him. And when sir Hue saw that, he
kneeled downe and yeelded him unto sir Ewaine. And he
of his gentienesse received his sword, and tooke him by the
hand, and went into the castle together. Then the lady of
the roch was passing glad, and sir Hue made great mone
for his brothers death. Then the lady was restored unto
her lands, and sir Hue was commanded to be at the court
of king Arthur at the next feast of Penticost. So sir
Ewaine dwelled with the lady nigh halfe ayeare, for it was
long or he might be whole of his great hurts. And then
when it drew nigh the terme day that sir Gawaine should
meete at the crosse way, then every knight drew him thither
to hold his promise that they had made. And sir Mar-
haus and sir Ewaine brought their damosels with them ;
but sir Gawaine had lost his damosell, as it is afore re*
hearsed.

' Canelboni, — The collar-bone«

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166 THE HISTORIE OF

CHAP. LXXXYII. — How at the yeares end all the three kni^^ts
with their three damosels met at the fountaine.

^NB right at the twelve monethes end they met
all three knights at the fountaine, and their
damosels. But the damosell that sir Gawaine
had with him could say hut little worship of
him. So they departed from the damosels, and rode through
a great forrest, and there they met with a messenger that
Came from king Arthur, which had sought them wel nigh
a twelve moneth throughout all England, Wales, and Scot-
land, and was charged if that he might finde sir Gawaine
and sir Ewaine, to hring them unto the court againe. And
then were they all glad ; and so they praied sir Marhaus
to ride with them unto king Arthurs court. And so within
twelve dayes they came to Camelot, and the king was
passing glad of their comming, and so were al they of the
court. Then king Arthur made them to sweare upon a
hooke, to teU him all their adventures that there had heene
fallen them all the twelve monethes, and so they did. And
there was sir Marhaus well knowen ; for there were knights
that he had matched afore time, and hee was named one of
the best knights then living. Against the feast of Penticost,
came the damosell of the lake, and brought with her sir
Pelleas. And at that high feast there was a great justing
of knights, and of all the knights that were at that justing^
sir Pelleas had the prize, and sir Marhaus was named the
next. But sir Pelleas was so strong, that there might but
a few knights hit him a buffet with a speare. And at that
feast sir Pelleas and sir Marhaus were made knights of the
table round, for there were two sieges voide, for two knights
had beene slaine in those twelve monethes; and great joy
had king Arthur of sir Pelleas and of sir Marhaus. But
sir Pelleas loved never after sir Gawaine, but that he spared
him for the love of king Arthur. But oftentimes at the
justs and turneyments sir Pelleas quited sir Gawaine^ for

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KING ARTHUR. 167

so it is rehearsed in the French booke. So sir Tristram^
many dayes after that fought with sir Marhaus in an iland,
and there they did a great battaile, bi^t at the last sir Tris-
tram slew him, and sir Tristram was sore wounded, that
unneth hee might recover, and lay at a nuniy halfe a yeare.
And sir Pelleas was a worshipfull knight, and was one of
t)ie foure that atchieved the sancgreall. And the damosell
of the lake made by her meanes that never he had adoe
with sir Lancelot du Lake, for where as sir Lancelot was at
any justs or tumeyment, shee would- not suffer Jiiin to bee
Acre at that day, but if it were on sir Lancelots side*

CHAP. LXXXVIII. — How twelve aged men, embassadours of Rome,
come to king Arthur for to demauad truage for the realme of Brit-
taiue.*

^HEN king Arthur had rested a while after long
war, and held a royall feast and table round,
with his alies of kings, and princes, and noble
knights, all of the round table, there came into
his hall, he sitting in his throne royal, twelve ancient men,
Ijearing each of them a branch of olive, in token they came
as embassadours and messengers from the emperour Lu-
cius,^ which was called at that time dictatour or procurer
pf the publicke weale of Kome ; which said messengers
after their entring and comming into the presence of king
Arthiu*, did unto him their obeysance in making to him re-
verence, and said to him in tiiis wise ; " The high and

* Sir Tristram, — The adventures of this celebrated hero will be
fnmd in a later part of this work.

' Here the romance returns to the narrative of Geoffrey of Mon-
mouth, who (lib. ix, c. 15) describes the Roman embassy, and, in the
chapters following, the war which arose out of it. It may be re-
Quirked that our romance omits entirely the pretended conquest of
Gaul by king Arthur, which is related in Geoffrey of Monmouth, and
is assumed in the following chapters of our romance.

' 2/tictMx. — Geoffrey of Monmouth calls him Lucius Tiberius. Of
course he is an imaginary eniperor. «

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168 TBE HISTOniE OF

mighty emperour Lucius sendeth unto thee, king of Brit-
taine, greeting, commanding thee to knowledge him for thy
lord, and to send him the truage^ due of this realme unto
the empire, which thy father and other tofore thy predeces-
sors have payed as it is of record, and thou as a rebell not
knowing him as thy soveraigne withholdest and retainest,
contrary to the statutes and decrees made hy the noble
Juhus Cesar conquerour of this realme and first emperour
of Eome. And if thou refuse his demand and conomande-
ment; know thou for a certaine that he shal make strong
warre against thee and thy realmes and lands, and shal
chastise thee and thy subjects, that it shall bee an ensample
perpetuall unto all kings and princes for to denie their tru-
age unto that noble empire which dominereth* upon the
universall world." Then when they had shewed the effect
of their message, the king commanded them to withdraw
them, and said bee should take advise of counsaile, and give
to them an answere. Then some of the young knights,
hearing their message, would have set upon them fortohava
slaine them, saying that it was a rebuke unto al the knights
there being present to suffer them to say so to the king.
Anon the king commanded that none of them upon paine
of deathtomissay^ them^ne doe to them any harme, iand com-
manded aknight to bring them to their lodging, "andsee that
they have all that is necessary and requisite for them with the
best cheere, and that no daintie be spared; for the Homaines
beene great lords, and though their message please me not,
nor my court, yet I must remember mine honour." After
this the king let call all his lords and knights of the round
table to counsaile upon this matter^ and desired them for
to say their advise. Then sir Cador of Comewaile spake
first, and said, '^ Sir, this message hketh mee well, for wee
have many dayes rested us, and have been idle, and now I

* TVwa^.— Fealty.

• Domnereth. — Dotnynethy Caxton.
' ilftMay.— To say amiss ; to abuse.

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KING ARTHUR. 160

hope ye shal make sharpe war on the Eomaines, where I
doubt not but wee shall get honour/' " I beleeye well," said
kmg Arthur, '' that this matter pleaseth thee well, but these
answers may not be answered, for the demand grieveth me
sore, for truelj I will never pay no truage to Kome, whg:e-
fore I pray you to counsaile me. I understand that Be-^
linus and Brenius,^ knights of Brittaine, have had the em-
pire in their hands many dayes ; and also Constantino, the
Sonne of queene Helaine ; which is an open evidence that
we owe no tribute to Home, but of right we that bee de-
scended of them have right to daime the title of the em-
pire."

CHAP. LXXXIX. — How the kings and lords promised unto king
Arthur ayde and helpe against the Romaines.

^ HEN answered king Anguish of Scotland, " Sir,
ye ought of right to be above all other kings,
for unto you is none like ne pareile in al chris-
tendome of knighthood ne of dignity, and I
counscule you never to obey the Romaines ; for when they
reigned on us they distressed our elders, and put this land to
great extortions and tallages,^ wherefore I make heere mine
avow to avenge me on them, and for to strength your quar-
rell I shall famish twentie thousand good men of warre,
and wage them on my costs, which shal awaite on you with
my selfe when it shall please you.'' And the king of little
Brittaine granted him to the same thirtie thousand, where-
fore king Arthur thanked them. And then every man
agreed to make warre, and to ayde after" their power; that
is to wit, the lord of Westwales promised to bring thirtie
thousand men, and sir Ewaine, sir Iders sonne, with their
cosins, thirtie thousand men. Then sir Lancelot with al
other in like wise promised every man a great multitude.

* Belinus and Brenius^—ThB allusion to these worthies is taken
directly from Geoffrey of Monmouth.
' Taliagei, — ^Taxes. In French, taiUagiu

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170 THE HISTORIE OF

And wlien king Arthur understood their courage and good
will, he thanked them heartily, and after he let cal the em-
bassadours that they should heare their answer. And in
presence of all his noble lords and knights he said to them
in this wise : " I will that yee retume untp your . lord and
procurour for the common weale for the Bomaines, and say
to him, of his demand and commandemeut I set nothing,
and that I know of no truage ne tribute that I owe to him
ne to none earthly creature nor prince christian nor heathen,
but I pret^nd^ to have and occupie the soveraintie of the
empire, wherein I am entituled by the right of my prede-
cessours, sometime kings of this land. And say to him that
I am delivered^ and fiilly concluded to goe with mine army
with strength and power to Home, by the grace of God to
take possession in the empire and subdue them that bee
rebells; wherefore I command him and al them of Kome that
incontinent they make to me their homage, and to know-
ledge me for their emperour and governour upon paine that
shal ensue." And then he commanded his treasurer to
give them great and large gifts, and to pay all their ex-
pences, and assigned sir Cador to convey them out of the
land. And so they tooke their leave and departed for to
goe toward their lord, and tooke their shipping at Sandwich,
and passed foorth by Flaunders, Almaine,^ the moimtaines,
and all Italy, untill they came to Lucius. And after the
reverence made, they made relation of their answere, like
as tofore ye have heard. When the emperour Lucius had
well heard and understood their credence, bee was sore
mooved as he had beene all enraged, and said: " I had sup-
posed that Arthur would have obeyed my commandement,
and have served me himselfe as him well beseemed or any
other king so to doe." ** O, sir," said one of the senatours,
** let be such vaine words, for we doe you to wit that I and
my fellowes were full sore afeard to behold his cheere and

> Pretend, — Claim. • Delivered. — Resolve^, deliberated,
* ^/motM.:— GerroaBy. . ^

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KING ART HUB. 171

coimtenoiice ; I feare me that yee have made a rod for your
selfe, for hee intendeth to bee lord of this empire, which
sore is to be doubted if he come, for he is an other manor
of man then yee wist, and holdeth the most noble com't of
the world, all other kings nor princes may not compare
imto his noble maintenance. On newyeares day we saw
him in his great estate, which was the royallest that ever
wee saw in our dayes, for he was served at the table with
nine kings and the noblest fellowship of other princes, lords,
and knights that bee in all the world, and every knight ap-
proved and like a lord, and holdeth table round ; and in his
person the most manly man that liveth, and he is Hke to
conquere al the world, for unto his courage it is all too little.
Wherefore I advise you to keepe well your marches and
wayes in the mountaines, for certainely he is a lord to be
redoubted." " Wei," said Lucius, " before Easter I suppose
to passe the mountaines, and so into France, and there be-
reave him of his lands with Genewayes* and other mighty
warriours of Tuskaine and Lumberdy. And I shall send for
all them that bee subject and ahed to the empire of Kome
to come unto mine ayde." And foorthwith sent old wise
knights to these countries following : first to Ambage and
Arrage, to Alexandrie, to Inde, to Hermony, where as the
river of Euphrates runneth into Asie, to Aflrike, and Eu-
rope, to Ertaine, and to Elamy, to Araby, to Egypt, and to
Damaske, to Damiet, and to Cayer, to Capadoce, and to
Tarce, to Turky, Pounce, and Parapoille, to Surry and
Gralacy. All these were subjects to Eome, and manymoe,
as Greece, Cypres, and Macydone, Calabre, Cateland,
Portingale, with many a thousand of Spaniards. Then all
these kings, dukes, and admiralls assembled about Borne,
with sixteene kings at once, with a wondrous great multitude
of people. 'Wlien the emperour understood their comming,
hee made ready his Eomaines and al the people betwen him
and Flanders ; and also he had gotten with him fiftie gy-
^..Genewayes, — Grenoese.

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172 TltE HISTOBIE OF

ants, which had heene engendred of fiends, and they wero
ordained to keepe and garde his person, and to hreak the
front of the hattail of king Arthur. And thus he departed
fix)m Kome, and came downe the mountaines of Savoy for
to destroy the lands that king Arthur had conquered, and
came to Colaine* and besieged a castle thereby, and won
it soone, and stuffed it well with two hundred Sarasins and
infidels ; and after destroyed many faire countries, which
king Arthur had won of king Claudas. And thus Lucius
came with all his hoast, which were disperpled* three score
miles in bredth, and commanded them to meete with him
in Burgoine, for hee supposed to destroy the realme of
little Brittaine.

CHAP. XC. — How king Arthur held a parliament at Yorke, and
how hee ordeined in what maner the reahne should bee governed
in his absence.

JOW leave wee off Lucius the emperourandspeake
we of king Arthur, which commanded all them
of his retinue to be ready at the utas' of Saint
Hilaryfor to hold aparliament at Yorke. And at
that parliament was concluded that all the navie of the land
should bee arested,^ and to bee ready within fifteene dayes at
Sandwich, and there shewed hee unto all his army how he
purposed to conquer the empire, which he ought to have of
right. And there he ordeined two govemours of the realme, ,
that is to say, sir Bawdewaine of Brittaine for to coimsaile
to the best, and sir Constantino sonne to sirCador of Come-*
waile, which after the death of king Arthur was king of this
realme.^ And in the presence of all his lords hee resigned

* Colaine. — Cologne.

* Visperpled. — Spread out ; distributed.
' UtM. — The octaves.

* Arested. — Alluding to the custom of the Middle Ages, when, in
time of war, the shipping of the various seaports were seized tempo-
rarily for shipping the king's troops, or for other purposes of war.

^ King of this realme. — According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, this
Constantine was, as herd stated, Arthur's immediate successor.

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KING ARTHUR. 173

the rule of the reabne and Guenever his queene unto them ;
wherfore sir Launcelot was wroth, for he left sir Tristram
with king Marke for the love of La heale Isoude. Then
queene Guenever made great sorrow and lamentation for
the departing of her lord and other, and swoned in such wise
that the ladies hare her in her chamber. Thus the king
with his great army departed, leaving the queene and the
realme in the governance of sir Bawdewaine and sir Con-^
stantine. And when he was on his horse he said, with an
hie voice, " If I die in that journey, I will that sir Constan-
tine be mine heire and king crowned of this realme as next
of my blood." And after departed and entred into the sea
at Sandwich with all his army, with a great multitude of
ships, gallies, cogges, and dromons,^ sailing on the sea.

CHAP. XCI. — How king Arthar being shipped and lying in his
cabin, had a marvailous dreame, and of the exposition thereof.

^ND as the king lay in his cabin in the ship, he
fell into a slumbering sleepe, and dreamed a
mervailous dreame ; him seemed that a dread-
ful dragon devoured much of his people, and he
came flying out of the west, and his head was enameled with
azure, and his shoulders shined as gold, his belly like mailes
of a mervailous hew, and his taile was full of tatters, his
feete were full of fine sables, and his clawes like fine gold,
and a hidious flame of fire flew out of his mouth, like as the
land and water had flamed all on fire. After, him seemed
that there came out of the orient a grimly bore all black in
a cloud, and his pawes as big as a post ; he was ruged look-
ing roughly, he was the foulest beast that ever man saw ;
hee roared and romed- so hidiously that it was marveile to
heare. Then the dreadful dragon advanced him and came

* Cogges and dnmotu, — The cog was a small vessel ; the dromon,
or dromond, was* on the contrary, a large ship of war.

• Homed. — Growled^

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174 THE HIStORIE OF

in the winde like a faulcon, giving great strookes to the
bore, and the bore hit him again with his grisly tuskes that
his brest was all bloody, and that the hot blood made al the
sea red of his blood. Then the dragon flew away all on an
height, and came downe with snch a might ahd smoote the
boore on the ridge* which was ten foote large from the head
to the taile, and smote the boore all to powder, both flesh
and bones, that it flittered all abroad on the sea. And
therewith the king awoke, and was sore abashed of this
dreame, and sent anon for a wise phylosopher, command-
ing him to tell him the signification of his dreame. " Sir,"
said the phylosopher, <*the dragon that ye dreamed of be*
tokeneth your owne person which saileth here, and the
coulours of his wings be your realmes which yee have won,
and his taile which is al to-tattered signifieth the noble
knights of the round table ; and the bore that the dragon
slew comming from the clouds betokeneth some tyrant that
tormenteth the people, or else ye are like to fight with some
gyant your selfe, being right horrible and abominable, whose
peere ye saw never in your dayes; ^erefore of this dread-
ftill dreame doubt nothing, but as a conqueror comfort your
selfe." Then soone after this they had sight of land, and
sayled till they arrived at Bireflet^ in Flaunders ; and when
they were there, he found many of his great lords ready as
they had beene commanded to waite upon him.

CHAP. XCn. — How a man of the countrey told him of a mervailons
gyant,^ and how he fought and conquered him.

J HEN came tQ him an husbandman of the eoiuqt^
trey, and told him how there was in the countrey
of Constantino beside Brittaine, a great gyant
which had slaine, murthered, and devoured
" iZk^e.— Back.
' Birefiet.-^Barjietey Caxton.

' A mervailous gyant. — The fate of Helen of Britany, and Arthar*8
combat with the giant, are taken from Geofirey of Monmoath, lib. x.

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KING ART HUB. 175

mucii people of the countrey, and bad beene sustained seaven
yeares with the children of the commons of that land, ''in so
much that all the children he all slaine and destroyed; and
now late he hath taken the duchesse of Brittaine as she
rode with her men, and had led her to his lodging which
is in a mountaine, for to ravish her and lye by her to her
lives end, and many people followed her, more then ^ye
hundred ; but all they might not rescew her, but they left her
shriking and crying lamentably, wherefore I suppose that
hee hath slaine her in fiillfiling his foule lust of lechery^
she was wife unto your cosin sir Howel, the which was full
nigh of your blood. Now as ye are a rightfiill king, have
pittie on this lady, and revenge us all, as ye are a valiant
conquerer/' "Alas !'* said king Arthur, " this is a great
mischiefo ; I had rather then the best reahne that I have
that I had beene a furlong before him for to have reseewed
that lady. Now, fellow," said king Arthur, ** canst thou
bring me there where as this gyant haunteth ?" " Yea,"
sir," said the good man, " loe yonder wher as ye see the
two great fires, there shall ye not feile to find him, and more
treasure as I suppose then is in all the realme of Fraunce."
When king Arthur had understood this pitious case, he re-
tiHiied into his tent, and called unto him sir Kay and sir
Bedivere, and commanded them secretly to make ready
horse and harneis for himselfe and for them twtdne, for after
evensong hee would ride on pilgrimage with them two onely,
unto Saint Mighels mount.^ And then anon they made
them ready, and armed them at fdl points, and tooke their
horses and their shields, and so they three departed thence
and rode forth as fast as they might tHl they came unto the

c. 3. This legend appears to have been connected with Mount St.
Michel in Normandy from an early period ; and the supposed site of
the adventure, formerly known by the name of Tombeleyne, was af-
terwards occupied by the church and monaster}^

' Scunt Mighels mount. — It is hardly necessary to state that Mount
St. Michel of Normandy was, at a later period, a very celebrated ob-
ject of pilgrimage ; but our romance-writer is guilty of a great ana-
chronism in making king Arthur go thither for that purpose.

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176 THE HISTORIE OF

furlong^ of that mount, and there they alighted, and die
king commanded them to tarry there, and said hee would
himselfe goe up to that mount.

And so he ascended up the mount till hee came to a great
fire, and there found hee a carefull^ widow wringing her
hands and makmg great sorrow, sitting hy a grave new
made. And then king Arthur saluted her, and demanded
her wherefore she made such lamentation. Unto whom shoe
answered and said : '' Sir knight, speake soft, i(a yonder is
a divell, if he heare thee speake, he will come and destroy
thee ; I hold thee unhappy ; what doest thou heare in this
mountaine ? for if yee were such fiftie as yee he, yee were
not ahle to make resistance against this divel. Here lyeth
a duchesse dead, which was the fairest lady of the world,
wife unto sir Howell of Brittaine, he hath murthered her
in forcing her, and hath slit her unto the navell." "Dame,**
said the king, '' I come from the great conquerour king
Arthur for to treat with that tyrant for his lyege people."
" Fie upon such treties," said the widow, " hee setteth
nought hy the king nor hy no man else. But and if thou
have brought king Arthurs wife, dame Guenever, he shal
be gladder then if thou hadst given him halfe France.
Beware, approach him not to nigh, for hee hath overcome
and vanquished fifteene kings, and hath made him a coate
full of precious stones, embrodred with their beards, which
they sent him to hare his love for salvation of their people
this last Christmas, and if tho^ wilt speak with him, at yon-
der great fire he is at supper." " Wei," said king Arthur,
** I wU accomplish my message for all your fearefuU words ;"
and went forth by the creast of that hill, and saw wher he
sate at supper, gnawing on a limbe of a man, beking' his
broad limbes by the fire, and brichlesse, and three damosels

' Furlong. — Forbondof that numnt, Caxton. FaHtond means, pro-
l)ably, the extreme boundarr.

* Carefidl, — Full of care ; sorrowful.

* Btking. — Warming himself ; basking.

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KING AETHUB. 177

turning three brocbes whereon was broached twelve young
children late borne, like young birds. When king Arthur
beheld that pitious sight, he had great compassion on them,
80 that his heart bled for sorrow, and hailed him, saying in
this wise ; " Hee that al the world weldeth, give thee short
life and shameful death, and the diveU have thy soule!
Why hast thou murthered these young innocent children,
and this duchesse ? therefore arise and dresse thee, thou
glutton ; for this day thou shalt die of my hands." Then
anon the gyant start up, and took a great club in his hand,
and smote at the king that his coronall fell to the earth.
And king Arthur hit him againe that hee carved his belly
and cut off his genitours, that his guts and entrail^s fell
downe to the ground. Then the gyant with great anguish
threw away his club of iron, and caught the king in his
armes that hee crushed his ribs. Then the thre damosels
kneeled downe and called unto our Lord Jesus Christ for
helpe and comfort of the noble king Arthur. And then
king Arthur weltred* and wrong that he was one while
mider and other while above. And so weltering and
wallowing they roled downe the hill, till they came to the
sea marke, and as they so tumbled and weltred, king Arthur
smot him with his dagger ; and it fortuned they came unto
the place where as the two knights were that kept king Ar-
thurs horse. Then when they saw the king fast in the
gyants armes, they came and loosed him ; and then king
Arthur commanded sir Kay "to smite off the giants head,
and to set it upon a truncheon of a speare and beare it to
sir Howell, and tel him that his enemy is slaine, and after
let his head be bound to a barbican, that all the people may
see and behold it ; and goe ye two to the mountaine and
fetch me my shield and my sword, and also the great club
of iron, and as for the treasure take it to you, for yee shall
find there goods without number, so that I have his kirtell
and the chib, I desire no more. This was the fiercest giant

> ^elfred.— Boiled about.
TOL. I. N

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178 THE EISTOBIE OF

that ever I met with, save one in the monnt of Araby which
I overcame, but this was greater and fiercer." Then the
knights fetched the club and the kirtell, and some of the
treasure they tooke unto themselves, and returned againe
to the boost. And anon this was knowen through all the
oountrey, wherefore the people came and thanked the king;
and bee said againe, " Give the thankes to God, and part the
goods among you." And after that, king Arthur com-
manded his cosin Howell that he should ordeine for a church
to bee builded upon the same hill, in the worship of Saint
Mighell. And on the morrow after, the noble king Arthur
removed with his great boast and came into the countrey
of Champaine in a valey, and there they pight their pa-
vilions. And the king being set at his dinner, there came
in two messengers, of whom the one was marshal of France,
and said to the king that the emperour was entred into
France, and had destroyed a great part thereof, and was in
Burgoine, and had destroyed and made a great slaughter
of people, and burned townes and burrowes, " wherefore if
thou come not hastily they must yeeld up their bodies and
goods."

CHAP. XCIII. — ^How king Arthur sent sir Gawaine and others to
Lucius the emperour, and how they were assailed, and escaped
with worship.

J HEN king Arthur did cal sir Gawaine, sirBors,
sir Lionel, and sir Bedivere, and commanded
them to goe straight to Lucius the emperour,
" and say to him that hastely he remove out of
my land. And if he will not, bid him make him ready to
battaile, and not distresse the poore people." Then anon
these noble knights dressed them on horsebacke, and when
they came to the greene wood they saw pight in a meddow
many pavilions of silke and divers coulours beside a river,
■md the emperours pavilion was in the middle within an

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KING ARTHUR. 179

egale displayed above, toward which pavilion our knights
rode, and ordained sir Gawaine and sir Bors to doe the mes-
sage, and left in ambushment sir Lionell and sir Bedivere.
And then sir Gawaine and sir Bors did their message, and
commanded Lucius in king Arthurs name to avoide his
land, or else shortly to dresse him to battaile. To whom
Lucius answered and said, " Ye shall retume to your lord
and say to him that I shal subdue him and all his lands."
Then sir Gawaine was sore angred, and said, " I had rather
then all France I might fight against thee." " And so had
I," said sir Bors, " rather then all Brittaine or Burgoine."
Then a knight named sir Gainus, nigh cosin to the em-
perour, said, *' Loe how these Britons bee full of pride and
boast, and they brag as though they bare up all the world."
Then was sir Gawaine sore agrieved with these words, and
drew out his sword and smote off sir Gainus head, and
anon therewith turned their horses and rode over waters and
through woods till they came to their ambushment, wheras
sir Lionell and sir Bedivere were hoving. The Romaines
followed fast after on horsebacke and on foote over a cham-
paine unto a wood, and then sir Bors turned his horse and
saw a knight come fast on, whom he smote through the
body with a speare, that hee fell downe starke dead on the
ground. Then came there Calibure,i one of the strongest
of Pavy, and smote downe many of king Arthurs knights.
And when sir Bors saw him doe so much harme,he dressed
him toward him, and smote him through the brest, that he
fell downe dead to the ground. Then sir Feldenak thought
to revenge the death of trainus upon sir Gawaine, but sir
Grawaine was anon ware thereof, and smote him on the heacf,
which strooke stinted not untill it came to his brest. And
then he returned and came unto his fellowes in the am-
bushment, and there was an encounter, for the ambushment
brake on the Eomaines, and slew and hewed downe right
the Eomaines, and forced the Eomaines to retume and
' Calibure, — CaUt/bunie, Caxton.

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180 THE HISTORIE OF

flee ; whom our noble knights did chase unto their tents.
Then the Eomaines gathered more people, and also foote
men came on, and there was a new battaile and so much
people that sir Bors and sir Berel were taken. But when
sir Grawaine saw that, hee tooke with him sir Idrus the good
knight, and said he would never se king Arthur but if he
rescewed them, and drew out Galatine* his good sword, and
followed them that led those two knights awaj with
them, and he smote him that led sir Bors, and tooke sir
Bors from him and delivered him unto his fellowes. And
sir Idrus in like wise rescewed sir Berell. Then began the
battaile to be passing great, and our knights were in great
jeopardy, wherefore sir Gawaine sent for succour unto king
Arthur, and that he hye him," for I am sore wounded and
hurt, and that our prisoners must pay good^ out of number.''
And the messenger came unto the king and shewed him the
message. And anon the king did assemble his armie ; but
anon or hee departed, the prisoners were come, and sir Gti-
waine and his fellowes gate the field and put the Bomaines
to flight, and after returned and came with their fellowship
in such wise that no man of worship was lost of them, save
that sir Gawaine was sore hurt. Then the king did ransake
his woundes and comforted him. And thus was the begin-
ning of the first journey of the Britons and the Eomaines.
And there were slaine of the Eomaines part moe then ten
thousand, and great joy and mirth was made that same
night in the boast of king Arthur. And on the morrow
after, he sent all the prisoners into Paris, under the gard of
sir Lancelot and sir Cador, with many other knights.

* Galatine, — The sword of Gawaine was celebrated in mediasval
romance. A curious extract from a MS. printed in the notes to Fr.
Michel's Tristan, vol il. p. 181, says it was made bj the mythic
smith Weland.

* Fay good* — ^i. e. pay heavy ransoms.

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KING ARTHUR. 181

Chap. XCrV, — How Ludas sent certaine spies into ambush for to
have taken his knights, being prisoners, and how they were letted.

OW tume wee to the emperour of Kome, which
espied that these prisoners should be sent to
Paris, and anon he sent to lye in ambush cer-
taine knights and princes with threescore thou-
sand men for to rescew his knights and lords that were
prisoners. And so on the morrow as sir Lancelot and sir
Cador, chiefetaines and governours of all them that con-
veied the prisoners, as they would passe through a wood,
sir Lancelot sent certaine knights to espie if any were in
the wood to let them. And when the said knights came
into the wood, anon they espied and saw the great am-
bushment, and returned and told sir Lancelot that there
lay in waite threescore thousand Eomaines. And then sir
X^ncelot with such knights as hee had and men of warre
to the number of ten thousand, put them in goodly array,
and went and met with them, and fought with them man-
fully, and slew and detrenched^ many of the Eomans, and
slew many knights and admiralls.^ Of the Romaines and
Sarasins partie there was slaine the king of Lyly and three
great lords, Aladuke, Herawd, and Heringdale. But sir
Lancelot' fought so nobly that no man might endure a
fitrooke of his hand, but whersoever he came he shewed his
prowesse and his might, for he slew downe right on every
nde, and the Eomaines and Sarasins fled from him as the

* Detrenched. — Cut up ; cut to pieces.

* AdmiraUs, — This word is not here taken in its modem sense,
but means an emir or Saracen chief.

' Sir LancebL — Lancelot was one of the most celebrated of the
heroes of this cycle of romances, and was the subject of several sepa •
rate poems and romances. He is represented as the son of king Ban
of Britany ; and on the death of his father was carried away, then
an infant, by the lady of the lake, who fostered him. Hence he was
called Luicelot du Lac. Many of sir Lancelot's adventures are ref-
lated in the sequel of the present romance.

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182 THE HISTOBIE OF

sheepe from the wolfe, or from the lion, and put them all
to flight that ahode alive. And so long they fought that
tydings came unto king Arthur, and anon hee apparraled
him and came to the battail, and saw how his knights had
vanquished the hattaile; hee embraced them knight by
knight in his armes, and said, " Yee be worthy to weld all
your honour and worship ; there was never no king that
had so noble knights as I have." " Sir," said sir Cador,
" there was none of us that failed other, but of the prowesse
and manhood of sir Lancelot were more then wonder to tell,
and also of his cosins which did this day many noble feates
of warre." And also sir Cador told who of his knights were
elaine, as sir Berell and other, sir Moris and sir Maurell, two
good knights. Then the king wept and dried his eyes with
a handkercher, and said, " Your courage had neere hand
destroyed you, for though yee had returned againe, yee had
lost no worship, for I call it folly, knights to abide when they
bee overmatched." " Nay," said sir Lancelot and the other,
" for once shamed may never bee recovered."

CHAP. XCV.— How a senatour told to the emperoar Lncins of their
discomfiture, and also of the great battaile betweene king Arthur

and Lucius.

^ OW leave wee off the noble king Arthur and his
noble knights, which had won the field, and had
brought their prisoners to Paris, and speake
we of a senatour that escaped from the bat-
taile, and came to the emperour Lucius and said to him,
" Sir emperour, I advise thee to withdraw thee ; what
doest thou heere ? thou shalt win nothing in these marches
but great strookes out of measure, for this day one of king
Arthurs knights was worth in the battaile an hundred of
ours." "Fie on thee," said Lucius, "thou speakest cow-
ardly ; thy words grieve me more then all the losse that
I have had this day." Then anon he sent foorth a king
that hight sir Liomy, with a great army, and bad him hye

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KING ARTHUR. 183

him fast afore^ and he would hasfilj follow after. Then was
king Arthur privily warned, and sent his people to Soissons,*
and tooke up the townes and castles from the Eomaines.
Then king Arthur commanded sir Cador to take the rere-
ward, and to take with him certaine knights of the round
table ; "and sir Lancelot, sir Bors, and sir Key, sir Ma-
roke, with sir Marhaus, shall waite on our person." Thus
the noble king Arthur disperpled his hoast into divers
parts, to the end that his enemies should not escape. When
the emperour was entred into the vale of Soissons, he might
see where king Arthur was embatailed and his banners
displaied, and saw that he was beset round about with his
enemies, that needs he must fight or yeeld him, for he might
not fiee, but said openly to the Eomaines, '' Sirs, I admonish
you that this day yee fight and acquite you as men, and
remember how Eome dominereth and is chiefe and head
over all the earth and universall world, and suffer not these
Britons this day to abide against us.'* And hee therwith
eommanded his trumpets blow the bloody sounds, in such
wise that the ground tremUed and dindled.^ Then the
battaile approached, and shove and shouted on both sides,
and great strooks wer smitten on both sides, many men
were overthrowne, hurt, and slaine ; and great vaUances,
prowesses, and feates of warre were that day shewed, which
were over long to recount the noble feates of every man,
for they should comprehend a whole volume ; but in espe-
ciaU of them king Arthur rode into the battaile, exhorting
his knights to doe well. And he himself did as nobly with
his hands as it were possible a man to doe ; he drew out
ExcaUbur, his good sword, and awaited ever where the Eo-
maines were thickest and most grieved his people, anon hee
dressed him on that part and hew and slew downe right,
and rescewed his people ; and there he slew a great gyant
named Galapas, which was a man of a mervailous quantise

^ Soiisons, — Seuoyne, Caxton.
^ i>tiM2fed— Tottered; shook.

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184 THE HISTOBIE OF

and hight ; he sliortned him and smote off both his legs by
the knees, saying, " Now art thou better of a sise to deale
with then thou were," and after smote off his head, and the
body slew six Sarasins in the faUing downe. There sir
Gawaine fought nobly, and slew three admiralls in that
battaile. And all the knights of the round table did fiiU
nobly. Thus the battaile endured long betweene king Ar-
thur and Lucius the emperour. Lucius had on his side
many Sarasins that were slaine. And thus the battaile was
great, and oftentimes that one partie was at a foredele and
anon at an afterdele,^ which endured long. At the last
king Arthur espied where Lucius fought and did wonder
with his owne hands, and anon he rode to him, and either
smote other fiersly, fuid at the last Lucius smote king Arthur
overthwart the visage and gave him a large wound ; and
when king Arthur felt himself hurt, anon hee smote him
againe with Ezcahbur that it cleft his head from the somet
of his helm, and stinted not till it came benealh the brest.
And then the emperour fell downe dead, and there ended
he his Hfe. Then when it was knowne that the emperour
was slaine, anon all the Eomaines with all their armie put
them to flight. And king Arthur with al his knights Al-
lowed Hie chase and slew downe right all them that they
might attaine. And thus was the victory given unto the
noble conquerour king Arthur. And there were slaine on
the part of Lucius, moe then an hundred thousand. And
aft;er king Arthur did ransake their dead bodies, and doe
bury them that were slaine of his retinue, every man ac-
cording to the estate and degree that he was of. And those
that were hurt hee caused the surgions to search all their
hurts and wounds, and commanded to spare no salves nor
medicines till they were whole. Then the king rode straight
to the place where the emperour Lucius lay dead, and with
him hee found slaine the sowdan of Surrey, the king of

1 Foredele, afterdel€,~^Foredele meant advantage, and a/TerdSe^e dis-
advantage*

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KING ARTHUR. 185

Egypt, and the king of Ethiope, which were two noble
kings, with seventeene other kings of divers other regions,
and also threescore senatours of Borne, all noble men, whom
the noble king Arthur did embaulme and gumme with many
good aromatike gummes, and after hee did ceere them in
threescore fold of ceered cloth of sendale,i and then laid
ihem in chests of lead, because they should not chase- nor
savour ; and upon all these bodyes were set their shields
with their armes and banners, to the end they should bee
known of what countrey they were. And after hee found
three senatours that were alive, unto whom hee said, " For
to save your lives, I will that yee take these dead bodies,
and carry them with you unto great Eome, and present
them to the potestate^ on my behalfe, shewing him my letters,
and tel him that I in my person shall hastily bee at Eome,
and I suppose the Komaines shal bee ware how they shal
demaund of me any tribute. And I command you that ye
say when ye shal come to Eome unto the potestate and all
the counsaile and senate, that I send unto them these dead
bodies for the tribute that they have demanded. And if so
be they be not content with the^e, I shall pay more at my
comming, for other tribute owe I none, nor none other will
I pay. And mee thinketh this should suffise for Brittaine,
Ireland, and all Almaine with Germany. And furthermore
I charge you to say to them, that I command them upon
paine of their heads never to demand nor aske of me nor
of my lands any tribute." Then with this charge and
commandementthe three senatours aforesaid departed with
all the said dead bodies, the body of Lucius lying in a cart
covered with the armes of the empire all alone, and after
alway two bodies of kings in a chariot, and then the bodies
of the senatours aft;er them, and so went toward Eome, and

' Sendak, — A sort of thin silk.

' Chate* — Chauffe ne savoure, Caxton. Chafe, nsed perhaps in the
sense of to decompose, is probably the correct reading.

' Fotestate. — This is no doubt intended to represent the Italian
podeitOf or chief municipal officer.

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X86 THE HISTOBIE OF

shewed their legation and message to the potestate and
senate,' recounting the battaile done in France, and how the
field was lost and most people and innumerable slaine,
wherefore they advised them in no wise to move more warre
against that noble conquerour king Arthur, " for his might
and prowesse is most to be doubted, seeing the noble kings
and great multitude of knights of the round table, to whome
none earthly prince may compare."

CHAP. XCVI. — How king Arthur, after that he had atchieved the
battaile against the Bomaines, eatred into Almaine, and so into

Italy.

JOW tume we unto king Arthur and his noble
knights, which after the great battaile atchieved
against the Romaines, entred into Loraine,
Braband, and Flaunders, and sithen returned
into hie Almaine, and so over the mountaines into Lum-
bardy, and after into Tuskaine wherein was a citie which
in no manner of wise would yeeld themselves nor obey,
wherefore the noble king Arthur besieged it, and lay full
long about it, and gave many assaults to the citie. And
they within defended them vaUantly. Then on a time the
king called sir Florence, a knight, and told him that they
lacked vitaile, " and not farre from hence be great forrests
and great woods, wherein be many of mine enemies with
much bestiall. I will that thou make thee ready and goe
thither in forcing,^ and take with thee sirGawaine my ne-
phew, and sir Whichard, and sir Clegis, sir Clemond,* and
also the captaine of Cardife, with many oth«r m6e,and bring
with you all the beastes that yee may get there." And
anon these knights made them ready, and rod over holts and
hills, through forrests and woods, till they came to a faire
meddowe full of faire floures and grasse, and there they
.rested them and their horses all that night ; and in the

* In forcing. — Inforeyeng^ Caxton; i. e. foraying, or foraging.
' C!kmand,-^Claremond,CKZ.Um,

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KING ARTHUR, 187

Bprmging of the* day on the next morrow sir Gawainetooke
his horse and stale away from his fellowes to seeke some
adventure. And anon he was ware of a knight armed,
walking his horse easily by a woods side, and his shield laced
unto his shoulder, sitting on a strong courser, without any
man save onely a page bearing a mighty spear, and the
knight bare in his shield three griffons of gold in sable car-
buncle, the chiefe of silver. When sir Gawaine espied this
gay knight he fewtred^ his speare, and rode straight imto
him, and demanded him of whence he was. That other
answered and said he was a Tuskaine, and demanded of sir
Gawaine, " Thou proud knight, what profferest thou me so
boldly? heere getest thou no prey ; thou mayest prove when
thou wilt, for thou shalt be my prisoner or thou depart."
Then said sir Gawaine, " Thou vaimtest thee greatly, and
speakest all too proud words ; I coimsaile thee, for al thy
boast, that thou make thee ready and take thy geere to thee,
tofore greater game fall to thee."

CHAP. XCVII. — Of the battaile done by sir Gawaine against a
Sarasiu, which after was taken and became Christian.

f HEN" they tooke their speares, and ranne each
at other with al the might.they had, and s^iote
each other through their shields into their
shoulders, wherefore anon they drew out their
swords and smote great strookes so that the fire sprang out
of their helmes. Then was sir Gawaine all abashed, and
with Galantine his good sword he smote him through the
shield and thicke hawberke made of thicke mailes, and al to-
rushed and brake the precious stones, and made him a large
wound that men might see both liver and longes. Then
that knight groned, and dressed him to sir Gawaine, and

* Ftwtred, — To fewter was the term for putting the spear in the
rest.

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188 THE EISTORIE OF

with an awke* strook gave him a great wound, and cat a
veine that grieved sir Gawaine sore, and he hied fast. Then
said the knight to sir Grawaine : " Bind thy wound or thy
blood change, for thou beebleedest all thy horse and thy faire
armes, for all the leeches^ of Brittaine shall not stench thy
blood, for whosoever is hurt with this blade hee shall never
bee stenched of bleeding." Then answered sir Gawaine :
" It grieveth mee but little, thy great words shall notfeare
me ne lesse my courage, but thou shalt suffer teene^ and
sorrow or we depart ; but tell me in haste who may stench
my bleeding." " That may I doe," said the knight, " if I
will ; and so I will if thou wilt succour and aide me that I
may be christned andbeleeve on God, and thereof I require
thee of thy manhood, and it shall be great merit for thy
soule." " I am content," said sir Gawaine, " so God helpe
me to accomplish all thy desire. But first tell mee what
thou soughtest thus here alone, and of what land and legi-
ance thou art." " Sir," said the knight, " my name is
Priamus, and a great prince is my father, and he hath beene
rebel unto Eome, and hath overriden many of their land ;
my father is Uneally descended of Alexander and of Hector
by right line ; and duke Josue and Machabseus were of our
linage. I am right inheritor of Alexandry and Afirike and
of all the out isles, yet will I beleeve on the Lord that thou
beleevest on, and for thy labour I shall give thee treasure
enough. I was so elevated and taken* in my heart that I
thought no man my peere ne to me semblable. I was sent
to this warre with sevenscore knights, and now I have en-
countred with thee which hath given me of fighting my
fiU, wherefore, sir knight, I pray thee to tell me what thou
art, and of thy being." " I am no knight," said sir Ga-
waine, " I have beene brought up many yeares in the gard-
robe with the noble prince king Arthur, for to take heede

* AwU strook, — A cross or oblique stroke.

* Leeches. — Barbours, Caxton. ' Teene, — Grief.
^ Elate and hawteyn in my hert, Caxton.

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KING ARTHUR. 189

to his armour and his other araj, and for to point his paul-^
tockes* that helongeth to him selfe. At Christmas last hee
made me yeoman and gave mee horse and hameis and an
hundred pound in money, and, if fortune be my Mend, I
doubt not but to be well advanced and holpen by my hege
lord." ** Ah," said Priamus, " if his knaves bee so keen©
and fierce, then his knights be passing good. Now for the
kings love of heaven, whether you be knight or knave, tell
me thy name." " By God," said sir Gawaine, " now wil
I tel ih& truth : my name is sir Gawaine, and knowen I am
in his noble court and in his chamber and on of the knighti^
of the round table ; he dubbed me a duke with his owne
hands, therefore grudge not if his grace is to me fortune
and common, it is the goodnesse of God that lent to me my
strength." "Now am I better pleased," said Priamus,
" then if thou hadst given mee all the province of Paris th©
rich; I had rather to be tome with wild horses then any
varlet should have wonne such lots,^or any page or pnker*
should have had the price of me ; but now, sir knight, I
wame thee that hereby is a duke of Loraine with all his
army, and hath the noblest men of armes of all Dolphine,*
and lords of Lumberdy, with the gamison of Godard, and
Sarasins of Southland, to the number of threescore thousand
of good men of warre ; wherefore but if wee flee and hie us
fast iroTCk hence, it will doe harme to us both, for we be sore
hurt and wounded, and never like to recover; but take heede
to my page that he blow no home, for if hee doe, there bee
hoveing here fast by an hundred good knights waiting upon
my person, and if they take thee once, there shall no ran-
some of gold nor silver acquit thee." Then sir Gawaine
rode over a water for to save himselfe, and the knight fol-
lowed afiier him, and so they rode forth till they came to his

* Paultockes, — ^Doublets ; long cloaks.
' Lots, — Caxton has loos ; i. e. praise.

' Friker. — ^A light horseman-^-not a knight.

* J[)oiphw€, — ^Dauphin^.

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190 THE HI8T0EIE OF

fellowes that were in the meddow, where as they had beene
all the night. Anon as sir Whichard was ware of sir Ga-
waine,and saw that he was hurt, he ranne unto him sorrow-
fully weeping, and demanded of him who it was that had so
hurt and wounded him. And sir Gawaine told howhee had
fought with that man, and each of them had hurt other, and
how hee had salves to heale them, " but I can tell you other
tidings, that soone wee shall have adoe with many ene-
mies." Then sir Priamus and sir Gawaine alighted, and
let their horses grase in the medow, and foorthwith there
they unarmed them, and then the hot blood ranne downe
freshly from their woimds. And Priamus tooke from his
page a viole fiill of the foure waters that camej out of Para-
dise,^ and with certaine balme nointed their woundes, and
washed them with that water, and within an houre after they
were both as whole as ever they were. And then with a
trumpet they were all assembled unto counsaile, and there
Priamus told them what lords and knights had sworne to
rcscew him, and that without faile they should be assailed
with many a thousand, wherfore he counseled them to with-
draw them. Then said sir Gawaine, it were great shame
to them to avoide without any strookes, " wherefore I ad-
vise you to take our armes and to make us ready to meete
with these Sarasins and misbeleeveing men, and with the
helpe of God wee shall overthrow them and have a faire
day on them. And sir Florens shall abide still in this field
to keepe the stall^ as a noble knight, and wee shall not for-
sake yonder fellowes." " I^ow," said Priamus, *^ cease your
words, for I wame you ye shall find in yonder woods many
perilous knights ; they will put forth beasts to call you on ;
they be out of number, and ye are not past seven hundred,

* Paradise. — The four rivers of Paradise are named in the follow-
ing lines of the old Scottish poet, sir David Lindsay :
** Four fludis flowing from one fountane fair,
As Tigris, Ganges, Euphrates, and Nile,
Quhilk in the eist transcurris mony ane myle."
StalL — StalCi Caxton ; used here in the sense of an ambush, or

post.

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KING ARTHUR. 191

which be over few to fightwith so many." "Neverthelesse/*^
said sir Gawaine, " we shall once encounter with them, and
see what they can doe, and the best shall have the victorie."

CHAP. XCVm. — How that 'the Sarasins came out of a wood for
torescew their beasts, and of a great battaile.

[HEN sir Florence called to him sir Floridas,
with an hundred knights, and drove foorth the
heard of beasts. Then followed him seven hun-
dred men of armes, and sir Feiraunt of Spaine
on a faire steede came leaping out of the wood, and came to
sir Florens and asked him wherefore he fled. Then sir
Florens tooke his speare and rode against him, and smote
him so hard that he brake his necke bone. Then all the
other were moved, and thought to avenge the death of sb
Ferrant, and smote in among them, and there was great
fight and many slaine and laid downe upon the cold ground,
and sir Florens with his hundred knights alwayes kept the
stale and fought right manfuly. Then when Priamus the
good knight perceived the great fight, hee went to sir Ga-
waine, and bad him that hee should goe and succour his fel-
lowship, which were sore bestead with their enemies. " Sir,
grieve you not," said sir Gawaine, " for the griefe shal bee
theirs ; I shall not once move my horse toward them but if
I see more then there bee, for they bee strong inough to
match them." And with that he saw an earle called sir Eth-
elwold and the duke of Duchmen came leaping out of a wood
with many a thousand, and Priamus knights, and came
straight unto the battaile. Then sir Grawaine comfoi*ted his
knights, and bad them not bee abashed, " for all shall be
em^." Then they began to gallop and meete fiersly with
their enemies ; there were men slaine and overthrowne on
every side. And then thrusted in among them the knights
of the table round, and smote downe to the earth all them
that withstood them, in so much that they made them to ^ve

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192 THE HI8T0BIE OF

back and flee. " By Gtxi," said sir Gawaine, " this glad-
deth well my heart, for now be they lesse in number by
twentie thousand," Then entred into the battell a gyant
named Juliance,* and fought and slew downe right, and
distressed many of our knights, among whom was slaine sir
Gherard, a knight of Wales. Then our knights tooke heart
to them, and slew many Sarasins. And then came in sir
Priamus with his penon, and rode with the knights of the
round table„and fought so manfully that many of their ene-
mies lost their lives ; and there sir Priamus slew the mar-
ques of Moiises land. And sir Gawaine with his fellows
quit them so well that they had the field ; but in that combat
was sir Chastilaine,^ a child, and was slaine of sir Gawaine,
wherefore was made much sorrow, and his death was soone
avenged. Thus was the battell ended, and many lords and
knights of Lomberdy and Sarasins left dead in the field.
Then sir Florens and sir Gawaine harbowred surely their
people, and tooke great plenty of beasts, of gold and silver,
and of great treasure and riches, and returned unto king
Arthur which lay still at the siege. And when they came
to the king they presented him their prisoners, and told to
him their adventures, and how they had vanquished their
^lemies.

CHAP. XCIX— How sir Gawaine returned to king Arthur with his
prisoners, and how the king wan a citie, and how he was crowned
emperour.

J OW thanked be God," said king Arthur ; "but
what manner man is he that standeth by him-
selfe ? he seemeth no prisoner," " Sir,*' said
sir Gawaine, " this is a good man of armes; he
hath matched me, but he is beholden unto God and to me

^ Jidiance, — Juhaunce, Cazton.

* Sir Chestelayne, a ehyld and ward of syrt Gawaynty dayne, Gaz-
Xfin. i which is no doubt tiie correct reading.

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KING ARTHUR. 193

for to Wome a Christian ; had not hee heene, we should
aerer have returned ; wherefore I pray jou that he may be
baptized, for there liveth not a nobler man nor a better
knight of his hands." Then anone the king let him bee
baptized, and did call him by his first name Priamus, and
made him a duke and knight of the round table.

And then anon the king did make assault to the citie,
and there was rearing of ladders, breaking of walls, and the
ditch filled, that men with little paine might enter into the
citie. Then came out a duchesse and Olarisine the coun-
tesse, with many ladies and damosels, kneeling before the
king and requiring him for the love of Grod to receive the
citie and not to take it by assault, for then should many
giltlesse be slaine. Then the king availed' his viser with a
meeke and noble countenance, and said : '< Madam, there
shall none of my subjects misdoe you nor none of your
damosels, nor to none that to you belongeth, but the duke
shall abide my judgement." Then anon the king com-
manded to leave the assault. And anon the dukes eldest
Sonne brought out the keyes, and kneeling downe delivered
them to the king, and besought him of grace, and the king
seased^ the towne by assent of his lords, and tooke the duke
and sent him to Dover, there to abide prisoner the terme
of his life, and assigned certaine rents for the dowry of the
duchesse and for her children. • Then he made lords to rule
those lands, and lawes as a lord ought to doe in his owne
countrey. And after that he tooke his journey toward
Borne, and sent sir Floris and sir Floridas tofore with five
hundred men of armes ; and they came to the citie of Ur-
bine, and laide ambushment there as them seemed it was
most best for them, and rode to the towne, where anon is-
sued out much people and scermished with the fore-riders.
Then brake out the ambushment, and so wan the bridge,

* To avail. — Literally, to lower. It was tl^e tenn for moving the
Tisor of the helmet so as to uncover the face.

* 8ea$ed, — Took into his own possession.
VOL. I. ' O

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194 THE HI8T0RIE OF

and after they wan the towne, and set upon the walls th^
kings banner. Then came king Arthur upon a hie hill and
saw the citie and his banner displaied upon the walls, by the
which bee knew tbat the citie was won and gotten. And
anon hee sent a commandement that none of his liege men
should defile nor lye by noe ladie, wife, nor maide. Then
when he came into the citie, hee passed through and came
to the castle and there comforted them that were in heavi-
nesse, and ordeined there a knight of his owne countrey to
be captaine. And when they of Milane heard that the fore-
sdd citie was won, they sent imto king Arthur great summes
of money, and besought him as their soveraigne lord to bare
pittie upon them, promising him to be his true subjects for
evermore, and yeeld to him homage and fealtie for the lands
of Pleasance,^ and of Pavie, Petersaint, and the poore of
Tremble, and to give imto him yearely a million of gold
during all his life time. Then king Arthur rode into Tus-
kane, and there hee won townes and castles, and wasted all
that hee found in his way that to him would not so obey ;
and went to Spolute and to Viterbe ; and from thence he
rode into the vale of Vicecount, among the vines. And
from thence he sent unto the senatours of Eome, for to wit
whether they would know him for their lord and chiefe go-
vernour or not. But soone after, upon a Saturday, came
unto king Arthur all the i^natours that were left on live, .
and all the noblest cardinalls which at that time dwelled
within the citie of Kome, and they all praied him of peace,
and profiered him full largely of goods. And they all be-
sought him as govemour to give them lycence for seven
weekes to assemble together all the barony of the Bomaines,
and then to crowne him as emperour with holy creme,* as it
belongeth unto such an high and noble estate. ^^ I assent
unto you," said king Arthur, " as ye have devised ; and at
Christmas there to be crowned and to hold my round table

' Most of these names will be recognized at once. Pletuanee is, ^f
course, Placenza; and Fetertamt^ probably Pietra-Santa in Tuscany.
* Creme,^ The crism, or consecrated oil.

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KING ARTHUR. 195

with mj knights there as me liketh." And then the sena-'
tours made al things ready for his crownation. And then
at the day appointed, as the Bomaines tell, he came into
Bome, and there he was crowned emperour by the popes
owne hands with all the solemnitie that could be made, and
sojourned there a certaine time, and established all his lands
from Bome unto France, and hee gave lands and realmes
unto his servants and knights, to every each afber his de-
serving, in such wise that none of them complained, neither
rich nor poore. And he gave unto sir Priamus the dutchye
of Loraine. And he thanked him, and said that he woidd
serve him and bee his true subject all the dayes of his life.
And after that he made dukes and earles, and constituted
his men unto great riches and honour. Then after this,
all his lords and knights and all the great men of estate
assembled them together afore the triumphant conquerour
king Arthur, and said : " Noble emperour, blessed be the
eternal God ! your mortall warre is all finished, and your
conquest is achieved, in so much that we know no man so
great nor mightie that dare make any warre against you^
wherefore wee beseech and heartily pray your noWe grace
for to retume homeward, and also we pray you to give uft
licence to goe home to our wives, from wh/om wee have
beene a long season, and for to rest us, for your journey
is finished with great honour and worsfa^." Then said
king Arthur unto them : " Yee say truth ; and for to
tempt Grod, it is no wisdome, and therfore in all haste make
you ready and retume we into England." Then was there
trussing of hameis and of other baggage, and had great
eariage. And after that the licence was given, king Arthur
returned, and commanded that no noan upon paine of death
should rob by the way, neither take vitaile nw none other
thing, but that hee should tniely pay therefore. And thus
bee came over the sea, and landed at Sandwich, against
whom came queene Guenever and met with him, and made
great joy of his comming. And he was full nobly received

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196 THE HI8T0RIE VF

of all his commons in every citie, towne, and bnrronglK
And great gifts were presented unto him at his home oom-'
ming, for to welcome him with.

CHAP. C — ^How sir Lanncelot and sir Lionel! departed from the
court for to seeke adventures, and how sirLiouell left sir Launcelot
sleeping, and was taken.

^NON after that the nohle and worthy king Ar^
thur was come from Rome into England, all the
knights of the round table resorted unto the king
and made many justs and toumeiments, and
some ther were that were good knights, which encreased so
in armes and worship that they passed all their fellowes in
prowesse and noble deedes, and that was well proved on
many, but especially it was proved on sir Launcdot du
Liake ; for in al tourneiments and justs and deeds of armes^
both for life and death, he passed all knights, and at no timt
he was never overcome, but it were by treason or enchant-*
ment. Sir Lancelot encreased so mervailously in worshi{^
and honour, wherefore he is the first knight that the Fren^
booke maketh mention of, after that king Arthur can^ from
£ome> wherefore queene Guenever had him in great favour
above all other knights, and certainely he loved the que^ie
againe above all other ladies and damosels all the daies of
his life, and for her he did many great deedes of armes, and
saved her from the fire through his noble chivalrie. Thus
Bir Launcelot rested him a long while with play and game;
'and then bee thought to prove himselfe in strange adven*
iures. Then he bad his brother sir Lionell to make him
ready, " for we two will seeke adventures." So they mounted
upon their horses armed at al points^ and rode into a de^>e
•f<M^st ; and after they <iame into a great plaine, and th^
the weather was hot about noone, and sir Launcelot had
great list to sleepe. Then sir Lionell espied a great apple
tree that stood by an hedge, and said : << Brother, yonder
is a faire shadow^ there may we rest us and our horses.''

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" It is veil said, faire brother/' said ^ir Lancelot ; " for of
al this seven yeare I was not so sleepie as I am now." And
SQ they alighted there, and tyed their horses unto sundry
trees, and so sirLauncelotlaide him downe under an apple
tree, and laid his helme under his head ; and sir Lionell
waked while he slept. So sir Launcelot slept passing fast^
And in the meane while there came three knights riding a^
fast flying as ever they might ride, and there followed after
those three but one knight. And when sir Lionell beheld
him, he thought that he had never seen so great a knight,
lior so well faring a man, neither so well apparaled at all
points. So within a while this strong knight had overtaken
one of these three knights that fled, and there smot him
down to the ground. And then hee rode unto the second
knight, and smote him such a strooke that horse and man
fel downe unto the earth. And then he rode straight unto
the third knight, and hee smote him over his horse arse more
then the length of his speare. And then hee alighted
downe and reined his horse on the bridle, and bound al the
three knights fast with the reines of their owne bridles.
» And when sir Lionell saw him doe thus, hee thought to as-
say him, and made him ready ; and slily and privily hee
tooke his horse, and thought not to waken his brother sir
X<auncelot. And so when he was mounted upon his horse,
and had overtaken this strong knight, he bad him tume.
And so hee turned him, and smote sir Lionell so hard that
horse and man hee bare to the earth, and then he alighted
and bound him fast, and threw him overthwart his owne
horse, and so he served them al foure, and rode with them
away to his owne castle. And when hee came there, he
unarmed them and beate them with thomes aU naked, and
after put them in a deepe prison, where were many moe
knights that made great moone.

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198 THE BISTORIE OF

CHAP. CI. — How sir Ector de Maris followed to seeke sir Latmce-
lot, and how he was taken hy sir Torqoine.

F^HEN sir Ector de Maris wist tKat sirLauncelot
was past out of the court to seeke adventures,
hee was wroth with himselfe, and made him
ready to seeke sir Launcelot ; and as hee had
ridden long in a great forrest, hee met with a man that was
Uke a foster.^ " Faire fellow/' said sir Ector, " knowest
thou in this countrey any adventures which bee here nigh
hand ?" " Sir," said the foster, ** this countrey know I well,
and here within this mile is a strong mannor and wel ditched,
and by that mannor on of the left hand there is a faire fourd
for horses to drinke, and over that fourd ther groweth a faire
tree, and theron hangeth many faire shields that belonged
sometime unto good knights, and at the hole^ of the tree
hangeth a bason of copper and latin,'' and strike upon that
bason with the end of the speare thrice, and soone after thou
shalt heere new tidings, and else hast thou the fairest grace
that many a yeare any knight had that passed through
this forrest." ** Gramercy," said sir Ector ; and so hee
departed and came to the tree, and saw many faire shields, -
and among them he saw his brothers shield sir Lionell, and
many moe that he knew that were his fellowes of the round
table, the which grieved his heart, and there hee promised
to revenge his brother sir. Lionell. And anon sir Ector
beate upon the bason as hee were wood, and then hee gave
his horse drink at the fourd. Anon there came a knight
behind him, and bad him come out of that water and make
him ready. And sir Ector anon turned him shortly, and
shaked his speare, and smote the other knight a great buffet,
that his horse turned thrice about. " This was well done,"
said the strong knight, " and full knightly thoii hast strickea
me." And therewith hee rushed his horse upon sir Ector,

* FoMter. — The common name for a forester.

* Hole. — I suppose, the hollow or fork of the tree.

* Latin, — See before, p. 76.

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KING ARTE UK 199

atid canght him under his right arme, and h^re him cleane'
out of the saddell, and so rode with him away into his hal,
and threw him downe in the middle of the flore. The name
of this knight was sir Turquine, Then said he unto sir
Ector : " For thou hast done this day more unto me then
any knight did these twelve yeares, now will I graunt thee
thy life, so that thou wilt bee swome to mee as my prisoner
all the dayes of thy life." " Nay," said sir Ector, " that
wil I never promise thee, but that I will doe mine avantage."
** That me repenteth," said sir Turquine ; and then hetooke
him and unarmed him, and beate him with sharpe thomes
al naked, and after put him downe into a deepe dungeon,
where he knew many of his fellowes ; but when sir Ector
saw sir Lionell, then made he great sorrow. "Alas, bro-
ther ! '* said sir Ector, " where is my brother sir Launcelot ? "
** Faire brother, I left him asleepe when I went from him
under an apple tree, and what is beecome of him I can not
tell you." " Alas,'* said the knights, " but* sir Launcelot
helpe us, we may never bee delivered, for we know now no
knight that is able to match our maister sir Turquin."

CHAP. CII. — ^How foare queenes found sir Launcelot sleeping, and
how by enchauntment he was taken and led into a strong castle.

J OW leave we these knights prisoners, and speake
wee of sir Launcelot du Lake, that lieth under
the apple tree sleeping. Even about the noone
there came by hym fbure queenes of great estate,
and for the heate of the sun should not nigh them, there
rode foure knights about them, and bare a canope of greene
mike on foure speares, betweene them and the sun, and the
queenes rode on foure white mules. Thus as they rode
they heard by them a great horse grimly ney, and Ihen
were they ware of a sleeping knight that lay all armed
under an apple tree ; anon as these queenes looked on his
&ce, they knew that it was sir Launcelot. Then they
' BuL — Used here in the sense of onless.

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200 THE SISTOEIF OF

liegan to striye for that knight, and eadi ef them said shoe
would have him unto h«r love. " Wee diall not strive,"
said M(H*gaQ le Fay, tliat was king Arthurs sister, ^' I shall
put an enchauntment upon him lliat hee shall not awake
sixe houres, and then I will leade him away unto my easde^
and when, he is surely within my hold, I shall take the en-
diantment from him, and then let him choose which of
ns he will have unto his paramour." Sethis enchauntment
was east upon sir Ijauncelot ; and then they laid him upoa
his shield and bare him so on horsebacke betweene two
knights, and brought him unto the castle Chariot, and there
they laid him in a cold ^amb^, and at nigl^ they sent
unto him a faire damosell with his supper ready digbt. By
that the enchauntment was past. And when she came she
saluted him, and asked him what cheere. '* I can not tdl,
faire damosell," said sir Ijauncelot, " for I wot not how L
came into this castle, unlesse it bee by enchauntment."
" Sir," said the damosell, " yee must make good cheere,
and if ye be such a knight as is said that yee bee, I shall
tell you more to morrow by prime of the day." " Gra-
mercy," said sir Launcelot, " of your good will I require
you." And so shoe departed, and there he lay all that
night without comfort of any person. And in the morning
easAj came these foure queenes passingly w^ beseene, all
they bidding him good morrow, and he them againe. *^ Sir
knight," said the foure queenes, '^ thou must understand
that thou art our prisoner, and we heere know thee well
that thou art sir Launcdot du Lake, king Bans son. And
because we understand your worthinesse tiiat ye are the
noblest knight that i& now living ; and as we know well
there can noe lady have thy love but one, and that is queene
Gnenever, and now thou shalt loose her for ever, and shee
thee ; and therefore it behoveth l^ee now to choose one of
us foure. I am queene Morgan le Fay, queene of the land
of Gore, and heere is also the queene of Nmrthgales,. and
tiie queene qf Eastland, and the queene of the put iles ; now

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KING AETRUR. 201

ohooee ye one of us, whidi yee will have unto your para-
mour ; if ye will not doe thus, heere shall ye abide in this
prison till that yee die." " This is an hard case/' said sir
Launcelot, " that either I must die, or else choose one of
you ; yet had I rather to die in this prison with worship
then to have one of you to my paramour, maugre my head.
And therefore be ye answered, for I will have none of you,
for ye bee false enchauntresses. And as for my lady dame
Guenever, were I at my libertie as I was, I would prove it
upon you or upon yours, that she is the truest lady living
unto her lord.'* " Well/' said the queenes, " is this your
answere, that you wiQ refuse us ? " " Yea, upon my life,"
said sir Launcelot, " refused yee bee of me." So they de-
parted, and left him there alone that made great sorrow.

CHAP. CIII.— How sir Launcelot was delivered by the meanes of a
damosell.

\ I6HT so at nooue came the damosel to him, and
brought him his dinner, and asked him what
cheere. "Truely, faire damosel," said sir
Launcelot, '' in al my life-dayes never so ill."
" Sir," said she, " that me repenteth ; but and ye will be
ruled by me, I shall helpe you out of this distresse, and
yee shall have no shame nor vilany, so that ye hold me a
promesse." ** Faire damosel, that I will grant you, and sore
I am afeard of these queenes witches, for they have de*
atroyed many a good knight." " Sir," said shee, " that ia
sooth, and for the renowne and bounty they heare of you>
they would have your love, and, sir, they say that your name
is sir Launcelot du Lake, the floure of al the knights that
been living, and they beene passing wroth with you that
yee have refused them ; but, sir, and ye would promise me for
to helpe n^ father on Tuesday next comming, that hath
made a tumeyment beetweene him and the king of North-

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202 THE BISTORIE OF

gales ; for the Tuesday laste past my father lost the field
through three knights of king Arthurs court, and if ye will
he there upon Twesday next coining and helpe my father,
to morrow or prime, by the grace of God, I shall deliver
you cleane." " Faire maiden," said sir Launcelot, ** tell
mee what is your fathers name, and then shall I give you
an answere." " Sir knight," said the damosell, " my
father is king Bagdemagus, that was fouly rebuked at the
last tumeyment." " I know your father well," said sir
Launcelot, '< for a noble king and a good knight, and by
the faith of my body, yee shall have my body ready to doe
your father and you service at that day," " Sir," said the
damosell, " gramercy, and to morrow awaite that ye be
ready betimes, and I shall deliver you, and take you your
armour and your horse, shield, and speare ; and hereby
within these ten miles is an abbey of white monkes, and
there I pray you to abide, and thither shall I bring my
father unto you." " All this shal be done," said sir Launce-
lot, '' as I am a true knight." And so she departed, and
came on the morrow early and found him ready. Then
she brought him out of twelve lockes, and brought him unto
his armour. And when he was all armed and arrayed, she
brought him unto his owne horse, and lightly bee sadled
him, and tooke a great speare in his hand, and so rode forth,
and said, ** Faire damosell, I shall not faile you, by the
grace of God." And so he rode into a great forrest all that
day, and in no wise could he find any high way, and so the
night fell on him, and then was he ware in a slade* of a pavi-
Kon of reed sandaU.^ " By my faith," said sir Launcelot, "in
that pavilion will I lodge all this night." And so there he
alighted downe, and tied his horse to the paviUon, and there
he unarmed him, and found there a rich bed and laid him
therein, and anon he fell on sleepe.

* A $lade. — A valley, or ravine.

' Beed MftdciZ^.^Bed silk. See before, p. 185.

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KING ART HUB. 203

CHAP. CIY. — How aknijifht found sir Laancelot lying in his lemans
bed, and how sir Laancelot fought with that knight.

J HEN within an houre came the knight to whom
belonged the pavilion, and he wend his lemman^
had lajen in that bed, and so he laid him downe
beside sir Launcelot, and tooke him in his
armes, and began to kisse him. And when sir Ijauncelot
felt a rough beard kissing him, he started lightly out of the
bed, and the other knight lept after him, and either of them
gat their swords in their hands, and out of the pavilion dore
went the knight of the pavilion, and sir Launcelot followed
him, and there by a little slade sir Launcelot wounded him
sore nigh unto the death, and then he yeelded him imto sir
Launcelot. And sir Launcelot tooke him to his mercy, so
that he would tell him why he came into the bed. " Sir,"
said the knight, '^ the pavilion is mine owne, and there this
night I had assigned my love and lady to have slept with
me, and now I am likely to die of this wound." " That
me repenteth," said sir Launcelot, " of your hurt, but I
was sore adred of treason, for I was lately beguiled ; and
therefore come on your way into your pavilion, and take
your rest, and as I suppose I shall stench your blood." And
so they went both into the pavilion, and anon sir Launce-
lot stenched his blood. Therewith came the knights lady,
which was a passing faire lady. And when she espied that
her lord sir Belleus was so sore wounded, she cried out on
sir Launcelot, and made great moone out of measure.
" Peace, my lady and my love," said sir Belleus, " for this
knight is a very good man and a knight adventurous.'*
And there he told her all the cause how he was wounded ;
'* and when I yeelded me unto him, bee goodly left me and
tooke me to his mercy, and hath stenched my blood."
" Sir,'^ said the lady, ** I require you tell me what knight
yee are, and what is your name ? " " Faire lady," said
* Lemnum, — A mistress, or concubine.

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204 THE HI8T0RIE OF

he, " my name is Launcelot du Lake." " So me thought
hy your speache," said the lady, " for I have seene you^
often times or this, and I know you hotter then ye wene.
But now and ye would promise meeof ywurcurtesie for the
harmes that yee have done to mee and to my lord sir Bel-
leus, that when he commeth to king Arthurs court to cause
him to he made a knight of the round table ; for hee is a
passing good man of armes, and a mighty lord of lands oi
many out iles." ** Faire lady," said sir Launcelot, '* let
him come unto the court the next high feast, and looke that
yee come with him. And I shall doe all my power, and
if ye prove you doughty or mightie of your hands^ then
shall ye have your desire.*' So thus within a while, as they
stood thus talking, the night passed and the day appeared^
and then sir XAuncelot armed him and mounted upon his
horse, and tooke his leave, and they shewed him the way
towards the abbey, and thither they rode within the space
of two howes.

CHAP. CV. — How sir Launcelot was received of king Bagdemagus
daughter, and bow he made his complaint unto her father.

^S soone as sir Launcelot came within the abbey
yard, king Bagdemagus daughter heard a great
horse goe on the pavement. And then she
arose and went imto a window, and there shoe,
saw that it was sir Launcelot, and anon shec made men
hastely to goe to him, which tooke his horse and led him
into a stable, and himselfe was led into a faire chamber^
and there he unarmed him, and the lady sent to him along
gowne, and anon she came her selfe. And then she made
siir Launcelot passing good cheere, and ^e said he was the
knight in the world that was most welcome to her. Then
she in al the haste sent for her father king Bagdemagus,
that was within twelve mile of that abbey, and afore even
hee came with a faire fellowship of knights with him. And

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KING ARTHUR. 205

whe^ ike king was alighted frcnn his horse, he went straight
unto sir Launcelots chamher, and there found his daughter,
and then the king emhraced sir Launcelot in his armes,
and either made other good cheere. Anon sir Launcelot
made his complaint unto the king how hee was hetraied, and
how his brother sir Lionell was departed from him hee wist
not whither, and how his daughter had delivered him out
of prison, " wherefore I shall while I live doe her service
and all her friends and kindred." ** Then am I sure of
your helpe," said the king, " now on Tuesday next com-
ming?" " Ye, sir," said sir Launcelot, " I shal not faile
yo«i, for so have I promised unto my lady, your daughter.
But, sir, what knights beene they of my lord king Arthurs
that were with the king of Northgales ? " And the king
ftaid, " It was sir Mador de la Port, and sir Mordred, and
1»ir Oahfdatine, that foule fared* with my knights, for
against them Ihree I nor my knights might bare no
Btrengdi." , ** Sir," said sir Launcelot, " as I heare say,
the tumement shall be within three mile of this abbey ; yee
shall send unto mee three knights of yours, such as ye trust
best, and looke that these three knights have all white
shields and I also, and no painting on the shields, and wee
f(»iu>e will come out of a little wood in the midest of both
parties, and we shall fall in the front of our enemies and
grieve them all that wee may ; and so I shall not bee
knowen what knight I am." So they tooke their rest that
night, and this was on the Sunday. And so the king de-
parted, and sent unto sir Launcelot three knights, with
foure white shields. And on the Tuesday they lodged
Ihem in a little leved wood besid wherthe turnement should
he. And ther wer scaffolds and holes, that lords and ladies
might behold and give the prise. Then eame into the
field the king of Northgales with eight score holmes, and
then tfee throe knights of king Arthwrs stood by themselves.
Then came into the field kmg Bagdemagus with fom^ooi^
* that alf tar foaisBdtCtaitxXk,

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206 THE HISTORIE OF

belmes. And then ih&j fewtred^ their speares, and came
together with an huge dash, and there were slaine of knights
at the first encounter twelve of king Bagdemagus part,
and sixe of the king of Northgales part, and king Bagde-
magus part was fu: set backe.

CHAP. CVI. — How sir Launcelot behaved him in atnrneymeiit,and
how hee met with sir Turquine leading away sir Gaheris with him.

^ITH that came sir Launcelot du Lake, and he
thrust in with his speare in the thickest of the
presse, and there he smote downe with one
speare five knights, and of foure of them he
brake their backes, and in that throng hee cast downe the
king of ]S^orthgales, and brake his thigh with that fall. All
this doing of sir Launcelot saw the three knights of king
Arthurs court. " Yonder is a shrewd gest," said sir Ma-
dor de la Port, " therefore have heere once at him." So
they encountred, and sir Launcelot bare him downe horse
and man, so that his shoulder went out of joynt. " Now
befalleth it to me to just," said sir Mordred, ** for sir Ma-
dor hath a sore fall." Sir Launcelot was ware of him, and
gat a great speare in his hand, and met him, and sir Mor-
dred brake his speare upon him, and sir Launcelot gave
him such a buffet that the arson <^ his saddle brfd^e, and
so he fiew over his horse taile that his helme pight into the
earth a foote and more, that nigh his neck was broken ; and
there hee lay long in a sound.* Then came in sir Gaha-
latine with a spear, and sir Launcelot against him with all
the strength that they might drive that both their speares
all brake unto their hands, and then they drew out their
swords and gave each other many grim strookes. Then
•was sir Launcelot wroth out of measure, and then hee
smote sir Gahalatine on the helme that booth his nose and
Jiis mouth burst out on bleeding, and his eares also, and
* Fewtred, — See before, p. 187* * A soimd, — A swoon.

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KING ART SUE. 207

therewith his head hung low, and his horse ranne away
with him, and he fell downe to the earth. Anon therewidi
sir Launcelot gat a great speare in his hand, and or ever that
great speare brake hee bare downe to the ground sixteene
knights, some horse and man, and some the man and not
the horse, and ther was non but that he was hit surely, so
that hee bare no armes that day. And then he gat an-
other great speare, and Bmot downe twelve knights, and
the most of them never throve after. And then the knights
of the king of Northgales would just no more. And the
game was given unto king Bagdemagus. Soe either par-
tie departed unto his owne place, and sir Launcelot rode
foorth with king Bagdemagus unto his castle, and there
hee had passing good cheere both with the king and with
his daughter, and they promised him great gifts. And on
the morrow he tooke his leave, and told king Bagdemagus
that hee would goe seeke his brother sir Lionel, that went
from him when he slept. So he tooke his horse, and be-
tooke him all to God, and there hee said unto the kings
daughter, ** K yee have neede at any time of my service,
I pray you let me have knowledge thereof, and I shall not
' faile you as I am true knight." And so sir Launcelot de-
parted, and by adventure came into the same forrest where
as he was taken sleeping. And in the middest of an hie
way hee met with a damosell riding upon a white palfrey,
and there either saluted other. > '^ Faire damosell," said
sir Launcelot, "know yee in this countrey any adventures?"
" Sir knight," said the damosell to sir Launcelot, " heere
Are adventures neere hand, and thou durst prove them."
** Why should I not prove adventures ? " said sir .Launce-
lot, " as for that cause come I hither." " Well," said the
damosell, " thou seemest well to be a right good knight,
and if thou dare meete with a good knight, I shall bring
thee where as the best knight is and the mightiest that ever
thou found, so that thou wilt tell mee what thy name is, and
of what countrey and knight thou art ? " ** Damosell, as

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fi08 TSB BISTOEIE OF

for to tell lliee my name, I take no great foroe. Trady
my name is sir Laimodot du Lake. " ** Sir, thou beseemest
well, here be adventures tbat be ^EiJlen for thee, fdrbeneby
dwelleth a knight that will not bee overmatched lor bo man
that I know, but ye ovemiatch him, and his name is sir
Turquine, and as I understond hee hath in his prison of
^ng Arthurs court g%odi knights threescore and fonre that
he hath won with his owne hands. But when ye have <l<Hie
this jomey, ye shaU promise me as ye are a true knight
for to go with me and helpe me and other damosels that
lu:^ distressed with a felse knight." " All your intent and
desire, damosell, I will fulfil, so that ye wil bring me to this
knight." " Now, faire knight, come on your way." And
so shee brought him unto the fourd and unto the tree
whereon the bason hung. So sir Launcelot let his horse
drinke, and after he beate on the bason with the end of his
speare so hard and with such a might that he made the
bottome fall out, and long he did so, but he saw nothing*
Then he rode endlong* the gates of the manner wdl nigh
halfe an houre, and then was hee ware of a great knight
that drove an horse afore him, and overthwart the horse lay
an armed knight bound. And ever as they came neerer
and neerer, sir Launcelot thought that he should know him,
then sir Launcelot was ware that it was sir Gaherts, sir
Gawaines brother, a knight of the table round. " Now,
faire damosell," said sir Launcelot, " I see yonder com^
a knight fast bound, which is a fellow of mine and brother
hee is unto sir Gawaine, and at the first beginning I pro*
mise you, by the leave of God, to rescew that knight, but
if his maister set the better in the saddle; I shall deliver all
the prisoners out of danger, for I am sure that he hath two
brethren of mine prisoners with him." By that time that
either had scene other, they tooke their speares unto them.
" Now, faire knight," said sir Launcelot, " put that wounded
knight from thy horse, and let him rest a while, and th^i
^ Endkng, — ^Alongbj thesideof.

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KING ARTHUR. 209

let us two prove our strength together. For as it is en-
formed and shewed me, thou doest and hast done great dis-
pite and shame unto the knights of the round tahle, and
therefore defend thee now shortly." " And thou hee of the
round tahle," said sir Turquine, " I defie thee and all thy
felbwship." " That is over much said," said sir Laun-
tselot.

CHAP. CTII.— How sir Laoncelot and Turqnine foogbt together.

/ND then they put their speares in their rests,
and came together with their horses as fast as
it was possible for them to runne, and either
smote other in the middest of their shields, that
both their horses hacks hurst under them, whereof the
knights were both astonied; and as soone as they might
avoide their horses, they tooke their shields afore them, and
drew out their swords and came together egerly, and either
gave other many great strookes, for there might neither
shields nor hameis hold their dints. And so within a while
they had both grimly^ wounds, and bled passing grievously.
Thus they fared two houres or more, trasing and rasing*
either other where they might hit any bare place. At the
last they were both brethlesse, and stood leaning on their
swords. " Now, fellow," said sir Turquine, " hold thy hand
a while and tell me what I shall aske thee." " Say on,"
said sir Launcelot. " Thou art," said sir Turquine, " the
biggest man that ever I met withall, and the best breathed,
and like one knight that I hate above all other knights,
and that thou be not he, I will lightly accord with thee,
and for thy love I will deliver all the prisoners that I have,
that is threescore and foure, so that thou wilt tell mee thy
name, and thou and I we will be fellowes together, and
never faile thee while I live." " It is well said," quoth sir
Launcelot, **but sithence it is so that I may have thy

' Grimly, — Ghastly; horrible.
• TrasmgaHd ra«in^.— Dodging and striking.
VOL. I. P

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210 THE HISTOBIE OF

£iendship^ what knight is he that thou so hatest ahoTe fill
other? " ** Truely," said sir Turquine, " his name is Laun-^
celot du Lake, for he slew my brother sir Carados at the
dolorous towre, which was one of the best knights then liy-
ing, and therefore him I except of all knights, for and I
may once meet with him, that one of us shall make an end
of another, and to that I make avow. And for sir Laun-
celots sake I have slaine an hundred good knights, and as
many I have utterly maimed, that never after they might
helpe themselves, and many have died in my prison, and yet
I have threescore and foure, and all shal be delivered, so that
thou wilt tell me thy name, and so it bee that thou be not sir
Launcelot." " Now see I well," said sir Launcelot, " that
such a man I might be I might have peace, and such a man
I might be there should be betweene us two mortall warre ;
and now, sir knight, at thy request, I will that thou wit and
know that I am sir Launcelot duLake,king Bans sonof Ben-
wicke, and knight of the round table. And now I defie thee
doe thy best." " Ah ! " said sir Turquine, " Launcelot,
thou art unto mee most welcome, as ever was any knight,
for we shall never depart till the one of us bee dead." And
then hurtled they together as two wild bulls, rashing and
lashing with their shields and swords, that sometime they
fell both on their noses. Thus they fought still two houres
and more, and never would rest, and sir Turquine gave sir
Launcelot many wounds that all the ground there as they
fought was all besprinkled with blood.

CHAP. CVIII. — How sir Turquine was slaine, and how sir Launcelot
bad sir Gaheris deliver all the prisoners.

{HEN at the last sir Turquine waxed very faint,
and gave somewhat backe, and bare his shield
full low for wearinesse. That soone espied sir
Launcelot, and then lept upon him fiersly as a
lyon, and got him by the banour of his helmet, and so he

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KING ARTHUR. 211

plucked him downe on his knees, and anon he rased off his
helme, and then hee smote his neck asunder. And when
sir Launcelot had done this, he went unto the damosell and
said to her, " I>amosell, I am ready to goe with you where
ye will have me, hut I have no horse." '* Faire sir," said
the damosell, " take yee this wounded knights horse, and
send ye him into this manner, and command him to goe and
deliver all the prisoners." And so sir Launcelot went unto
sir Gaheris, and prayed him not to hee grooved for to lend
him his horse. ** Nay, faire lord," said sir Gaheris, " I
will that ye take my horse at your owne command, for ye
have hoth saved me and my horse, and this day I say yee
are the best knight in the world, for ye have slaine this day
in my sight the mightiest man and the best knight (except
your selfe) that ever I saw. Faire sir,*' said sir Gaheris,
** I pray you tel me yom* name ? " " Sir, my name is sir
Launcelot du Lake, which ought to helpe you of right for
king Arthurs sake, and in especiall for my lord sir Ga-
waines sake, your dear brother, and when ye come within
yonder manner, I am sure that yee shall finde there mmiy
noble knights of the round table, for I have scene many of
Iheir shields that I know ; on yonder tree there is sir Kaies
shield, and sir Brandels shield, and sir Marhaus shield,
and sir Galinds, and sir Brian de Listinoise shield, and sir
Alidukes shield, with many moe that I am not now advised
of, and also my two brethrens shields, sir Ector de Maris
and sir Lionell ; wherefore I pray you greete them all from
me, and say to them that I bid them take there such stuffe
as they find, and that in any wise my brethren goe unto
the court and abide there till I come thither ; for by the
high feast of Penticost I thinke to bee there, for as at this
time I must ride with this damosell for to save my pro-
misse." And so he departed from sir Gaheris ; and sir
Gaheris went into the manner, and there hee found a yeo-
man porter keeping many keies. And forthwith sir Ga-
heris threw the porter against the ground that his eyes start

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212 THE HI8T0BIE OF

out of his heady and tooke the kejes and opened the prison,
and there he let out all the prisoners^ and every each loosed
other of their bands. And when they saw sir Gaheris they
all thanked him, for they wend because he was wounded
that he had slaine sir Turquine. " Not so," said Graheris,
** it was sir Launcelot that slew him worshipfully with his
owne hands ; I saw it with mine eyes. And he greeteth you
all well, and prayeth you to haste you to the court, and as
unto sir Lionell and sir Ector de Maris, he praieth you to
abide him at the court."

" That shall wee not doe," said his brethren, ** wee wil
find him and wee may live." " So shall I," said sir Key,
'/ find him or I come at the court, as I am true knight."
Then al the knights sought the house whereas the armour
was, and then they armed them, and every knight found
his owne horse, and all that belonged unto him. And when
all this was done, there came a forrester with foure horses
laden with venison. Anon sir Kay said, ^' Heere is good
meate for us for one meale, for we had not many a day one
good repast." And so that venison was rested, baked, and
sodden, and so after supper some abode there all night,
but sir Lionell, and sir Ector de Maris, and sir Kay rode
after sir Launcelot for to finde him if they might.

CHAP. CIX. — How sir Launcelot rode with the damosel and slew a
knight that distressed all ladies, and a villain that kept the passage
over a bridge.

JOW tume we unto sir Launcelot, that rode with
the damosell in a faire high way. " Sir," said
the damosell, " heere by this way haunteth a
knight that distresseth all ladies and gentle-
women, and at the least he robeth them or lyeth by them."
"What," said sir Launcelot, "is heeatheefeandaknightand
a ravisher of women ? bee doth great shame unto the order of
knighthood and contrary to his oath, it is pittie that he liveth.

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KING ART HUE. S13

But, feire damosell, yee shall ride your self e alone before,
and I will keepe my selfe in covert, and if hee trouble you
or dislresse you, I shall bee your rescew, and leame him to
bee ruled as a knight." So the damosel rode on by the
way a sofib ambling pace. And within a while came that
knight on horsebacke out of the wood, and his page with
him, and there hee put the damosell from her horse, and
then she cried. With that came sir Launcelot as fast as he
might, till hee came to that knight, saying, " Oh ! thou
false knight and traitour unto knighthood, who learned thee
to distresse ladies and gentlewomen ? " When the knight
saw sir Launcelot thus rebuking him, he answered not, but
drew his sword and rode unto sir Launcelot. And sir Laun-
celot threw his speare from him, and drew out his sword,
and strok him such a buffet on the helmet that he clave his
head unto the throate. " Now hast thou thy payment that
thou long hast deserved." " That is truth," said the da-
mosell, " for like as Turquine watched to destroy knights^
so did this knight attend to destroy and distresse ladies
and gentlewomen, and his name was sir Peers du Forest
Savage." " Now, damosell," said sir Launcelot, " will ye
any more service of me ? " " Nay, sir," said she, " at this
time, but almighty God preserve you wheresoever yee goe
or ride, for the curtiest^ knight thou art and meekest unto
al ladies and gentlewomen that now liveth. But, sii* knight>
one thing me thinketh that ye lacke, ye that are a knight
wivelesse that ye will not love some maiden or gentlewo-
man, for I could never heare say that ever ye loved any of
no maner degree, and that is great pittie ; but it is noysed
that yee love queene Guenever, and that she hath ordained
by enchauntment that ye never shal love none other but her,
ne none other damosell nor lady shall rejoyce you ; where-
fore manie in this countrey of hie estate and low make great
sorrow." " Faire damosell," said sir Launcelot, ** I may
not warne the people to speake of me, they may speake
' CurtieMt, — So Caxton, eurteytt, i. e. most courteous.

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214 THE fflSTOBIE OF

what soever it please them. But to hee a wedded man I
thinke uever to be, for if I were, then should I be bound to
tany with my wife, and leave armes and tumements, bat-
tells and adventures. And as for to say that I take my
pleasure with paramours, that will I refuse, and principally
for dread of God. Eor knights that bee advouturous' or
letcherous shall not bee happy nor fortunate in the warres,
for either they shall be overcome with a simpler knight then
thfey bee themselves, or else they shall by unhappye and
their cursednesse sley better men then they be themselves ;
and so who that useth paramoiurs shall bee unhappie, and
all things is unhappie that is about them." And so sir
Launcelot and the damosell departed. And then rode hee
into a deepe forrest two dales and more, and had straiie
lodging. So on the third day hee rode over a great long
bridge, and there start upon him sodainly a passing foule
churle, and he smote his horse on the nose that hee turned
about, and asked him why hee rode over that bridge with-
out his licence. " Why should not I ride this way ? " said
sir Launcelot, ** I may not ride beside." " Thou shalt not
choose," said the churle; and so lashed at him with a
mighty great club ful of pinns of iron. Then sir Launce-
lot drew his sword and put the strooke backe, and clove his
head unto the navell.^ And at the end of the bridge was
a faire village, and all the people came and cried on sir
Launcelot, and said, " Sir, a worser deede diddest thou never
for thy selfe, for thou hast slaine the chiefe porter of our
castle." Sir Launcelot let them say what they would, and
he went straight into the castle. And when hee came into
the castle, he alighted and tied his horse to a ring in the
wall, and there he saw a faire greene court, and thither he
dressed him, for there hee thought was a faire place to fight
in. So hee looked about, and saw much people in doores
and windowes, that said, " Faire knight, thou art im*
happie."

* Jdvouturous.'—'AdulteroiQB,

• NaxeU, — Unto the pappy b^ Caxton.

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KINO ARTHUR. 215

CHAP. ex. — How sir Launcelot slew twogyants, and made a castle
free.

f NON therewith came upon him two great gyants
well armed al save the heads, with two horrihle
clubs in their hands. Sir Launcelot put his
shield afore him, and put the strooke away of
the one gyant, and with his sword he clove his head unto
his pappes.^ When his fellow saw that, hee ranne away as
he were mad for feare of that horrible strooke ; and sir
Launcelot ranne after him as fast as he might, and smote
him on the shoulder, and clove him to the foundament.^
Then sir Launcelot went into the hall, and there came afore
him threescore ladies and damosells, and al kneeled unto
him, and thanked God and him for their deliverance. " For,
sir,'* said they, ** the most part of us have been here this
seven yeare their prisoners, and we have here wrought all
manner of silke workes for oiu* meate, and we are all great
gentlewomen borne; and blessed be the time that ever thou
were borne, for thou hast done the most deede of worship
that ever any knight did in this world, and thereof wil we
beare record, and we all pray you to tel us your name that
we may tell our friends who delivered us out of prison."
" Faire damosells," said hee, " my name is Launcelot du
Lake." " Ah, sir," said they, " wel maiest thou be he, for
else save your selfe, as wee deemed, there might no knight
have the better of these two gyants, for many &ire and
goodly knights have assaied it, and heere have ended their
lives, and aJso many times have wee wished after you, and
these two gyants dread never knight but you." "Now may
yee say," said sir Launcelot, " unto your friends how and
who hath delivered you, and greete them from mee ; and

' Clafe his hede ammdre, Caxton*

• Ciafe kym to the navel, Caxton. The editor who revised the text
from the older edition shows a great tendency to increase upon the
intensity of the exploits of the heroes.

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216 THE HISTOBIE OF

if I come into any of your marches^ shew mee such cheere
as yee have cause^ and what treasure there is in this castle
I give it you for a reward for your grieveance, and the lord
that is the owner of this castle, I would that he received it
as his right and apurtenance.'* " Faire sir," said they,
^' the name of this castle is Tintagill, and a duke ought it
some time that had weded faire Igraine, and after Uther-
pendragon wedded her, and gat on her king Arthur."
"Wei," said sir Launcelot, " I understand now to whom
this castle belongeth ;" and so hee departed from them and
hetooke them to God, And then hee mounted upon his
horse, and rode into many strange and wilde countries, and
through many waters and valleyes, and evill was hee lodged.
And at the last by fortune it happened him against a night
to come to a faire coiuiilage, and therein he found an old
gentlewoman which lodged him with a goodwill; and there
he and his horse were well cheared. And when time was,
his hoast brought him to a faire garret over a gate to his
bed. There sir Launcelot unarmed him, and set his hameis
by him, and went to bed, and anon he fell on sleepe. So
soone after there came one on horsebacke, and knocked at
the gate in great haste ; and when sir Launcelot heard this,
he arose up and looked out at the window, and saw by the
nioone light three knights that came riding after that one
man^ and al three lashed upon him at once with their swords,
and that one knight turned on them knightly againe and
defended himselfe. " Truely," said sir Launcelot, "yonder
one knight shall I helpe, for it were shame for mee to see
three knights on one, and if he were slaine I should be part^
ner of his death." And therewith hee tooke his hameis,
and went out at a window by a sheete downe to the foure
knights, and then sir Launcelot said all on high : " Tume
you knights unto mee, and leave your fighting with that
knight." And then they all three left sir Kay, and turned
unto sir Launcelot, and there began a great battaile,for they
alighted all three and strake manj great strookes at si?

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KING ARTHUR. 217

Launcelot, and assailed him on every side. Then sir Kay
dressed him for to have holpen sirLauncelot. ^* Nay, sir/'
said he, " I will none of your helpe, and therefore as ye wil
have my helpe, let mee alone with them." Sir Kay for the
pleasure of the knight he suffered him to have his will, and
so stood aside. And then anon within sixe strookes sir
Launcelot had striken them to the earth. And then they
all three cried : " Sir knight, we yeeld us unto you as man
of might." "As to that," said sir Launcelot, " I will not
take your yeelding unto mee, but so that yee wil yeeld you
unto sir Kay the seneshall ; upon that covenant wiU I save
your Hves, and else not." " Faire knight," said they, "that
were we loth to do, for as for sir Kay we chased him hither
and had overcome him, had not ye beene, therefore to yeeld
us unto him it were no reason." "Well, as to that," said
sir Launcelot," advise you well, for yee may choose whether
yee will die or live, for and ye be holden, it shall be unto
sir Kay, or else not." " Faire knight," said they, " then
in saving of our lives we will doe as yee commaund us."
" Then shall ye,'' said sir Launcelot, ** upon Whitsunday
next comming, goe unto the court of king Arthur, and there
shal yee yeeld you unto queene Guenever, and put you al
three in her grace and mercy, and say that sir Kay sent
you thither for to bee her prisoners." " Sir," said they,
" it shall bee done, by the faith of our bodies, if wee bee
living." And there every knight swore upon their swords ;:
and so sir Launcelot suffered them to depart. And then^
sir Launcelot knocked at the gate with the pummell of his
sword, and with that came his hoast, and so iii they entred
sir Kay and he. " Sir," said his hoast, " I wend ye had
beene in your bed." " So I was," said sir Launcelot, "but
I arose and lept out at my chamber window to help an old;
fellow of mine." And so when they came in the light, sir
Kay knew well that it was sir Launcelot, and therewith he
kneeled downe and thanked him of his kindnesse that he
had holpen him twice from death. " Sir," said he, " I have

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218 THE HISTORIE OF

done nothing but that I ought to doe, and ye are welcome,
and here shall ye take your rest/' So when sir Kay wa«
unarmed, hee asked after meate, and anon there was meate
brought him, and hee eate strongly ; and when hee had
supped, they went to their bed, and were lodged together
in one bed. On the morrow sir Launcelot arose early, and
left sir Kay sleeping ; and sir Launcelot tooke sir Kays ar-
mour and his shield, and armed him. And so he went to
the stable and took his horse, and tooke leave of his hoast,
and so departed. Then soone after arose sir Kay, and missed
sir Launcelot ; and then he espied that he had his armour
and his horse. " Now, by my faith, I know wel that hee
will grieve some of king Arthurs court ; for on him knights
will bee bold, and deeme that it is I, and that will beguile
them ; and because of his armour and shield, I am sure
that I shal ride in peace." And then soone after departed
sir Kay, and thanked his hoast.

CHAP. CXI. — How sir Launcelot disguised in sir Kays armour, and
how hee smote downe a knight.

SOW tume we unto sir Launcelot, that had long
riden in a great forrest, and at the last came
into alow countrey ftdl of faire rivers and med-
owes, and afore him hee saw a long bridge,
and three pavilions stood thereon of silke and sendell of
divers hew, and without the pavilions hung three white
shields on truncheons of speares, and greatlong speares stood
upright by the pavilions, and at every pavilions doore stood
three fi*esh squires, and so sir Launcelot passed by them
and spake not a word. When he was past, the three knights
said that it was the proud Kay, " he weeneth no knight so
good as he, and the contrary is oftentimes proved." " By
my faith," said one of the knights, whose name was sir
Gaunter, " I will ride after him, and assay him for all his
pride, and ye may behold how I speed." So this knight

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KINO ARTHUR. 21^

sir Gaunter armed him, and hmig his shield upon his shoul-
der, and mounted upon a great horse, and gat his speare in
his hand, and galloped after sir Launcelot. Then when hee
came nigh him, hee cried : " Abide, thou proud knight sir
Kay, for thou shalt not passe quit." So sir Launcelot turned
him, and either fewtred their speares and came together
with al their might, and sir Gaunters speare brake, but sir
Launcelot smote him downe horse and man. And when
sir Gaunter was on the earth, his brethren said one to ano-
ther : " Yonder knight is not sir Kay, for hee is bigger
then hee.'* " I dare lay my head," said sir Gilmere, "yon-
der knight hath slaine sir Kay, and hath taken his horse
and hameis." " Whether it bee so or no," said sir Kay-
nold the third brother, " let us now goe mount upon our
horses and rescew our brother sir Gaunter upon paine of
death ; wee all shall have enough adoe to match that knight^
for mee seemeth by his person it is sir Launcelot, or sir
Tristram, or sir Pelleas." Anon they tooke their horses,
and overtooke sir Launcelot; and sir Gilmere put forth his
speare and ran to sir Launcelot, and sir Launcelot smote
him downe that hee lay in a sound. " Sir knight," said sir
Keynold, " thou art a strong man ; and as I suppose thou
hast slaine my two brethren, for the which my heart riseth
sore against thee, and if I might with my worship I would
not have to doe with thee, but needs must I take part as
they doe, and therefore, knight," said he, " keepe thy selfe.'*
And so they hurtled together with all their might, and all
to-shivered both their speares ; and then they drew their
swords and lashed together eagerly. Anon therewith arose
sir Gaunter and came unto his brother sir Gilmere, and bad
him arise " and help we our brother sir Reynold, which
full mervailously matcheth yonder good knight." There-
with they lept on their horses and hurtled unto sir Laun-
celot. And when hee saw them come, hee smote a sore
strooke unto sir Eeynold, that he fell off his horse to the
groimd ; and then he strooke at the other two brethren, and

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220 THE HISTOBIE OF

at two strookes he strooke them downe to the earth. With
that sir Eaynold began to start up with his head al bloody,
and came straight unto sir Launcelot. " Now let bee,"
said sir Launcelot ; *•' I was not far from thee when thou
wert made knight, sir Reynold, and also I know thou art a
good knight, and loth I were to sley thee." " Gramercy,"
said sir Reynold, " for your goodnesse ; and I daresay as
for me and my brethren, wee will not be loth to yeeld us
unto you, so that we know your name, for we know wel ye
are not sir Kay." " As for that, be it as it may, for yee
shall yeeld you unto dame Guenever ; and looke that yee
bee with her on Whitsunday, and yeeld you unto her as
prisoners, and say that sir Kay sent you unto her." Then
they swore it should be done. And so passed forth sir
Launcelot, and the three brethren helped each other as well
as they might.

CHAP. CXIL — How sir Launcelot justed against foure Imights of
the round table, and overthrew them.

I IK Launcelot rode into a deepe forrest, and
there by a slade he saw foure knights hoving
under an oke, and they were of king Arthurs
court ; that one was Sagramour le Desirous,
sir Ector de Maris, sir Gawaine, and sir Ewaine.^ Anon
as these foure knights had spied sir Launcelot, they wend
by his arms it had beene sir Kay. " Now by my faith,"
said sir Sagramour, " I will prove sir Kayes might;" and
gat his speare m his hand and came toward sir Launcelot.
Thereof was sir Launcelot ware, and knew him well, and
fewtred his speare against him, and smote sir Sagramour so
sore that horse and man fel to the earth. " Loe, my fel-
lowes," iaaid sir Ector, " yonder you may see what a buffet
he hath; that knight is much bigger^ then ever waa sir Kay.

* Sir Eivaine, — Sir Uwaynef Caxton.

' Bigger, — Big was used in the sense of strong and Insty.

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' KINO ARTHUR. 221

Now shall ye see what I may doe to him.'* So sir Ector
gat his speare in his hand and galloped toward sir Laun-
celot, and sir Launcelot smote him through the shield and
shoulder^ that horse and man went to the earth, and ever
his speare held. " By my faith," said sir Ewaine, ** that
is a strong knight, and I am sure he hath slaine sir Kay ;
and I see hy his great strength it will he hard to match
him." And therewith sir Ewaine gat the spear in his hand
and rode toward sir Launcelot, and sir Launcelot knew him
well, and so he met him on the plaine, and gave him such
a huflFet that of a great while hee wist not where hee
was. *"Now I well see," said sir Gawaine, " I must en-
counter with that knight.^' And so he dressed his shield,
and got a good speare in his hand, and sir Launcelot knew
him well ; and then they let their horses run as fast as they
might, and either smote other in the middest of their shields,
hut sir Gawaines speare hrake, and sir Launcelot charged
so sore upon him, that his horse reversed up and downe,*
and much sorrow had sir Gawaine to avoide his horse; and so
sir Launcelot passed on a pace and smiled, and said: '^God
give him joy that this speare made, for there came never a
better in my hand." Then the foure knights went each one
to other, and comforted each other. " What say yee by
this jest ?" said sir Gawaine, " that one speare hath feld us
foure." " Wee commaund him to the divell," said they all,
** for he is a man of great might." " Yee may well say it,**
s^d sir Gawaine, *' that he is a man of great might, for I
dare lay my hfe it is sir Launcelot, I know it by his riding.
Let him go," said sir Gawaine, " for as we come to the court
then shall wee wit."* And then had they much sorrow to
get their horses againe.

' Up and doume, — Up-io-^Joune^ Caxton ; i. e. top8y*turvy.
« fTi^.— Know.

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222 THE HISTORIE OF

CHAP. CXIII. — How sir Launcelot followed a brachet into a castie*
where as he found a dead knight, and how afterward he was required
of a damosell for to heale her brother.

^OW let us speake of sir Launcelot/that rode a
great while in a deepe forrest, where he saw a
blackehrachet,^ seeking inmaner as ithadbeene
in the fealtie^ of an hurt deere, and therewith
hee rode after the brachet ; and hee saw lye on the ground
a large feaute of blood, and then sir Launcelot rode after,
and ever the brachet looked behind her. And so shee went
through a great marish, and ever sir Launcelot followed ;
and then was he ware of an old manner, and thither ran the
brachet, and so over the bridge. So sir Launcelot rode
over the bridge, that was old and feeble. And when he
came into the middest of a great hall, there saw he Ije a
dead knight that was a seemely man, and that brachet licked
his wounds. And therewith came out a lady weeping and
wringing her hands ; and she said : " Oh, knight, too much
sorrow hast thou brought t^ mee!" " Why say yee so?"
said sir Launcelot ; " I never did harme to this knight, for
hither by feaut of blood this brachet brought me, and there-
fore faire lady be not displeased with me, for I am full sore
agrieved of your grievance." " Truely, sir," said she ; "I
trow it be not ye that have slaine my husband, for he that
did that deed is sore wounded and he never likely to recover,
that I shall ensure him." " What is your husbands name?"
said sir Launcelot. " Sir," said shee, " his name was sir Gil-
bert the Bastard, one of the hest knights of the world, and
he that hath slaine him I know not his name," " Now God
jsend you better comfort," said sir Launcelot. And so he
departed, and went into the forrest againe, and there he met
with a damosell that knew him weU, and shee said with a loud

* Bracket. — A scenting dog. See p. 97.

* Fealtie. — Feaute, Caxtou, i. e. track, or trace.

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KINQ ARTHUR. 223

Toice ; " Yee bee well found, my lord, and now I require
you of your knighthood to helpe my brother, that is sore
wounded and never stinteth bleeding, for this day fought hee
with sir Gilbert the Bastard, and slew him in plaine battell,
and there was my brother sore wounded ; and there is a
lady, a sorceresse, that dwelleth in a castle here beside, and
this day shee told me that my brothers wounds should never
be whole till that I could find, a knight that would goe into
the chappell perilous, and there he should find a sword and
a bloody cloath that the wounded knight was lapped in, and
a peece of the cloath and sword should helpe my brothers
wounds, so that his wounds were searched with the sword
and the cloath.'' " This is a mervailous thing," said sir
Launcelot ; ** but what is your brothers name ?" *< Sir,"
said shee, " his name is sir Meliot de Logres." " Thatmee
repenteth," said sir Launcelot, " for he is a fellow of the
round table, and to his helpe I wiU doe my power." "Then,
sir," said she, " follow this hie way, and it will bring you
unto the chappell perilous, and here I shal abide till God
send you hither againe, and but if you speede, I know no
knight living that may atchieve that adventure."

CHAP. CXIV. — How sir Launcelot came into the chappell perilous,
and gat there of a dead corps a peece of the cloath and a sword.

IIGHT so sir Launcelot departed, and when he
came to the chappell perilous, he alighted downe
and tied his horse to a little gate. And as soone
as he was within the churchyard, hee saw on
the front of the chappell many faire rich shields turned up-
side downe, and many of the shields sir Launcelot had scene
knights bare before ; with that hee saw stand by him thirtie
great knights more by a yard then any man that ever hee
had scene, and all those grinned and gnashed at sir Laun-
celot, and when hee saw their countenance hee dread them

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224 TI[E HISTOEIB OF

Bore, and so put his shield afore him, and tooke his swdrd
in his hand ready to doe battaile, and they were all armed
in hlacke hameis, ready with their shields and swords
drawen. And when sir Launcelot would have gone through
them, they scattered on every side of him, and gave him the
way; and therewith hee waxed all hold and entred into the
chappell, and then hee saw no light hut a dimme lampe
hnming, and then was he ware of a corps covered with
a cloath of silke ; then sir Launcelot stooped downe and
cut a peece of that cloath away, and then it fared under him
as the earth had quaked a little, whereof hee was afeard;
and then hee saw a faire sword lyehy the dead knight, and
that he gat in his hand and hied him out of the chappell.
As soone as hee was in the chappell yard, all the knights
spake to him with a grimly voice, and said : ^' Knight sir
Launcelot, lay that sword from thee, or else thou shaltdie."
" Whether I live or die," said sir Launcelot, ** with no great
words get yee it againe, therefore fight for it and yee list."
Therewith he passed through them ; and heyond the chap-
pell yard there met him a faire damosell, and said^ ** Sir
Launcelot, leave that sword hehind thee or thou wilt die for
it." " I will not leave it," said sir Launcelot, " for no
treats."^ "No," said she, "and ye did leave that sword,
queene Guenever should ye never see." "Then were I a
foole and I would leave this sword," swd sir Launcelot.
"Now, gentell knight," said the damosell, "I require thee to
kisse mee once. " " Nay,'* said sir Launcelot, " that God
forhid." "Well, sir," said she, " and thou haddest kissed
me, thy life dayes had heene done ; hut now, alas," said she,
*' I have lost all my lahour, for I ordeined this chappell for
thy sake, and for sir Gawaine ; and once I had sir Gawaine
within me, and at that time he fought with that knight
which there lieth dead in yonder chappell, sir Gilbert the
Bastard, and at that time hee smote off sir Gilbert the Bas-
tards left hand. And so sir Launcelot, now I tell thee^ that
^ Treati, — Caxton has treatys ; i. e. entreatiea.

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KING ARTHUR. 225

I have loved thee this seaven yeare, hut there may no wo-
man have thy love hut queene Guenever ; hut aithen I may
not rejoyce thee to have thy body alive, I had kept no more
joy in this world hut to have had thy dead hody, and I would
have balmed it and served, and so have kept it my life daies,
and dayly I should have clipped thee and kissed thee in
the despite of queene Guenever.'' " Yee say well," said sir
Launcelot ; " Jesus preserve me from your suhtill crafts."
And therewith hee tooke his horse and departed from her.
And as the hooke saith, when sir Launcelot was departed,
she tooke such sorrow that shee died within fifteene dayes,
and her name was Hellawes the sorceresse, lady of the castle
Nigramus. Anon sir Launcelot met with the damosell sir
Milliots sister. And when shee saw him shee clapped her
hands and wept for joy ; and then they rode to a castle
therehy where sir Meliot lay. Anon as sir Launcelot saw
him he knew him ; hut he was pale as earth for bleeding.
When sir Meliot saw sir Launcelot, hee kneeled on his knees
and cried on hie : " Oh, lord, sir Launcelot, helpe mee ! "
Anon sir Launcelot went unto him, and touched his wounds
with sir Gilberts sword, and then he wiped his wounds with
a part of the bloody cloath that sir Gilbert was wrapped in.
Anon a wholer man in his life was he never. And then was
there betweene them great joy ; and they made sir Laun-
celot all the cheere that they might. And so on the mor-
row sir Launcelot tooke his leave and sir Meliot to hie him
to king Arthurs court, " for it draweth nigh to the feast of
Pentecost, and there by the grace of Gt)d ye shall find me."
And therewith they departed,

' Fifteene dayes, — Within a fourten nighte, Caxton. The old
Saxon custom of reckoning time by nights was becoming obsolete in
the interval between Caxton's edition and that of 1634*

VOL. I.

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226 THE HISTORIE OF

CHAP. CXY.— How sir Launcelot at the request of a lady recovered
a fawcon, whereby he was deceived.

JiO sir Launcelot rode through many strange
countries, over niarish and valies, til hy fortune
he came to a castle, and as he passed beyond
the castle him thought hee heard two little bells
ring, and then he was ware of a fawcon that came flying
over his head toward an high elme, and long lines^ about
her feete ; and as shee flew unto the elme to take her perch,
the lines overcaught a bough, and as she would have taken
her flight she hung fast by the leggs, and sir Launcelot saw
how she hung, and beheld the faire fawcon perigot,* and he
was sorry for her. In the meane while came a lady out of
a castle, and cried on hie : " Oh, Launcelot ! Launcelot !
as thou art floure of all knights of the world, helpe me to
get my hawke, for if my hawke be lost my lord will destroy
mee ; for I kept the hawke, and she slipt away from me, and
if my lord my husband know it, hee is so hastie that he will
sley me." " "WTiat is your lords name ?" said sir Launce-
lot. " Sir," she said, " his name is sir Phelot, a knight
that loDgeth to the king of Northgales." " Faire lady,"
said sir Launcelot, " sith that yee know my name and re-
quire me on my knighthood to helpe you, I will doe that I
may to get your hawke, and yet God knoweth I am an il
climer and the tree is passing hie, and few boughs to helpe
me withall." And therewith sir Launcelot alighted, and
tied his horse to the same tree, and praied the lady to im-
arme him. And so when he was unarmed, hee put off all
his clothes unto his shirt and breeches, and with might and
force climbed up to the fawcon, and tied the lunes' to a
great rotten branch, and threw the hawke downe with the

' Line*, — Lunys^ Cazton. The Immu were long lines naed for
calling in hawks.

* Perigot, — Perhaps for peregrine,

• Lunet, — See the note above. .

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KING ART HUE. 227

branch. Anon the lady gat the hawkewith her hand. And
therewithall came sir Phelot out of the groves^ suddainely
that was her husband, al armed with his naked sword in his
handy and said : " Oh, knight sir Launcelot, now have I
found thee as I would have thee," and stood at the bole
of the tree to sley him. "Ah, lady ! " said sir Launcelot,
" why have ye betraied me ? " " Shee hath done as I com-
manded her," said sir Phelot ; " and therefore there is none
other way but thine houre is come that thou must die."
" That were shame," said sir Launcelot, " that an armed
knight should sley a naked man by treason."

" Thou gettest none other grace," said sir Phelot. " True-
ly," said sir Launcelot, " that shall bee thy shame ; but sith
thou wilt doe none other wise, take mine hameis with thee,
and hang my sword upon a bough that I may get it, and then
doe thy best to sley me and thou canst." " Nay, nay," said
sir Phelot, "for I know thee better then thou wcenest, there-
fore thou gettest no weapon and I may keepe thee therefro."
" Alas," said sir Launcelot, " that ever any knight should
die weapenlesse." And therewithall hee looked above and
under him, and over his head he saw a roundspike* on
a big bough leavelesse, and brake it off by the body of the
tree, and then hee came lower and awaited^ how his owne
horse stood, and suddenly hee lept on the farther side of
the horse from the knight. And then sir Phelot lashed
at him egerly, weening to have slaine him, but sir Laun-
celot put away the strooke with the roundspike, and there-
with he smote him on the side of the head that he fell in a
sound to the ground. Then sir Launcelot tooke his sword
out of his hand, and strooke his neck from the body. Then
cried the lady, " Alas, why hast thou slaine my husband ?"
" I am not causer," said sir Launcelot, " for with falshood

* Groves, — Grevys, Caxton.

' Bmtndspike, — A rowmpyk, a bygge bough, Caxton. A rounetpick^
or rampickt was a bough of a tree which had lesser branches grow-
ing out at its extremity.

' Aumted. — i. e. watched.

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228 THE HI8T0RIE OF

ye would tave slaine me with treason, and now it is fallen
on jou both.'' And then she sounded as though she would
die. And therewithall sir Launcelot got all his armour as
well as hee could, and put it on him for dread of more resort,
for he dread that the knights castle was nigh. And as soone
as hee might, hee tooke his horse and departed thence, and
thanked our Lord God that he had escaped that adventure.

CHAP. CXYI.—How sir Launcelot overtooke a knight which chased
his wife to have slaine her, and what he said to him.

^ O sir Launcelot rode many wilde wayes, through
maries and many other waies, and, as he rode
in a valley, he saw a knight chasing a lady
with a naked sword to have slaine her. And
by fortune as this knight should have slaine this lady, shoe
cried on sir Launcelot, and prayed him to rescew her. When
sir Launcelot saw that mischicfe, hee tooke his horse a|xd
rode betweene them, saying : ** Knight, fie, for shame, why
wilt thou sley this lady ? thou doest shame to thee and al
knights." " What h^st thou to doe betweene me and my
wife ? " said the knight ; '* I will sley her maugre thy
head." " That shall ye not," said sir Launcelot, "for ra-
ther wee will have adoe together." " Sir Launcelot," said
the knight, " thou doest not thy part, for this lady hath be-
traied me." " It is not so," said the lady ; " truely he s€uth
wrong on me, and because I love and cherish my cosin
germane, he is jelous betweene him and me, and, as I shall
answere before God, there was never sinne betweene us.
But sir," said the lady, " as thou ajt named the worship-
fulest knight of the world, I require thee of thy true knight-
hood to keepe me and save me, for whatsomever ye say
he wil sley me, for he is without mercy." " Have ye no
doubt," said sir Launcelot, " it shall not lie in his power."
" Sir," said the knight, " in your sight I will be ruled as
yee will have me." And so sir Launcelot rode on the one

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KING ARTHUR. 229

eide and th6 lady on the other side. He had not ridden
but a while^ but that the knight bad sir Launcelot tume
him, and looked behind him, and said, '^ Yonder come men
of armes riding after us." And sir Launcelot turned him,
and thought no treason. And therewith was the knight
and the lady on one side, and suddainly hee strooke off the
ladies head. And when sir Launcelot had espied what he
had done, he called him traitour, and said, '' Thou hast
shamed me for ever." And suddainly sir Launcelot
alighted from his horse, and drew out his sword to have
slaine him. And therwith he fel flat to the earth, and caught
sir Launcelot by the thighs, and cried him mercy. " Fie
on thee," said sir Launcelot, " thou shamefull knight, thou
mayest have no mercy, and therefore arise and fight with
ine." " Nay," said the knight, " I will not arise til ye
graunt me mercy." " Now wil I proffer thee faire," said
sir Launcelot. " I will unarme mee unto my shirt, and
wil have nothing upon mee but my shirt, and my sword in
my hand, and if thou canst sley me, quit bee thou for ever."
" Nay, sir," said Pedivere, " that will I never doe."
" Well," said sir Launcelot, " take this lady and the head,
and beare it upon thee, and heere shalt thou sweare upon
my Bword to beare it alway upon thy backe, and never to
rest, till thou come unto queene Guenever." " Sir," said
hee, " that will I doe by the faith of my body." ** Now,"
said sir Launcelot, " tell mee thy name ? " " Sir, my name
is Pedivere." ** Li a shamefidl houre wert thou borne,"
said sir Launcelot. So Pedivere departed with the dead
lady and the head, and found the queene with king Ar-
thur at Winchester, and there hee told all the truth. " Sir
knight," said the queene^ " this is an horrible deede and a
Bhamefiil, and a sore rebuke for sir Launcelot, but notwith-
standing his worship is not knowen in divers countries; but
this shal I give you in pennance, make ye as good shift as
you can, yee shall beare this lady with you on horsebacke
unto the pope of Borne, and of hW receive your |>ennanoe

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230 THE HISTORIE OF

for your foule deedes, and ye shall nerer rest one night
there as ye doe another, and if ye goe to any hed, the dead
hody shall lye with you." This oath hee made there, and so
departed. And as the French hooke saith, when hee came
to Rome, the pope bad him goe againe to queene Guenever,
and in Home was his lady buried by the popes commande-
ment. And after this sir Pedivere fell to great goodnesse,
and was an holy man and an hermit.

CHAP. CXYII. — How sir Lanncelot came onto king Arthurs court,
and how there were recounted of his noble feates and acts.

^OW tume wee unto sir Launcelot, that came
home two daies afore the feast of Penticost.
And king Arthur and all the court were full
glad of his comming. And when sir Gawaine,
sir Ewaine, sir Sagramour, and sir Ector de Maris saw sir
Launcelot in sir Kays armour, then they wist wel it was he
that smot them down al with one spear. Then there waa
laughing and smiling among them. And ever now and
then came all the knights home that sir Tiu'quine had taken
prisoners, and they all honoured and worshipped sir Laun-*
celQt^ A\lien sir Gaheris heai*d them speake, he said:
" I saw al the battaile, from the beginning to the ending."
And thei-e hee told king Arthiu* all how it was, and how
sir Turquine was the strongest knight that ever hee saw
except sir Launcelot ; there were many kAights bare him
record, nigh threescore. Then sir Kay told the king how
sir Launcelot had rescewed him when hee was in danger
\o have beene 8laiiie,and how "hee made the knights to yeeld
them to me, and not to him." And there they were, all three,
and bare record. " And by Jesus," said sir Kay, " be-
cause sir Launcelot tooke 'my hameis, and left me his, I
rode in good peace, and no man would have to doe with
me." Then anon therewithall came the three knights
that fought with sir Launcelot at the long bridge^and thers

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KIN 9 ARTHUR, 231

they yeeld^d them unto sir Kay, and sir Kay fdrsooke them,
and said he fought never with them ; " but I shall ease
your hearts," said sir Kay, " yonder is sir Lauiicelot that
overcame you." 'WTien they understood thd4;, they were
glad. Then sir Meliot de Logres came home, and told king
Arthur how sir Launcelot had saved him from death, and
all the deedes were knowen, how foure queenes, sorceresses,
had him in prison, and how hee was delivered by the
daughter of king Bagdemagus. Also, there were told all
the great deedes of armes that sir Launcelot did betweene
the two kings, that is to say, the king of Northgales and
king Bagdemagus, all the truth sir Gahalatine told, and sir
Mador de la Porte, and sir Mordred, for they three were
at that turnemente. Then came in the lady that knew
sir Launcelot when he wounded sir Belleus at that pavi-
lion, and there, at the request of sir Launcelot, sir Belleus
was made knight of the round table. And so at that time,
sir Launcelot had the greatest name of any knight of the
world, and most was hee honoured both of high and low.

CHAP. CXVIII. — How Beanmains came unto king Arthurs court
and demanded three petitions of king Arthur.

^HEN king Arthur held his round table most
plenare, it fortuned that he commanded that
the solemne and high feast of Pentecost should
be holden at a citie and castle, which in those
dales was called King-Kenedon,' upon the sands that
marched nigh Wales ; so king Arthur had ever a custome
that at the high feast of Pentecost, especially afore al other
high feasts in the yeare, he would not goe that day to meat
untillhehad heard or scene some great adventure or mervaile.
And for that custom all manner of strange adventures came
before king Arthur at that feast afore all other feasts. And
so sir Gawaine, a little before noone of the day of Pentecost,
' £itn^-£eitedbn.r— Caxton has Kynkt'-KeHodomne*

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282 TEE HISTORIE OF

espied at a window three men on horsebacke, and a dwarfe
on foote. And so the three men alighted, and the dwaife
kept their horses, and one of the three men was higher then
the other twaine by a foote and ahalfe. Then sir Gawaine
went unto the king and said : " Sir, go to yom* meate, for
here at hand commeth strange adventures." So king Arthur
went to his meate, with many other kings. And there were
all the knights of the round table, save those that were pri->
soners or slaine at an encounter. Then at the high feast
evermore they should be fullfilled the whole number, an
hundred and fiftie, for then was the round table fuUy ac-
complished. Eight so came into the hall two men well
beseeneand richly, and upon their shoulders there leaned the
goodliest young man and the fairest that ever they saw, and
he was large, long, and broad in the shoulders, and well vis-
aged, and the fairest and the largest hands^ that ever man
saw, but he fared as though he might not goe nor beare him-
selfe, but if bee leaned upon their shoulders. Anon, as king
Arthur saw him, there was made silence and roome, and right
so they went with him unto the hie dees,^ without saying
any word, and then this bigge young man drew him backe,
and easily stretched up straight, saying to king Arthur,
*'God blesse you, and al your faire fellowship, and in especial
the fellowship of the round table. And for this cause I am
come hither, for to pray you to give me three gifts, and
they shall not bee unreasonably asked, but that yee may wor-
shipfully and honourably graunt them imto me, and to you
no great hurt nor losse. And as for the first gift I will aske
now, and the other two giftes I will aske at the same day
twelve moneths wheresoever that ye hold your high feast.'*
" Now aske," said king Arthur, " and yee shall have your
petition." " Now, sir," said he, ," this is my petition for this
feai^, that ye will give me meate and drinke sufficiently for

* The largett hands* — The fayrest and the ktrge$thcmdedf Caxton,
' * Hie deet. — The high dais, or table at the head of the haU, where'
the persons of greatest dignity were seated..

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KTJSTG ARTHUR. : 233

these twelve-monethes, and at that day Ii^laske mine other
two giftes/' " My faire sonne," said king Arthur, "aske
^ better, I counsaile thee, for this is but a simple asking, for
my heart giveth mee to thee greatly that thou art come of
men of worship, and greatly my conceit faileth me but
thou shalt prove a man of right great worship." " Sir,"
said he, " as for that, be it as it may bee, I have asked that
I will aske." " Well," said king Arthur, " yee shall have
meate and drinke enough ; I never defended that none,
neither my friend nor foe. But what is thy name ? I would
faine know." " I can not tell you," said hee. ** That have
I marvaile of tiiee," said the king, " that thou knowest not
thine owne name, and thou art one of the goodliest young
men that ever I saw." Then the noble king Arthur betooke
him unto the steward sir Kay, and charged him that hee
should give him of all manner of meates and drinkes of the
best, '' and also that he have all manner of finding, as though
hee were a lords sonne." ** That shall little neede," said
sir Kay, ** to doe such cost upon him, for I dare well un-
dertake that hee is a villained borne, and never will make
man, for and hee had beene come of a gentleman, hee would
have asked of you horse and harneis, but such as hee is he
hath asked. And sithen hee hath no name, I shall give him
a name, that shal be Beaumains, that is to say, faire hands ;
and uito the kitchen I shall bring him, and there he shall
have fat browesse^ every day, that he shall bee as fat by
the twelve-monethes end as a porke hog." Eight so the
two men that had brought him departed, and left him to sir
Kay, that scorned and mocked him.

^ A viOaine,^!, e. a churl, or peasant ; one of ignoble birth.
* Browetu^—'^aX. broth.

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234 THE HISTOBIE OF

GHAP. CXIX.— How sir Lanncelot and sir Gawaine were wroth
because sir Kay mocked Beaumains, and of a damosell which de>
sired a knight for to doe battaile for a lady.

fHEEEAT was sir Gawaine wrotli,and especially
sir Launcelot, for hee bad sir Kay leave his
mocking, " for I dare lay my head he shall
prove a man of great worship." '' Let be,"
said sir Kay, " it cannot bee by reason ; for as he is^ so
hath he asked." " Beware," said sir Launcelot, " so yee
gave that good knight, sir Brewnor, sir Dinadans brother, a
name, and ye cald him La cot male taile, and that turned
you to anger afterward." ** As for that," said sir Kay,
" this shall never prove no such, for sir Brewnore desired
evermore worship, and this desireth bread and drinke; upon
paine of my life he was brought up and fostred in some
abbey,* and howsomever it was they failed of meate and
drinke, and so hither he is come for sustenance." And so
sir Kay had got him a place, and sat downe to meate. So
Beaumains went to the hall dore, and sat him downe among
boyes and lads, and there hee eate sadly. And then sir
Launcelot, after meate, bad him come to his chamber, and
there hee should have meate and drinke enough. And so
did sir Gawaine. But hee refused them all ; hee would
doe nothing but as sir Kay commanded him, for no prefer.
But as touching sir Gawaine, he had reason to proffer him
lodging, meate, and drinke ; for that proffer came of his
blood, for hee was neerer kinne to him then hee wist. But
that sir Launcelot did, was of his great gentlenesse and cur-
tesie. So thus he was put into the kitchen, and lay every
night as the boyes of the kitchen did ; and so he endured
al those twelve-monethes, and never displeased man nor

' In some abbey, — A satire upon the good living of the monasteries.
Sir Kay intimates his belief that the main occupation of the monka
was to fatten themselves.

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KING ARTHUR. 235

ctiild, but alwaies he was meeke and milde. But eter when
hee knew of any justing of knights, that would he see and
hee might. And ever sir Launcelot would give him gold
to spend and cloathes, and so did sir Gawaine. And where as
were any masteries done, there would hee be ; and there
might none cast the barre or stone to him by two yards.
Then would sir Kay say, " How like you my boy of the kit-
chen ?" So it passed on till the feast of Pentecost, and at
that time the king held it at Carlion, in the most royallest
wise that might be, like as yearely hee did. But the king
would eate no meate on the Whitsunday till hee had heard
of some adventure. And then came there a squire to the
king, and said : <* Sir, yee may goe to your meate, for here
commeth a damosell with some strange adventure." Then
was the king glad, and set him downe. Right so there
came in a damosell, and saluted the king, and praied him
for succour. "For whom?" said the king: "what is the
adventure ? " " Sir," said she, " I have a lady of great
worship and renown, and she is besieged with a tyrant, so
that shoe may not goe out of her castle, and because that
heere in your court are called the noblest knights of the
world, I come unto you and pray you for succour." " What
call ye your lady, and where dwelleth she, and who is hee
and what is his name that hath besieged her?" "Sir
king," said shee, " as for my ladies name, that shall not bee
knowne for me as at this time ;^but I let you wit shee is a
lady of great worship, and of great lands. And as for the
tyrant that besiegeth her and destroyeth her land, hee is
called the red knight of the reede lands." " I know him
not," said the king. " Sir," said sir Gawaine, " I know
him well, for hee is one of the perilous knights of the world '^
men say that hee hath seaven mens strength, and from him
I escaped once fiill hard with my hfe." " Faire damosell,"
said the king, "there bee knights heere that would doe
their power to rescew your lady, but because ye wil not tell
her name nor where she dwelleth, therefore none of my

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236 THE HISTOBIE OF

knights that be here now shall goe with you by my will."
'< Then must I speake further/' said the damosell.

CHAP. CXX. — HowBeanmains desired the battafle, and how it was
• grannted him, and how he desired to be made knight of sir Lauu'
. celot.

PHEN with these words came before the king
Beaumains, while the damosel was there ; and
thus he said : " Sir king, Grod thanke you, I
havebeene this twelve monethes in your kitchen,
and have had my full sustenance, and now I will aske my
two gifts that bee behind." "Aske upon my perrill," said
the king. " Sir, these shal be my two gifts : first, that ye
will grant mee to have this adventure of the damosell, for
it belongeth to me." " Thou shalt have it," said the king ;
" I graunt it thee." *' Then, sir, this is now the other gift ;
that ye shall bid sir Launcelot du Lake to make me a knight,
for of him I will bee made knight, and else of none ; and
when I am past, I pray you let him ride after mee, and make
mee knight when I require him." "All this shall be done,"
said the king. " Fie on thee," said the damosell ; " shal
I have none but one that is your kitchen page?" Then
was shee wroth, and tooke her horse and departed. And
with that there came one to Beaumains, and told him that
his horse and armour was ^me for him, and there was a
dwarfe come with al things that him needed in the richest
manner. Thereat all the court had much marvaile from
whence came all that geare. So when hee was armed, there
was none but few so goodly a man as hee was. And right
so he came into the hall, and tooke his leave of king Arthur
and of sir Gawaine, and of sir Launcelot, and prayed him
that he would hie after him ; and so departed and rode aft;er
the damosell.

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KING ARTHUR. 237

CHAP. CXXI. — How Beaumains departed, and how he got of sir
Kay a speare and a shield, and how he justed and fought with sir
Launcelot.

iUT there went many after to behold how well
he was horsed and trapped in cloth of gold, but
hee had neither shield nor speare. Then sir
Kay said openly in the hall ; ** I will ride after
my boy of the kitching, for t-o wit whether hee will know
mee for his better." Sir Lancelot and sir Gawaine said,
"yet abide at home.'^ So sir Kay made him ready, and
tooke his horse and his speare, and rode after him. And
right as Beaumains overtooke the damosell, so came sir
Kay, and said : " What, sir Beaumains, know yeenot mee? "
Then hee turned his horse, and knew that it was sir Kay,
which had done him all the despite that yee have heard
afore. " Yee," said Beaumains, " I know you for an un-
gentle knight of the court, and therefore beware of me."
Therewith sir Kay put hig speare in the rest, and nmne
straight to him, and Beaumains came as fast upon him with
his sword in his hand ; and so hee put away the speare with
his sword, and with a foyne thrust him through the side,
that sir Kay fell downe as hee had beene dead ; and he
alight downe, and tooke sir E^ays shield and his speare, and
start upon his owne horse and rode his way. All that saw
sir Lancelot, and so did the damosell. And then he bad
his dwarfe start upon sir Kays horse, and so he did. By
that sir Lancelot was come. Then he profered sir Lan-
celot to just, and either made them ready, and came toge-
ther so fiercely that either bare downe other to the earth,
and sore were they brused. Then sir Lancelot arose, and
helped him to avoyd his horse. And then Beaumains put
. his shield before, him, and profered to fight with sir Lan-
celot on foote, and so they rashed together like two wild
bores, trasing, rasing, and foyning to the mountenance of
an houre ; and sir Lancelot felt him so big, that hee mei:-

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238 THE HI8T0BIE OF

vailed of his strength, for hee fought more like a gyant then
a knight, and that his fighting was durable and passing
perilous ; for sir Lancelot had much adoe with him, that hee
dread himselfe to bee ashamed, and said: '^ Beaumains,
fight not so sore ; your quarrell and mine is not so great
but wee may leave off." " Truely that is truth," said Beau-
mains, " but it doth mee good to feele your might, and yet,
my lord, I have not shewed the uttermost."

CHAP. CXXII. — HowBeanmains told his name to sir Lancelot, and
how hee was dubbed knight of sir Lancelot, and aft-er overtooke the
damosell.

{ N Gods name," said sir Lancelot, " for I pro-
mise you by the faith of my body I had as much
to doe as I might to save my selfe from you
unshamed, and therefore have no doubt of none
earthly knight." " Hope yee that I may any while stand
a proved knight," said sir Be^umains. " Yea," said sir
Launcelot, "doe yee as yee have done, and I shall bee your
warrant." " Then I pray you," said Beaumains, " give
mee the order of knighthood." " Then must yee tell mee
your name," said sir Lancelot, " and of what kinne yee
bee borne." " Sir, so that you will not discover me, I shall
tell you," said Beaumains. " Nay," said sir Launcelot,
** and that I promise you by the faith of my body, until it
be openly knowne." ** Then, sir," said hee, " my name
is Gareth of Orkeney, and brother unto sir Gawaine of
father and mother." " Ah, sir," said sir Lancelot, ** I am
now more gladder of you then I was, for ever mee thought
yee should bee of a gread blood, and that yee came not to
the court for meate nor drinke." And then sir Lancelot
gave him the order of knighthood. And then sir Gareth
prayed him to depart and let him goe on his journey. So
sir Lancelot departed from him, and came to sir Kay, and
made him to bee borne upon his shield, and so he was healed

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KING ARTHUR. 239

hard with his life ; and all men scorned sir Kay, and es^
peciallj sir Ghtwaine, and also sir Lancelot said that it was
not his part to rebuke no yoimg man, for full little knew
hee of what kinne hee is come, and for what cause he came
unto this court. And so wee leave off sir Kay, and turne
wee unto Beaumains. When he had overtaken the damo-
sell, anone shee said : "What doest thou heere ? thou stink-
est all of the kitching ; thy clothes bee all bawdy* of the
grease and tallow that thou hast goten in king Arthurs
kitching. Wenest thou,'' said shee, ** that I alow thee for
yonder knight that thou hast slaine ? nay, truely, for thou
slewest him imhappily and cowardly, therefore returne againe,
bawdy kitching page. I know thee well, for sir Kay named
thee Beaumains. What art thou but a luske^ and a turner
of broaches and a washer of dishes ! " ** Damosell," said sir
Beaumains, " say to mee what ye list, I wil not goe from
you whatsoever yee say, for I have undertaken of king
Arthur for to atchieve your adventure, and I shall finish it
to the end, or I shall die therefore." " Fie one thee, kit-
ching knave. Wilt thou finish mine adventure ? thou shah
anon bee met withall, that thou wouldest not, for all the broth
that ever thou suppest, once looke him in the face." ** I
shall assay," said Beaumains. So as they thus rode in the
wood, there came a man flying all that he might. "Whe-
ther wilt thou ?" said Beaumains. " O lord,"said he, "helpe
mee, for hereby in a slade are six theeves which have taken
my lord and bound hinj, and I am afraid least they will slay
him." " Bring mee thither," said sir Beaumains. And so
they rode together till they came there as the knight was
bound, and then hee rode unto the theeves, and strake one
at the first strooke to death, and then another, and at the
third strooke hee slew the third thiefe ; and then the other
three fled^ and hee rod after and overtooke them, and
then those three theeves turned againe and hard assailed

* Bawdy. — The original meaning of this word was dirty.
' A luakc-^A lazy lubber.

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240 THE HISTOBIE OF

sir Beaumains ; but at the last hee slew them : and then re-
turned and unbound the knight. And the knight thanked
him, and prayed him to ride with him to his castle there a
little beside, and he should worshipfully reward him for his
good deedes. " Sir," said sir Beaumains, " I will no* re-
ward have ; I was this day made knight of the noble sir
Lancelot, and therefore I will have no reward, but Grod re-
ward me. And also I must follow this damosell." And
when hee came nigh her, shoe bad him ride from her, "for
thou smellest all of the kitching. Wenest thou that I have
joy of thee ? for all this deede that thou hast done, is but
mishapned thee. But thou shalt see a sight that shall make
thee totume againe,and that lightly." Then the same knight
which was rescued of the theeves rode after the damosell, and
prayed her to lodge with him all that night. And because
it was neere night, the damosell rode with him to his castle,
and there they had great cheere. *And at supper the knight
set sir Beaumains before the damosell. ** Fie, fie,'' said
shoe, " sir knight, yee are uncurteous for to set a kitching
page before me ; him beseemeth better to sticke a swine
then to sit before a damosell of high parentage." Then the
knight was ashamed of her words, and tooke him up and set
before him at a side boord, and set himselfe' before him.
And so all that night they had good and merry rest.

CHAP. CXXIII. — How sir Beaumains fought and slew two knights
at a passage.

I O on the morrow the damosell and he tooke their
leave, and thanked the knight, and so departed,
and rode one their way till they came to a great
forrest, and there was a great river and but one
passage, and there were redy two knights on the further
side, to let them the passage. " What siust thou ?" said the
damosell ; " wilt thou match yonder two knights, or wilt thou
retume againe?" "Nay," said sir, Beaumains, " I will

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KING ARTHUR. 241

not retume againe, and they were size moe." And there-
with hee rashed^ into the water, and in the midest of the
water either brake their speares to their hands, and then
they drew their swords and smote each at other egerly ;
and at the last, sir Beaumains smote the other upon llie
hehne that his head was astonied,^ and therewith hee fell
downe into the wafer, and there was drowned. And then
hee spurred his horse unto the land, where the other knight
fell upon him and brake his speare, and so they drew their
swords and fought loug together. At the last sir Beau-
nudns cIoyo his helme and his head unto the shoulders.
And then hee rode unto the damosell, and bad her ride
forth on her way. " Alas,'' said shee, " that ever kitching
page should have the fortune to destroy such two doughty
knights ! thou weenest thou hast done doughtily, and that
is not so, for the first knights horse stumbled and there he
was drowned in the water, aud never it was by thy force
and might ; and the last knight by mishap thou camest be-
hind him and shamefully thou slowest him." " Damosell,"
said sir Beaumains, ** yee may say what yee will, but with
whomsoever I have adoe withall, I trust to Gt)d to serve
him or hee depart, and therefore I reckon not what yee say,
so that I may winne your lady." *' Fie, fie,, foule kitching
knave ; thou shalt see knights that shall abate thy boast."
,** Faire damosell, give mee faire language, and then my care
is past, for what knights soever they be I care not, nor doubt'
them not." "Also, " said shee, " I say it for thine availe, yet
mayst thou tume againe with thy worship, for if thou follow
mee thou art but slaine, for I see all that ever thou doest is
but by misadventure, and not by prownesse of thy hands."
"Well, damosell, yee may say what yee will, but wheresoever
that yee goe, I will follow you." So thus sir Beaumains rode
with the damosell untill even-song, and ever shee chid him

* IZofAedL— Caxton, Basihyd. Dasbed ; rushed.

• .i«ftmie<2.— Stonned. • i)<w«6*.— Fear.

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242 THE HISTOBIE OF

and would not rest. And then they came to a blacke laund,
and there was a blacke hawthome, and thereon hung ablacke
baner, and on the other side there hung a blacke shield, and
by it stood a black speare and a long, and a greate blacks
horse covered wit^ silke, and blacke stone fast by it.

CHAP. CXXIV.— How sir Beaumains fought with the knight of the
blacke laundsi' and he fought so long with him that the blacke
knight fell downe and dyed.

^HEKE sate a knight all armed in blacke hamies,
and his name was the knight of the blacks
laundes. When the damosell saw the blacke
knight, shee bad sir Beaumains flee downe the
valey, for his horse was not sadled. " I thanke you,"
said sir Beaumains, " for alwayes yee will have mee a cow-
ard." With that the blacke knight came to the damosell,
and said, " Faire damosell, have yee brought this knight
from king Arthurs court to be your champion ? " " Nay^
faire knight," said shee, " this is but a kitching knave,
that hath beene fed in king Arthurs kitching for almes."
" Wherefore commeth he in such aray?" said the knight,
" it is great shame that he beareth you company." " Sir,
I cannot bee delivered of him," said the damosell, ** for
with me hee rideth maugre mine head; would to God ye
would put him from me, or else to sley him if ye may, for
hee is an unhappie knave, and unhappie hath hee done to
(Jay through misadventure ; for I saw him sley two knights
at the passage of the water, and other deedes he did before
right marvailous, and all through unhappinesse." " That
marvaileth mee," said the blacke knight, " that any man
the which is of worship will have to doe with him." " Sir,
they know him not," said the damosell, " and because he
rideth with me, they thinke he is some man of worship

* Launds,— Knight of the hlak launder Caxton. The edition of
1634 has throughout printed land and lands for laund and laund»^

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KING ARTHUB. 243

bome." " That may well be/' said the blacke knight,
" neverthelesse how be it jou say that hee is no man of
worship, yet he is a Ml likely person, and full like to bee
a strong man; but thus much shall I graunt you," said the
black knight, " I shall put him downe upon his feete, and
his horse and his armour he shall leave with mee, for it
were shame for mee to doe him any more harme/' When
sir Beaumains heard him say thus to her, hee said, " Sir
knight, thou art full large^ of my horse and my hameis ; I
let thee to wit it cost thee nought, and, whether it liketh
thee or not, this laund wiU I passe maugre thine head, and
horse nor harneis gettest thou none of me, but if thou winne
them with thy hands ; and therefore let mee see what thou
canst doe." " Saiest thou that," said the blacke knight,
**now yeeld thy lady from thee lightly, for it beseemeth
not a kitchin knave to ride with such a lady." **Thou
liest," said sir Beaumains, " I am a gentleman bonie, and
of more high linage then thou art, and that I wiU prove
upon thy body." Then in great wrath they departed witii
their horses, and came together as it had beene thunder,
and the blacke knights speare brake, and sir Beaumains
thrust him through both his sides, and therewith his speare
brake, and the truncheon stucke still in his side, but never-
thelesse the blacke knight drew his sword and smote many
eager strookes and of great might, and hurt sir Beaumains
fiill sore. But at the last the blacke knight within an houre
and a halfe fell downe from his horse iti a sound, and there
died forthwith. And when sir Beaumains saw him so wel
horsed and armed, he alighted down, and armed him in his
armour, and so tooke his horse and rode afker the damosell.
When she saw him come nigh her, shee said to him, "Away,
kitchen knave, goe out of the wind, for the smell of thy
baudy cloathes grieveth me. Alas ! that ever such a knave
as thou art should by mishap sley so good a knight as thou
hast slaine, but all this is through thine unhappinesse. But
^ Large, — i. e. generous ; liberal.

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244 THE EI8T0BIE OF

hereby is a knight that shall pay thee all thy payment, and
therefore yet I counsell thee to flee backe." " It may
happen mee/' said sir Beaumains, '* to be beat^i or daine,
but I wame you, faire damosell, I will not flee away for
him, nor leave your company for all that ye can say; for
ever ye say that they sley me or beat me, but how soever
it happ^eth I escape, and they lye on the ground, and
therefore it were as good for you to hold you still, then thus
to rebuke me all day, for away will I not till I feele the
uttermost of this journey, or else I will bee slaine or trudy
beaten ; therefore ride on your way, for follow you I will
whatsoever happen/*

CHAP. CXKV.— How the brother of the knight that was dame met
with sir Beaomaios, and foaght with sir Beaumains, which yeelded
him at the last.

^ HUS as they rode together they saw a knight
come driving by them all in greene, both his
horse and his hameis, and when hee came nigh
the damosell, hee asked of her, *' Is that my
brother the blacke knight that ye have brought with you?"
'' Nay, nay," said she, '' this unhappie kitchin knave hath
slaine your brother through unhappinesse." '* Alas I " said
the greene knight, ''that is great pittie that so noble a
knight as hee was should so unhappily be slaine, and namely
of a knaves hand, as ye say he is. A I traitour," said the
greene knight, " thou shalt die for slaying of my brother ;
he was a full noble knight, and his name was sir Fereard."
" I defie thee," said sir Beaumains, " for I let thee to wit
I slew him knightly, and not shamefully." There withall
the greene knight rode unto an home that was greene, and
it hung upon a thome, and there he blew three deadly notes,^
and there came three^ damosells that lightly' armed him.

' iVb/e#.— lfo<y», Caxton. * T^ree.— TVro, Caxton.

• Lightly. — i. e. quickly.

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KING ARTHUR. 245

And then tooke hee a great horse, and a greene shield, and
a greene speare. And then thej ranne together with all
their might, and hrake their speares to their hands. And
then anon they drew out their swords and gave many sad
strookes, and either of them wounded other full evill. And
at the last at an overthwart sir Beaumains horse strooke the
greene knights horae on the on side, that he fell to the
ground. And then the greene knight lightly avoided his
horse, and dressed him upon his feete. That saw sir Beau-
mains, and therewith he alighted, and they rashed together
like two mightie champions^ a long while, and they bled
sore both. With that came the damosell, and said, '^ My
lord the greene knight, for shame, why stand yee so long
fighting with that kitchin knave? alas ! it is shame that ever
ye were made a knight, for to see such a stinking boy match
such a vaUant knight as ye bee." The greene knight hear-
ing these words was ashamed, and incontinent he gave sir
Beaumains a mightie skook and clove his shield through-
out. When sir Beaumains saw his shield dove asunder,
he was a little ashamed of that strooke and of the damosells
language, and then hee gave him such a buffet upon the
hehne that hee fell on his knees, and suddenly sir Beau-
mains threw him downe on the ground groveling. And in-
continent the greene knight cried sir Beaumains mercy,
and yeelded him unto sir Beaumains, and praied him to
grant him his life. " All this is in vaine," said sir Beau-
midns, " for thou shalt die but if this damosell which is come
with me pray me to save thy Ufe." And therewith hee un-
laced his helme, like as hee would have slaine him. ** Fie
upon thee, thou kitchin page, I will never pray thee to save
Ids life. For I will never bee so much in thy danger."*
^^ Then shall hee die," said sir Beaumains. ^* Not so hardy,
thou bawdy knave," said the damosell, ''that thou sley
him." " Alas I " said the greene knight, " suflfer me not

* ChamjAont^'^Kempyty Cazton. Both words have the same sig-
nificatioii, and were formed from the same root.

* In iky danger. — L e. nnder obligation to thee.

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246 THE HISTOBIE OF

to die, for a feire word may save my life. Oh, faire knight,"
aaid the greene knight, " save my life, and I will forgive the
death of my hrother, and for ever to hecome thy man, and
thirtie knights that hold of mee for ever shall doe you ser-
vice/' " In the devills name," said the damosell, " that
such a hawdy kitchin knave should have thee and thirtie.
knights service." ^* Sir knight," said sir Beaumains, " all
this availeth not, hut if my damosell speake with me for thy
life." And therewithall he made resemblance to sley him.
** Let be," said the damosell, " thou bawdy knave, sley him
not, for if thou doe, thou shalt repent it." " Damosell,"
said sir Beaiunains, " your charge is to mee a pleasure, and
at your commandement his Ufe shall be saved, and else not."^
Then he said, " Sir knight with the greene armes, I re-
lease thee quit at this damosels request, for I wil not make
her wroth, I will fulfil all that shee chargeth me." And then
the green knight kneeled down and did him homage with his
sword. Then said the damosell, " Me repenteth, greens
knight, of your domage, and of your brothers death, -the
blacke knight, for of your helpe I had great neede, for I
am sore adread to passe this great forrest." " Nay, dread
ye not so sore," said the greene knight, " for yee shall
lodge with me this night, and to morrow I shall helpe you
through this forrest." So they tooke their horses and rode
unto his mannor, which was fast there beside.

CHAP. CXXVI. — How the damosell alwayes rebuked sir Beaumains,
and would not suffer him to sit at her table, but called him kitchin
page.

^-ND alwayes the damosell rebuked sir- Beau-
mains, and would not sufler him to sit at her^
table, but the greene knight tooke him up and
86t him at a side table. ** Mee thinketh mar-
vaile," said the greene knight to the damosell, " why that
yee rebuke this noble knight as yee doe, for I wame you^

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KING ARTHUR, 247

damosell, hee is a full noble knight, and I know no knight
able to match him ; therefore je doe great wrong to rebuke
him, for he shall doe you right good service, for whatsoever
he maketh him selfe, yee shall prove at the end that hee is
come of noble blood, and of kings linage." " Fie, fie,"
said the damoseU, *^ it is shame for jou to say of him such
worship." " Truely," said the greene knight, *' it were
shame for me to say of him any disworship, for he hath
proved him selfe a better knight then I am, yet have I met
with many knights in my dayes, and never or this time
have I found no knight his match." And so that night they
went unto their rest, and all the night the greene knight
commanded thirtie knights privily to watch sir Beaumains
for to keepe him from all treason. And so on the morrow
they all arose, and heard their masse, and brake their fast,
and then they tooke their horses and rode on their way, and
the greene knight conveied them through the forrest, and
then the greene knight said, " My lord sir Beaumains, I
and my thirtie knights shall bee alway at your command,
both early and late, at your calling, and where soever yee
will send us." " It is well said," quoth sir Beaumains,
** and when I cal upon you ye must yeeld you and al your
knights unto king Arthur." " If ye so commaund us, we
shall be ready at all times," said the greene knight. " Fie,
fie upon thee, in the divels name," said the damosel, " that
any good knight should be obedient imto a kitchin knave."
Then departed the greene knight and the damosell. And
then she said to sir Beaumains, " Why foUowest thou me,
thou kitchin boy ? cast away thy shield and thy speare, I
oounsaile thee yet, and flee away betimes, or thou shalt say
90one alas ! for were thou as mightie as ever was Wade,* or

* Wade, — This is a canons allusion to one of the personages
of Northern mythology, the romance of whom, as it existed in our
island, seems to be lost. Some incidents in it are alluded to by Chau-
cer, and by one or two other old writers. The northern account of
h|m is given in the Wilkina Saga. The notices of this hero are col-
lected in a pamphlet entitled, ** Wade ; Lettre It M. Henri Temaax«
Compans,— par Fr. Michel, Paris, 1837."

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248 THE HIBTOBIE OF

sir Laonoeloty mr Tristram, or the good knight sir Lamo-
rake, thou shalt not passe a pace heereby, that is called the
pace perilous."^ '* Damosell," said sir Beaumains, ** who
is afeard, let him flee, for it were shame to tume againe,
sith I have ridden so l(mg with you." " Well," said the
damosell, '< thou shalt see soone wheth^ thou wilt or not.''

CHAP. CXXyn.— How the third brother, called the red knight,
justed and fought against sir Beaumains, and how sir Beaumains
oyercame him.

10 within a while they saw a tower as white as
any snow, well majtchcold* all about, and double
ditched ; and over the tower gate there hung
fiftie shields of divers coulours. And under that
tower there was a faire medow, and therein were many
knights and squires in pavilions and upon scaffolds to be-
hold, for there on the morrow should bee a great tumement
at that castle, and the lord of that tower was in his castle,
and looked out at a window, and there he saw a damosel
and a page, and a knight armed at all points. '^ So God
mee helpe," said the lord, " with that knight will I just, for
I see that he is a knight arraunt." And so anon he arme4
him, and tooke his horse hastily; and when he was on
horseback with his shield and his speare, which was all red,
both his horse and his hameis, and all that belonged unto
him, and when he came nigh sir Beaumains, he wend he
had beene his brother the blacke knight, and then hee cried
aloud ; " Brother, what doe yee heere in these marches ? *'
" Nay, nay," said the damosell, " it is not your brother ;
this is but a kitchin knave, which hath beene brought up for
almes in king Arthurs court." "Neverthelesse," sfdd the
red knight, " I will speake with him or he depart."

* FaeeperihuM, — The perilous pass.

' Maiiicold, — Maehieolated. A well-known term in the militaiy
aichitectnre oi the Middle Ages.

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KING ARTHUR. 249

<' Ah/' said the damoselly ^' this unhapie knave hath slame
your brother, and sir Kay named him Beaumains, and this
hOTse and hameis was your brothers the blacke knight.
Also I saw him overcome your brother the greene knight,
with his owne hands. Now may yee bee revenged upon
him, for I cannot bee quit of him." And with this, both
the knights departed asunder, and they came together with
all their might, and either of their horses fell to the earth,
and lightly they avoided their horses and put their shields
afore them, and drew their swords, and either gave to other
many sad strookes, as now heere and now there, rasing,
trasing, foyning, and hurling like two boores, the space of
three houres. And then the damosell cried out on high
unto the red knight : ''Alas, thou noble red knight, thinke
what worship hath followed thee ; let never a kitchin knave
endure thee so long as he doth." Then the red knight
waxed wroth and doubled his strookes, and hurt sir Beau-
mains wonderous sore, so that the blood ranne downe to
the ground, and great mervaile it was to behold that strong
battaile. Yet at the last sir Beaumains strooke him to the
earth ; and as hee would have slaine the red knight, he
cried mercy, saying : " Noble knight, sley me not, and I
shal yeeld me imto thee with fiftie knights that be at my
command ; and I forgive thee all the despite that thou hast
done to me, and the death of my brother the blacke knight."
<^A11 this availeth thee not," said sir Beaumains, '' but if my
damosell pray me to save thy life." And therewith he made
resemblance to strik off his head. '' Let be, thou Beau-
mains, sley him not, for he is a noble knight, and not so
hardy upon thine head but that thou save him." Then sir
Beaumains bad the red knight stand up, '' and thanke yee
now the damosell for your life." Then the red knight
prayed him to see his castle, and to be there all that night ;
and so the damosell granted him, and there they had merry
cheere. But alwaies the damosell spake many foule words
unto sir Beaumains, whereof ih<d red knight had great mar-

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250 THE HIStOEIE OF

vaiie ; and all that night the red knight made threescore
knights to watch sir Beaumains, that hee should have no
shame nor vilanj. And on the morrow they heard masse,
and hrake their fast ; and the red knight came before sir
Beaumains with his threescore knights, and there he prof-
fered him his homage and feaultie at al times hee and his
knights to doe him service. " I thanke you," said sir Beau-
mains, " but this ye shall graunt mee, when I call upon
you to come afore my lord king Arthur, and yeeld you unto
him to be his knight." " Sir," said the red knight, " I will
bee ready with all my fellowship at your command." So
sir Beaumains and the damosell departed, and ever she rode
chiding him in the foulest manner.

CHAP. CXXVIIL— How sir Beaumains suffered great rebukes of the
damosell, and he suffered it patiently.

?AMOSELL," said sir Beaumains^ "yee are
uncurteous so to rebuke me as ye doe, for me
seemeth I have done you great service, and ever
ye threaten me for I shal be beaten with knights
that we meete, but ever for all your best they lye in the dust
or in the tnyre, and therefore I pray you rebuke mee no
more, and when ye see mee beaten or yeelden recreaimt,
then may yee bid me goe from you shamefully ; but first I
let you to wit I wil not depart from you, for I were worse
then a foole if I would depart from you all the while I winne
worship." ** Well," said she, " right soone there shall meete
with thee a knight that shall pay thee all thy wages, for he
is the man of the most worship in the world, except king
Arthur." " I will it well," said sir Beaumains, " the more he
is of worship, the more shall it be my worshippe to have adoe
with him." Then anon within a while they were ware
where as was before them a faire citie, and betweene them
and the citie a mile and a halfe there was a faire medow that
was new mowen, and therein were many pavilions goodly

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KING ABTHVR. 251

to behold. '* Loe," said the damosell^ " yonder is a lorA
that oweth yonder citie, and his custome is such, that when
the weather is faire he heth in this medow for to just and
tumey, and ever there bee about him five hundred knights
and all gentlemen of armes, and there be of al manor of
games that any gentleman can devise or think/' • " That
goodly lord,'' said sir Beaumains, " I would faine see.'*
" Thou shalt see him time enough," said the damosell. And
so as she rode neere shee espied the pavilion where he was.
"Loe," said shee, " seest thou yonder pavilion that is all of
the coulour of Inde,^ and all manner thing that is about
him, both men and women, and horses trapped, shields and,
speares, were all of the colour of Inde ; and his name is sir
Persaunt of Inde, the most lordhest knight that ever thou
lookedst on." " It may well be,'-' said sir Beaumains, " but
be he never so stout a knight, in this field I shall abide tiU
that I see him under his shield." '* Ah ! foole," said she,
" thou were better to flee betime." " Why," said sir Beau-
mains, " and he be such a knight as ye make him, hee will
not set upon mee with all his men, or with his ^lnq hundred
knights at one bout; for if there come no more but one at
once, I shall never fail him while my life lasteth." " Fie,
fie," said the damosel, ^^ that ever such a stinking knave
should blow such a boast."

" Damosell," said sir Beaumains, " yee are to blame so
to rebuke me, for I had rather to doe five battailes then so to
be rebuked. Let him come, and then let him doe his worst.'*
*' Sir," said she^, ** I marvaile what thou art, and of what
kinne thou art come ; boldly thou speakest, and boldly thou
hast done, that have I wel scene ; therefore I pray thee save
thy selfe and thou maiest, for thine horse and thou have had
great travaile, and I dread me we dwel overlong from the
siege, for it is but seven mild hence, and all perilous pas-
sages we are past, save all onely this passage, and here I

* Cohur of Inde. — A dark blue colour, often mentioned by the me-
diaBV(d writers.

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252 TBE HISTOBIE OF

dread me full sore, least that je Bhall catch some hurt or
domage, and therefore I would je were hence that je were
not hruised nor hurt with this strong knight; hut I let you
to wit that this sir Fersaunt of Inde is nothing of might nor
of strength unto the kjiight that hath laid the siege ahout
my lady," **As for that," said sirBeaumains, " he it as it
may, for sith I am come so nigh this good knight, I will
prove his might or I depart from him ; it were great shame
to mee if I withdrew mee now from him, and therefore^
damosell, have ye no douht by the grace of God I shall so
deale with this knight that within two houres after noone
ye shall deUver him, and then shall wee come to the siege
by day-light." " Oh, Jesus," said the damosell, "I have
marvaile what manner of man ye be, for it may never be
otherwise but that yee be come of a noble blood, for more
fowler nor more shamefuUer did never woman rule nor re-
buke a knight as I have done to you, and ever curteously
yee have suffered me, and that came never but of a gentle
blood and Unage." " Damosel,'' said sir Beaumains, " a
knight may little doe that may not suffer a damosel ; for
what soever that ye said to me, I took no heed to your words,
for the more ye said the more ye angred me, and my wrath
I wreked upon them that I had adoe withal, and therfore
all the missaying that ye missayed mee furthered me in my
battailes, and caused mee to tlidnke to shew and prove my
selfe at the end what I was ; for peradventure though I had
meate in king Arthurs kitchin, yet I might have had meat
enough in other places ; but all that I did for to prove and
to assay my friends, and that shall be knowne another day;
and whether I be a gentleman borne or no, I let you wit,
hxce damosell, I have done you gentlemans service, and per-
adventure better service yet will I dpe you or I depart from
you." "Alas," said shee, "faire sir Beaumains, forgive
me all that I have missayed and misdone against you."
" With all my heart,'' said sir Beaumains, " I forgive it
you, for yee did nothing but as yee ought to doe, for all your

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KING ARTHUR. 253

evill words pleased mee ; and, damosell," said sir Beau-
mains, ^' sith it liketh you to speake thus faire to mee, wit
jee well it gladdeth greatly mine hart ; and now me seemeth
there is no knight living but I am able enough for him/'

CHAP. CXXIX— How sir Beaumains fought with sir Persaunt of
Inde, and made him to be yeelden.

^ITH this sir Persaunt of Inde^ had espied them,
as they hored in the field, and knightly hee
sent to them to know whether hee came in warre
or in peace. " Say unto thy lord," said sir
Beaiunains, " I take no force,* but whether as him list him-
selfe." So the messenger went againe unto sir Persaunt,
and told him all his answere. " Well," said hee, "then will
I have adoe with him to the uttermost ; '' and so he purveied
him, and rode against him. And when sir Beaimiains saw
him, hee made him ready, and there they met with all the
might that their horses might run, and brake their speares
either in three peeces, and their horses rashed so together
that both their horses fell dead to the earth ; and lightly
they avoyded their horses, and put their shields before them,
and drew their swords, and gave each other many great
strokes, that sometime they so hurled together that they
fell both grovelling on the ground. Thus they fought two
houres and more, that their shields and their hawberkes
were all forhewen,' and in many places they were sore
wounded. So at the last sir Beaumains smot him through
the cost* of the body, and then he retrayed^ him here and
there, and knightly maintained his battaile long time. And
at the last sir Beaumains smote sir Persaunt on tlie helme

* SirPertaunt oflnde, — It mast not be supposed that sir Persaunt
was an i:xd*an ; but he was merely named from the colour he wore,
like the black knight and the green knight. See before, p. 251.

* Nof&rce, — I care not. * Forhewen. — Hewn to pieces.

* Ciwt— Side. * JJe^royed.— Drew back.

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254 THE HISTOBIE OF

that hee fell grovelling to the earth, and then he lept over-
thwart upon him, and unlaced his helme for to have slune
him. Then sir Persaunt yeelded him and asked him mercy.
With that came the damosell and prayed him to save his life.
" I will well," said sir Beaumains, "for it were pittie that this
nohle knight should die." " Gramercie," said sir Persaunt,
** gentle knight and damosell, for certainely now I know
well it was you that slew the black knight my brother at the
black thome ; hee was a full noble knight, his name was
sir Periard. Also I am sure that yee are hee that wan mine
other brother the greene knight ; his name was sir Perto-
lope. Also yee wan the red knight my brother, sir Peri-
mones. And now, sir, sith yee have won these knights, this
shall I doe for to please you : yee shall have homage and
.'feaultie of mee, and an hundred knights to bee alwayes at
your command, to goe and ride where yee will command
us." And so they went unto sir Persaunts pavilion, and
there hee drank wine and eate spices. And afterward sir
Persaunt made him to rest upon a bed till it was supper
time, and after supper to bed againe. When sir Beaiunains
was abed, sir Persaunt had a daughter, a faire lady, of eigh-
teene yeares of age ; there hee called her unto him, and
charged and commanded her upon his blessing to goe unto
the knights bed, and lye downe by his side,** and make him
no strange cheere, and take him in thine armes and kisse
him, and looke that this bee done, I charge you, as yee will
have my love and my good will." So sir Persaunts daugh-
ter did as her father bad her ; and so shee went unto sir
Beaumains bed, and privily shee dispoyled^ her and laid her
downe by him. And then he awoke and saw her, and asked
her what she was. " Sir," said shee, " I am sir Persaunts
daughter, that by the commandement of my father am come
hither." " Be yee a maide or a wife ?" said hee. ** Sir,"
said shee, " I am a cleane maide." " God defend," said
hee, "that I should defoule you to doe sir Persaunt such a

'• Dispoyhd. — Undressed.

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KING ARTHUR. 255

shame ; therefore, faire damosell, arise out of this bed, or
esle will I." " Sir/' said shee, " I came not to you bj mine
owne will, but as I was commanded," " Alas," said sir
Beaimiains, " I were but a shamefull knight if I would doe
your father any disworship." And so bee kissed her, and
shee departed and came to sir Persaunt her father, and told
him all how shee had sped. " Truly," said sir Persaunt,
** whatsoever he be, he is extract of a noble blood/' And
80 we leave him there till on the morrow.

CHAP. CXXX. — Of the goodly commonication between sir Persaunt
and sir Beaumains, and how he told him that his name was sir
Gaureth.

2N the morrow the damosell and sir Beaumains
heard masse, and brake their fast, and so tooke
their leave. " Faire damosell," said sir Per-
saunt, " whetherward are ''yee away leading
this knight?" " Sir," said she, " this knight is going to
the siege, that besiegeth my sister in the castle Dange-
rous." " Ah, ah," said Persaunt, " that is the knight of
the red launds, which is the most perillous knight that I
know now living, and a man that is without mercy, and
men say that he hath seaven mens strength. God save
you," said hee to sir Beaumains, "from that knight, for
he doth great wrong to that lady, and that is great pittie,
for shee is one of the fairest ladies of the world, and me
seemeth that your lady is hir sister. Is not your name
Linet? " said he. " Yea," said shee, " and my lady my
sisters name is dame Lyones." " Now shall I tell you,"
said sir Persaunt, *' this red knight of the red launds hath
layen long at the siege well nigh these two yeares, and
many times hee might have had her and he had would, but
he prolongeth the time to this intent, for to have sir Laim-
celot du Lake to doe battaile with him, or sir Tristram, or
sir Lamoracke de Gales, or sir Gawain ; and for this cause

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266 THE HISTOBIE OF

hee tarrieth bo long at the siege." " Now my lord sirPer-
saunt," said the damosell Lynet, " I require jou that jee
will make this gentleman knight or ever he fight with the
red knight." " I will with all my heart," said sir Persaunt,
'' and it please him to take the order of knighthood of so
simple a man as I am." " Sir," said sir Beaumains, " I
thanke you for your good will, for I am hetta* sped, for cer-
tainely the noble knight sir Lauucelot made mee knight."
"Ah," said sir Persaunt, "of a more renowned knight
might yee not bee made knight, for of all the knights in
the world hee may bee called chiefe of all knighthood ;
and so all the world saith that betweene three knights is
parted cleerely knighthood ;^ that is, sir Launcelot du Lake,
sir Tristram de Lyones, and sir Lamoracke de (rales ;
these beare now the renowne. There be many otiier
knights, as sir Palamides the Sarasin, and sir Safere his
brother ; also sir Bleoberis, and sir Blamore de Ganis his
brother ; also sir Bors de Ganis, and sir Ector de Maris,
and sir Percivale de Galis ; these and many moe be noble
knights, but there be none that passe the three above said ;
therefore God speede you weU," said sir Persaunt, " for and
yee may match Ae red knight, yee shall bee called the fourth
of the world." " Sir," said sir Beaumains, " I would faine
have a good fame of knighthood, and I let you to wit I came
of good men, for I dare say my father was a noble man,
and so that yee will keepe it close and this damosell, I would
tell you of what kinne 1 am." " Wee will not discover
you," said they both, "till yee conamaund us, by the faith
that wee owe unto God." " Truely," said hee, " my name
is sir Gareth of Orkeny, and king Lot was my father, and
my mother is king Arthurs sister, whose name is dame
Morgawse, and sir Gawaine is my brother, and sir Agravine
and sir Gaheris, and I am the yongest of them all, and yet
knoweth not king Arthur nor sir Gawaine what I am."

' Knighthood. — This word is here used in the sense of chivalry.

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KING ART BUB. 257

CHAP. CxXXI. — How the lady which was besieged had word ttom
. her sister how she hkd brought a knight to fight for her, and what
battailes he had done.

SO the booke saith that the lady that was besieged •
had word of her sisters comminghy the dwarfe,
and brought a knight with her, and how hee
had passed all the perilous passages. " What
manner of man is hee? " said the lady dame Liones. '^ Hee
is a noble knight truely, madam," said the dwarfe, " and
but a young man, but hee is as likely a man as ever yee
saw any." " What is he ? " said the lady; " and of what
kinne is he come ? and of whom was hee made knight ? "
** Madam/' said the dwarfe, " hee is the kings sonne of
Orkeny, but his name I will not tel you at this time, but
wit ye well that of sir Launcelot du Lake was hee made
knight, for of none other would he be made knight, and sir
Kay named him Beaumains."

" How escaped hee," said the lady, " from the brethren
of sir Persaunt? " " Madame," said he, " as a noble knight
should doe. First he slew two brethren at a passage of a
water." " Ah ! " said the lady, " they were very good-
knights, but they were strong murtherers, the one bight sir
Gherard le Brewse, and that other was called sir Arnold le
Brewse." '* Then, madame, hee encountred with the blacke
knight, and slew him in plaine battaile, and so he tooke his
horse and his armour, and fought with the greene knight,
and wan him in plaine battel!. And in likewise he served
the red knight, and after in the same wise hee served the
blew knight, and won him in plaine battel." " Then," said
the lady, " hee hath overcome sir Persaunt of Inde, one of the
noblest knights of the world." And the dwarfe said, "He
hath won all the foure brethren, and slaine the blacke
knight. And yet hee did more, hee overthrew sir Kay and
left him nigh dead upon the earth. Also he did great bat-
taile with sir Lauijicelot, and there they departed on Qven

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25B TBE HISTOEIE OF

handsy and then sir Launcelot made him knight." The
kdy Baid,^' Dwaife, I am ^ad of these tidings, tfaei^fore
goe thou in an hennitage of mine here heside, and thither
shalt thou heare with thee of mj wine in two flagons of sil-
ver, they are of two gallons, and also two casts* of hread,
with hi venison haked, and daintie foules, and a cup of gold
heere I deliver thee that is rich and precious, and heare
all this' to mine hermitage, and put it in the hermites
hands ; and when thou hast thus done, goe to my sister and
greete her well, and recommend me unto that gentle knight,
uid pray him to eate and drinke and make him strong,4knd
say yee to him that I thanke him of his curtesie and good-
nesse that he would take upon him such lahor for me that
never did him hounty nor curtesie. Also pray him that he
he of a good heart and good courage, for hee shall meete
with a full nohle knight, hut hee is neither of bountie,
eiirtesie, nor gentlenesse, for hee attendeth unto none other
thing but to murther, and that is the cause I cannot praise
him nor love him." So thisdwarfe departed and came to
sir Persaiint, where hee found the damosell Lynet and sir
Beaumains, and there hee told them all as yee have heard ;
and then they tooke their leave, but sir Persaunt tooke an
ambling hackney and conveied them on their way, and then
betooke them unto God. And so within a little while they
came unto the hermitage, and there they dranke the wine,
and eate the venison and the foules baken. And so when
they had repasted them well, the dwarfe returned with his
vessell unto the castle againe, and there met with him the
red knight of the red launds, and asked him from whence
hee came, and where hee had beene. "Sir," said thei
dwarfe, " I have beene with my ladies sister of this castle,
^nd she hath beene at king Arthurs court, and hath Inrought
a knight with her." " Then I accompt her travaile lost,
for though she had brought with her sir Launcelot, sir
Tristram, sir Lamorake,. and sir Gawaine, I would thinke
' * Two ca9t8,^Catt was a tenn for a certain measure of bread.

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KINQ ARTHUR. 259

mj seUe good enough for than." " It may wel be/' said
ihA dwarfe, '' but this knight hath passed all the perilouii
passages, and hath slaine the black knight and other two
more, and hath won the greene knight, the red kni^t, and
the blew knight." " Then is hee one of these foiu« that I
have rehearsed." " He is none of those," said the dwarfe,
" but he is a kings sonne." " What is his name?" said
the red knight of the red launds. " That will I not tell
you," said the dwarfe, " but sir Kay in scome called him
Beaumains." ^' I care not for him," said the red knight,
" what knight soever he be, for I shall soone deliver him,
and if so bee that I match him, hee shall have a shamefiill
death as many other have had." '< That were pittie," said
the dwarf, << and it is mervaile that yee make such a shame-
full warre upon noble knights."

CHAP. CXXXII. — How the damosel and sir Beaumains came to the
siege, and came to a sickamore tree, and there sir Beaumains blew
an home, and then the knight of the red launds came to fight with
him.

JOW leave wee off the knight and the dwarfe,
and speake we of sir Beaiunains, that all night
lay in the hermitage, and on the morrow hee
and the damosell Lynet heard a masse and
brake their fast. And then they tooke their horses and rode
throughout a faire forrest, and then they came unto a
plaine, and saw whereas were many pavilions and tents, and
a faire castle, and there was much smoake and great noyse.
And when they came neare the siege, sir Beaumains espied
upon great trees, as hee rode, how there hung goodly armed
knights by the neckes, and their shields about their neckes
with their swords, and gilted spurres upon then* heeles, and
so tiiere hung shamefully nigh forty knights with rich armes.
Then sir Beaumains abated his countenaunce, and said,
« What thmg meaneth this ? " *' Fair© sir," saith the da-

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26a THE HISTORIE OF

mosell, " abate not your cheere for all this sight, for jee
must encourage your selfe, or else yee bee all shent, for
all these knights came hither unto this siege to rescue my
sister dame Lyones, and when the red knight of the red
iaunds had overcome them, hee put them to this shameftdl
death, without mercy and pittie, and in the same wise hee
will serve you, but if yee quit you the better." " Now
Jesu defend mee," said sir Beaumains, " from such a vil-
kynous death and shenship* of armes ! for rather then thus
I should bee faren withal! , I would rathet bee slaine man-
fully in plaine battaile." ** So were yee better," said the
damosell, " trust not in him, for in him is no courtesie, but
all goeth to the death or shamefull murther, and that is
great pittie, for hee is a &11 likely man and well made of
body, and a full noble knight of prowesse, and a lord of great
lands and possessions." ^'Truely," said sir Beaumains,
" hee may well bee a good knight, but hee useth shamefull
customes, and it is great mervaile that hee endureth so
long, that none of the noble knights of my lord king Ar-
thurs court have not dealt with him." And then they rode
unto the ditches, and saw them double ditched with full strong
wals, and there were lodged many great estates and lords
nigh the wals, and there was great noyse of minstrels, and
the sea beat upon the one side of the wals, where as were
many ships and mariners noyse with hale and how.^ And
also there was fast by a sickamore tree, and thereon hung
an home, the greatest that ever they saw, of an olifants
bone.^ " And this knight of the red Iaunds hath hanged
it up there, that if there come any arraunt knight, he must
blow that home, and then will he make him ready and come
out unto him to doe battaile with him ; but, sir, I pray
you," said the damosell Lynet, " blow yee not the home
till it bee high noone, for now it is about prime, and now

* Sfienship, — Ruin ; disgrace.

• ' ITale and how, — Wa8 the usual cry of the mariners at their work.

• . ^ OUfantt 6ofie^^-£lephaiit*8 bone ; i. e, ivory.

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KING ARTHUR. 'BGl

tocreaseth his might, which as men say hee hath Iseltven
mens strength.'' '* Ah! fie for shame, faire damosell, say
jee neyer so more to mee, for and he were as good a.knight
as eyer was, I shall never faile him in his most might, for
either will I worshipftdlj winne worship, or die knightly in
the field." And therewith he spurred his horse unto the
sycamore tree, and blew the home so egerly, that all the
siege and the castle rang thereof. And then knights lept
there out of their tents and pavilions, and they that were
within the castle looked over the wals and out at the win-
dowes. Then the red knight of the red laUnds armed him
hastily, and two barons set on his spurres upon his heeles,
and all was blood red, his armour, speare, and shield, and
an earle buckled his helme upon his head ; and then they
brought him a red speare and a steed, and so hee rode into
a little vale under the castle, that all that were in the castle
and at the siege might behold the batttdle.

CHAP. CXXXIII.— How the two knights met together, and of their
talking, and how they began their battaile.

lilE," said the damosell Lynet unto sir Beau-*
mains, " looke that yee be mery and light, for
yonder is your deadly enemy, and at yonder
window is my lady my sister dame Lyones."
"Where?" said sir Beaumams. "Yonder," said the
damosell, and pointed with her finger. " That is sooth,"
said sir Beaumains, " shoe seemeth afarre the fairest lady
that ever I looked upon, and truely," said hee, " I aske no
better quarrell then now to doe battaile, for truely shoe shall
bee my lady, atid for her will I fight." And ever hee looked
up to the window with glad cheere. And the lady Lionea
made curtesie to him down to the ground, holding up her
hands. With that the red knight of the red launds called
to sir Beaumains, " Leave, sir knight, thy looking, andl)e-*
hold mee, I counsaile thee, for I wame thee well shee is

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262 THE RISTOBIE OF

mj IsAj, and for her I have done many strong battaQen."
'^ If thou have so done," said sir Beaumains, " mee seemetb
it but wast labour; for shee loveth none of thy fellowship,
and thou to love that loveth not thee, it is a great folly ; for
if I understood that shee were not glad of my comming, I
would be advised or I did battaile for her, but I imderstand
by the besieging of this castle, shee may forheare^ thy com^
pany. And therefore wit thou well, thou red knight of the
red launds,.! love her and will rescew her, or else die in
the quarrell." " Sayst thou that ? " said the red knight;
" me seemetb thou ought of reason to heware by yonder
knights that thou sawest hang upon yonder great elmes,"
** Fie, fie, for shame," sfdd sir Beaumains, " that ever thou
shouldest say or doe so evill and such shamefulhesse, few
in that thou shamest thy selfe and the order of knighthood,
and thou mayst bee sure there will no lady love thee that
knoweth thy detestable customs. And now ibou weenest
that the sight of these hanged knights should feare mee and
make mee agast, nay truely not so, that shamefidl sight
causeth mee to have courage and hardinesse against ibee,
more then I would have had against thee and if thou hee
a well ruled knight.'* " Make thee ready," said the red
knight of the red launds, '* and talke no longer with me."
Then sir Beaumains bad the damosell goe from him, and then
they put their speares in their rests, and came together with
all the might they had, «nd either smote other in the midd
of their shields, that the paytrels, sursengles, and crowpers^
brast, and fell both to the ground witb the raines of their
bridles in their hands, and so they lay a great while sore
astonied, and all they that were in the castle and at the siege
wend their necks had heene broken, and then many ^
stranger and other said, that the strange knight was a^hig

* Forbeare. — To do without.

* Faytreh, wrungk*, and crmvpers. — The peytrd was the breast-
plate of the horse ; surcingle, the girth of the horse-cloth ; and croacper,
of course, the crupper^

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KING ARTHUR. 263

man and a noble jnster, " for or now we saw never no knight
match the red knight of the red lannds ; " thus they s^d
bo^ within the castle and without. Th^n they lightly
aYiHded' thdr horses and put their shields afore them^ and
drew their swords and ranne together like two fierce lyon^,
and either g^ve other such buffets upon their helmes that
they reeled both backward two strides ; and then they re-
covered both and hewed great peeces from their hameis and
ilieir shields, that a great part fell in the fields.

CHAP. GXXXIY.— How after long fighting sir Beaumainiovercanne
the knight, and would have slaine him, but at the request of the
lords hee saved his life and made him to yeeld him to the lady.

^KD thus stiU they foughttill it was past nooneand
would not stints till at the last they both lacked
wind, and then theyjsitood wagging, staggering,
panting, blowing, and bleeding, so that all those
that bdield them for the most part wept £Dr pittie* And
when they had rested them a while,^ they went to battaile
•againe, trasing, rasing, and foyning as two boores. And
someldme they ranne the one against that other as it had
beene two wild rams, and hurtled so togither that they fell
to the ground groveling. And sometime they were so
■amaaed that either tooke others swords in steede of their
owne. Thus they endured till even-song time, that there
was none that there beheld them might know whether was
likliest to winne the battaile ;■ and their > armour was so sore
hewen that men might see their naked sides, and in other
places they were. naked, but ever the nltked places they dor
fended. And the red knight was a wily knight of warre,
and his wily fighting taught sir Beaumains to be wise, but
fuU sore he bought^ it or he espied his fighting. And thus
by assent of them both, they granted each other to rest a
while, and so they set them downe upon two mole-hils there
* Bm^*--'HpiAtmghUlUtfG9tXiJ0ti,

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264 THE HISTOBIE OF ,

beside tlie fighting place, and either of them imlaced bis
behne and tooke the cold wind, for either of thmr pages were
fast by them, to come when they called for them to unlace
their hameis and to set it on againe at their command.
And then when sir Beaumains helme was off, he looked up
unto the window, and there bee saw the faire lady dame
Lyones. And shee made to him such countenance, that
bis heart was light and joyfidl. And therewith he start up
sudenly, and bad the red knight make him ready to doe the
battfdle to the uttermost," " I will well,'* said the red
knight. And then they laced up their helmes, and their
pages avoided, and they stept togither and fought fierce-
ly.^ But the red knight of the red launds awaited him,
and at an overthwart smote him within the hand, that liis
sword fell out of his hand. And yet bee gave him another
buffet on the helme that he fell downe groveling to the
earth, and the red knight fell over him for to hold him
downe. Then cryed the damosell Lynet on high, " O, sir
Beaumains, where is thy courage become ? alas I my lady
my sister beholdeth thee, and shee sobbeth and weepeth, so
that it maketh my heart heavy." And when sir Beau-
mains heard her say so, bee arose up with a great might,
and gate him upon his feete, and lightly bee lept to his
sword and caught it in his hand, and doubled his pace unto
the red knight, and there they fought together a new bat-
taile. But sir Beaumains then doubled his strookes and
smote so thicke, that he smote the sword out of the red
knights hand, and then bee smote him upon the helme, that
he fell to the ground, and sir Beaumains fell upon him and
unlaced his helme for to have slaine him.

And then the red knight yeelded him and asked mercy,
and said with a loud voice, " Oh, noble knight, I yeeld mee
Unto thy mercy ! " Then sir Beaumains bethought him upon
the knights that he had made to be hanged so shamefully,
and then he said, '' I may not with my worship save thy

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KING Arthur: 265

life/for the shamefull deathes that thou hast caused so man j
good knights to die." " Sir/' said the red knight of the
red launds, " hold ye your hands and ye shall know the
cause why I put them to so shamefull a death." ** Say on,"
said sir Beaumains. " Sir, I loved once a lady, a faire da-
mosell, and shee had her hrother slaine, and shee said it
was sir Launcelot du Lake, or sir Gawaine, and shee prayed
mee that, as I loved her heartily, that I would make her
a promise hy the faith of my knighthood, for to lahour
dayly in armes unto the time that I had met with one of
them, and all that I might overcome, that I should put them
to a villainous death ; and this is the cause that I have
put all these good knights to death, and so I ensured her
to doe all this villanie unto king Arthurs knights, and that
I should take vengance upon al his knights. And, sir, now
I will tell thee that every day my strength encreaseth til
noone, and al this time have I seven mens strength."

CHAP. CXXXV.— How the knight yeelded him, and how sir Beau-
mains made him to goe unto king Arthurs court, and to crie sir
Launcelot mercy.

J HEN" came there many earles and harons and
noble knights, and prayed sir Beaumains to save
his hfe and to take him prisoner, and all they
fell upon their knees and prayed him of mercy,
and that hee would save his life. " And, sir," they said
all, '^ it were better to take homage and fealtie of him, and
let him hold his lands of you, then to slay him, for by his
death ye shall have none advantage, and his misdeedes that
bee done may not bee undone; and therefore he shall make
amends to aJl parties, and. wee all bee heere will become
your men, and doe you homage and feaultie.?' "Faire
lords," said sir Beaumains, " wit you well I am full loth to
jday this knight, neverthelesse hee hath done passing ill and
shamefully. But insomuch as all that hee did was at a

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266 THE HJ8T0BIE OF

lacBes request, I blame him Hie leese, uid ^r jom* sakes I
will release him, and lie shal have his life upon ihifl cove-
nant, that hee goe within the castle and jedd him there to
the lady, and, if shee will forgive and quite him, I wil weU
with that hee make her amends of all the trespasses hee halii
done against her and her landes. And also, when that is
done, that hee goe unto the court oi king Arthur^ and there
that hee aske sir Launcelot and sir Gawaine, for the evill
will that hee hath had against them." " Sir," said the red
knight of the red launds, '' all this will I doe as jee com-
mand, and siker assurance and borowes^ ye shall have7*
Ajid then, when the assurailce was made, hee made his
homage and feaultie, and all those carles and barons' wit)i
him. And then the damosell Lynet came unto sir Beau-
mains, and unarmed him, and searched his wounds and
stinted his blood, and in like wise she did to the red knight
of the red launds. And so they sojourned ten days in thdr
tents. And the red knight made his lords and servants to
doe al the pleasure that they might unto sir Beaumains.
And within a while after, the red knight of the red launds
went unto the castle and put him in the lady Lyones grace,
and so she received him upon sufficient sureties, and all her
hurts wCTe wdi restored of all that she could complaine.
And then hee departed and went unto the court of king Ar-
thur, and there openly the red knight of the red launds put
him in the mercy of sir Launcelot and sir Gaw^e, and
ther he told openly how he Was overcome and by whom, and
also hee told of all the battailes, from the beginning to the
ending. *< Jesus, mercie," said king Arthur and sir Ghi-
waine, " we marvaile much of what blood* he is come, for
he is a fiill noble knight." " Have ye no mttrvaSe," said
sir Launcelot, '< for ye shall right well wit that hee is come
of a full noble blood, and, as for his might and hardinesse,
there bee but few now living that is so mightie as hee is,
and so noble of prowesse." *' It seemeth by you," said
*^Bwowef. -^Pledges J sureties.

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KING AUTHTIM. :. 267-

king ArthaTy " that je know his name, and from whence
he is come, and of what hlood he is/' " I suppose I doie
so/' said sir Launcelot, " or else I would- not have given
him the order of knighthood; hut hee gave mee at that time
such charge that I should never discover himuntill hee re-
quired mee, or else it he knowen openly hy some other."

CHAP. CXXXyi. — ^How sir Beaamains came to the lady, and when
he came unto the castle the gates were closed against him, and of
the ^nrords that the lady said unto him.

5 O W retume we unto sir Beaumains, which de-»
sired of the dampsell linet that hee might see
her sister his lady. " Sir," said shee, "I would
faine yee saw her." Then sir Beaumains armed
bim at all points, and tooke his horse and his speare, and
rode straight to the castle. And when hee came to the
gate, hee found there many men armed that pulled up the
drawbridge and drew the port close. Then marvailed hee why
they would not suffer him to enter in. And then he looked
up to the window, and there he saw the faire lady dame
Liones, that said on high : <' (xoe thy way, sir Beaumains,
for as yet thou shalt not wholly have my love, uutill the time
thou bee called one of the number of the worthy knights ;
and therefore goe and labour in armes worshipfuUy these
twelve-moneths, and then ye shall heare new tidings."
*' Alas, faire lady," said sir Beaumains, " I have not de-
served this, that ye should shew to mee this strangenesse ;
I had wend that I should have right good chcCTe with you,
and to my power I have deserved thaukes and kindnesse,
and well I am sure that I have bought your love with part
of the best blood within my body." " Faire knight," said
dame Liones, " bee not-displeased, nor over hastie, for wit
ye wel that your great travaile nor good love shall not be
lost, for I consider your great travaile and labour, your
bountie and your goocUiesse, as I ought. to doe ; and there-

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268 THE HISTOEIE OF

fore goe on your way, and looke that ye be ever o^ good
comfort, for all shall bee for your worship and honour^ and
also for the best ; and perd^^ a twelve-moneth will be scone
gone, and trust you me, faire knight, I shall be true unto
you, and shall never betray you, but imto my death I shall
love you and none other." And therewithall shee turned
her from the window. And sir Beaumains rode away from
the castle in making great moane and sorrow ; and so he
rode heere and there, and wist not whether he rode, till it
was darke night ; and then it happened him to come to a
poore mans house, and there bee was harboured all that
night. But sir Beaumains could have no rest, but wallowed
and writhed for the love of the lady of the castle. And so
on the morrow bee tooke his horse and his armour, and rode
till it was noone ; and then bee came unto a broad water,
and thereby was a great lodge, and there bee alighted to
sleepe, and laid his head upon his shield, and betooke his
horse to the dwarfe, and commanded him to watch all night.
Now turne we to the lady of the castle, that thought much
upon sir Beaumains ; and then she called unto her sir Gnn-
gamor her brother, and prayed him in all manner, as he
loved her heartily, that hee would ride after sir Beaumains,
" and ever have him in a waite* till that ye may finde him
sleeping, for I am sure in his heavinesse he will aHght downe
in some place and lye downe to sleep, and therefore have
your watch upon him, and, in the priviest wise that yee can,
take his dwarfe from him, and goe your way with him as
fast as ever ye may or sir Beaumains awake ; for my sister
Linet hath shewed me that the dwarfe can tell of what kin-
dred hee is come, and what his right name is ; and in the
meane while I and my sister will ride to your castle to awaite
when yee shall bring with you this dwarfe, and then when

^ Perci^.— Literally, by God, for God's sake. A common Anglo-
Norman exclamation.

* Ina waite. — Caxton has, ever have ye wayte tyaon bym. Either
reading means, keep ever ^atch vLpon him.

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KINO ARTHUR. 269

yee liave brought him to jour castle, I will have him in ex-
amination mj selfe, unto the time I know what his right
name is, and of what kindred he is come, or else I shal never
bee merry at my heart/' *•' Sister," said sir Gringamor,
'< all this shall be done as yee have desired." And so he
departed, and rod both day and night till that bee had found
sir Beaumains lying sleeping by a water side, and had laid
his head upon his shield. And then when bee saw that
sir Beaumains was fast on sleepe, bee came stilly stalking
behind the dwarfe, and tooke him fast under bis arme, and
so rode away with him as fast as ever bee might unto his
castle. And this sir Gringamors armour, and all that to
him belonged, was all blacke. But as bee rode with the
dwarfe toward his castle, he cried unto his lord and prayed
him of helpe. And tberwitbal sir Beaumains awoke, and
up hee lept lightly, and saw where sir Gringamor rode his
way with the dwaafe, and so sir Gringamor rode out of bis
sight.

CHAP. CXXXVn — How sir Beanmains rode after for to rescew his
dwarfe. and came into the castle where he was.

FHEN sir Beaumains put on his helme anon, and
buckled his shield, and tooke his horse and rode
after him all that ever hee might ride, through
maries^ and fields and great dales, that many
times bis horse and be plunged over the bead indeepe mires,
for hee knew not the way, but hee tooke the next* way in
that woodnesse,^ that many times hee was like to perish.
And at the last it bapned him to come to a faire greene
way, and there he met with a poore man of the countrie,
whom hee saluted, and asked bun whether hee met not with
a knight upon a blacke horse and blacke. hameis, and a

' Maries, — Marshes.

' Next. — Nighest. Caxton reads gayntit, i. e. readiest.

* ^oodneiie. — Madness; fiiiy.

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270 THE HISTOBIE OF

little dwarfe sitting behind him with heayie cheere. " Sir,**
said the poore man, '< heere passed bjmee a knight that is
called sir Gringamor, with such a dwarfe mourning as yee
saj, but I counsell jou that je follow him not, for he is one
of the perilous knights of the world, and his castle is heere
nigh hand within these two miles, and therefore I advise
you that ye ride not after him, but if ye owe to him good
will."

Leave wee now to speake of Beaumains, riding toward
the castle, and speake we of sirGringamor and of the dwarfe.
Anon as the dwarfe was come to the castle, then dameLiones
and dame Linet her sister asked the dwarfe ^#here his nias-
ter was borne, and of what linage that he was come, " and
but thou tell me the truth," said dame Liones, <' thou shalt
never escape this castle, but for ever here to bee prisoner."
"As for that,'* said the dwarfe, " I feare not greatly to tell
his name, and of what kinne that he is come. Wit yee
well thathee is a kings sonne, and his mother is sister unto
king Arthur, and hee is brother unto the good knight sir
Gawaine, and his name is sir Gareth of Orkeney. Now
have I told you his right name, now I pray you, faire lady,
let mee goe againe unto my lord, for he will never out of
thb countrey till he have me againe ; and if he be angry he
wil doe much harme or he stint, and worke you much wrack'
in this countrey." " As for that threatning," said sir Grin-
gamor, " be it as it may, we will goe to our dinner.*' And
so they washed, and went to meat, and made them merry^
and were well at ease, and, because the lady dame Liones
of the castle was there, they made great joy.

" Truely, madame," said Linet unto her sister," well may
he be a kings sonne, for he hath many good tatches in him,
for he is a courteous and a mild man, the most suffering
man that ever I met withall ; for I dare well say there was
nevei gentlewoman that reviled man in so foule a maimer

^ Wraeh-^Workt you, wraekef Gaxton. Wrake is an old woffd
signifying destruction or ruin. •

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KING ARTHUR. 271

as I liave reviled him, and at all times he gave me goodlj
and meeke answers againe.'* And as they sat thus talking/
there came sir Beaumain^ at the gate with an angry coun- :
tenance, and his sword drawen in his hand, and cried aloud
that all the castle might heare it, saying : '< Thou traitour, sir
Gringamor, deliver mee my dwarfe againe, or hy the faitli
that I owe to the order of knighthood, I shall doe thee all
the harme that I can." Then sir Gringamor looked out at
a window, and said : ^^ Sir Gareth of Orkney, leave thy
boasting words, for thou getest not thy dwarfe again."
*• Thou coward knight," said sir Gureth, *' bring him with
thee, and come and doe battaile with me, and winne him,
and take him." " So will I doe," said sir Gringamor, " and
me list, but for all thy great words thou gettest him not.''
" Ah, faire brother," said dame Liones, " I would bee had
his dwarfe againe, for I would not bee were wroth, for now
bee hath told mee all my desire I will no longer keepe the
dwarfe. And also, brother, bee hath done much for mee,
and delivered me from the red knight of the red launds, and
therefore, brother, I owe him my service afore all knights
Kving ; and wit ye well I love him above all other kni^ts,
and full faine would I speake with him, but in no wise I
would bee wist what I were, but that I were another strange
lady." " Well," said sir Gringamor, " sith that I know
your will, I will now obey unto him." And therewithall
bee went downe unto sir Gareth, and said : " Sir, I cry you
mercy, and all that I have misdone against your person I
will amend it at your owne wil, and therefore I pray you
that you will alight, and take such cheere as I can make
you here in this castle." " Shall I then have my dwarfe
againe ?" said sir Gareth. " Yea, sir, and all the pleasure
that I can naake you, for as soone as your dwarfe told me
what yee were and of what blood that yee are come, and
what noble deeds ye have done in these marches, then I re-
pented me of my deeds." And then sir Gareth alighted
downe from his horse^ and therewith came his dwarfe and

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272 THE HISTOBIE OF

tooke his horse. " O my fellow/' said sir Gttreth/* I have
had many evill adventures for thy sake." And so sirCWn-
gamor tooke him hy the hand, and led him into the hall,
and there was sir Gringamors wife.

CHAP. CXXJLVIIL— -How sir Gareth, otherwise called sir Beanmains,
came unto the presence of his lady, and how they tooke acquaint-
ance, and of their love.

^ND then there came forth into the hall dame
Lyones arayed likeaprincesse, and there shee
made him passing good cheere, and hee her
againe. And they had goodly language and
lovely countenance^ together. And sir Gareth many times
thought in himselfe, *^ Jesu ! would to God that the lady of
the castle perillous were so faire as shee is." There were all
manner of games and playes, hoth of dauncing and leaping;
and ever the more sir Gku^th heheld the lady, the more
hee loved her, and so he hrenned in love that he was past
himselfe in his understanding. And forth toward night
they went to supper, and sir Gareth might not eate, for his
love was so hot that hee wist not where hee was. All these
lookes sir Gringamor espied, and after supper hee called
his sister dame Lyones unto a chamher, and said : '^ Fairs
sister, I have well espied your countenance hetweene you
and this knight, and I wUl, sister, that yee wit that hee is
a full noble knight, and if yee can make him to abide here,
I will doe to him all the pleasure that I can, for and yee were
better than yee be, yee were well bestowed upon hiip." "Faire
brother," said dame Lyones, " I understand well that the
knight is good, and come hee is of a noble house ; notwith-
standing I will assay him better, how bee it I am most be-
holding to him of any earthly man, for hee hath had great
labour for my love, and hath passed many a dangerous
passage." Eight so sir Gringamor went unto sir Grareth,
* Countenanee, — ^i. e. behaviour.

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KINO ARTHUR. 273

and said : *' Sir, make ye good cheere, for yee shall hare
none other cause, for this lady my sister is yours at all
times, her worship sayed. For wit yee well that shoe loveth
you as well as yee doe her, and hotter, if better may bee."
" And I wist that," said sir Gureth, " there should not live
a gladder man then I would bee." " Upon my worship,"
said sir Gringamor, '< trust to my promise, and as long as
it liketh you yee shall sojoume with mee, and this lady shall
be with ns daily and nightly to make you all the cheere that
shee can." " I will well," said sir Gareth, " for I have pro-
mised to bee nigh this countrey these twelve-moneths ; and
well I am sure that my lord king Arthur and many other
noble knights will find mee where that I am within these
twelve moneths, for I shall bee greatly sought and found, if
that I bee on live." And then the noble knight sir Gareth
went to the dame Lyones, which hee then much loved, and
kissed her many times, and either made great joy of other.
And there shee promised him her love, faithfully to love
him, and never none other, all the dayes of her life.
. And then the lady dame Lyones, by the assent of her
broths, told sir Gareth all the truth what shee was, and how
she was the same lady that he did battaile for, and how that
fthee was lady of ihe castle perilous ; and there shee told
him how shee caused her brother to take away his dwarfe.

CHAP. CXXXIX.— Howin the night came in an armed knight and
fought with sir Gareth, and hurt him sore in the thigh, and how
sir Gareth smote ofif the knights head.

(OE this cause, to know the certaintie what was

your name, and of what kinne yee were come."

And then shee let fetch before him the damo-

sell Lynet, which had ridden with him many

wilsome^ wayes. Then was sir Gareth more gladder then

he was before. And then they plight their tro^ unto each

' WUaome. — "ForwildMomei drearj.

VOL. I. T

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274 THE HISTOBIE OF

other to loye, and neyer to faile whiles their lives lasted.
And so they burnt both in love that they were accorded to
abate their lusts secretly, and there dame Lyones counsailed
sir Gku*eth to sleepe in none other place but in the hall, and
there shee promised him to come to his bed a little afore mid-
night. This counsell wasnot so privily kept but itwasknowne,,
for they were but young both and tender of age, and had
not used no such crafts before, wherefore the damosell Lynet
was a little displeased, and thou^t her sister dame Lyones
was a little over hasty in that thing, as that shee might not
abide the time of her marriage ; and for saving of their
worship shee thought to abate their hot lusts ; and so shee
let ordaine by her subtile crafts that they had not their en-i
tent the one with the other, as in their delights, till they
were married. And so it past on, and after supper was
made cleane avoydance that every lord and lady should goe
to hb rest. But sir Gareth said plainly that he would goe
no further than the hall, for such places, said bee, was con-
venient for an arraunt knight to take his rest in. And so
there were ordeined great couches, and thereon feather beds,
and there laid him downe to sleepe. And within a while
came dame Lyones wrapped in a mantle that was furred
with armines,^ and laid her downe beside sir Gareth. And
anon bee beganne to kisse her, and then he looked afore
him and perceived and saw comming toward him an armed
knight, with a great light about him ; and this knight had
a long gisarme^ in his hand, and made a grim countenance
to smite him. "When sir Gareth saw him come in that
wise, he leapt out of his bed, and gat his sword in his hand,
and went straight toward the knight. And when the knight
saw sir Gareth come so fiercely upon him, he smote him
with a foyne through the thicke of the thigh, that the same
wound was a shaftmon' broad, and had cut atwo many

' * Armines. — Ermine. • Gitarme, — See before, p. 162.

* Shqftmon, — An old term for a measure, equal to the distance
horn, the extremity of the thumb to that of the palm in the extended
hknd — reckoned at about half a foot

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KING ARTHUR. 275

veines and sinewes. And therewith sir Gareth smote him
upon the hehne such a buffet that he fell groveling to the
earth, and then sir Gareth lept over him and unlaced his
hehne, and quickly smote off his head. And than he bled
80 fast that hee might not stand upon his feete, but laid
him down upon his bed, and there he swoned, and lay as
hee had beene dead. And then dame Lyones cryed aloude,
that her brother sir Gringamor heard her. Then came hee
downe, and when he saw that sir Gareth was so shamefully
wounded, he was sore displeased, and said, ^^ I am ashamed
that this noble knight is thus dishonoured." Then said sir
Gringamor unto his sister dame Lyones, "How may this bee
that yee bee here, and this noble knight so sore wounded ? "
" Brother," said dame Lyones," I cannot tell you, for itwas
not done by mee, nor by mine assent, for he is my lord,
and I his, and hee must be my husband ; therefore, bro-
ther, I will that yee wit I am not ashamed to bee with him,
nor to doe him all the pleasure that I can." " Sister,"
said sir Gringamor, " and I will well that yee wit, and sir
Gareth also, that it was never done by me nor by mine as-
sent that this unhappy deede is done." And then anone
they stanched the bleeding as well as they might. And
great sorrow made sir Gringamor and dame Lyones. And
forthwith came dame Linet, and tooke up the head of the
dead knight in the sight of them all, and anointed it with
an oyntment there as it was smitten off, and in the same
wise shoe did to that other part there as the head stood, and
then shoe set it together, and it was as fast as ever it was
afore ; and the same knight arose lightly, and the damo-
sell Lynet led him into her chamber with her. All this saw
sir Gringamor and dame Lyones, and so did sir Gareth,
and well hee espied that it was the damosell Lynet, which
rode with him through the perillous passages. "Ah, well,
damosell,'' said sir Gureth, " I wend yee would not have
done as ye have done." " My lord Gareth," said the da-
mosell Lynet, " all that I have done I will avow, and all

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276 THE HISTOBIE OF

that I have done shall hee for jour honour and worship, and
also to us all.'' And so within a while sir Gbreth was nigh
whole, and waxed light and jocund, and sang, daunced, and
gamed ; and he and dame Ljones were so hot in huming
love that they made their covenant that at the tenth night
after she should come to his hed. And hecause he was
wounded afore, he laid his armour and his sword nigh his
bed side.

CHAP. CXL. — How the same knight came againe the next night,
and was beheaded againe. And how at the feast of Pentecost all
the knights that sir Gareth had overcome came and yeelded them
nnto king Arthur.

I IGKT as shee had promised shoe came, and shee
was not so soone in his bed but shee espied an
armed knight comming toward the bed, and
therewith shee warned sir Gareth, aiid Hghtlj
through the good helpe of dame Lyones he was armed anon ;
and then Ihey hurled togeth^ with great ire and malice all
about the hall, and there was great light, as it had beene
to the number of twentie torches both before and behind, so
that sir Gareth strained so himselfe, that his old wounds
brast out againe in bleeding, but hee was hot and couragious
and tooke no care, but with his great force he sta-uke downe
that knight, and voyded his helme, and>strake off his head.
Then he hewed the head in an hundred peeces, and when
he had done so, hee tooke up all those peeces and threw
them out at a window into the diches of the castle; and when
hee had thus done, hee was so faint that he could not stand
for bleeding.

And when hee was almost unarmed, hee fell in a deadly
sound' in the floore. And then dame Lyones eryed so loud
that sir Gringamor heard her, and when hee came and found
sir Gareth in that plite he made great sorrow, and there he
awaked sir Gtireth, and gave him a drinke that releeved him
* /9oam<f.— i. e. swoon.

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KING ABTHUE. 277

wondrously well, but the great sorrow that dame Lyones
made no tongue may tell, for shee so fared with her selfe,
as though shee should have died. Bight so came the da*
mosell Lynet before them all, and shee had fetched all the
little gobbets^ of the head that sir Gareth had throwen out
at the window, and there shee anointed them as shee had
done before, and set them together againe. <* Well, da-
mosell Lynet," said sir Gareth, ^^ I have not deserved all
this despite which yee doe .to mee." " Sir knight," said
the damosell Lynet, " I have nothing done but I will avow
it, and all that I have done shall bee for your worship and
for us all." And then was sir Gtireth stanched of his bleed-
ing. But the leeches^ said that there was no man on live
that should heale him throughout of his wound, but if they
healed him that caused that strooke by enchauntment.

Now leave we off sir Gareth ther with sir Gringamor and
his sisters, and retume wee unto king Arthur, that at the
next feast of Pentecost held his feast, and there came the
greene knight with fiftie knights, and they all yeelded them
unto king Arthur. And afiber there came the red knight
his brother, and yeelded him to king Arthur and threescore
knights ivith him. Also there came the blew knight, that
was brother unto the other two, with an hundred knights,
and they all yeelded them unto king Arthur. The greene
knights name was sir Pertolope, and the red knights name
was sir Ferimones, and the blew knights name was sir Per-
saunt of Inde. These three brethren told king Arthur how
they were overcome by a knight that a damosell had with
her, and called him sir Beaumains. '< O Jesu ! " said the
king, ^' I marvaile what knight he is, and of what linage
he is come ; he was with mee a twelve-moneth, and poorely
and shamefully hee was fo6tred,and sir Kay in scome named
him Beaumains."

Eight as king Arthur stood so talking with these three
bretheren, there came sir Launcelot du Lake, and told the
* Cro66rfi,— Morsels. ' XeecAei.— Physicians.

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278 THE EI8T0BIE OF

king that there was come a goodly lord with five hundred
knights. Then the king went out of Carlion, for there was
the feast, and there came to him this lord, which saluted the
king in a good manner. " What is your will ? '' said king
Arthur; **and what is your errand?" "Sir/* said hee,
'' I am called the red knight of the red launds, hut my name
is sir Ironside ; and, sir, yee shall wit that heere I am sent
to you of a knight which is called sir Beaumains, for he
wanne mee in plaine hattaile, hand for hand, and so did
never no knight hut he this thirtie winters, and hee charged
and commanded me to yeeld mee unto your grace and wiD."
" Yee are welcome,'* said the king, " for yee have heene
long a great foe to mee and to my court, and now I trust
to God I shall so entreat you that yee shall hee my friend."
'^ Sir, hoth I and these five hundred knights shall alway hee
at your command, to doe you service as much as lyeth in
our power." " Jesu, mercy ! " said king Arthur, " I am
much heholding unto that knight, that hath so put his hody
in devoured to worship mee and my court. Ironside, that
art called the red knight of the red launds, thou art called
a precious^ knight, if thou wilt hold of me I shall worship
thee and make thee knight of the round tahle, hut then thou
maiest hee no more a murtherer." '' Sir, as to that I have
promised unto sir Beaumains never to use such a custome ;
for all the shamefull customes that I have used, I did it at
the request of a lady that I loved, and therefore I must goe
unto sir Launeelot and unto sir Gawaine, and aske them
for^venesse of the evill will that I had unto them, for all
them that I put to death was onely for sir Lancelots and
sir Gawaines sakes." " They he heere now afore thee,"
said , the king, " ye may say unto them what yee will."
And then hee kneeled downe to sir Lancelot and to sir
Gawaine, and prayed them of forgivenesse of the evill will
and enmitie that he had committed against them both^

* Devottre. — Duty. ' Precious, — Fer^Uous^CtLxUm^

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KING ARTHUR, 279

CHAP. CXLI. — How sir Launcelot and sir Gawaine pardoned him,
. and demaunded him where sir Gareth was.

J HEN goodly they said all at once, *' God for-
give you and wee doe, and pray you that yee
will tell us where wee may finde sir Beau-
mains." *^ Faire lord," said sir Ironside, " I
can not tell you/for it is full hard to finde him, for all such
young knights as hee is, when they hee in their adventures,
bee never abiding in one place," But to say the worship
that the red knight of the red launds and sir Persaunt and
his brother said of sir Beaumains, it was marvaile to heare.
** Well, my faire lords," said king Arthur, " wit you well I
shall doe you honour for the love of sir Beaumains, and as
soone as ever I meete with him I shall make you all upon
one day knights of the table round. And as to thee, sir
Persaunt of Inde, thou hast ever beene called a full noble
knight, and so have ever beene thy three brethren called.
But I marvaile," said king Arthur, " that I heare not of the
blacke knight your brother, hee was a full noble knight."
" Sir," said Pertolope the greene knight, " sir Beaumains
slew him in an encounter with his speare, his name is sir
Pereard." ^* That was great pittie," said king Arthur,
and so said many knights moe. For these foure brethren
were full well knowen for noble knights in king Arthurs
court, for long time they had holden warre against the
knights of the table round. Then said sir Pertolope the
greene knight unto the king, ^* At a passage of the water
of Mortaise, there encountred sir Beaumains with two bre-
thren, that ever for the most part kept that passage, and
they were two manly knights, and there hee slew the eldest
brother in the water, and smote him upon the head such a
buffet that he fell downe in the water and there hee was
drowned, and his name was sir Gerarde le Bre¥rse. And
anon after hee slew the other brother upon the land, and
)m name was sir Arnold le Brewse."

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280 THE HISTORIE OF

CHAP. CXLII. — How the qneene of Orkenej came to this feast of
Pentecost, and how sir Gawaineand his brethren came to askeher
blessing.

^ O then the king and they went to their meate,
and were serred in the hest manner. And as
they sat at their meate, there came in the queene
of Oikeney, with a great number of ladies and
^mghiB, And then sir Gawaine and sir Agravaine and
sir Gaheris arose and went to her, and saluted her upon
their knees, and asked her blessing, for in the space of
fif);eene yeares they had not seene her. Then shee spake
on high to her broUier king Arthur, ^< Where have yee done
my young son sir Gareth? hee was heere among you a
twelve-moneth, and yee made a kitchin knare of him, which
is a great shame to you all. Alas ! where haye yee done
my deere sonne which was my joy and blisse ? ''

^' Oh, deare mother,'' said sir Gawaine, *^ I knew him
not." " Nor I," said the king, " which me now sore re*
penteth, but God be thanked he is proved a worshipful
knight as any is now liying of his yeares, and I shall never
bee glad till I may find him." ^* Ah, brother,'^ said the
queene of Orkeney to king Arthur, and to sir Gawaine, and
to her other two sonnes, " yee did your selfe a great shame
when ye among you kept my sonne Gareth in the kitchin
and fed him like a poore hogge." ^* Faire sister," said king
Arthur, *' yee shall right well wit that I knew hini not, no
more did sir Gawaine nor his brethren. But sith it is so,"
said the king, ^* that he is thus gone from us all, wee must
seeke a remedy to find him. Also, sister, mee seemeth
yee might have done mee to wit of his oomming,and then
if I had not done well to him, yee might have blamed mee.
For when he came to this oourt, hee came leaning upon
two mens shoulders, as though he might not have gone ;
and then he asked mee three gifts, and one hee asked that

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KING ARTHUR. 281

same day, that was, that I would give him meate enough
for twelve moneths.

" And the other two gifts hee asked that same day twelve-
moneths after, and that was, that he might have the adven-
ture of the damosell Linet ; and the third was, that sir
Laiino^ot should make him knight when he desired him ;
and so I graunted him all his desire. And many in this
court marvailed that he desired his sustenance for twelve
moneths, and therefore we deemed many of us that he was
not come of a nohle house."

^* Sir," said the queene of Orkeney to her brother king
Arthur, " wit you well that I sent him unto you right well
armed and horsed, and worshipfully well beseene of his body,
and gold and silver great plentie for to spend." " It may
well bee," said the king, " but thereof saw we none, save
that same day that hee departed from us, knights told mee
that there came a dwarfe hither sodainely and brought him
armour aiid a good courser full well and richly beseene, and
thereat we bad all great marvaBe from whence that riches
came, and then we all deemed that hee was come of great
men of worship." " Brother," said the queene, " all that
ye say I beleeve, for ever sithence that hee was growen he
was marvelously witted ; and ever he was faithlull and
true of his promise. But I marvaile," said she, ** that sir
Kay did mock and scome him, and gave him that name
Beaumains ; yet sir Kay," said the queene, " named him
more righteously then hee wend, for I dare well say, and
hee be on live, hee is a faire handed man, and well dis-
posed as any is living." Then said king Arthur, "Let this
language bee still, and by the grace of God hee shall be
found and he be within this seaven realmes, and let al this
passe and be merry, for he is proved a man of worship? and
that is to me great joy."

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282 THE BIST OB IB OF

CHAP. CXLIII.— How king Arihur sent for the lady Liones, and
• how shee let crie a tamement at the castle, where as came manj
good knights.

pHEN said sir Gawaine and his brethren unto
king Arthur : " Sir, and yee will give us leave,
wee will goe seeke our brother.^' ^' Nay," said
sir Launcelot, " that shall not neede," and so
Said sir Bawdewaine of Brittaine, " for as by our advise the
king shall send unto dame Liones a messenger, ai^d pray
her that she wil com to the kings court in al the hast that
she may, and I doubt not but that shee will come, and then
she may give you the best counsaile where as yee shall find
him." " This is wel said of you," quoth king Arthur. So
then goodly letters were made, and in all haste a messenger
was sent forth, that rode both night and day till he came
to the castle perilous. And then the lady dame Liones was
sent for there as shee was with sir Gnngamor her brother
and sir Gareth. And when she understood this message,
shoe bad the messenger to ride on his way unto king Ar-
thur, and shee would come after in al the haste possible.
Then when she came to sir Gnngamor and sir Gareth, she
told them all how king Arthur had sent for her. " That is
because of me," said sir Gareth. *^ Now advise me," said
dame Liones, *' what shall I say, and in what manner shall
I rule my selfe." " My lady and my love," said sir Ga-
reth, " I pray you in no manner of wise be yee knowen
where I am, but well I wot my mother is there and all my
brethren, and they will take upon them to seeke me, as I
wot well they doe. But this, madame, I would ye said and
advise my lord the king, when bee questioneth with you of
me, then may yee say this is your advise : that and it like
his good grace ye will make a crie against the feast of the
Assumption of our Lady, that what knight there proveth him
best, hee shall weld you and all your lands. And if it so
bee that hee be a wedded man, lliat his wife shall have the

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KINO ABTHUB. 283

degree and a coronall of gold, beset with stones of yertue to
the value of a thousand pound, and a white jarfawcon."^
Then dame Liones departed and came unto king Arthur,
where she was nobly received, and there she was sore
questioned of king Arthur and of the queen of Orkeney;
and she answered, wheresoever sir Grareth was, she could
not tell. But thus much shee said to king Arthur : " Sir,
I will let crie a tumement, that shal be done before my
castle at the Assumption of our Lady, and the crie shall be
thus, that you my lord Arthur shall bee there and your
knights, and I will purvey that my knights shall bee against
yours, and then I am sure yee shall heare of sir Gareth.''
<* This is well advised," said king Arthur. And so shee de-
parted fi'om thence. And then the king and shee made
great provision for the toumement. "When dame Liones
was come to the ile of Avilion,* which was the same ile
where as her brother sir Gringamor dwelled, and then shee
told him all how she had done, and what promise shee had
made to king Arthur. " Alas 1 " said sir Gureth, " I have
beene so sore wounded with unhappinesse sithen I came into
this castle, that I shall not bee able to doe at that tuma-
ment like as a knight should doe, for I was never well whole
since I was hurt." " Bee yee of good cheare," said the
damosell Lynet, "for I undertake within these fifteene
dayes for to make you as whole and as lusty as ever yee
were." And then she laid an oyntment and a salve to him
as it pleased her, that he was never so fresh nor so lusty.
Then said the damosell Lynet, " Send you unto sir Per-
saunt of Inde, and command him and his knights to be heere
with you as they have promised. Also, that yee send unto
sir Ironside, that is the red knight of the red launds, and
charge him that he bee ready with you with all his company
of knights, and then shall yee be able to match with king
Arthur and his knights." So this was done, and all the

* Jarfawcon, — See before, p. 163.
' ^oiEum.— Avallon, or Glastonbury.

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284 THE HI8T0BIE OF

knights were sent for unto the castle periUous. And the red
knight then answered and said unto dame Ljones and to
sir Gareth : " Madame and my lord sir.Gtu^thy yee shall
understand that I have beene at king Arthurs oouit with sir
Persaunt of Inde, and his bretheren, and there we have done
our homage as jee commanded us." Also sir Ironside said,
" I have taken upon mee with sir Persaunt of Inde, and his
brethren, to hold partie against mj lord sir Launcelot and
the knights of that court. And this have I done for the
love of mj lady dame Lyones, and you, my lord sir Gkireth.'*
" Yee have well done," said sir Gbreth, " but wit ye well
yee shall be full sore matched with the most noble knights
of ihe world, therefore wee must purvey us of good knights
whereas wee may get them." '< That is well said," quoth
sir Persaunt, " and worshipftilly." And so the cry was
made in all England, Wales, and Scotland, Ireland, and
Comewaile, and in all the out yles, and in Brittaine, and
in many other countries, that at the feast of the Assump-
tion of our Lady next comming, men should come to the
castle perillous, beside the ile of Avilion, and there all the
knights that came should have the choyse whether them list
to be on the one part with the knights of the castle, or on
the other part with king Arthur. And two moneths was
to the day that the tumament should bee. And so there
came many good knights that were at large, and held them
for the most part against king Arthur and his knights of
the round table, and came on the side of them of the castle^
For sir Epinogris was the first, and he was the kings son of
Northimiberland, and sir Palamides the Sarasin was an
other, and sir Safere his brother, and sir Sagwarides his
brother, but they were christened, and sir Malagrine an-
other, and sir Brian de les lies, a noble knight, and sir Grum-
more Grummorsum, a good knight of Scotland, and sir
Oarados of the dolorous tower, a noble knight, and sir Tur-
quine his brother, and sir Arnold and sir Ghkuter two bre-
thren, good knights of Comewaile ; there came sir Tristram

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KING ARTHUR. 285

de Liones, and with him air Dinadan the seneshall, and sir
Sadoke, hut sir Tristram at that time was not knight of the
round tahle, hut he was one of the hest knights of the
world. And so all these noble knights accompanied them,
with the lady of the castle, and with the red knight of the
red launds ; but as for sir Gareth he would take upon him no
more hut as other meane knights did.

CHAP. CXLiy. — How king Arthur went to the tumement with his
knights, and how the lady dame Liones received him worshipfully,
and how the knights enconntred together.

^ND then there came with king Arthur sir Qa^
waine and his two brethren sir Agravaine and
sir Gaheris; and then his nephewes sir Ewaine
leBlaunche-Mains,and sirAglovale,sir Tor, sir
Percivale de Galis, and sir Lamorake de Galis. Then came
sir Launcelot du Lake with his brethren, nephewes, and
cosins, as sir Lionell, sir Ector de Mans, and sir Bbrs de
Ganis, and sir Galihodin, sir Galihud, and many moe of
sir Launcelots blood, and sir Dinadam, sir La-cote-male-
taile his brother, a noble knight, and also sir Sagramore
a good knight, and the most part of the round table.

Also there came with king Arthur these knights, the
king of Ireland king Aguisaunce, and the king of Scotland
king Carados, and king Urience of the land of Gore, and
king Bagdemagus and his son sir Meliganus, and sir Ga-
lahault the noble prince. Al these kings, princes, earlea,
and barons, and many other noble knights, as sir Brandiles,
and sir Ewaine les Avoutres, and sir Kay, sir Bedivere, sir
Melion de Logre8,sn: Petipace of Winchelsee,and sir Gt)de-
lake ; aU these came with the noble prince king Arthiu-,
and many moe, which were too long to rehearse. Now
leave wee to speake of these kings and knights, and let us
speake of the great array that was made within the castle

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and about the castle for both parties. The lady dame Liones
ohlamed great array on her part for her noble knights, for
all manner of lodging and vittaile that came by land and by
water, that there lack nothing for her part nor yet for the
other, but there was plentie to bee had for gold and silver
for king Arthur and his knights. And then there came the
herbegeours^ from king Arthur, for to harborow him and his
knights, his dukes, his carles, his barons, and all his knights.
And then sir Gareth praied his lady dame Liones, and sir
Ironside the red knight of the red launds, and sir Persaunt
of Inde, and his brother, and sir Gringamor, that in no
manner of wise there should none of them tell his name,
and make no more of him then of the least knight that there
was ; for hee said, ^' I will not be knowen neither of more
nor lesse, neither at the beginning nor at the ending."
Then" dame Liones said unto sir Gareth, " Sir, I will leave*
you a ring, but I would pray you as yee love mee heartily
let mee have it againe when the tumement is done. For
that ring encreaseth my beautie much more then it is of it
selfe.' And this is the vertue of my ring, that is greene it
will tume it unto red, and that is red it will tume into like-
nesse of greene, and that is blew it will tume to likeuesse
of white, and that is white it will tume to likenesse of blew,
and so it wil doe of all manner of colours. Also who that
beareth my ring shall leese no blood, and for great love I
will give you this ring." " Gramercy," said sir Gareth,
*' mine owne lady, for this ring is passing meete for me, for
, it will tume all manor of likenesse that I am in, and that
shal cause me that I shal not be knowen." Then sir Grin-
gamor gave sir Gareth a baye courser that was a passing
good horse ; also he gave him a passing good armour and a
sure, and a noble sword that somtime sir Gringamors father
wan upon an heathen tyrant. And so thus every knight

' ITerAe^wottr*.— Harbingers ; officers sent before the court to pre-
pare lodgings.

* JLecwe.— Caxton has more correctly, &fte, i. e. lend.

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KING ARTHUB. 287

made him ready imto that tmnement. And king Arthur
was come two dayes before the Assumption of our Ladyv
And there was all manner of royaltie, and of all manner of
minstrels that might be found. Also there came queene
Guenever, and the queene of Orkeney, sir Garethes mother.
And on the day of the Assumption, when masse and mattins
was done, there were heraulds with trumpets commanded
to blow unto the field. And ^o anon there came out sir
Epinogris, the kings sonne of Northumberland, from the
castle, and there encountred with him sir Sagramore le De-
sirous, and either of them brake their speares to their hands.
And then came in sir Palomides out of the castle, and there
encountred with him sir Gawaine, and either of them smot
other so hard that both the good knights and their horses
fell to the earth. And then the knights of either part re-
scewed their knights.

And then came in sir Safere and sir Segwardes, brethren
imtosir Palomides, and there encoimtredsir Agravaine with
sir Safere, and sir Gaheris encountred with sir Segwarides.
So sir Safere smote downe sir Agravaine, sir Gawaines
brother, and sir Segwarides, sir Saferes brother, smote
downe sir Gaheris,^ and sir Malgrine, a knight of the castle,
encountred with sir Ewaine le Blaunch-Mains, and there
sir Ewaine gave sir Malgrine a great fall, that he had almost
broken his necke.

CHAP. CXLV.— How the knights bare them in the battaile.

pHEN" sir Brian de les Hes and sir Grummore
Grummorsimi, knights of the castle, encountred
with sir Aglovale and sir Tor, and sir Aglovale
and sir Tor smote downe sir Brian and sir
Grummore Grummorsimi to the earth. Then came in sir
Oarados of the dolorous tower and sir Turquine, knightes of

' 8moU dowfte nr CroAcm.— These words are not in Caxton.

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288 THE fflSTOEIB OF

the castle, and there encountred with them sirPereivale de
Galis and sir Lamorake de Galis, which were two hre^iren,
and there encountred sir Percivale with sir Carados, and
either of them brake their speares unto their hands ; and
then sir Turquine and sir Lamorake, and either of them
smote downe othera horses to the earth ; and either parties
rescewed other and horsed them againe. And sir Arnold
and sir Gauter, knights of the castle, encountred with sir
Brandiles and sir Kay, and these foure knights encountred
mightily, and brake their speares unto their hands.

Then came sh* Tristram and sir Sadoke and sir Dinas,
knights of the castle, and there encountred sir Tristram
with sir Bedivere, and sir Bedivere was smitten to the earth
both horse and man ; and sir Sadoke encountred with sir
Petipaoe, and there sir Sadoke was overthrowen. And
there sir Ewaine les Avoutres smote downe sir Dinas the
seneschall. Then came in sir Persaunt of Inde, a knight
of the castle, and there encountred with him sir Launcelot
du Lake, and there he smote both sir Persaunt and his horse
to the earth. Then came in sir Pertolope out of the castle,
and there encountred with him sir Lionell ; and there sir
Pertolope the greene knight smote downe sir Lionell, brother
to sir Launcelot. All this was marked of noble heraulds,
who bare them best, and their names. And then came into
the field sir Perimones the red knight, sir Persaunts brother,
which was a knight of the castle, and he encountred with
sir Ector de Mares, and either smote other so hard that both
their horses and they fell to the earth. And then came in
the red knight of the red launds and sir Gareth from the
castle, and there encountred with them two sir Bors de
Ganis and sir Bleoberis, and there the red knight and sir
Bors smote each other so hard that their speares burst and
their horses fell groveling to the earth. Then sir Bleob-
eris^ brake his speare upon sir Gareth, but of that great
strooke sir Bleoberis fell to the ground. "When sir GaJi-
» iSirBlwftem.— fl^JWamor,Ctttton.

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KING ABTHUB. 289

hodin saw that, hee bad sir Gareth keepe him, and sir Gtireth
smote him to the earth. Then sir Galihud gat a speare to
avenge his brother, and in the same wise sir Gareth served
him. And sir Dinadan and his brother La-cote-male-taile,
and sir Sagramore le Desirous, and Dodinas le Savage, al
these- he bare downe with one speare. When king Aug-
wisaunce of Ireland saw sir Gareth fare so, hee marvailed
what he might bee, that one time seemed greene, and an-
other time at his againe-comming hee seemed blew ; and
thus at every course that hee rode too and fro, hee changed
his colour, so that there might neither king nor knight have
cognisance nor knowledge of him. Then king Augwisance
of Ireland encountred with sir Gareth, and there sir Gareth
smote him from his horse, saddle and all. And then came
king Oarados of Scotland, and sir Gtureth smote him downe
horse and man. And in the same wise he served king
Urience of the land of Gore. And then there came in king
Bagdemagus, and sir Gareth smote him downe horse and
man to the ground. And king Bagdemagus sonne Melia-
ganus brake a speare upon sir Gareth mightily and knightly.
And then sir Gtdahaut, the noble prince, cryed on high :
" Knight with the many colours, wel hast thou justed, now
make thee ready that I may just with thee." "When sir
Gareth heard that, he gate him a great speare, and so they
encountred together, and there the prince brake his speare,
but sir Gareth smote him on the left side on the helme that
he reeled here and there, and he had fsdlen downe had not
his men recovered him. ** So God mee helpe," said king
Arthur, ''that knight with tlie many colours is a good
knight ; " wherefore the king called unto him sir Lancelot
du Lake, and prayed him to encounter with that knight.
" Sir," said sir Launcelot, " I may well finde in heart to
forbeare him as at this time, for he hath had travaile inough
this day ; and when a good knight doth so well some day,
it is no good knights part to let him of his worship, and
namely when hee seemeth a knight that had done so great

VOL. I. u

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290 THE HISTOEIE OF

labour ; for peradventure," said sir Launcelot, " his quarrell
is here this day, and peradventure bee is best beloved with
this ladj of all that be here, for I see well bee paineth him-
selfe and enforceth him to doe great deeds, and therefore,"
said sir Lancelot, '' as for me, this day he shall have the
honour ; though it lay in my power to put him from it, yet
would I not doe it."

Then when this was done, there was drawing of swords,
and there began a great tumament; and there did sir
Lancelot mervailous deeds of armes. And betweene sir
Lamoracke and sir Lx)nside, that was the red knight of
the red launds, there was a stronge battaile ; and betweene
sir Palomides and sir Bleoberis was a strong battaile;
and sir Gawaine and sir Tristram met togither, and there
sir Gawaine had the worst, for he pulled sir Gawaine from
his horse, and there he was long on foote and defouled.
Then came sir Lancelot, and bee smote sir Turquine, and
bee him againe, and then there came sir Carados his bro-
ther, and both at once they assailed him ; and bee as the
most noblest knight of the world right worshipfully fought
with them both, that all men wondred of the noblenesse of
sir Lancelot du Lake that fought with those two perilous
knights. [And then came in sir Gareth, and knewe that it
was sir Lancelot that fought with the two perillous knights],^
and then sir Gkireth came with his good horse and put them
asunder, and no stroke would bee smite to sir Lancelot du
Lake. That espied sir Lancelot, which deemed it should
bee the good knight sir Gareth, and then sir Gareth rode
here and there and smote on the ri^ht hand and on the left
hand, that all the folke might well espie where he rode ;
and by fortune he met with his brother sir Gawaine, and
there he put sir Gawaine to the worst, for bee put out his
helme, and so bee served five or sixe knights of the round
table, that all men said he put him in the most paine, and
best he did his devoure.* For when su* Tristram beheld

• The" passage within brackets is supplied from Caxton's text

* Devmtre. — Duty.

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KING ARTHUR. 291

him how he first justed and afbr fought so well with a sword,
then he rode unto sir Ironside and unto sir Persaunt of Inde,
and asked them hy their faith, *^ What maner of knight is
yonder knight which seemeth in so many divers colours ?
Truely me seemeth," said sir Tristram, " that hee putteth
himselfe in great paine, for hee never ceaseth." '^ Know
ye not what he is ? " said sir Ironside. " No," said sir Tris-
tram. '^ Then shall yee know that this is he that loveth the
lady of the castle, and shoe loveth him againe right heartily,
l^nd this is he that wanne me when I had besieged the lady
of this castle, and this is hee that wanne sir Persaunt
of Inde and his three bretheren." " What is his name?"
said sir Tristram ; " and of what blood is he come ? " ** Hee
was called in king Arthurs court ' Beaumains,' but his name
is sir Gareth of Orkeney, brother unto sir GawMne." " By
my head," said sir Tristram, '' hee is a good knight and a
big man of armes, and if he bee young he shall prove a full
noble knight." " Hee is but a child," said they all ; " and
of sir Lancelot hee was made knight." " Therefore hee is
much the better," said sir Tristram. And then sir Tris-
tram, sir Ironside, sir Persaunt, and his brother rode together
for to helpe sir Gtu*eth, and then there were given many
strong strookes. And then sir Gtu^th rode out on the one
side to amend his helme, and then said his dwarfe, ^'Take
me your ring that yee lose it not while ye drinke." And
so when hee had drunke, he put out his helme againe, and
egerly tooke his horse and rode into the field, and left his
ring with his dwarfe, and the dwarfe was glad that the ring
was from him, for then hee wist well hee should be knowne.
And then when sir Gtu*eth was in the field, aU the people
saw him well and plainly that he was in yellow colours, and
there he rashed off holmes and pulled downe knights, that
king Arthur had mervaile what knight hee was, for the king
saw by his hure that it was the same knight.

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292 THE HISTORIE OF

CHAP* CXLVI. — How sir Garetli was espied by the heranlds, and
how he escaped out of the field.

t UT before hee was in so many colours, and now
hee is but in one colour, that is yellow. " Now
goe," said king Arthur unto divers heraulds,
" and ride about him and espie what maner of
knight he is, for I have asked of many knights this day that
bee of the partie, and all say they know him not.'' And so
an herauld rod as nigh sir Ghireth as he could, and there
hee saw written about the helme in gold, ' This is sir Gareth
of Orkeney.' Then the herauld cryed as he were wood, and
many heraulds with him, " This is sir Gareth of Orkeny in
tJie yelow armes ;" whereby all kings and knights of king
Arthurs part belaid him and waited for him, and then they
^ressed^ all to behold him, and ever the heraulds cryed,
^* This is sir G^areth of Orkeney, king Lots son." And when
sir Gtu^tli espied that hee was discovered, then hee began
4o double his strooks, and smote downe sir Sagramor and
his brother sir Gawaine. *' Oh, brother," said sir Gawaine,
'^ I wend yee would not have striken mee." And when sir
Gtu^th heard him say so, hee threw here and there, and
with paine hee gat out of the presse, and iben he met with
his dwarfe. " Oh, boy," said sir Gareth, " thou hast be-
guiled mee fouly this day that thou kept my ring ; give it
mee anon againe tliat I may hide my body withall." And
so hee tooke it him, and then they all wist not where he was
become, and sir Gawdne had espied where sir Gareth rode,
and then hee rode after with all his might. Then espied
sir Gareth, and rod lightly into the forrest, that sir Gawaine
wist not where hee was become. And when sir Gareth wist
that sir Gawaine his brother was past, he asked the dwarfe
of his best counsell. " Sir," said the dwarfe, " me seemedi
it were best now that yee are escaped from spying, that yee

* Preffed— The edition of 1634 has /Troeeedie, but the correct read-
ing is here restored from Cazton's edition*

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KING ARTHUR. 293

send my lady dame Lyones her ring." " That is well ad-
vised/' sdd sir Gareth ; " now have it here, and heare it to
her, and say that I commend mee onto her good grace, and
tell her I will come when I may, and that I pray her to be
true and faithfiill to me as I will bee unto her." " Sir,"
said the dwarfe, '^ it shall bee done as yee have commanded."
And so hee rode his way and did his errand unto the lady.
Then shee said, " Where is my lord sir Gareth ? " ** Ma-
dame," said the dwarfe, " hee bad mee say that hee would
not be long from you." And so lightly die dwarfe came
againe unto sir Gku^th, that would faine have had a lodging,
for hee had neede to rest him. And then fell there a thun-
der and raine as heaven and earth should have gone toge-
ther, and sir Grareth was not a little weary, for of all that
day hee had but little rest, as well his horse as himselfe.
Sir Gareth rode so long in that forrest till night came, and
ever it lightned and thundred that wonder it was to see.
At the last by fortune hee came to a castle, and there he
heard the waites^ on the wals.

CHAP. CXLYII. — How sir Gareth came unto a castle, where he was
well lodged, and how he justed with a knight, and how he slew
him.

(HEN sir Gareth rode straight unto the barbican
of the castle, and prayed the porter faire for to
let him into the castle. The porter answered
him ungodly againe, and said : '^ Thou gettest
no lodging here." " Faire sir," said hee, " say not so, for
I am a knight of king Arthurs, and I pray the lord or the
lady of this castle to give me harbour for Arthurs love."
Then the porter went unto the duchesse, and told her how
there was a knight of king Arthurs that would have har-
bour. " Let him in," said the duchesse, " for I will see
tJiiat knight, and for king Arthurs sake he shall not bo
1 ^otfef.— Watchmen. .

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294 THE HISTOBIE OF

harbouiiessd. And then the duchesse went up unto a towre
over the gate with great torch light. When sir Gareth saw
the torch light, hee cryed all on high, " Whether thou he
lord or lady, gyant or champion, I take no force, so that I
may have harhore for this night, and if it be so that I must
needs fight, spare me not to morow when I have rested
mee, for both I and my horse are weary." " Sir knight,"
said the duchesse, " thou speakest mightily and boldly, but
wit thou well that the lord of this castle loveth not king
Arthur nor none of his court, for my lord hath ever beene
against him, and therefore thou were better not to come
within this castle, for if thou come in this night, thou must
come in under this manner and forme that wheresoever thou
meete my lord, by streete or by way, thou must yeeld thee
unto him as prisoner." " Madame," said sir Gareth, "what
is your lord, and what is his name ?" " Sir, my lords name
is duke de la Kowse." " Well, madam," said sir Gareth,
" I shall promise you that in what place I meete your lord,
I shall yeeld me unto his good grace, so th^t I may know
he will doe me no harme, and if I may underetand that he
will, then will I release my selfe and I can with my speare
and with my sword." " Yee say right well," said the duch-
esse \ and then shoe let the drawbridge downe. And so he
rode into the hall, and there he alighted, and his horse was
led into a stable, and in the hall hee unarmed him, and said :
" Madame, I will not out of thy haU this night, and when
It is daylight, let see who will have adoe with mee, he shall
finde mee lightly ready." Then was he set to his supper,
and had many good dishes. Then sir Gareth list well td
eate, and knightly he eate his meate and egerly; there was
many a faire lady by him, and some of them said they saw
never a goodlier man nor so well of eating. Then they
made him passing good cheere all. And shortly when that
he had supped, his bed was made there, so he rested him all
nights And on the morrow he heard masse, and brake hid
fast; and tooke lus leave of the duchesse and of them all,

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KING ARTHUR. ^ 295

and thanked h/er goodly of her lodging and of lier good cheere.
And then shoe asked him his name. '^ Madame," said hee,
" truelj my name is sir Gareth of Orkeney, and some men
call me Beaumains." Then knew she well it was the same
knight that fought for dame Lyones. And then sir Gareth
departed, and rode up unto a mountaine, and there met him a
knight,^ his name was sir Bendelaine, and hee said to sir
Gareth: " Thou shalt not passe this way, for either thou shalt
just with me, or be my prisoner." " Then will I just with
thee," said sir Gareth. And so they let then* horses runne,and
there sir Gareth smote him throughout the body, and then
sir Bendelaine rode forth unto his castle there beside, and
there dyed. So sir Gareth would faine have rested him,
and he came riding unto sir Bendelaines castle, and then
his knights and his servants espied that it was hee that had
fllaine their lord ; then they armed twentie good men, and
came out and assailed sir Gareth, and he had no speare but
onely his sword, and put his shield afore him, and there they
all brake their speares upon him, and they assailed him
passing sore ; but ever sir Gureth defended him like a noble
knight.

CHAP. CXLYIII.— How sir Gareth fought with a knight that held
within his castle thirtie ladies, and how he slew him.

|0 when they saw that they might not overcome
him, they rode from him and tooke their coun-
sell to slay his horse, and so they came upon sir
Gareth, and with speares they slew his horse,
and then they assailed him full hard ; but when hee was
on foote there was none that hee caught but hee gave
him such a buffet that he never recovered after. So he
dew iiiem one and one till they were but foure, and then
they fled ; and sir Gureth tooke a good horse which was one
of theirs, and rod his way. Then hee rode a great pace
till that he cameto a castle, and there he heard much mourn*

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296 THE HISTORIE OF

ing of ladies and gentlewomen, so there came by him a page.
<' What nojse is this/' said sir Gareth, '< that I heare within
this castle?*' " Sir knight," said the page, " here be within
ibis castle thirtie ladjes, and all they bee widowes, for here
is a knight that waiteth daily upon this castle, and his name
is the browne knight without pittie, and he is the perillonst
knight that now liyeth ; and therefore, sir," said the page,
« I bid you flee." "Nay," said sir Gareth, " I will not
flee, how well thou be afeard of him." And then the page
saw where as the browne knight came. '^ Loe," said the
page, " yonder is he comming." " Let me deale with him,"
said sir Gareth. And when either of other had a sights
they let their horses runne, and the browne knight brake
his speare, and sir Gareth smote him throughout the body,
that he overthrew him to the ground starke dead. So sir
Gtu^th rode into the castle, and prayed the ladies that he
might rest him there. "Alas," said the ladies, " yee may
not be lodged here." " Make him good cheere," said the
page, "for this knight hath slaine your enemy." Then they
all made him good cheere as lay in their power. But wit
ye well they made him good cheare, for they might none
otherwise doe, for they were all but poore gentlewomen.
And so on the morrow bee went to masse, and there he saw
the thirtie ladies kneele and lay groveling upon divers
tombes making great mone and sorrow. Then sir Gureth
¥rist well that in the tombes lay their lords. Then said sir
Gureth : " Faire ladies, yee must at the next feast of Pen-
tecost be at the court of king Arthur, and say that I, sir
Gareth, sent you unto him." " Wee shall doe your com-
mand," said the ladies. So he departed ; and by fortune
he came to a mountaine, and there he found a goodly knight
which said: "Abide,sirknight, and just with me." "Whitt
be yee ?" said sir Gareth. " My name is," said he, " the
duke de la Eowse." " Ah, sir, yee are the same knight
that I lodged once in your castle, and there I made promise
unto your lady that I should yeeld me unto you.'' "Ah,\*

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KING ABTHUB. 297

said the duke, ^' art thou the same proud knight that prof-
fered to fight with my knights? therefore make thee ready,
for I will have adoe with thee." So they let their horses
run, and there sir Gareth smote the duke downe £rom his
horse ; but the duke lightly avoided his horse, and set his
shield afore him, and drew his sword, and bad sir Gareth
alight and fight with him. So he alighted, and did together
a great battaile that lasted more then an houre, and either
hurt other full sore. At the last sir Gareth gate the duke
to the earth, and would have slaine him, and then he yeelded
him to him. " Then must ye goe," said sir Gareth, ** unto
my lord king Arthur at the next feast of Pentecost, and say
that I, sir Gareth of Orkeney, sent you unto him." •* It
shall be done,'' said the duke, '' and I shall doe to you ho-
mage and fealtie with an hundred knights with mee, and
all the dales of my life to doe you service where ye will com-
mand me.'*

CHAP. CXLIX. —How sir Gawaine and sir Gareth fought each against
other, and how they knew each other by the damosell Linet.

» O the duke departed, and sir Gareth stood there
alone, and there he saw an armed knight com-
ming toward him. Then sir Gareth tooke the
dukes shield, and mounted on horseback, and
so without biding they ran together as it had been thunder,
and there that knight hurt sir Gareth under the side with
his speare. And then they alighted, and drew their swords,
and gave each other great strookes, that the blood trailed
to the ground on every side, and so they fought two houres.
At the last there came the damosell Linet, that some men
call the damosell savage,^ and shoe came riding upon an
ambling mule, and there shoe cried all on high, '^ Sir Ga-
waine, sir Gawaine, leave thy fighting with thy brother sir
Gareth." And when he heard her say so, he threw away
■ The damoiett iovage^T-u e. the wild damsel.

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298 THE HISTORIE OF

his shield and. his sword, and ran to sir Gureth and tooke
him in his armes, and after kneeled downe and asked him
mercie. " What are yee," said sir Gareth, " that right now
w^re so strong and so mighty, and now so suddenly^ jeeld
you unto me ? *' " Oh, sir Gareth, I am your brother sir
Gawaine, that for your sake have had great sorrow and
labour." Then sir Gareth unlaced his helme, and kneeled
downe to him, and asked him mercy. Then they arose both
and embraced each other in their armes, and wept a great
while or they might speak, and either of them gave other
the prise of the battaile. And there was many a kind word
betweene them both. " Alas ! my faire brother," said sir
Gawaine, " perde, I ought of right to worship you and yee
were not my brother, for ye have worshiped king Arthur
and al his court, for ye have sent him more worshipfiill
knights these twelve-moneths then six of the best of the
round table have done, except sir Launcelot." Then came
the damosell savage, that was the lady Linet, that rode long
time with sir Gareth, and there shee stenched sir Gtireths
wounds and sir Gawaine. '^ Now what will ye doe ? " 4uud
the damosell savage, *' me seemeth it were wel done that
king Arthur had knowledge of you bot^, for your horses are
so bruised that they may not bear you." '' Now, faire da-
moael," said sir Gawaine, " I pray you to lide unto my lord
mine uncle king Arthur, and tell him what adventure is
be&Uen to mee heere, and I suppose he will not tarry
long." Then she tooke her mule, and hghtly came unto
king Arthur, that was but two mile thence; and when shee
had told him the tidings, the king bad to get him a palfrey,
and when he was upon his backe, hee bad the lords and
ladies come after who that would. Then there was sadling^
and bridling of queenes horses and princes horses, and well
was him that soonest might be ready. So when the kin^
came there as they were, he saw sir Gawaine and sir Ghireth
sit upon a little ^ills side, and then the king avoided his
h5>rse. And when he ci^e mgh sir Gareth, hee would havQ

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KING ARTHUR. 299

spoken but might not, and therewith hee sunke downe in
a sound for gladnesse. And so thej start unto their uncle,
requiring him of his good grace to be of good comfort. Wit
ye wel the king made great joy, and many a pittious com-
plaint he made unto sir Gtireth. and ever he wept as he had
beene a child. With that came his mother the queene of
Orkeney, dame Morgawse, and as she saw her sonne sir
Gareth readily in the visage, shee might not weepe, but
suddenly fel down in a sound and lay there a great while,
like as shee had beene dead. And than sir Grareth recom-
forted his mother in such a wise that shee recovered, and
made good cheere. Then the king commanded that all
manner of knights that were under his obeysance should
make their lodging there for the love of his nephews ; and
so was it done, and all manner of purveiance pufvaied, that
there lacked nothing that might bee gotten of tame ne wild
for gold or for silver. And then by the meanes of the da-
mosell savage, sir Gawaine and sir Gareth were healed of
their wounds, and there they sojourned eight dayes. Then
said king Arthur unto the damosell savage : '^ I marvaile
that your sister dame Liones commeth not heere to me, and
in especiall that she commeth not to visit her knight my
nephew sir Gareth, that hath had so much travaile for her
love." " My lord," said the damosel Linet, " ye must of
your good grace hold her excused, for shee knoweth not
that my lord sir Gbreth is heere." " Then goe for her,"
said king Arthur, '' that we may bee appointed what is best
to be done, according unto the pleasure of my nephew sir
Gareth." " Sir," said the damosell Linet, '*' that shall be
done ; " and so she rode unto her sister. And as lightly
as shee might make her ready shee did, and came on the
morrow with her brother sir Gringamor, and with her fortie
knights. And when she was come, shee had all the cheere
that might be done, both of king Arthur and of many other
kings and queenes.

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300 THE HISTOBIB OF

CHAP. CL. — How sir Gareth acknowledged that they loved each
other to king Arthur, and of the day of their wedding.

^MONG all these ladies was shee named the
fairest and peerlesse. Then when sir Gareth
saw her, there was many goodly lookes and
goodly wonjs, that all men of worship had joy
to hehold them. Then came king Arthur and many other
Jdngs, and queene Guenever and the queene of Orkeney ;
and there the king asked his nephew sir Gareth whether
hee would have the lady to his paramour, or to have her to
his wife. " My lord, wit you well that I love her above aU
ladies living." " Now faire lady," said king Arthur unto
her, " what say yee ? " " Most noble king,*' said dame
Lyones, " wit you well that my lord sir Gareth is to mee
more lever to have and weld as my husband, then any king
or prince christened, and if I may not have him, I promise
you I will never have none. For, my lord king Arthur,"
said dame Lyones, " wit yee well he is my first love, and
he shall be the last, and if yee will suffer him to have his
will and free choyse, I dare say he will have mee." " That
is truth," said sir Gareth, " and I have not you and weld^
you as my wife, there shall never lady nor gentlewoman
rejoyce mee." " What, nephew," said the king, " is the
wind in that doore? for wit yee well I would not for the stint
of my crowne to be causer to withdraw your hearts, and I
wit yee well yee can not love so well but I shall rather in-
crease it then distresse. Also yee shall have my love and
my lordship in the uttermost wise that may lye in mj
power." And the same wise said sir Gareths mother. Then
was there made a provision for the day of marriage, and by
the kings advise it was provided that it should be at Mi-
chalemasse next following at Kinkenadon by the Beaside»
for there is a plentiAill countrey. And so it was cryed in

1 fTeUL—Possess.

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KING ARTHUR. 301

all places through the realme. And then sir Gareth sent
his messengers unto all those knights and ladies that he had
wone in battaile before, that they should be at the day of
his marriage at Kinkenadon by the sands. And th^i dame
Lyones and the damosell Lynet, with sir Gringamor, rode
to their castle, and a goodly and a rich ring she gave to sir
Gareth, and he gave her an other. And king Arthur gave
her a rich patre of beads of gold,^ and so shoe departed, and
king Arthur and his fellowship rode toward Kinkenadon;
and sir Gareth brought his lady in the way, and so came
to the king againe, and rode with him. The great cheere
that sir Laimcelot du Lake made for sir Gareth of Orkeney
it was mervaile to see, and he of him againe, for there was
never no knight that sir Gareth loved so well as he did sir
Lancelot du Lake, and ever for the most part would be in
sir Lancelots company ; for after sir Gareth had espied sir
Ghiwains conditions, he withdrew himselfe from his brother
sir Gawains fellowship, for he was vengeable and unmerci-
full, and whereas he hated he would be avenged with mur*
ther and treason, and that hated sir Gareth.

CHAP. CLI. — Of the great royaltie and what officers were made at
the feast of sir Gareth and dame Liones wedding, and of the great
justing at the same feast and wedding.

JO it drew fast to Mighelmassc, and thither came
dame Liones and her sister dame Linet, with
sir Gringamor their brother with them, for he
had the guiding of those ladies. And there
they were lodged at the devise of king Arthur. And on
Mighelmasse day the archbishop of Canterbury made the
wedding betweene sir Gareth and the lady Liones with
great solemnitie. And king Arthur made sir Gaheris to

* Patre of beads of gold. — A ryche bee of gold, Caxton. A pater of
beads was a set of beads, to count the paternosters by. Bee is per-
haps for beigh, a braceleU

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302 THE HTSTOBTE OF

wed the damosell savage that was dame Linet. And king
Arthur made su' Agravaine to wed dame Liones neece, a
faire lady, her name was dame Laurel]. And so when this so-
lenmisation was done, then there came in the greeue knight
that hight sir Pertolope, with thirtie knights, and there he
did homage and fealtie unto sir Gareth, and these knights
to hold of him for evermore. Also sir Pertolope sfud, " I
pray you that at this feast I may he your chapiherlaine.''
" With a good will/' said sir Gareth, " sith it liketh you to
take so simple an office." Then came in the red knight,
with threescore knights with him, and did to sir Gareth
homage and fealtie, and all those knights to hold of him for
evermore, and then sir Perimones prayed sir Gareth to
graunt him for to he his chiefe hutler at that high feast.
" I will well," said sir Gareth, ** that ye have this office and
it were hotter." Then came in sir Persaimt of Inde, with
an hundred knights with him, and there he did homage and
fealtie unto sir Gareth, and all his knights should doe him
service and hold their lands of him for evermore, and then
hee prayed sir Gareth to make him the chiefe sewer^ at the
feast. " I will well," said sir Gareth, ** that yee have it and
it were hotter." Then came in the duke de la Kowse, with
an hundred knights with him, and there he did homage and
fealtie unto sir Gareth, and so to hold their lands of him
for ever, and he required sir Gareth that he might serve
him of the wine that day at the feast. **' I will well," said
sir Gareth, " and it were much better." Then came in the
red knight of the red launds, that was sir Ironside, and he
brought with him three hundred knights, and there he did
homage and feaultie to sir Gareth, and all these knights to
hold their lands of him for ever, and then he asked sir Ga-
reth to be his karver. " I will well," said sir Gareth, " and
it please you." Then came into the court thirtie ladies,
and all they seemed widdowes, and those thirtie ladies
brought with them many faire gentlewomen, and they all
^ Sewer. — The officer who placed the dishes on the table.

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KING ARTHUR. 303

kneeled downe at once unto king Arthur and unto sir Ghi-
reth, and there all those ladies told the king how sir Ghu^th
had delivered them from the dolorous towre and slew the
browne knight without pitie, " and therefore wee and our
heires for evermore wiU doe homage unto sir Gareth of
Orkenej.'' So then the kings and queens, princes, carles,
and barons, and many bold knights, went unto meate, and
well ye may wit that there was all manner of meate plen-
teously, and all manner revelles and games, with all manner
of musicke that was used in those dayes. Also there was
great justing three dayes. But the king would not suffer
sir Gareth to just because of his new bride. For the
French booke saith that dame Lyones desired the king that
none of them that were wedded should just at that feast.
So the first day there justed sir Lamoracke de Galis, and
he overthrew thirtie knights, and did passing mervailous
deeds of armes. And then king Arthur made sir Persaunt
. of Inde and his two bretheren knights of the round table
unto their lives end, and gave them great lands. Also the
second day there justed sir Tristram best, and he overthrew
fortie knights, and he did there mervailous deeds of armes.
And there king Arthur made sir Ironside, that was the red
knight of the red launds, a knight of the round table unto his
lives end, and gave him great lands. The third day there
justed sir Launcelot du Lake, and he overthrew fiftie knights
and did many mervailous deeds of armes, that all men had
great wonder of his noble deeds. And there king Arthur
made the duke de la Eowse a knight of the round table to
his lives end, and gave him great lands to spend. But
wh^n these justs were done, sirLamorake and sir Tristram
departed sudainely, and would not be known, for the which
king Arthur and all his court were sore displeased. And
so they held the feast fortie dayes with great solemnity.
And Ibis sir Ghu^th was a full noble knight, and a well
ruled, and faire languaged.

Thus endeth the history of sir Gareth of Orkeney, that

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304 HISTOBIE OF KINO ARTHUR.

wedded dame Lyones of the castle perillous. And also sir
Gaheris wedded her sister dame Ljnet, that was called the
damosell savage. And sir Agravaine wedded dame Lau*
rell, a faire lady. And great and mightie lands with great
riches gave with them the noble king Arthur, that royally
they might live unto their lives end.

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