King Claudas had heard tell how Lancelot had slain the King of Oriande
and that none of the islands might scarce be defended against him. He
had no liking of him, neither of his good knighthood nor of his
conquest, for well remembered he of the land that he had conquered from
King Ban of Benoic that was Lancelot's father, and therefore was he
sorry of the good knighthood whereof Lancelot was everywhere held of
worth and renown, for that he was tenant of his father's land. King
Claudas sent a privy message to Briant and bore him on hand that, and
he might do so much as that King Arthur should forbid Lancelot his
court, and that it were ill with him with the King, he would have much
liking thereof and would help him betimes to take vengeance on his
enemies, for, so Lancelot were forth of his court, and Messire Gawain,
the rest would scarce abide long time, and thus should they have all
their will of King Arthur's land. Briant sent word back to King Claudas
that Messire Gawain and Messire Ywain began to hold them aloof from the
court, and that as for most part of the other he need not trouble him a
whit, for he might so deal as that in short time Lancelot should be
well trounced, would they or nould they.