_How five kings came into this land to war against king Arthur, and
what counsel Arthur had against them._
And as king Arthur rode to Camelot, and held there a great feast with
mirth and joy, so soon after he returned unto Cardoile, and there came
unto Arthur new tidings that the king of Denmark, and the king of
Ireland that was his brother, and the king of the Vale, and the king of
Soleise, and the king of the Isle of Longtainse, all these five kings
with a great host were entered into the land of king Arthur, and burnt
and slew clean afore them both cities and castles, that it was pity to
hear. Alas, said Arthur, yet had I never rest one month since I was
crowned king of this land. Now shall I never rest till I meet with
those kings in a fair field, that I make mine avow; for my true liege
people shall not be destroyed in my default, go with me who will, and
abide who that will. Then the king let write unto king Pellinore, and
prayed him in all haste to make him ready with such people as he might
lightliest rear, and hie him after in all haste. All the barons were
privily wroth that the king would depart so suddenly: but the king by
no mean would abide, but made writing unto them that were not there,
and had them hie after him, such as were not at that time in the court.
Then the king came to queen Guenever, and said, Lady, make you ready,
for ye shall go with me, for I may not long miss you, ye shall cause me
to be the more hardy, what adventure so befall me: I will not wit my
lady to be in no jeopardy. Sir, said she, I am at your commandment, and
shall be ready what time so ye be ready. So on the morn the king and
the queen departed with such fellowship as they had, and came into the
north into a forest beside Humber, and there lodged them. When the word
and tiding came to the five kings above said, that king Arthur was
beside Humber in a forest, there was a knight, brother unto one of the
five kings, that gave them this counsel: Ye know well that Sir Arthur
hath the flower of chivalry of the world with him, as it is proved by
the great battle he did with the eleven kings; and therefore hie unto
him night and day till that we be nigh him, for the longer he tarrieth
the bigger he is, and we ever the weaker; and he is so courageous of
himself, that he is come to the field with little people, and therefore
let us set upon him or day, and we shall slay down of his knights there
shall none escape.