_How Sir Galahad fought at a tournament, and how he was known of Sir
Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maris._
Now saith this story, when Galahad had rescued Percivale from the
twenty knights, he rode then into a vast forest, wherein he rode many
journeys, and he found many adventures, the which he brought to an end,
whereof the story maketh here no mention. Then he took his way to the
sea on a day, and it befell as he passed by a castle where was a wonder
tournament, but they without had done so much that they within were put
to the worse, yet were they within good knights enough. When Galahad
saw that those within were at so great a mischief that men slew them at
the entry of the castle, then he thought to help them, and put a spear
forth, and smote the first that he fell to the earth, and the spear
brake to pieces. Then he drew his sword, and smote there as they were
thickest, and so he did wonderful deeds of arms, that all they
marvelled. Then it happed that Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maris were with
the knights without; but when they espied the white shield with the red
cross, the one said to the other, Yonder is the good knight Sir Galahad
the haut prince: now he should be a great fool which should meet with
him to fight. So by adventure he came by Sir Gawaine, and he smote him
so hard that he clave his helm, and the coif of iron unto his head, so
that Gawaine fell to the earth: but the stroke was so great, that it
slanted down to the earth, and carved the horse shoulder in two. When
Ector saw Gawaine down, he drew him aside, and thought it no wisdom for
to abide him, and also for natural love, that he was his uncle. Thus
through his great hardiness he beat aback all the knights without. And
then they within came out and chased them all about. But when Galahad
saw there would none turn again, he stole away privily, so that none
wist where he was become. Now by my head, said Gawaine to Ector, now
are the wonders true that were said of Launcelot du Lake, that the
sword which stuck in the stone should give me such a buffet that I
would not have it for the best castle in this world, and soothly now it
is proved true, for never before had I such a stroke of man’s hand.
Sir, said Ector, me seemeth your quest is done. And yours is not done,
said Gawaine, but mine is done; I shall seek no further. Then Gawaine
was borne into a castle, and unarmed him, and laid him in a rich bed,
and a leech found that he might live, and to be whole within a month.
Thus Gawaine and Ector abode together. For Sir Ector would not away
till Gawaine were whole. And the good knight Galahad rode so long till
he came that night to the castle of Carboneck; and it befell him thus
that he was benighted in an hermitage. So the good man was fain when he
saw he was a knight errant. Then when they were at rest, there came a
gentlewoman knocking at the door, and called Galahad, and so the good
man came to the door to wit what she would. Then she called the hermit,
Sir Ulfin, I am a gentlewoman that would speak with the knight that is
with you. Then the good man awaked Galahad, and bad him arise, and
speak with a gentlewoman that seemeth hath great need of you. Then
Galahad went to her, and asked her what she would. Galahad, said she, I
will that ye arm you, and mount upon your horse, and follow me, for I
shall shew you within these three days the highest adventure that ever
any knight saw. Anon Galahad armed him, and took his horse and
commended him to God, and bad the gentlewoman go, and he would follow
there as she liked.