OF THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT
In this same month of May when every lusty heart flourisheth and
bourgeoneth, there befell in King Arthur's realm a great anger and ill
fortune that stinted not till the flower of chivalry of all the world
was destroyed. And all was due to two evil knights, the which were
named Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, that were nephews unto King Arthur
and brethren unto Sir Gawaine. For this Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred
had ever a privy hate unto the Queen, Dame Guenever, and to Sir
Launcelot, and daily and nightly they ever watched upon him.
So it mishapped that Sir Agravaine on a day said openly, so that many
knights might hear, that the friendship between Sir Launcelot and the
Queen was a disgrace to knighthood and a shame to so noble a king as
Arthur. But Sir Gawaine would not hear any of these tales nor be of
Agravaine's counsel; moreover he charged his brother to move no such
matters afore him, for he wist well what mischief would come, should
war arise betwixt Sir Launcelot and the King, and he remembered how
ofttimes Sir Launcelot had proved his goodness and loyalty by knightly
deeds. Also Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, two other brethren, would know
nothing of Agravaine's base accusation.
But Sir Mordred, the fifth of the brethren, sons of the Queen of
Orkney, the which had mocked the good Percivale when first he came to
the court, and who had ever been jealous and ready to think evil of
another, joined with Sir Agravaine. Therewithal they three, Sir
Gawaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Gareth departed, making great dole over
the mischief that threatened the destruction of the realm and the
dispersion of the noble fellowship of the Round Table.
So Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred came before King Arthur, and told him
they might no longer suffer Sir Launcelot's deeds, for he was a traitor
to his kingly person. But the King would believe nothing unless he
might have proofs of it, for, as the French book saith, he was full
loath to hear ill of a knight who had done so much for him and for the
Queen so many times that, as was fully known, he loved him passingly
well.
Then these two brethren made a plot for taking Sir Launcelot when in
the Queen's presence, and bringing him dead or quick to King Arthur.
So on the morn Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred gat to them twelve knights
and hid themselves in a chamber in the castle of Carlisle, where Queen
Guenever was; thus they plotted to take Sir Launcelot by force, if she
should have speech with him. Sir Launcelot was no coward, and cared
not what liars said about him, since he wist his own good will and
loyalty. So when the Queen sent for him to speak with her, he went as
true knight to the castle, and fell into the trap that was set for him.
In the battle that followed he was hard bestead, but slew Sir Agravaine
at the first buffet, and within a little while he laid the twelve
chosen knights cold to the earth. Also he wounded Sir Mordred, who,
when he escaped from the noble Sir Launcelot, anon gat his horse and
rode unto King Arthur, sore wounded and all bleeding.
Then he told the King how it was, and how they were all slain save
himself only. So the King believed Sir Mordred's evil accusation true,
and he said: "Alas, me sore repenteth that ever Sir Launcelot should be
against me. Now am I sure the noble fellowship of the Round Table is
broken for ever, for with him will many a noble knight hold. And now
it is fallen so that I may not keep my honour unless the Queen suffer
the death."
So then there was made great ordinance that the Queen must be judged to
the death, for the law was such in those days that whatsoever they
were, of what estate or degree, if they were found guilty of treason,
there should be none other remedy but death. Right so it was ordained
for Queen Guenever, and she was commanded to the fire, there to be
burned.
King Arthur prayed Sir Gawaine to make himself ready in his best
armour, with his brethren Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, to bring the
Queen to the fire, there to have her judgment, and receive the death.
But Sir Gawaine ever believed Dame Guenever guiltless of the treason
charged against her, and he would never have it said that he had any
part in her shameful end. Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth also were loath
to be there present, but they were young, and full unable to say him
nay. "If we be there by your straight commandment," said they, "ye
shall plainly hold us excused though we go in peaceable wise, and bear
none harness of war upon us."
So the Queen was led forth without Carlisle, and she prepared herself
for death. There was weeping and wailing and wringing of hands of many
lords and ladies, and few in comparison there present would bear any
armour for to keep order.
Anon as the fire was to be lighted, there was spurring and plucking up
of horses, and right so Sir Launcelot and his followers came hither,
and whoever stood against them was slain. And so in this rushing and
hurling, as Sir Launcelot pressed here and there, it mishapped him to
slay Gaheris and Gareth, the noble knights, for they were unarmed and
unaware. In truth Sir Launcelot saw them not, and so were they found
dead among the thickest of the press.
Then when Sir Launcelot had thus done, and had slain or put to flight
all that would withstand him, he rode straight unto Dame Guenever, and
made her to be set behind him on his horse, and prayed her to be of
good cheer. Wit ye well the Queen was glad that she was escaped from
the death, and then she thanked God and Sir Launcelot.
And so he rode his way with the Queen, as the French book saith, unto
Joyous Gard, his own castle, where Sir Tristram had taken the Fair
Isoud after her flight from Cornwall. There Sir Launcelot kept
Guenever as a noble knight should do, and many great lords and some
kings sent him many good knights, and many noble knights drew unto Sir
Launcelot.
When it was known openly that King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were at
debate, many were full heavy of heart, and the King himself swooned for
pure sorrow, as it was told him how and in what wise the Queen was
taken away from the fire, and as he heard of the death of his noble
knights, in especial that of Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth. And when he
awoke of his swoon, he said: "Alas that ever I bare crown upon my head,
for now have I lost the fairest fellowship of noble knights that ever
Christian king held together. Alas that ever this war began. The
death of these two brethren will cause the greatest mortal war that
ever was, for I am sure, wist Sir Gawaine that Sir Gareth were slain, I
should never have rest of him till I had destroyed Sir Launcelot's kin
and himself, or else he had destroyed me. Ah, Agravaine, Agravaine,
Jesu forgive it thy soul, for the evil will thou and thy brother Sir
Mordred haddest unto Sir Launcelot hath caused all this sorrow."