Morgan le Fay delivered to him.
GLOSSARY
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
The Morte D’Arthur was finished, as the epilogue tells us, in the ninth
year of Edward IV., i.e. between March 4, 1469 and the same date in
1470. It is thus, fitly enough, the last important English book written
before the introduction of printing into this country, and since no
manuscript of it has come down to us it is also the first English
classic for our knowledge of which we are entirely dependent on a
printed text. Caxton’s story of how the book was brought to him and he
was induced to print it may be read farther on in his own preface. From
this we learn also that he was not only the printer of the book, but to
some extent its editor also, dividing Malory’s work into twenty-one
books, splitting up the books into chapters, by no means skilfully, and
supplying the “Rubrish” or chapter-headings. It may be added that
Caxton’s preface contains, moreover, a brief criticism which, on the
points on which it touches, is still the soundest and most sympathetic
that has been written.
Caxton finished his edition the last day of July 1485, some fifteen or
sixteen years after Malory wrote his epilogue. It is clear that the
author was then dead, or the printer would not have acted as a clumsy
editor to the book, and recent discoveries (if bibliography may, for
the moment, enlarge its bounds to mention such matters) have revealed
with tolerable certainty when Malory died and who he was. In letters to
The Athenaeum in July 1896 Mr. T. Williams pointed out that the name of
a Sir Thomas Malorie occurred among those of a number of other
Lancastrians excluded from a general pardon granted by Edward IV. in
1468, and that a William Mallerye was mentioned in the same year as
taking part in a Lancastrian rising. In September 1897, again, in
another letter to the same paper, Mr. A. T. Martin reported the finding
of the will of a Thomas Malory of Papworth, a hundred partly in
Cambridgeshire, partly in Hunts. This will was made on September 16,
1469, and as it was proved the 27th of the next month the testator must
have been in immediate expectation of death. It contains the most
careful provision for the education and starting in life of a family of
three daughters and seven sons, of whom the youngest seems to have been
still an infant. We cannot say with certainty that this Thomas Malory,
whose last thoughts were so busy for his children, was our author, or
that the Lancastrian knight discovered by Mr. Williams was identical
with either or both, but such evidence as the Morte D’Arthur offers
favours such a belief. There is not only the epilogue with its
petition, “pray for me while I am alive that God send me good
deliverance and when I am dead pray you all for my soul,” but this very
request is foreshadowed at the end of chap. 37 of Book ix. in the
touching passage, surely inspired by personal experience, as to the
sickness “that is the greatest pain a prisoner may have”; and the
reflections on English fickleness in the first chapter of Book xxi.,
though the Wars of the Roses might have inspired them in any one, come
most naturally from an author who was a Lancastrian knight.
If the Morte D’Arthur was really written in prison and by a prisoner
distressed by ill-health as well as by lack of liberty, surely no task
was ever better devised to while away weary hours. Leaving abundant
scope for originality in selection, modification, and arrangement, as a
compilation and translation it had in it that mechanical element which
adds the touch of restfulness to literary work. No original, it is
said, has yet been found for Book vii., and it is possible that none
will ever be forthcoming for chap. 20 of Book xviii., which describes
the arrival of the body of the Fair Maiden of Astolat at Arthur’s
court, or vii for chap. 25 of the same book, with its discourse on true
love; but the great bulk of the work has been traced chapter by chapter
to the “Merlin” of Robert de Borron and his successors (Bks. i.-iv.),
the English metrical romance La Morte Arthur of the Thornton manuscript
(Bk. v.), the French romances of Tristan (Bks. viii.-x.) and of
Launcelot (Bks. vi., xi.-xix.), and lastly to the English prose Morte
Arthur of Harley MS. 2252 (Bks. xviii., xx., xxi.). As to Malory’s
choice of his authorities critics have not failed to point out that now
and again he gives a worse version where a better has come down to us,
and if he had been able to order a complete set of Arthurian
manuscripts from his bookseller, no doubt he would have done even
better than he did! But of the skill, approaching to original genius,
with which he used the books from which he worked there is little
dispute.
Malory died leaving his work obviously unrevised, and in this condition
it was brought to Caxton, who prepared it for the press with his usual
enthusiasm in the cause of good literature, and also, it must be added,
with his usual carelessness. New chapters are sometimes made to begin
in the middle of a sentence, and in addition to simple misprints there
are numerous passages in which it is impossible to believe that we have
the text as Malory intended it to stand. After Caxton’s edition
Malory’s manuscript must have disappeared, and subsequent editions are
differentiated only by the degree of closeness with which they follow
the first. Editions appeared printed by Wynkyn de Worde in 1498 and
1529, by William Copland in 1559, by Thomas East about 1585, and by
Thomas Stansby in 1634, each printer apparently taking the text of his
immediate predecessor and reproducing it with modifications. Stansby’s
edition served for reprints in 1816 and 1856 (the latter edited by
Thomas Wright); but in 1817 an edition supervised by Robert Southey
went back to Caxton’s text, though to a copy (only two are extant, and
only one perfect!) in which eleven leaves were supplied from Wynkyn de
Worde’s reprint. In 1868 Sir Edward Strachey produced for the present
publishers a reprint of Southey’s text in modern spelling, with the
substitution of current words for those now obsolete, and the softening
of a handful of passages likely, he thought, to prevent the book being
placed in the hands of boys. In 1889 a boon was conferred on scholars
by the publication of Dr. H. Oskar Sommer’s page-for-page reprint of
Caxton’s text, with an elaborate discussion of Malory’s sources. Dr.
Sommer’s edition was used by Sir E. Strachey to revise his Globe text,
and in 1897 Mr. Israel Gollancz produced for the “Temple Classics” a
very pretty edition in which Sir Edward Strachey’s principles of
modernisation in spelling and punctuation were adopted, but with the
restoration of obsolete words and omitted phrases. As to the present
edition, Sir Edward Strachey altered with so sparing a hand that on
many pages differences between his version and that here printed will
be looked for in vain; but the most anxious care has been taken to
produce a text modernised as to its spelling, but in other respects in
accurate accordance with Caxton’s text, as represented by Dr Sommer’s
reprint. Obvious misprints have been silently corrected, but in a few
cases notes show where emendations have been introduced from Wynkyn de
Worde—not that Wynkyn had any more right to emend Caxton than we, but
because even a printer’s conjecture gains a little sanctity after four
centuries. The restoration of obsolete words has necessitated a much
fuller glossary, and the index of names has therefore been separated
from it and enlarged. In its present form the index is the work of Mr.
Henry Littlehales.
A. W. POLLARD.
PREFACE OF WILLIAM CAXTON
After that I had accomplished and finished divers histories, as well of
contemplation as of other historial and worldly acts of great
conquerors and princes, and also certain books of ensamples and
doctrine, many noble and divers gentlemen of this realm of England came
and demanded me many and oft times, wherefore that I have not do made
and imprint the noble history of the Saint Greal, and of the most
renowned Christian king, first and chief of the three best Christian,
and worthy, King Arthur, which ought most to be remembered among us
Englishmen to-fore all other Christian kings; for it is notoyrly known
through the universal world, that there be nine worthy and the best
that ever were, that is to wit, three Paynims, three Jews, and three
Christian men. As for the Paynims, they were to-fore the Incarnation of
Christ, which were named, the first Hector of Troy, of whom the history
is comen both in ballad and in prose, the second Alexander the Great,
and the third Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome, of whom the histories be
well known and had. And as for the three Jews, which also were to-fore
the incarnation of our Lord, of whom the first was duke Joshua which
brought the children of Israel into the land of behest, the second
David king of Jerusalem, and the third Judas Machabeus, of these three
the Bible rehearseth all their noble histories and acts. And since the
said Incarnation have been three noble Christian men, stalled and
admitted through the universal world into the number of the nine best
and worthy. Of whom was first the noble Arthur, whose noble acts I
purpose to write in this present book here following. The second was
Charlemain, or Charles the Great, of whom the history is had in many
places, both in French and in English. And the third and last was
Godfrey of Boloine, of whose acts and life I made a book unto the
excellent prince and king of noble memory, King Edward the Fourth.
The said noble gentlemen instantly required me to imprint the history
of the said noble king and conqueror King Arthur, and of his knights,
with the history of the Saint Greal, and of the death and ending of the
said Arthur; affirming that I ought rather to imprint his acts and
noble feats, than of Godfrey of Boloine, or any of the other eight,
considering that he was a man born within this realm, and king and
emperor of the same: and that there be in French divers and many noble
volumes of his acts, and also of his knights. To whom I answered that
divers men hold opinion that there was no such Arthur, and that all
such books as been made of him be feigned and fables, because that some
chronicles make of him no mention, nor remember him nothing, nor of his
knights. Whereto they answered, and one in special said, that in him
that should say or think that there was never such a king called Arthur
might well be aretted great folly and blindness. For he said that there
were many evidences of the contrary. First ye may see his sepulchre in
the monastery of Glastonbury. And also in Policronicon, in the fifth
book the sixth chapter, and in the seventh book the twenty-third
chapter, where his body was buried, and after found, and translated
into the said monastery. Ye shall see also in the history of Bochas, in
his book De Casu Principum, part of his noble acts, and also of his
fall. Also Galfridus in his British book recounteth his life: and in
divers places of England many remembrances be yet of him, and shall
remain perpetually, and also of his knights. First in the abbey of
Westminster, at St. Edward’s shrine, remaineth the print of his seal in
red wax closed in beryl, in which is written, Patricius Arthurus
Britannie, Gallie, Germanie, Dacie, Imperator. Item in the castle of
Dover ye may see Gawaine’s skull, and Cradok’s mantle: at Winchester
the Round Table: in other places Launcelot’s sword and many other
things. Then all these things considered, there can no man reasonably
gainsay but there was a king of this land named Arthur. For in all
places, Christian and heathen, he is reputed and taken for one of the
nine worthy, and the first of the three Christian men. And also, he is
more spoken of beyond the sea, more books made of his noble acts, than
there be in England, as well in Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Greekish,
as in French. And yet of record remain in witness of him in Wales, in
the town of Camelot, the great stones and the marvellous works of iron
lying under the ground, and royal vaults, which divers now living have
seen. Wherefore it is a marvel why he is no more renowned in his own
country, save only it accordeth to the Word of God, which saith that no
man is accepted for a prophet in his own country.
Then all these things aforesaid alleged, I could not well deny but that
there was such a noble king named Arthur, and reputed one of the nine
worthy, and first and chief of the Christian men. And many noble
volumes be made of him and of his noble knights in French, which I have
seen and read beyond the sea, which be not had in our maternal tongue.
But in Welsh be many and also in French, and some in English but
nowhere nigh all. Wherefore, such as have late been drawn out briefly
into English I have after the simple conning that God hath sent to me,
under the favour and correction of all noble lords and gentlemen,
enprised to imprint a book of the noble histories of the said King
Arthur, and of certain of his knights, after a copy unto me delivered,
which copy Sir Thomas Malorye did take out of certain books of French,
and reduced it into English. And I, according to my copy, have done set
it in imprint, to the intent that noble men may see and learn the noble
acts of chivalry, the gentle and virtuous deeds that some knights used
in those days, by which they came to honour, and how they that were
vicious were punished and oft put to shame and rebuke; humbly
beseeching all noble lords and ladies, with all other estates of what
estate or degree they been of, that shall see and read in this said
book and work, that they take the good and honest acts in their
remembrance, and to follow the same. Wherein they shall find many
joyous and pleasant histories, and noble and renowned acts of humanity,
gentleness, and chivalry. For herein may be seen noble chivalry,
courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship,
cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after the good and leave
the evil, and it shall bring you to good fame and renown. And for to
pass the time this book shall be pleasant to read in, but for to give
faith and belief that all is true that is contained herein, ye be at
your liberty: but all is written for our doctrine, and for to beware
that we fall not to vice nor sin, but to exercise and follow virtue, by
which we may come and attain to good fame and renown in this life, and
after this short and transitory life to come unto everlasting bliss in
heaven; the which He grant us that reigneth in heaven, the blessed
Trinity. Amen.
Then to proceed forth in this said book, which I direct unto all noble
princes, lords and ladies, gentlemen or gentlewomen, that desire to
read or hear read of the noble and joyous history of the great
conqueror and excellent king, King Arthur, sometime king of this noble
realm, then called Britain; I, William Caxton, simple person, present
this book following, which I have enprised to imprint: and treateth of
the noble acts, feats of arms of chivalry, prowess, hardiness,
humanity, love, courtesy, and very gentleness, with many wonderful
histories and adventures. And for to understand briefly the content of
this volume, I have divided it into XXI Books, and every book
chaptered, as hereafter shall by God’s grace follow. The First Book
shall treat how Uther Pendragon gat the noble conqueror King Arthur,
and containeth xxviii chapters. The Second Book treateth of Balin the
noble knight, and containeth xix chapters. The Third Book treateth of
the marriage of King Arthur to Queen Guenever, with other matters, and
containeth xv chapters. The Fourth Book, how Merlin was assotted, and
of war made to King Arthur, and containeth xxix chapters. The Fifth
Book treateth of the conquest of Lucius the emperor, and containeth xii
chapters. The Sixth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel, and
marvellous adventures, and containeth xviii chapters. The Seventh Book
treateth of a noble knight called Sir Gareth, and named by Sir Kay
Beaumains, and containeth xxxvi chapters. The Eighth Book treateth of
the birth of Sir Tristram the noble knight, and of his acts, and
containeth xli chapters. The Ninth Book treateth of a knight named by
Sir Kay Le Cote Male Taille, and also of Sir Tristram, and containeth
xliv chapters. The Tenth Book treateth of Sir Tristram, and other
marvellous adventures, and containeth lxxxviii chapters. The Eleventh
Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Galahad, and containeth xiv
chapters. The Twelfth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and his madness,
and containeth xiv chapters. The Thirteenth Book treateth how Galahad
came first to king Arthur’s court, and the quest how the Sangreal was
begun, and containeth xx chapters. The Fourteenth Book treateth of the
quest of the Sangreal, and containeth x chapters. The Fifteenth Book
treateth of Sir Launcelot, and containeth vi chapters. The Sixteenth
Book treateth of Sir Bors and Sir Lionel his brother, and containeth
xvii chapters. The Seventeenth Book treateth of the Sangreal, and
containeth xxiii chapters. The Eighteenth Book treateth of Sir
Launcelot and the queen, and containeth xxv chapters. The Nineteenth
Book treateth of Queen Guenever and Launcelot, and containeth xiii
chapters. The Twentieth Book treateth of the piteous death of Arthur,
and containeth xxii chapters. The Twenty-first Book treateth of his
last departing, and how Sir Launcelot came to revenge his death, and
containeth xiii chapters. The sum is twenty-one books, which contain
the sum of five hundred and seven chapters, as more plainly shall
follow hereafter.
BOOK I.
CHAPTER I. First, How Uther Pendragon sent for the duke of Cornwall and
Igraine his wife, and of their departing suddenly again.
It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all
England, and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that
held war against him long time. And the duke was called the Duke of
Tintagil. And so by means King Uther sent for this duke, charging him
to bring his wife with him, for she was called a fair lady, and a
passing wise, and her name was called Igraine.
So when the duke and his wife were come unto the king, by the means of
great lords they were accorded both. The king liked and loved this lady
well, and he made them great cheer out of measure, and desired to have
lain by her. But she was a passing good woman, and would not assent
unto the king. And then she told the duke her husband, and said, I
suppose that we were sent for that I should be dishonoured; wherefore,
husband, I counsel you, that we depart from hence suddenly, that we may
ride all night unto our own castle. And in like wise as she said so
they departed, that neither the king nor none of his council were ware
of their departing. All so soon as King Uther knew of their departing
so suddenly, he was wonderly wroth. Then he called to him his privy
council, and told them of the sudden departing 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 summons, then may ye do your
best, then have ye cause to make mighty war upon him. So that was done,
and the messengers had their answers; and that was this shortly, that
neither he nor his wife would not come at him.
Then was the king wonderly wroth. And then the king sent him plain word
again, and bade him be ready and stuff him and garnish him, for within
forty days he would fetch him out of the biggest castle that he hath.
When the duke had this warning, anon he went and furnished and
garnished two strong castles of his, of the which the one hight
Tintagil, and the other castle hight Terrabil. So his wife Dame Igraine
he put in the castle of Tintagil, and himself he put in the castle of
Terrabil, the which had many issues and posterns out. Then in all haste
came Uther with a great host, and laid a siege about the castle of
Terrabil. And there he pight many pavilions, and there was great war
made on both parties, and much people slain. Then for pure anger and
for great love of fair Igraine the king Uther fell sick. So came to the
king Uther Sir Ulfius, a noble knight, and asked the king why he was
sick. I shall tell thee, said the king, I am sick for anger and for
love of fair Igraine, that I may not be whole. Well, my lord, said Sir
Ulfius, I shall seek Merlin, and he shall do you remedy, that your
heart shall be pleased. So Ulfius departed, and by adventure he met
Merlin in a beggar’s array, and there Merlin asked Ulfius whom he
sought. And he said he had little ado to tell him. Well, said Merlin, I
know whom thou seekest, for thou seekest Merlin; therefore seek no
farther, for I am he; and if King Uther will well reward me, and be
sworn unto me to fulfil my desire, that shall be his honour and profit
more than mine; for I shall cause him to have all his desire. All this
will I undertake, said Ulfius, that there shall be nothing reasonable
but thou shalt have thy desire. Well, said Merlin, he shall have his
intent and desire. And therefore, said Merlin, ride on your way, for I
will not be long behind.
CHAPTER II. How Uther Pendragon made war on the duke of Cornwall, and
how by the mean of Merlin he lay by the duchess and gat Arthur.
Then Ulfius was glad, and rode on more than a pace till that he came to
King Uther Pendragon, and told him he had met with Merlin. Where is he?
said the king. Sir, said Ulfius, he will not dwell long. Therewithal
Ulfius was ware where Merlin stood at the porch of the pavilion’s door.
And then Merlin was bound to come to the king. When King Uther saw him,
he said he was welcome. Sir, said Merlin, I know all your heart every
deal; so ye will be sworn unto me as ye be a true king anointed, to
fulfil my desire, ye shall have your desire. Then the king was sworn
upon the Four Evangelists. Sir, said Merlin, this is my desire: the
first night that ye shall lie by Igraine ye shall get a child on her,
and when that is born, that it shall be delivered to me for to nourish
there as I will have it; for it shall be your worship, and the child’s
avail, as mickle as the child is worth. I will well, said the king, as
thou wilt have it. Now make you ready, said Merlin, this night ye shall
lie with Igraine in the castle of Tintagil; and ye shall be like the
duke her husband, Ulfius shall be like Sir Brastias, a knight of the
duke’s, and I will be like a knight that hight Sir Jordanus, a knight
of the duke’s. But wait ye make not many questions with her nor her
men, but say ye are diseased, and so hie you to bed, and rise not on
the morn till I come to you, for the castle of Tintagil is but ten
miles hence; so this was done as they devised. But the duke of Tintagil
espied how the king rode from the siege of Terrabil, and therefore that
night he issued out of the castle at a postern for to have distressed
the king’s host. And so, through his own issue, the duke himself was
slain or ever the king came at the castle of Tintagil.
So after the death of the duke, King Uther lay with Igraine more than
three hours after his death, and begat on her that night Arthur, and on
day came Merlin to the king, and bade him make him ready, and so he
kissed the lady Igraine and departed in all haste. But when the lady
heard tell of the duke her husband, and by all record he was dead or
ever King Uther came to her, then she marvelled who that might be that
lay with her in likeness of her lord; so she mourned privily and held
her peace. Then all the barons by one assent prayed the king of accord
betwixt the lady Igraine and him; the king gave them leave, for fain
would he have been accorded with her. So the king put all the trust in
Ulfius to entreat between them, so by the entreaty at the last the king
and she met together. Now will we do well, said Ulfius, our king is a
lusty knight and wifeless, and my lady Igraine is a passing fair lady;
it were great joy unto us all, an it might please the king to make her
his queen. Unto that they all well accorded and moved it to the king.
And anon, like a lusty knight, he assented thereto with good will, and
so in all haste they were married in a morning with great mirth and
joy.
And King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney then wedded Margawse that was
Gawaine’s mother, and King Nentres of the land of Garlot wedded Elaine.
All this was done at the request of King Uther. And the third sister
Morgan le Fay was put to school in a nunnery, and there she learned so
much that she was a great clerk of necromancy. And after she was wedded
to King Uriens of the land of Gore, that was Sir Ewain’s le
Blanchemain’s father.
CHAPTER III. Of the birth of King Arthur and of his nurture.
Then Queen Igraine waxed daily greater and greater, so it befell after
within half a year, as King Uther lay by his queen, he asked her, by
the faith she owed to him, whose was the body; then she sore abashed to
give answer. Dismay you not, said the king, but tell me the truth, and
I shall love you the better, by the faith of my body. Sir, said she, I
shall tell you the truth. The same night that my lord was dead, the
hour of his death, as his knights record, there came into my castle of
Tintagil a man like my lord in speech and in countenance, and two
knights with him in likeness of his two knights Brastias and Jordanus,
and so I went unto bed with him as I ought to do with my lord, and the
same night, as I shall answer unto God, this child was begotten upon
me. That is truth, said the king, as ye say; for it was I myself that
came in the likeness, and therefore dismay you not, for I am father of
the child; and there he told her all the cause, how it was by Merlin’s
counsel. Then the queen made great joy when she knew who was the father
of her child.
Soon came Merlin unto the king, and said, Sir, ye must purvey you for
the nourishing of your child. As thou wilt, said the king, be it. Well,
said Merlin, I know a lord of yours in this land, that is a passing
true man and a faithful, and he shall have the nourishing of your
child, and his name is Sir Ector, and he is a lord of fair livelihood
in many parts in England and Wales; and this lord, Sir Ector, let him
be sent for, for to come and speak with you, and desire him yourself,
as he loveth you, that he will put his own child to nourishing to
another woman, and that his wife nourish yours. And when the child is
born let it be delivered to me at yonder privy postern unchristened. So
like as Merlin devised it was done. And when Sir Ector was come he made
fiaunce to the king for to nourish the child like as the king desired;
and there the king granted Sir Ector great rewards. Then when the lady
was delivered, the king commanded two knights and two ladies to take
the child, bound in a cloth of gold, and that ye deliver him to what
poor man ye meet at the postern gate of the castle. So the child was
delivered unto Merlin, and so he bare it forth unto Sir Ector, and made
an holy man to christen him, and named him Arthur; and so Sir Ector’s
wife nourished him with her own pap.
CHAPTER IV. Of the death of King Uther Pendragon.
Then within two years King Uther fell sick of a great malady. And in
the meanwhile his enemies usurped upon him, and did a great battle upon
his men, and slew many of his people. Sir, said Merlin, ye may not lie
so as ye do, for ye must to the field though ye ride on an
horse-litter: for ye shall never have the better of your enemies but if
your person be there, and then shall ye have the victory. So it was
done as Merlin had devised, and they carried the king forth in an
horse-litter with a great host towards his enemies. And at St. Albans
there met with the king a great host of the North. And that day Sir
Ulfius and Sir Brastias did great deeds of arms, and King Uther’s men
overcame the Northern battle and slew many people, and put the remnant
to flight. And then the king returned unto London, and made great joy
of his victory. And then he fell passing sore sick, so that three days
and three nights he was speechless: wherefore all the barons made great
sorrow, and asked Merlin what counsel were best. There is none other
remedy, said Merlin, but God will have his will. But look ye all barons
be before King Uther to-morn, and God and I shall make him to speak. So
on the morn all the barons with Merlin came to-fore the king; then
Merlin said aloud unto King Uther, Sir, shall your son Arthur be king
after your days, of this realm with all the appurtenance? Then Uther
Pendragon turned him, and said in hearing of them all, I give him God’s
blessing and mine, and bid him pray for my soul, and righteously and
worshipfully that he claim the crown, upon forfeiture of my blessing;
and therewith he yielded up the ghost, and then was he interred as
longed to a king. Wherefore the queen, fair Igraine, made great sorrow,
and all the barons.
CHAPTER V. How Arthur was chosen king, and of wonders and marvels of a
sword taken out of a stone by the said Arthur.
Then stood the realm in great jeopardy long while, for every lord that
was mighty of men made him strong, and many weened to have been king.
Then Merlin went to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and counselled him
for to send for all the lords of the realm, and all the gentlemen of
arms, that they should to London come by Christmas, upon pain of
cursing; and for this cause, that Jesus, that was born on that night,
that he would of his great mercy show some miracle, as he was come to
be king of mankind, for to show some miracle who should be rightwise
king of this realm. So the Archbishop, by the advice of Merlin, sent
for all the lords and gentlemen of arms that they should come by
Christmas even unto London. And many of them made them clean of their
life, that their prayer might be the more acceptable unto God. So in
the greatest church of London, whether it were Paul’s or not the French
book maketh no mention, all the estates were long or day in the church
for to pray. And when matins and the first mass was done, there was
seen in the churchyard, against the high altar, a great stone four
square, like unto a marble stone; and in midst thereof was like an
anvil of steel a foot on high, and therein stuck a fair sword naked by
the point, and letters there were written in gold about the sword that
said thus:—Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is
rightwise king born of all England. Then the people marvelled, and told
it to the Archbishop.
I command, said the Archbishop, that ye keep you within your church and
pray unto God still, that no man touch the sword till the high mass be
all done. So when all masses were done all the lords went to behold the
stone and the sword. And when they saw the scripture some assayed, such
as would have been king. But none might stir the sword nor move it. He
is not here, said the Archbishop, that shall achieve the sword, but
doubt not God will make him known. But this is my counsel, said the
Archbishop, that we let purvey ten knights, men of good fame, and they
to keep this sword. So it was ordained, and then there was made a cry,
that every man should assay that would, for to win the sword. And upon
New Year’s Day the barons let make a jousts and a tournament, that all
knights that would joust or tourney there might play, and all this was
ordained for to keep the lords together and the commons, for the
Archbishop trusted that God would make him known that should win the
sword.
So upon New Year’s Day, when the service was done, the barons rode unto
the field, some to joust and some to tourney, and so it happened that
Sir Ector, that had great livelihood about London, rode unto the
jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay his son, and young Arthur that was
his nourished brother; and Sir Kay was made knight at All Hallowmass
afore. So as they rode to the jousts-ward, Sir Kay lost his sword, for
he had left it at his father’s lodging, and so he prayed young Arthur
for to ride for his sword. I will well, said Arthur, and rode fast
after the sword, and when he came home, the lady and all were out to
see the jousting. Then was Arthur wroth, and said to himself, I will
ride to the churchyard, and take the sword with me that sticketh in the
stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall not be without a sword this day. So
when he came to the churchyard, Sir Arthur alighted and tied his horse
to the stile, and so he went to the tent, and found no knights there,
for they were at the jousting. And so he handled the sword by the
handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the stone, and took
his horse and rode his way until he came to his brother Sir Kay, and
delivered him the sword. And as soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he wist
well it was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his father Sir
Ector, and said: Sir, lo here is the sword of the stone, wherefore I
must be king of this land. When Sir Ector beheld the sword, he returned
again and came to the church, and there they alighted all three, and
went into the church. And anon he made Sir Kay swear upon a book how he
came to that sword. Sir, said Sir Kay, by my brother Arthur, for he
brought it to me. How gat ye this sword? said Sir Ector to Arthur. Sir,
I will tell you. When I came home for my brother’s sword, I found
nobody at home to deliver me his sword; and so I thought my brother Sir
Kay should not be swordless, and so I came hither eagerly and pulled it
out of the stone without any pain. Found ye any knights about this
sword? said Sir Ector. Nay, said Arthur. Now, said Sir Ector to Arthur,
I understand ye must be king of this land. Wherefore I, said Arthur,
and for what cause? Sir, said Ector, for God will have it so; for there
should never man have drawn out this sword, but he that shall be
rightwise king of this land. Now let me see whether ye can put the
sword there as it was, and pull it out again. That is no mastery, said
Arthur, and so he put it in the stone; wherewithal Sir Ector assayed to
pull out the sword and failed.
CHAPTER VI. How King Arthur pulled out the sword divers times.
Now assay, said Sir Ector unto Sir Kay. And anon he pulled at the sword
with all his might; but it would not be. Now shall ye assay, said Sir
Ector to Arthur. I will well, said Arthur, and pulled it out easily.
And therewithal Sir Ector knelt down to the earth, and Sir Kay. Alas,
said Arthur, my own dear father and brother, why kneel ye to me? Nay,
nay, my lord Arthur, it is not so; I was never your father nor of your
blood, but I wot well ye are of an higher blood than I weened ye were.
And then Sir Ector told him all, how he was betaken him for to nourish
him, and by whose commandment, and by Merlin’s deliverance.
Then Arthur made great dole when he understood that Sir Ector was not
his father. Sir, said Ector unto Arthur, will ye be my good and
gracious lord when ye are king? Else were I to blame, said Arthur, for
ye are the man in the world that I am most beholden to, and my good
lady and mother your wife, that as well as her own hath fostered me and
kept. And if ever it be God’s will that I be king as ye say, ye shall
desire of me what I may do, and I shall not fail you; God forbid I
should fail you Sir, said Sir Ector, I will ask no more of you, but
that ye will make my son, your foster brother, Sir Kay, seneschal of
all your lands. That shall be done, said Arthur, and more, by the faith
of my body, that never man shall have that office but he, while he and
I live. Therewithal they went unto the Archbishop, and told him how the
sword was achieved, and by whom; and on Twelfth-day all the barons came
thither, and to assay to take the sword, who that would assay. But
there afore them all, there might none take it out but Arthur;
wherefore there were many lords wroth, and said it was great shame unto
them all and the realm, to be overgoverned with a boy of no high blood
born. And so they fell out at that time that it was put off till
Candlemas and then all the barons should meet there again; but always
the ten knights were ordained to watch the sword day and night, and so
they set a pavilion over the stone and the sword, and five always
watched. So at Candlemas many more great lords came thither for to have
won the sword, but there might none prevail. And right as Arthur did at
Christmas, he did at Candlemas, and pulled out the sword easily,
whereof the barons were sore aggrieved and put it off in delay till the
high feast of Easter. And as Arthur sped before, so did he at Easter;
yet there were some of the great lords had indignation that Arthur
should be king, and put it off in a delay till the feast of Pentecost.
Then the Archbishop of Canterbury by Merlin’s providence let purvey
then of the best knights that they might get, and such knights as Uther
Pendragon loved best and most trusted in his days. And such knights
were put about Arthur as Sir Baudwin of Britain, Sir Kay, Sir Ulfius,
Sir Brastias. All these, with many other, were always about Arthur, day
and night, till the feast of Pentecost.
CHAPTER VII. How King Arthur was crowned, and how he made officers.
And at the feast of Pentecost all manner of men assayed to pull at the
sword that would assay; but none might prevail but Arthur, and pulled
it out afore all the lords and commons that were there, wherefore all
the commons cried at once, We will have Arthur unto our king, we will
put him no more in delay, for we all see that it is God’s will that he
shall be our king, and who that holdeth against it, we will slay him.
And therewithal they kneeled at once, both rich and poor, and cried
Arthur mercy because they had delayed him so long, and Arthur forgave
them, and took the sword between both his hands, and offered it upon
the altar where the Archbishop was, and so was he made knight of the
best man that was there. And so anon was the coronation made. And there
was he sworn unto his lords and the commons for to be a true king, to
stand with true justice from thenceforth the days of this life. Also
then he made all lords that held of the crown to come in, and to do
service as they ought to do. And many complaints were made unto Sir
Arthur of great wrongs that were done since the death of King Uther, of
many lands that were bereaved lords, knights, ladies, and gentlemen.
Wherefore King Arthur made the lands to be given again unto them that
owned them.
When this was done, that the king had stablished all the countries
about London, then he let make Sir Kay seneschal of England; and Sir
Baudwin of Britain was made constable; and Sir Ulfius was made
chamberlain; and Sir Brastias was made warden to wait upon the north
from Trent forwards, for it was that time the most party the king’s
enemies. But within few years after Arthur won all the north, Scotland,
and all that were under their obeissance. Also Wales, a part of it,
held against Arthur, but he overcame them all, as he did the remnant,
through the noble prowess of himself and his knights of the Round
Table.
CHAPTER VIII. How King Arthur held in Wales, at a Pentecost, a great
feast, and what kings and lords came to his feast.
Then the king removed into Wales, and let cry a great feast that it
should be holden at Pentecost after the incoronation of him at the city
of Carlion. Unto the feast came King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney, with
five hundred knights with him. Also there came to the feast King Uriens
of Gore with four hundred knights with him. Also there came to that
feast King Nentres of Garlot, with seven hundred knights with him. Also
there came to the feast the king of Scotland with six hundred knights
with him, and he was but a young man. Also there came to the feast a
king that was called the King with the Hundred Knights, but he and his
men were passing well beseen at all points. Also there came the king of
Carados with five hundred knights. And King Arthur was glad of their
coming, for he weened that all the kings and knights had come for great
love, and to have done him worship at his feast; wherefore the king
made great joy, and sent the kings and knights great presents. But the
kings would none receive, but rebuked the messengers shamefully, and
said they had no joy to receive no gifts of a beardless boy that was
come of low blood, and sent him word they would none of his gifts, but
that they were come to give him gifts with hard swords betwixt the neck
and the shoulders: and therefore they came thither, so they told to the
messengers plainly, for it was great shame to all them to see such a
boy to have a rule of so noble a realm as this land was. With this
answer the messengers departed and told to King Arthur this answer.
Wherefore, by the advice of his barons, he took him to a strong tower
with five hundred good men with him. And all the kings aforesaid in a
manner laid a siege to-fore him, but King Arthur was well victualed.
And within fifteen days there came Merlin among them into the city of
Carlion. Then all the kings were passing glad of Merlin, and asked him,
For what cause is that boy Arthur made your king? Sirs, said Merlin, I
shall tell you the cause, for he is King Uther Pendragon’s son, born in
wedlock, gotten on Igraine, the duke’s wife of Tintagil. Then is he a
bastard, they said all. Nay, said Merlin, after the death of the duke,
more than three hours, was Arthur begotten, and thirteen days after
King Uther wedded Igraine; and therefore I prove him he is no bastard.
And who saith nay, he shall be king and overcome all his enemies; and,
or he die, he shall be long king of all England, and have under his
obeissance Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and more realms than I will
now rehearse. Some of the kings had marvel of Merlin’s words, and
deemed well that it should be as he said; and some of them laughed him
to scorn, as King Lot; and more other called him a witch. But then were
they accorded with Merlin, that King Arthur should come out and speak
with the kings, and to come safe and to go safe, such surance there was
made. So Merlin went unto King Arthur, and told him how he had done,
and bade him fear not, but come out boldly and speak with them, and
spare them not, but answer them as their king and chieftain; for ye
shall overcome them all, whether they will or nill.
CHAPTER IX. Of the first war that King Arthur had, and how he won the
field.
Then King Arthur came out of his tower, and had under his gown a
jesseraunt of double mail, and there went with him the Archbishop of
Canterbury, and Sir Baudwin of Britain, and Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias:
these were the men of most worship that were with him. And when they
were met there was no meekness, but stout words on both sides; but
always King Arthur answered them, and said he would make them to bow an
he lived. Wherefore they departed with wrath, and King Arthur bade keep
them well, and they bade the king keep him well. So the king returned
him to the tower again and armed him and all his knights. What will ye
do? said Merlin to the kings; ye were better for to stint, for ye shall
not here prevail though ye were ten times so many. Be we well advised
to be afeared of a dream-reader? said King Lot. With that Merlin
vanished away, and came to King Arthur, and bade him set on them
fiercely; and in the meanwhile there were three hundred good men, of
the best that were with the kings, that went straight unto King Arthur,
and that comforted him greatly. Sir, said Merlin to Arthur, fight not
with the sword that ye had by miracle, till that ye see ye go unto the
worse, then draw it out and do your best. So forthwithal King Arthur
set upon them in their lodging. And Sir Baudwin, Sir Kay, and Sir
Brastias slew on the right hand and on the left hand that it was
marvel; and always King Arthur on horseback laid on with a sword, and
did marvellous deeds of arms, that many of the kings had great joy of
his deeds and hardiness.
Then King Lot brake out on the back side, and the King with the Hundred
Knights, and King Carados, and set on Arthur fiercely behind him. With
that Sir Arthur turned with his knights, and smote behind and before,
and ever Sir Arthur was in the foremost press till his horse was slain
underneath him. And therewith King Lot smote down King Arthur. With
that his four knights received him and set him on horseback. Then he
drew his sword Excalibur, but it was so bright in his enemies’ eyes,
that it gave light like thirty torches. And therewith he put them
a-back, and slew much people. And then the commons of Carlion arose
with clubs and staves and slew many knights; but all the kings held
them together with their knights that were left alive, and so fled and
departed. And Merlin came unto Arthur, and counselled him to follow
them no further.
CHAPTER X. How Merlin counselled King Arthur to send for King Ban and
King Bors, and of their counsel taken for the war.
So after the feast and journey, King Arthur drew him unto London, and
so by the counsel of Merlin, the king let call his barons to council,
for Merlin had told the king that the six kings that made war upon him
would in all haste be awroke on him and on his lands. Wherefore the
king asked counsel at them all. They could no counsel give, but said
they were big enough. Ye say well, said Arthur; I thank you for your
good courage, but will ye all that loveth me speak with Merlin? ye know
well that he hath done much for me, and he knoweth many things, and
when he is afore you, I would that ye prayed him heartily of his best
advice. All the barons said they would pray him and desire him. So
Merlin was sent for, and fair desired of all the barons to give them
best counsel. I shall say you, said Merlin, I warn you all, your
enemies are passing strong for you, and they are good men of arms as be
alive, and by this time they have gotten to them four kings more, and a
mighty duke; and unless that our king have more chivalry with him than
he may make within the bounds of his own realm, an he fight with them
in battle, he shall be overcome and slain. What were best to do in this
cause? said all the barons. I shall tell you, said Merlin, mine advice;
there are two brethren beyond the sea, and they be kings both, and
marvellous good men of their hands; and that one hight King Ban of
Benwick, and that other hight King Bors of Gaul, that is France. And on
these two kings warreth a mighty man of men, the King Claudas, and
striveth with them for a castle, and great war is betwixt them. But
this Claudas is so mighty of goods whereof he getteth good knights,
that he putteth these two kings most part to the worse; wherefore this
is my counsel, that our king and sovereign lord send unto the kings Ban
and Bors by two trusty knights with letters well devised, that an they
will come and see King Arthur and his court, and so help him in his
wars, that he will be sworn unto them to help them in their wars
against King Claudas. Now, what say ye unto this counsel? said Merlin.
This is well counselled, said the king and all the barons.
Right so in all haste there were ordained to go two knights on the
message unto the two kings. So were there made letters in the pleasant
wise according unto King Arthur’s desire. Ulfius and Brastias were made
the messengers, and so rode forth well horsed and well armed and as the
guise was that time, and so passed the sea and rode toward the city of
Benwick. And there besides were eight knights that espied them, and at
a strait passage they met with Ulfius and Brastias, and would have
taken them prisoners; so they prayed them that they might pass, for
they were messengers unto King Ban and Bors sent from King Arthur.
Therefore, said the eight knights, ye shall die or be prisoners, for we
be knights of King Claudas. And therewith two of them dressed their
spears, and Ulfius and Brastias dressed their spears, and ran together
with great raundon. And Claudas’ knights brake their spears, and theirs
to-held and bare the two knights out of their saddles to the earth, and
so left them lying, and rode their ways. And the other six knights rode
afore to a passage to meet with them again, and so Ulfius and Brastias
smote other two down, and so passed on their ways. And at the fourth
passage there met two for two, and both were laid unto the earth; so
there was none of the eight knights but he was sore hurt or bruised.
And when they come to Benwick it fortuned there were both kings, Ban
and Bors.
And when it was told the kings that there were come messengers, there
were sent unto them two knights of worship, the one hight Lionses, lord
of the country of Payarne, and Sir Phariance a worshipful knight. Anon
they asked from whence they came, and they said from King Arthur, king
of England; so they took them in their arms and made great joy each of
other. But anon, as the two kings wist they were messengers of
Arthur’s, there was made no tarrying, but forthwith they spake with the
knights, and welcomed them in the faithfullest wise, and said they were
most welcome unto them before all the kings living; and therewith they
kissed the letters and delivered them. And when Ban and Bors understood
the letters, then they were more welcome than they were before. And
after the haste of the letters they gave them this answer, that they
would fulfil the desire of King Arthur’s writing, and Ulfius and
Brastias, tarry there as long as they would, they should have such
cheer as might be made them in those marches. Then Ulfius and Brastias
told the kings of the adventure at their passages of the eight knights.
Ha! ah! said Ban and Bors, they were my good friends. I would I had
wist of them; they should not have escaped so. So Ulfius and Brastias
had good cheer and great gifts, as much as they might bear away; and
had their answer by mouth and by writing, that those two kings would
come unto Arthur in all the haste 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 ye the two kings will be here? Sir, said they, afore All
Hallowmass. Then the king let purvey for a great feast, and let cry a
great jousts. And by All Hallowmass the two kings were come over the
sea with three hundred knights well arrayed both for the peace and for
the war. And King Arthur met with them ten mile out of London, and
there was great joy as could be thought or made. And on All Hallowmass
at the great feast, sat in the hall the three kings, and Sir Kay
seneschal served in the hall, and Sir Lucas the butler, that was Duke
Corneus’ son, and Sir Griflet, that was the son of Cardol, these three
knights had the rule of all the service that served the kings. And
anon, as they had washen and risen, all knights that would joust made
them ready; by then they were ready on horseback there were seven
hundred knights. And 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 judgment.
CHAPTER XI. Of a great tourney made by King Arthur and the two kings
Ban and Bors, and how they went over the sea.
And King Arthur and the two kings let depart the seven hundred knights
in two parties. And there were three hundred knights of the realm of
Benwick and of Gaul turned on the other side. Then they dressed their
shields, and began to couch their spears many good knights. So Griflet
was the first that met with a knight, one Ladinas, and they met so
eagerly that all men had wonder; and they so fought that their shields
fell to pieces, and horse and man fell to the earth; and both the
French knight and the English knight lay so long that all men weened
they had been dead. When Lucas the butler saw Griflet so lie, he horsed
him again anon, and they two did marvellous deeds of arms with many
bachelors. Also Sir Kay came out of an ambushment with five knights
with him, and they six smote other six down. But Sir Kay did that day
marvellous deeds of arms, that there was none did so well as he that
day. Then there came Ladinas and Gracian, two knights of France, and
did passing well, that all men praised them.
Then came there Sir Placidas, a good knight, and met with Sir Kay, and
smote him down horse and man, where fore Sir Griflet was wroth, and met
with Sir Placidas so hard, that horse and man fell to the earth. But
when the five knights wist that Sir Kay had a fall, they were wroth out
of wit, and therewith each of them five bare down a knight. When King
Arthur and the two kings saw them begin to wax wroth on both parties,
they leapt on small hackneys, and let cry that all men should depart
unto their lodging. And so they went home and unarmed them, and so to
evensong and supper. And after, the three kings went into a garden, and
gave the prize unto Sir Kay, and to Lucas the butler, and unto Sir
Griflet. And then they went unto council, and with them Gwenbaus, the
brother unto Sir Ban and Bors, a wise clerk, and thither went Ulfius
and Brastias, and Merlin. And after they had been in council, they went
unto bed. And on the morn they heard mass, and to dinner, and so to
their council, and made many arguments what were best to do. At the
last they were concluded, that Merlin should go with a token of King
Ban, and that was a ring, unto his men and King Bors’; and Gracian and
Placidas should go again and keep their castles and their countries, as
for [dread of King Claudas] King Ban of Benwick, and King Bors of Gaul
had ordained them, and so passed the sea and came to Benwick. And when
the people saw King Ban’s ring, and Gracian and Placidas, they were
glad, and asked how the kings fared, and made great joy of their
welfare and cording, and according unto the sovereign lords desire, the
men of war made them ready in all haste possible, so that they were
fifteen thousand on horse and foot, and they had great plenty of
victual with them, by Merlin’s provision. But Gracian and Placidas were
left to furnish and garnish the castles, for dread of King Claudas.
Right so Merlin passed the sea, well victualled both by water and by
land. And when he came to the sea he sent home the footmen again, and
took no more with him but ten thousand men on horseback, the most part
men of arms, and so shipped and passed the sea into England, and landed
at Dover; and through the wit of Merlin, he had the host northward, the
priviest way that could be thought, unto the forest of Bedegraine, and
there in a valley he lodged them secretly.
Then rode Merlin unto Arthur and the two kings, and told them how he
had sped; whereof they had great marvel, that man on earth might speed
so soon, and go and come. So Merlin told them ten thousand were in the
forest of Bedegraine, well armed at all points. Then was there no more
to say, but to horseback went all the host as Arthur had afore
purveyed. So with twenty thousand he passed by night and day, but there
was made such an ordinance afore by Merlin, that there should no man of
war ride nor go in no country on this side Trent water, but if he had a
token from King Arthur, where through the king’s enemies durst not ride
as they did to-fore to espy.
CHAPTER XII. How eleven kings gathered a great host against King
Arthur.
And so within a little space the three kings came unto the castle of
Bedegraine, and found there a passing fair fellowship, and well beseen,
whereof they had great joy, and victual they wanted none. This was the
cause of the northern host: that they were reared for the despite and
rebuke the six kings had at Carlion. And those six kings by their
means, gat unto them five other kings; and thus they began to gather
their people.
And now they sware that for weal nor woe, they should not leave other,
till they had destroyed Arthur. And then they made an oath. The first
that began the oath was the Duke of Cambenet, that he would bring with
him five thousand men of arms, the which were ready on horseback. Then
sware King Brandegoris of Stranggore that he would bring five thousand
men of arms on horseback. Then sware King Clariance of Northumberland
he would bring three thousand men of arms. Then sware the King of the
Hundred Knights, that was a passing good man and a young, that he would
bring four thousand men of arms on horseback. Then there swore King
Lot, a passing good knight, and Sir Gawain’s father, that he would
bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also there swore King
Urience, that was Sir Uwain’s father, of the land of Gore, and he would
bring six thousand men of arms on horseback. Also there swore King
Idres of Cornwall, that he would bring five thousand men of arms on
horseback. Also there swore King Cradelmas to bring five thousand men
on horseback. Also there swore King Agwisance of Ireland to bring five
thousand men of arms on horseback. Also there swore King Nentres to
bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also there swore King
Carados to bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. So their whole
host was of clean men of arms on horseback fifty thousand, and a-foot
ten thousand of good men’s bodies. Then were they soon ready, and
mounted upon horse and sent forth their fore-riders, for these eleven
kings in their ways laid a siege unto the castle of Bedegraine; and so
they departed and drew toward Arthur, and left few to abide at the
siege, for the castle of Bedegraine was holden of King Arthur, and the
men that were therein were Arthur’s.
CHAPTER XIII. Of a dream of the King with the Hundred Knights.
So by Merlin’s advice there were sent fore-riders to skim the country,
and they met with the fore-riders of the north, and made them to tell
which way the host came, and then they told it to Arthur, and by King
Ban and Bors’ council they let burn and destroy all the country afore
them, there they should ride.
The King with the Hundred Knights met a wonder dream two nights afore
the battle, that there blew a great wind, and blew down their castles
and their towns, and after that came a water and bare it all away. All
that heard of the sweven said it was a token of great battle. Then by
counsel of Merlin, when they wist which way the eleven kings would ride
and lodge that night, at midnight they set upon them, as they were in
their pavilions. But the scout-watch by their host cried, Lords! at
arms! for here be your enemies at your hand!
CHAPTER XIV. How the eleven kings with their host fought against Arthur
and his host, and many great feats of the war.
Then King Arthur and King Ban and King Bors, with their good and trusty
knights, set on them so fiercely that they made them overthrow their
pavilions on their heads, but the eleven kings, by manly prowess of
arms, took a fair champaign, but there was slain that morrowtide ten
thousand good men’s bodies. And so they had afore them a strong
passage, yet were they fifty thousand of hardy men. Then it drew toward
day. Now shall ye do by mine advice, 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 here beside, in an ambushment, and
keep them privy, and that they be laid or the light of the day come,
and that they stir not till ye and your knights have fought with them
long. And when it is daylight, dress your battle even afore them and
the passage, that they may see all your host, for then will they be the
more hardy, when they see you but about twenty thousand men, and cause
them to be the gladder to suffer you and your host to come over the
passage. All the three kings and the whole barons said that Merlin said
passingly well, and it was done anon as Merlin had devised. So on the
morn, when either host saw other, the host of the north was well
comforted. Then to Ulfius and Brastias were delivered three thousand
men of arms, and they set on them fiercely in the passage, and slew on
the right hand and on the left hand that it was wonder to tell.
When that the eleven kings saw that there was so few a fellowship did
such deeds of arms, they were ashamed and set on them again fiercely;
and there was Sir Ulfius’s horse slain under him, but he did
marvellously well on foot. But the Duke Eustace of Cambenet and King
Clariance of Northumberland, were alway grievous on Ulfius. Then
Brastias saw his fellow fared so withal he smote the duke with a spear,
that horse and man fell down. That saw King Clariance and returned unto
Brastias, and either smote other so that horse and man went to the
earth, and so they lay long astonied, and their horses’ knees brast to
the hard bone. Then came Sir Kay the seneschal with six fellows with
him, and did passing well. With that came the eleven kings, and there
was Griflet put to the earth, horse and man, and Lucas the butler,
horse and man, by King Brandegoris, and King Idres, and King Agwisance.
Then waxed the medley passing hard on both parties. When Sir Kay saw
Griflet on foot, he rode on King Nentres and smote him down, and led
his horse unto Sir Griflet, and horsed him again. Also Sir Kay with the
same spear smote down King Lot, and hurt him passing sore. That saw the
King with the Hundred Knights, and ran unto Sir Kay and smote him down,
and took his horse, and gave him King Lot, whereof he said gramercy.
When Sir Griflet saw Sir Kay and Lucas the butler on foot, he took a
sharp spear, great and square, and rode to Pinel, a good man of arms,
and smote horse and man down, and then he took his horse, and gave him
unto Sir Kay. Then King Lot saw King Nentres on foot, he ran unto Melot
de la Roche, and smote him down, horse and man, and gave King Nentres
the horse, and horsed him again. Also the King of the Hundred Knights
saw King Idres on foot; then he ran unto Gwiniart de Bloi, and smote
him down, horse and man, and gave King Idres the horse, and horsed him
again; and King Lot smote down Clariance de la Forest Savage, and gave
the horse unto Duke Eustace. And so when they had horsed the kings
again they drew them, all eleven kings, together, and said they would
be revenged of the damage that they had taken that day. The meanwhile
came in Sir Ector with an eager countenance, and found Ulfius and
Brastias on foot, in great peril of death, that were foul defoiled
under horse-feet.
Then Arthur as a lion, ran unto King Cradelment of North Wales, and
smote him through the left side, that the horse and the king fell down;
and then he took the horse by the rein, and led him unto Ulfius, and
said, Have this horse, mine old friend, for great need hast thou of
horse. Gramercy, said Ulfius. Then Sir Arthur did so marvellously in
arms, that all men had wonder. When the King with the Hundred Knights
saw King Cradelment on foot, he ran unto Sir Ector, that was well
horsed, Sir Kay’s father, and smote horse and man down, and gave the
horse unto the king, and horsed him again. And when King Arthur saw the
king ride on Sir Ector’s horse, he was wroth and with his sword he
smote the king on the helm, that a quarter of the helm and shield fell
down, and so the sword carved down unto the horse’s neck, and so the
king and the horse fell down to the ground. Then Sir Kay came unto Sir
Morganore, seneschal with the King of the Hundred Knights, and smote
him down, horse and man, and led the horse unto his father, Sir Ector;
then Sir Ector ran unto a knight, hight Lardans, and smote horse and
man down, and led the horse unto Sir Brastias, that great need had of
an horse, and was greatly defoiled. When Brastias beheld Lucas the
butler, that lay like a dead man under the horses’ feet, and ever Sir
Griflet did marvellously for to rescue him, and there were always
fourteen knights on Sir Lucas; then Brastias smote one of them on the
helm, that it went to the teeth, and he rode to another and smote him,
that the arm flew into the field. Then he went to the third and smote
him on the shoulder, that shoulder and arm flew in the field. And when
Griflet saw rescues, he smote a knight on the temples, that head and
helm went to the earth, and Griflet took the horse of that knight, and
led him unto Sir Lucas, and bade him mount upon the horse and revenge
his hurts. For Brastias had slain a knight to-fore and horsed Griflet.
CHAPTER XV. Yet of the same battle.
Then Lucas saw King Agwisance, that late had slain Moris de la Roche,
and Lucas ran to him with a short spear that was great, that he gave
him such a fall, that the horse fell down to the earth. Also Lucas
found there on foot, Bloias de La Flandres, and Sir Gwinas, two hardy
knights, and in that woodness that Lucas was in, he slew two bachelors
and horsed them again. Then waxed the battle passing hard on both
parties, but Arthur was glad that his knights were horsed again, and
then they fought together, that the noise and sound rang by the water
and the wood. Wherefore King Ban and King Bors made them ready, and
dressed their shields and harness, and they were so courageous that
many knights shook and bevered for eagerness. All this while Lucas, and
Gwinas, and Briant, and Bellias of Flanders, held strong medley against
six kings, that was King Lot, King Nentres, King Brandegoris, King
Idres, King Uriens, and King Agwisance. So with the help of Sir Kay and
of Sir Griflet they held these six kings hard, that unnethe they had
any power to defend them. But when Sir Arthur saw the battle would not
be ended by no manner, he fared wood as a lion, and steered his horse
here and there, on the right hand, and on the left hand, that he
stinted not till he had slain twenty knights. Also he wounded King Lot
sore on the shoulder, and made him to leave that ground, for Sir Kay
and Griflet did with King Arthur there great deeds of arms. Then
Ulfius, and Brastias, and Sir Ector encountered against the Duke
Eustace, and King Cradelment, and King Clariance of Northumberland, and
King Carados, and against the King with the Hundred Knights. So these
knights encountered with these kings, that they made them to avoid the
ground. Then King Lot made great dole for his damages and his fellows,
and said unto the ten kings, But if ye will do as I devise we shall be
slain and destroyed; let me have the King with the Hundred Knights, and
King Agwisance, and King Idres, and the Duke of Cambenet, and we five
kings will have fifteen thousand men of arms with us, and we will go
apart while ye six kings hold medley with twelve thousand; an we see
that ye have foughten with them long, then will we come on fiercely,
and else shall we never match them, said King Lot, but by this mean. So
they departed as they here devised, and six kings made their party
strong against Arthur, and made great war long.
In the meanwhile brake the ambushment of King Ban and King Bors, and
Lionses and Phariance had the vanguard, and they two knights met with
King Idres and his fellowship, and there began a great medley of
breaking of spears, and smiting of swords, with slaying of men and
horses, and King Idres was near at discomforture.
That saw Agwisance the king, and put Lionses and Phariance in point of
death; for the Duke of Cambenet came on withal with a great fellowship.
So these two knights were in great danger of their lives that they were
fain to return, but always they rescued themselves and their fellowship
marvellously. When King Bors saw those knights put aback, it grieved
him sore; then he came on so fast that his fellowship seemed as black
as Inde. When King Lot had espied King Bors, he knew him well, then he
said, O Jesu, defend us from death and horrible maims! for I see well
we be in great peril of death; for I see yonder a king, one of the most
worshipfullest men and one of the best knights of the world, is
inclined unto his fellowship. What is he? said the King with the
Hundred Knights. It is, said King Lot, King Bors of Gaul; I marvel how
they came into this country without witting of us all. It was by
Merlin’s advice, said the knight. As for him, said King Carados, I will
encounter with King Bors, an ye will rescue me when myster is. Go on,
said they all, we will do all that we may. Then King Carados and his
host rode on a soft pace, till that they came as nigh King Bors as
bow-draught; then either battle let their horse run as fast as they
might. And Bleoberis, that was godson unto King Bors, he bare his chief
standard, that was a passing good knight. Now shall we see, said King
Bors, how these northern Britons can bear the arms: and King Bors
encountered with a knight, and smote him throughout with a spear that
he fell dead unto the earth; and after drew his sword and did
marvellous deeds of arms, that all parties had great wonder thereof;
and his knights failed not, but did their part, and King Carados was
smitten to the earth. With that came the King with the Hundred Knights
and rescued King Carados mightily by force of arms, for he was a
passing good knight of a king, and but a young man.
CHAPTER XVI. Yet more of the same battle.
By then came into the field King Ban as fierce as a lion, with bands of
green and thereupon gold. Ha! a! said King Lot, we must be discomfited,
for yonder I see the most valiant knight of the world, and the man of
the most renown, for such two brethren as is King Ban and King Bors are
not living, wherefore we must needs void or die; and but if we avoid
manly and wisely there is but death. When King Ban came into the
battle, he came in so fiercely that the strokes redounded again from
the wood and the water; wherefore King Lot wept for pity and dole that
he saw so many good knights take their end. But through the great force
of King Ban they made both the northern battles that were departed
hurtled together for great dread; and the three kings and their knights
slew on ever, that it was pity on to behold that multitude of the
people that fled. But King Lot, and King of the Hundred Knights, and
King Morganore gathered the people together passing knightly, and did
great prowess of arms, and held the battle all that day, like hard.
When the King of the Hundred Knights beheld the great damage that King
Ban did, he thrust unto him with his horse, and smote him on high upon
the helm, a great stroke, and astonied him sore. Then King Ban was
wroth with him, and followed on him fiercely; the other saw that, and
cast up his shield, and spurred his horse forward, but the stroke of
King Ban fell down and carved a cantel off the shield, and the sword
slid down by the hauberk behind his back, and cut through the trapping
of steel and the horse even in two pieces, that the sword felt the
earth. Then the King of the Hundred Knights voided the horse lightly,
and with his sword he broached the horse of King Ban through and
through. With that King Ban voided lightly from the dead horse, and
then King Ban smote at the other so eagerly, and smote him on the helm
that he fell to the earth. Also in that ire he felled King Morganore,
and there was great slaughter of good knights and much people. By then
came into the press King Arthur, and found King Ban standing among dead
men and dead horses, fighting on foot as a wood lion, that there came
none nigh him, as far as he might reach with his sword, but he caught a
grievous buffet; whereof King Arthur had great pity. And Arthur was so
bloody, that by his shield there might no man know him, for all was
blood and brains on his sword. And as Arthur looked by him he saw a
knight that was passingly well horsed, and therewith Sir Arthur ran to
him, and smote him on the helm, that his sword went unto his teeth, and
the knight sank down to the earth dead, and anon Arthur took the horse
by the rein, and led him unto King Ban, and said, Fair brother, have
this horse, for he have great myster thereof, and me repenteth sore of
your great damage. It shall be soon revenged, said King Ban, for I
trust in God mine ure is not such but some of them may sore repent
this. I will well, said Arthur, for I see your deeds full actual;
nevertheless, I might not come at you at that time.
But when King Ban was mounted on horseback, then there began new
battle, the which was sore and hard, and passing great slaughter. And
so through great force King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors made their
knights a little to withdraw them. But alway the eleven kings with
their chivalry never turned back; 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 on the field. And then the eleven
kings and knights put them on a heap all together, as men adread and
out of all comfort. But there was no man might pass them, they held
them so hard together both behind and before, that King Arthur had
marvel of their deeds of arms, and was passing wroth. Ah, Sir Arthur,
said King Ban and King Bors, blame them not, for they do as good men
ought to do. For by my faith, said King Ban, they are the best fighting
men, and knights of most prowess, that ever I saw or heard speak of,
and those eleven kings are men of great worship; and if they were
longing unto you there were no king under the heaven had such eleven
knights, and of such worship. I may not love them, said Arthur, they
would destroy me. That wot we well, said King Ban and King Bors, for
they are your mortal enemies, and that hath been proved aforehand; and
this day they have done their part, and that is great pity of their
wilfulness.
Then all the eleven kings drew them together, and then said King Lot,
Lords, ye must other ways than ye do, or else the great loss is behind;
ye may see what people we have lost, and what good men we lose, because
we wait always on these foot-men, and ever in saving of one of the
foot-men we lose ten horsemen for him; therefore this is mine advice,
let us put our foot-men from us, for it is near night, for the noble
Arthur will not tarry on the footmen, for they may save themselves, the
wood is near hand. And when we horsemen be together, look every each of
you kings let make such ordinance that none break upon pain of death.
And who that seeth any man dress him to flee, lightly that he be slain,
for it is better that we slay a coward, than through a coward all we to
be slain. How say ye? said King Lot, answer me all ye kings. It is well
said, quoth King Nentres; so said the King of the Hundred Knights; the
same said the King Carados, and King Uriens; so did King Idres and King
Brandegoris; and so did King Cradelment, and the Duke of Cambenet; the
same said King Clariance and King Agwisance, and sware they would never
fail other, neither for life nor for death. And whoso that fled, but
did as they did, should be slain. Then they amended their harness, and
righted their shields, and took new spears and set them on their
thighs, and stood still as it had been a plump of wood.
CHAPTER XVII. Yet more of the same battle, and how it was ended by
Merlin.
When Sir Arthur and King Ban and Bors beheld them and all their
knights, they praised them much for their noble cheer of chivalry, for
the hardiest fighters that ever they heard or saw. With that, there
dressed them a forty noble knights, and said unto the three kings, they
would break their battle; these were their names: Lionses, Phariance,
Ulfius, Brastias, Ector, Kay, Lucas the butler, Griflet le Fise de
Dieu, Mariet de la Roche, Guinas de Bloi, Briant de la Forest Savage,
Bellaus, Morians of the Castle [of] Maidens, Flannedrius of the Castle
of Ladies, Annecians that was King Bors’ godson, a noble knight,
Ladinas de la Rouse, Emerause, Caulas, Graciens le Castlein, one Blois
de la Case, and Sir Colgrevaunce de Gorre; all these knights rode on
afore with spears on their thighs, and spurred their horses mightily as
the horses might run. And the eleven kings with part of their knights
rushed with their horses as fast as they might with their spears, and
there they did on both parties marvellous deeds of arms. So came into
the thick of the press, Arthur, Ban, and Bors, and slew down right on
both hands, that their horses went in blood up to the fetlocks. But
ever the eleven kings and their host was ever in the visage of Arthur.
Wherefore Ban and Bors had great marvel, considering the great
slaughter that there was, but at the last they were driven aback over a
little river. With that came Merlin on a great black horse, and said
unto Arthur, Thou hast never done! Hast thou not done enough? of three
score thousand this day hast thou left alive but fifteen thousand, and
it is time to say Ho! For God is wroth with thee, that thou wilt never
have done; for yonder eleven kings at this time will not be overthrown,
but an thou tarry on them any longer, thy fortune will turn and they
shall increase. And therefore withdraw you unto your lodging, and rest
you as soon as ye may, and reward your good knights with gold and with
silver, for they have well deserved it; there may no riches be too dear
for them, for of so few men as ye have, there were never men did more
of prowess than they have done today, for ye have matched this day with
the best fighters of the world. That is truth, said King Ban and Bors.
Also said Merlin, withdraw you where ye list, for this three year I
dare undertake they shall not dere you; and by then ye shall hear new
tidings. And then Merlin said unto Arthur, These eleven kings have more
on hand than they are ware of, for the Saracens are landed in their
countries, more than forty thousand, that burn and slay, and have laid
siege at the castle Wandesborow, and make great destruction; therefore
dread you not this three year. Also, sir, all the goods that be gotten
at this battle, let it be searched, and when ye have it in your hands,
let it be given freely unto these two kings, Ban and Bors, that they
may reward their knights withal; and that shall cause strangers to be
of better will to do you service at need. Also you be able to reward
your own knights of your own goods whensomever it liketh you. It is
well said, quoth Arthur, and as thou hast devised, so shall it be done.
When it was delivered to Ban and Bors, they gave the goods as freely to
their knights as freely as it was given to them. Then Merlin took his
leave of Arthur and of the two kings, for to go and see his master
Bleise, that dwelt in Northumberland; and so he departed and came to
his master, that was passing glad of his coming; and there he told how
Arthur and the two kings had sped at the great battle, and how it was
ended, and told the names of every king and knight of worship that was
there. And so Bleise wrote the battle word by word, as Merlin told him,
how it began, and by whom, and in likewise how it was ended, and who
had the worse. All the battles that were done in Arthur’s days Merlin
did his master Bleise do write; also he did do write all the battles
that every worthy knight did of Arthur’s court.
After this Merlin departed from his master and came to King Arthur,
that was in the castle of Bedegraine, that was one of the castles that
stand in the forest of Sherwood. And Merlin was so disguised that King
Arthur knew him not, for he was all befurred in black sheep-skins, and
a great pair of boots, and a bow and arrows, in a russet gown, and
brought wild geese in his hand, and it was on the morn after Candlemas
day; but King Arthur knew him not. Sir, said Merlin unto the king, will
ye give me a gift? Wherefore, said King Arthur, should I give thee a
gift, churl? Sir, said Merlin, ye were better to give me a gift that is
not in your hand than to lose great riches, for here in the same place
where the great battle was, is great treasure hid in the earth. Who
told thee so, churl? said Arthur. Merlin told me so, said he. Then
Ulfius and Brastias knew him well enough, and smiled. Sir, said these
two knights, it is Merlin that so speaketh unto you. Then King Arthur
was greatly abashed, and had marvel of Merlin, and so had King Ban and
King Bors, and so they had great disport at him. So in the meanwhile
there came a damosel that was an earl’s daughter: his name was Sanam,
and her name was Lionors, a passing fair damosel; and so she came
thither for to do homage, as other lords did after the great battle.
And King Arthur set his love greatly upon her, and so did she upon him,
and the king had ado with her, and gat on her a child: his name was
Borre, that was after a good knight, and of the Table Round. Then there
came word that the King Rience of North Wales made great war on King
Leodegrance of Cameliard, for the which thing Arthur was wroth, for he
loved him well, and hated King Rience, for he was alway against him. So
by ordinance of the three kings that were sent home unto Benwick, all
they would depart for dread of King Claudas; and Phariance, and
Antemes, and Gratian, and Lionses [of] Payarne, with the leaders of
those that should keep the kings’ lands.
CHAPTER XVIII. How King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors rescued King
Leodegrance, and other incidents.
And then King Arthur, and King Ban, and King Bors departed with their
fellowship, a twenty thousand, and came within six days into the
country of Cameliard, and there rescued King Leodegrance, and slew
there much people of King Rience, unto the number of ten thousand men,
and put him to flight. And then had these three kings great cheer of
King Leodegrance, that thanked them of their great goodness, that they
would revenge him of his enemies; and there had Arthur the first sight
of Guenever, the king’s daughter of Cameliard, and ever after he loved
her. After they were wedded, as it telleth in the book. So, briefly to
make an end, they took their leave to go into their own countries, for
King Claudas did great destruction on their lands. Then said Arthur, I
will go with you. Nay, said the kings, ye shall not at this time, for
ye have much to do yet in these lands, therefore we will depart, and
with the great goods that we have gotten in these lands by your gifts,
we shall wage good knights and withstand the King Claudas’ malice, for
by the grace of God, an we have need we will send to you for your
succour; and if ye have need, send for us, and we will not tarry, by
the faith of our bodies. It shall not, said Merlin, need that these two
kings come again in the way of war, but I know well King Arthur may not
be long from you, for within a year or two ye shall have great need,
and then shall he revenge you on your enemies, as ye have done on his.
For these eleven kings shall die all in a day, by the great might and
prowess of arms of two valiant knights (as it telleth after); their
names be Balin le Savage, and Balan, his brother, that be marvellous
good knights as be any living.
Now turn we to the eleven kings that returned unto a city that hight
Sorhaute, the which city was within King Uriens’, and there they
refreshed them as well as they might, and made leeches search their
wounds, and sorrowed greatly for the death of their people. With that
there came a messenger and told how there was come into their lands
people that were lawless as well as Saracens, a forty thousand, and
have burnt and slain all the people that they may come by, without
mercy, and have laid siege on the castle of Wandesborow. Alas, said the
eleven kings, here is sorrow upon sorrow, and if we had not warred
against Arthur as we have done, he would soon revenge us. As for King
Leodegrance, he loveth Arthur better than us, and as for King Rience,
he hath enough to do with Leodegrance, for he hath laid siege unto him.
So they consented together to keep all the marches of Cornwall, of
Wales, and of the North. So first, they put King Idres in the City of
Nauntes in Britain, with four thousand men of arms, to watch both the
water and the land. Also they put in the city of Windesan, King Nentres
of Garlot, with four thousand knights to watch both on water and on
land. Also they had of other men of war more than eight thousand, for
to fortify all the fortresses in the marches of Cornwall. Also they put
more knights in all the marches of Wales and Scotland, with many good
men of arms, and so they kept them together the space of three year,
and ever allied them with mighty kings and dukes and lords. And to them
fell King Rience of North Wales, the which and Nero that was a mighty
man of men. And all this while they furnished them and garnished them
of good men of arms, and victual, and of all manner of habiliment that
pretendeth to the war, to avenge them for the battle of Bedegraine, as
it telleth in the book of adventures following.
CHAPTER XIX. How King Arthur rode to Carlion, and of his dream, and how
he saw the questing beast.
Then after the departing of King Ban and of King Bors, King Arthur rode
into Carlion. And thither came to him, King Lot’s wife, of Orkney, in
manner of a message, but she was sent thither to espy the court of King
Arthur; and she came richly beseen, with her four sons, Gawaine,
Gaheris, Agravine, and Gareth, with many other knights and ladies. For
she was a passing fair lady, therefore the king cast great love unto
her, and desired to lie by her; so they were agreed, and he begat upon
her Mordred, and she was his sister, on his mother’s side, Igraine. So
there she rested her a month, and at the last departed. Then the king
dreamed a marvellous dream whereof he was sore adread. But all this
time King Arthur knew not that King Lot’s wife was his sister. Thus was
the dream of Arthur: Him thought there was come into this land griffins
and serpents, and him thought they burnt and slew all the people in the
land, and then him thought he fought with them, and they did him
passing great harm, and wounded him full sore, but at the last he slew
them. When the king awaked, he was passing heavy of his dream, and so
to put it out of thoughts, he made him ready with many knights to ride
a-hunting. As soon as he was in the forest the king saw a great hart
afore him. This hart will I chase, said King Arthur, and so he spurred
the horse, and rode after long, and so by fine force oft he was like to
have smitten the hart; whereas the king had chased the hart so long,
that his horse lost his breath, and fell down dead. Then a yeoman
fetched the king another horse.
So the king saw the hart enbushed, and his horse dead, he set him down
by a fountain, and there he fell in great thoughts. And as he sat so,
him thought he heard a noise of hounds, to the sum of thirty. And with
that the king saw coming toward him the strangest beast that ever he
saw or heard of; so the beast went to the well and drank, and the noise
was in the beast’s belly like unto the questing of thirty couple
hounds; but all the while the beast drank there was no noise in the
beast’s belly: and there with the beast departed with a great noise,
whereof the king had great marvel. And so he was in a great thought,
and therewith he fell asleep. Right so there came a knight afoot unto
Arthur and said, Knight full of thought and sleepy, tell me if thou
sawest a strange beast pass this way. Such one saw I, said King Arthur,
that is past two mile; what would ye with the beast? said Arthur. Sir,
I have followed that beast long time, and killed mine horse, so would
God I had another to follow my quest. Right so came one with the king’s
horse, and when the knight saw the horse, he prayed the king to give
him the horse: for I have followed this quest this twelvemonth, and
either I shall achieve him, or bleed of the best blood of my body.
Pellinore, that time king, followed the Questing Beast, and after his
death Sir Palamides followed it.
CHAPTER XX. How King Pellinore took Arthur’s horse and followed the
Questing Beast, and how Merlin met with Arthur.
Sir knight, said the king, leave that quest, and suffer me to have it,
and I will follow it another twelvemonth. Ah, fool, said the knight
unto Arthur, it is in vain thy desire, for it shall never be achieved
but by me, or my next kin. Therewith he started unto the king’s horse
and mounted into the saddle, and said, Gramercy, this horse is my own.
Well, said the king, thou mayst take my horse by force, but an I might
prove thee whether thou were better on horseback or I.—Well, said the
knight, seek me here when thou wilt, and here nigh this well thou shalt
find me, and so passed on his way. Then the king sat in a study, and
bade his men fetch his horse as fast as ever they might. Right so came
by him Merlin like a child of fourteen year of age, and saluted the
king, and asked him why he was so pensive. I may well be pensive, said
the king, for I have seen the marvellest sight that ever I saw. That
know I well, said Merlin, as well as thyself, and of all thy thoughts,
but thou art but a fool to take thought, for it will not amend thee.
Also I know what thou art, and who was thy father, and of whom thou
wert begotten; King Uther Pendragon 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 years to know my father? Yes, said Merlin, I
know it better than ye or any man living. I will not believe thee, said
Arthur, and was wroth with the child. So departed Merlin, and came
again in the likeness of an old man of fourscore year of age, whereof
the king was right glad, for he seemed to be right wise.
Then said the old man, Why are ye so sad? I may well be heavy, said
Arthur, for many things. Also here was a child, and told me many things
that meseemeth he should not know, for he was not of age to know my
father. Yes, said the old man, the child told you truth, and more would
he have told you an ye would have suffered him. But ye have done a
thing late that God is displeased with you, for ye have lain by your
sister, and on her ye have gotten a child that shall destroy you and
all the knights of your realm. What are ye, said Arthur, that tell me
these tidings? I am Merlin, and I was he in the child’s likeness. Ah,
said King Arthur, ye are a marvellous man, but I marvel much of thy
words that I must die in battle. Marvel not, said Merlin, for it is
God’s will your body to be punished for your foul deeds; but I may well
be sorry, said Merlin, for I shall die a shameful death, to be put in
the earth quick, and ye shall die a worshipful death. And as they
talked this, came one with the king’s horse, and so the king mounted on
his horse, and Merlin on another, and so rode unto Carlion. And anon
the king asked Ector and Ulfius how he was begotten, and they told him
Uther Pendragon was his father and Queen Igraine his mother. Then he
said to Merlin, I will that my mother be sent for that I may speak with
her; and if she say so herself then will I believe it. In all haste,
the queen was sent for, and she came and brought with her Morgan le
Fay, her daughter, that was as fair a lady as any might be, and the
king welcomed Igraine in the best manner.
CHAPTER XXI. How Ulfius impeached Queen Igraine, Arthur’s mother, of
treason; and how a knight came and desired to have the death of his
master revenged.
Right so came Ulfius, and said openly, that the king and all might hear
that were feasted that day, Ye are the falsest lady of the world, and
the most traitress unto the king’s person. Beware, said Arthur, what
thou sayest; thou speakest a great word. I am well ware, said Ulfius,
what I speak, and here is my glove to prove it upon any man that will
say the contrary, that this Queen Igraine is causer of your great
damage, and of your great war. For, an she would have uttered it in the
life of King Uther Pendragon, of the birth of you, and how ye were
begotten ye had never had the mortal wars that ye have had; for the
most part of your barons of your realm knew never whose son ye were,
nor of whom ye were begotten; and she that bare you of her body should
have made it known openly in excusing of her worship and yours, and in
like wise to all the realm, wherefore I prove her false to God and to
you and to all your realm, and who will say the contrary I will prove
it on his body.
Then spake Igraine and said, I am a woman and I may not fight, but
rather than I should be dishonoured, there would some good man take my
quarrel. More, she said, Merlin knoweth well, and ye Sir Ulfius, how
King Uther came to me in the Castle of Tintagil in the likeness of my
lord, that was dead three hours to-fore, and thereby gat a child that
night upon me. And after the thirteenth day King Uther wedded me, and
by his commandment when the child was born it was delivered unto Merlin
and nourished by him, and so I saw the child never after, nor wot not
what is his name, for I knew him never yet. And there, Ulfius said to
the queen, Merlin is more to blame than ye. Well I wot, said the queen,
I bare a child by my lord King Uther, but I wot not where he is become.
Then Merlin took the king by the hand, saying, This is your mother. And
therewith Sir Ector bare witness how he nourished him by Uther’s
commandment. And therewith King Arthur took his mother, Queen Igraine,
in his arms and kissed her, and either wept upon other. And then the
king let make a feast that lasted eight days.
Then on a day there came in the court a squire on horseback, leading a
knight before him wounded to the death, and told him how there was a
knight in the forest had reared up a pavilion by a well, and hath slain
my master, a good knight, his name was Miles; wherefore I beseech you
that my master may be buried, and that some knight may revenge my
master’s death. Then the noise was great of that knight’s death in the
court, and every man said his advice. Then came Griflet that was but a
squire, and he was but young, of the age of the king Arthur, so he
besought the king for all his service that he had done him to give the
order of knighthood.
CHAPTER XXII. How Griflet was made knight, and jousted with a knight.
Thou art full young and tender of age, said Arthur, for to take so high
an order on thee. Sir, said Griflet, I beseech you make me knight. Sir,
said Merlin, it were great pity to lose Griflet, for he will be a
passing good man when he is of age, abiding with you the term of his
life. And if he adventure his body with yonder knight at the fountain,
it is in great peril if ever he come again, for he is one of the best
knights of the world, and the strongest man of arms. Well, said Arthur.
So at the desire of Griflet the king made him knight. Now, said Arthur
unto Sir Griflet, sith I have made you knight thou must give me a gift.
What ye will, said Griflet. Thou shalt promise me by the faith of thy
body, when thou hast jousted with the knight at the fountain, whether
it fall ye be on foot or on horseback, that right so ye shall come
again unto me without making any more debate. I will promise you, said
Griflet, as you desire. Then took Griflet his horse in great haste, and
dressed his shield and took a spear in his hand, and so he rode a great
wallop till he came to the fountain, and thereby he saw a rich
pavilion, and thereby under a cloth stood a fair horse well saddled and
bridled, and on a tree a shield of divers colours and a great spear.
Then Griflet smote on the shield with the butt of his spear, that the
shield fell down to the ground. With that the knight came out of the
pavilion, and said, Fair knight, why smote ye down my shield? For I
will joust with you, said Griflet. It is better ye do not, said the
knight, for ye are but young, and late made knight, and your might is
nothing to mine. As for that, said Griflet, I will joust with you. That
is me loath, said the knight, but sith I must needs, I will dress me
thereto. Of whence be ye? said the knight. Sir, I am of Arthur’s court.
So the two knights ran together that Griflet’s spear all to-shivered;
and there withal he smote Griflet through the shield and the left side,
and brake the spear that the truncheon stuck in his body, that horse
and knight fell down.
CHAPTER XXIII. How twelve knights came from Rome and asked truage for
this land of Arthur, and how Arthur fought with a knight.
When the knight saw him lie so on the ground, he alighted, and was
passing heavy, for he weened he had slain him, and then he unlaced his
helm and gat him wind, and so with the truncheon he set him on his
horse, and so betook 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 great dole was made for him. But through good
leeches he was healed and saved. Right so came into the court twelve
knights, and were aged men, and they came from the Emperor of Rome, and
they asked of Arthur truage for this realm, other else the emperor
would destroy him and his land. Well, said King Arthur, ye are
messengers, therefore ye may say what ye will, other else ye should die
therefore. But this is mine answer: I owe the emperor no truage, nor
none will I hold him, but on a fair field I shall give him my truage
that shall be with a sharp spear, or else with a sharp sword, and that
shall not be long, by my father’s soul, Uther Pendragon. And therewith
the messengers departed passingly wroth, and King Arthur as wroth, for
in evil time came they then; for the king was passingly wroth for the
hurt of Sir Griflet. And so he commanded a privy man of his chamber
that or it be day his best horse and armour, with all that longeth unto
his person, be without the city or to-morrow day. Right so or to-morrow
day he met with his man and his horse, and so mounted up and dressed
his shield and took his spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry there
till he came again. And so Arthur rode a soft pace till it was day, and
then was he ware of three churls chasing Merlin, and would have slain
him. Then the king rode unto them, and bade them: Flee, churls! then
were they afeard when they saw a knight, and fled. O Merlin, said
Arthur, here hadst thou been slain for all thy crafts had I not been.
Nay, said Merlin, not so, for I could save myself an I would; and thou
art more near thy death than I am, for thou goest to the deathward, an
God be not thy friend.
So as they went thus talking they came to the fountain, and the rich
pavilion there by it. Then King Arthur was ware where sat a knight
armed in a chair. Sir knight, said Arthur, for what cause abidest thou
here, that there may no knight ride this way but if he joust with thee?
said the king. I rede thee leave that custom, said Arthur. This custom,
said the knight, have I used and will use maugre who saith nay, and who
is grieved with my custom let him amend it that will. I will amend it,
said Arthur. I shall defend thee, said the knight. Anon he took his
horse and dressed his shield and took a spear, and they met so hard
either in other’s shields, that all to-shivered their spears. Therewith
anon Arthur pulled out his sword. Nay, not so, said the knight; it is
fairer, said the knight, that we twain run more together with sharp
spears. I will well, said Arthur, an I had any more spears. I have
enow, said the knight; so there came a squire and brought two good
spears, and Arthur chose one and he another; so they spurred their
horses and came together with all their mights, that either brake their
spears to their hands. Then Arthur set hand on his sword. Nay, said the
knight, ye shall do better, ye are a passing good jouster as ever I met
withal, and once for the love of the high order of knighthood let us
joust once again. I assent me, said Arthur. Anon there were brought two
great spears, and every knight gat a spear, and therewith they ran
together that Arthur’s spear all to-shivered. But the other knight hit
him so hard in midst of the shield, that horse and man fell to the
earth, and therewith Arthur was eager, and pulled out his sword, and
said, I will assay thee, sir knight, on foot, for I have lost the
honour on horseback. I will be on horseback, said the knight. Then was
Arthur wroth, and dressed his shield toward him with his sword drawn.
When the knight saw that, he alighted, for him thought no worship to
have a knight at such avail, he to be on horseback and he on foot, and
so he alighted and dressed his shield unto Arthur. And there began a
strong battle with many great strokes, and so hewed with their swords
that the cantels flew in the fields, and much blood they bled both,
that all the place there as they fought was overbled with blood, and
thus they fought long and rested them, and then they went to the battle
again, and so hurtled together like two rams that either fell to the
earth. So at the last they smote together that both their swords met
even together. But the sword of the knight smote King Arthur’s sword in
two pieces, wherefore he was heavy. Then said the knight unto Arthur,
Thou art in my daunger whether me list to save thee or slay thee, and
but thou yield thee as overcome and recreant, thou shalt die. As for
death, said King Arthur, welcome be it when it cometh, but to yield me
unto thee as recreant I had liefer die than to be so shamed. And
therewithal the king leapt unto Pellinore, and took him by the middle
and threw him down, and raced off his helm. When the knight felt that
he was adread, for he was a passing big man of might, and anon he
brought Arthur under him, and raced off his helm and would have smitten
off his head.
CHAPTER XXIV. How Merlin saved Arthur’s life, and threw an enchantment
on King Pellinore and made him to sleep.
Therewithal came Merlin and said, Knight, hold thy hand, for an thou
slay that knight thou puttest this realm in the greatest damage that
ever was realm: for this knight is a man of more worship than thou
wotest of. Why, who is he? said the knight. It is King Arthur. Then
would he have slain him for dread of his wrath, and heaved up his
sword, and therewith Merlin cast an enchantment to the knight, that he
fell to the earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin took up King Arthur,
and rode forth on the knight’s horse. Alas! said Arthur, what hast thou
done, Merlin? hast thou slain this good knight by thy crafts? There
liveth not so worshipful a knight as he was; I had liefer than the
stint of my land a year that he were alive. Care ye not, said Merlin,
for he is wholer than ye; for he is but asleep, and will awake within
three hours. I told you, said Merlin, what a knight he was; here had ye
been slain had I not been. Also there liveth not a bigger knight than
he is one, and he shall hereafter do you right good service; and his
name is Pellinore, and he shall have two sons that shall be passing
good men; save one they shall have no fellow of prowess and of good
living, and their names shall be Percivale of Wales and Lamerake of
Wales, and he shall tell you the name of your own son, begotten of your
sister, that shall be the destruction of all this realm.
CHAPTER XXV. How Arthur by the mean of Merlin gat Excalibur his sword
of the Lady of the Lake.
Right so the king and he departed, and went unto an hermit that was a
good man and a great leech. So the hermit searched all his wounds and
gave him good salves; so the king was there three days, and then were
his wounds well amended that he might ride and go, and so departed. And
as they rode, Arthur said, I have no sword. No force, said Merlin,
hereby is a sword that shall be yours, an I may. So they rode till they
came to a lake, the which was a fair water and broad, and in the midst
of the lake Arthur was ware of an arm clothed in white samite, that
held a fair sword in that hand. Lo! said Merlin, yonder is that sword
that I spake of. With that they saw a damosel going upon the lake. What
damosel is that? said Arthur. That is the Lady of the Lake, said
Merlin; and within that lake is a rock, and therein is as fair a place
as any on earth, and richly beseen; and this damosel will come to you
anon, and then speak ye fair to her that she will give you that sword.
Anon withal came the damosel unto Arthur, and saluted him, and he her
again. Damosel, said Arthur, what sword is that, that yonder the arm
holdeth above the water? I would it were mine, for I have no sword. Sir
Arthur, king, said the damosel, that sword is mine, and if ye will give
me a gift when I ask it you, ye shall have it. By my faith, said
Arthur, I will give you what gift ye will ask. Well! said the damosel,
go ye into yonder barge, and row yourself to the sword, and take it and
the scabbard with you, and I will ask my gift when I see my time. So
Sir Arthur and Merlin alighted and tied their horses to two trees, and
so they went into the ship, and when they came to the sword that the
hand held, Sir Arthur took it up by the handles, and took it with him,
and the arm and the hand went under the water. And so [they] came unto
the land and rode forth, and then Sir Arthur saw a rich pavilion. What
signifieth yonder pavilion? It is the knight’s pavilion, said Merlin,
that ye fought with last, Sir Pellinore; but he is out, he is not
there. He hath ado with a knight of yours that hight Egglame, and they
have foughten together, but at the last Egglame fled, and else he had
been dead, and he hath chased him even to Carlion, and we shall meet
with him anon in the highway. That is well said, said Arthur, now have
I a sword, now will I wage battle with him, and be avenged on him. Sir,
you shall not so, said Merlin, for the knight is weary of fighting and
chasing, so that ye shall have no worship to have ado with him; also he
will not be lightly matched of one knight living, and therefore it is
my counsel, let him pass, for he shall do you good service in short
time, and his sons after his days. Also ye shall see that day in short
space, you shall be right glad to give him your sister to wed. When I
see him, I will do as ye advise, said Arthur.
Then Sir Arthur looked on the sword, and liked it passing well. Whether
liketh you better, said Merlin, the sword or the scabbard? Me liketh
better the sword, said Arthur. Ye are more unwise, said Merlin, for the
scabbard is worth ten of the swords, for whiles ye have the scabbard
upon you, ye shall never lose no blood, be ye never so sore wounded;
therefore keep well the scabbard always with you. So they rode unto
Carlion, and by the way they met with Sir Pellinore; but Merlin had
done such a craft, that Pellinore saw not Arthur, and he passed by
without any words. I marvel, said Arthur, that the knight would not
speak. Sir, said Merlin, he saw you not, for an he had seen you, ye had
not lightly departed. So they came unto Carlion, whereof his knights
were passing glad. And when they heard of his adventures, they
marvelled that he would jeopard his person so, alone. But all men of
worship said it was merry to be under such a chieftain, that would put
his person in adventure as other poor knights did.
CHAPTER XXVI. How tidings came to Arthur that King Rience had overcome
eleven kings, and how he desired Arthur’s beard to trim his mantle.
This meanwhile came a messenger from King Rience of North Wales, and
king he was of all Ireland, and of many isles. And this was his
message, greeting well King Arthur in this manner wise, saying that
King Rience had discomfited and overcome eleven kings, and everych of
them did him homage, and that was this, they gave him their beards
clean flayed off, as much as there was; wherefore the messenger came
for King Arthur’s beard. For King Rience had purfled a mantle with
kings’ beards, and there lacked one place of the mantle; wherefore he
sent for his beard, or else he would enter into his lands, and burn and
slay, and never leave till he have the head and the beard. Well, said
Arthur, thou hast said thy message, the which is the most villainous
and lewdest message that ever man heard sent unto a king; also thou
mayest see my beard is full young yet to make a purfle of it. But tell
thou thy king this: I owe him none homage, nor none of mine elders; but
or it be long to, he shall do me homage on both his knees, or else he
shall lose his head, by the faith of my body, for this is the most
shamefulest message that ever I heard speak of. I have espied thy king
met never yet with worshipful man, but tell him, I will have his head
without he do me homage. Then the messenger departed.
Now is there any here, said Arthur, that knoweth King Rience? Then
answered a knight that hight Naram, Sir, I know the king well; he is a
passing good man of his body, as few be living, and a passing proud
man, and Sir, doubt ye not he will make war on you with a mighty
puissance. Well, said Arthur, I shall ordain for him in short time.
CHAPTER XXVII. How all the children were sent for that were born on
May-day, and how Mordred was saved.
Then King Arthur let send for all the children born on May-day,
begotten of lords and born of ladies; for Merlin told King Arthur that
he that should destroy him should be born on May-day, wherefore he sent
for them all, upon pain of death; and so there were found many lords’
sons, and all were sent unto the king, and so was Mordred sent by King
Lot’s wife, and all were put in a ship to the sea, and some were four
weeks old, and some less. And so by fortune the ship drave unto a
castle, and was all to-riven, and destroyed the most part, save that
Mordred was cast up, and a good man found him, and nourished him till
he was fourteen year old, and then he brought him to the court, as it
rehearseth afterward, toward the end of the Death of Arthur. So many
lords and barons of this realm were displeased, for their children were
so lost, and many put the wite on Merlin more than on Arthur; so what
for dread and for love, they held their peace. But when the messenger
came to King Rience, then was he wood out of measure, and purveyed him
for a great host, as it rehearseth after in the book of Balin le
Savage, that followeth next after, how by adventure Balin gat the
sword.
Explicit liber primus.
BOOK II.
CHAPTER I. Of a damosel which came girt with a sword for to find a man
of such virtue to draw it out of the scabbard.
After the death of Uther Pendragon reigned Arthur his son, the which
had great war in his days for to get all England into his hand. For
there were many kings within the realm of England, and in Wales,
Scotland, and Cornwall. So it befell on a time when King Arthur was at
London, there came a knight and told the king tidings how that the King
Rience of North Wales had reared a great number of people, and were
entered into the land, and burnt and slew the king’s true liege people.
If this be true, said Arthur, it were great shame unto mine estate but
that he were mightily withstood. It is truth, said the knight, for I
saw the host myself. Well, said the king, let make a cry, that all the
lords, knights, and gentlemen of arms, should draw unto a castle called
Camelot in those days, and there the king would let make a
council-general and a great jousts.
So when the king was come thither with all his baronage, and lodged as
they seemed best, there was come a damosel the which was sent on
message from the great lady Lile of Avelion. And when she came before
King Arthur, she told from whom she came, and how she was sent on
message unto him for these causes. Then she let her mantle fall that
was richly furred; and then was she girt with a noble sword whereof the
king had marvel, and said, Damosel, for what cause are ye girt with
that sword? it beseemeth you not. Now shall I tell you, said the
damosel; this sword that I am girt withal doth me great sorrow and
cumbrance, for I may not be delivered of this sword but by a knight,
but he must be a passing good man of his hands and of his deeds, and
without villainy or treachery, and without treason. And if I may find
such a knight that hath all these virtues, he may draw out this sword
out of the sheath, for I have been at King Rience’s it was told me
there were passing good knights, and he and all his knights have
assayed it and none can speed. This is a great marvel, said Arthur, if
this be sooth; I will myself assay to draw out the sword, not presuming
upon myself that I am the best knight, but that I will begin to draw at
your sword in giving example to all the barons that they shall assay
everych one after other when I have assayed it. Then Arthur took the
sword by the sheath and by the girdle and pulled at it eagerly, but the
sword would not out.
Sir, said the damosel, you need not to pull half so hard, for he that
shall pull it out shall do it with little might. Ye say well, said
Arthur; now assay ye all my barons; but beware ye be not defiled with
shame, treachery, nor guile. Then it will not avail, said the damosel,
for he must be a clean knight without villainy, and of a gentle strain
of father side and mother side. Most of all the barons of the Round
Table that were there at that time assayed all by row, but there might
none speed; wherefore the damosel made great sorrow out of measure, and
said, Alas! I weened in this court had been the best knights without
treachery or treason. By my faith, said Arthur, here are good knights,
as I deem, as any be in the world, but their grace is not to help you,
wherefore I am displeased.
CHAPTER II. How Balin, arrayed like a poor knight, pulled out the
sword, which afterward was the cause of his death.
Then fell it so that time there was a poor knight with King Arthur,
that had been prisoner with him half a year and more for slaying of a
knight, the which was cousin unto King Arthur. The name of this knight
was called Balin, and by good means of the barons he was delivered out
of prison, for he was a good man named of his body, and he was born in
Northumberland. And so he went privily into the court, and saw this
adventure, whereof it raised his heart, and he would assay it as other
knights did, but for he was poor and poorly arrayed he put him not far
in press. But in his heart he was fully assured to do as well, if his
grace happed him, as any knight that there was. And as the damosel took
her leave of Arthur and of all the barons, so departing, this knight
Balin called unto her, and said, Damosel, I pray you of your courtesy,
suffer me as well to assay as these lords; though that I be so poorly
clothed, in my heart meseemeth I am fully assured as some of these
others, and meseemeth in my heart to speed right well. The damosel
beheld the poor knight, and saw he was a likely man, but for his poor
arrayment she thought he should be of no worship without villainy or
treachery. And then she said unto the knight, Sir, it needeth not to
put me to more pain or labour, for it seemeth not you to speed there as
other have failed. Ah! fair damosel, said Balin, worthiness, and good
tatches, and good deeds, are not only in arrayment, but manhood and
worship is hid within man’s person, and many a worshipful knight is not
known unto all people, and therefore worship and hardiness is not in
arrayment. By God, said the damosel, ye say sooth; therefore ye shall
assay to do what ye may. Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and
sheath, and drew it out easily; and when he looked on the sword it
pleased him much. Then had the king and all the barons great marvel
that Balin had done that adventure, and many knights had great despite
of Balin. Certes, said the damosel, this is a passing good knight, and
the best that ever I found, and most of worship without treason,
treachery, or villainy, and many marvels shall he do. Now, gentle and
courteous knight, give me the sword again. Nay, said Balin, for this
sword will I keep, but it be taken from me with force. Well, said the
damosel, ye are not wise to keep the sword from me, for ye shall slay
with the sword the best friend that ye have, and the man that ye most
love in the world, and the sword shall be your destruction. I shall
take the adventure, said Balin, that God will ordain me, but the sword
ye shall not have at this time, by the faith of my body. Ye shall
repent it within short time, said the damosel, for I would have the
sword more for your avail than for mine, for I am passing heavy for
your sake; for ye will not believe that sword shall be your
destruction, and that is great pity. With that the damosel departed,
making great sorrow.
Anon after, Balin sent for his horse and armour, and so would depart
from the court, and took his leave of King Arthur. Nay, said the king,
I suppose ye will not depart so lightly from this fellowship, I suppose
ye are displeased that I have shewed you unkindness; blame me the less,
for I was misinformed against you, but I weened ye had not been such a
knight as ye are, of worship and prowess, and if ye will abide in this
court among my fellowship, I shall so advance you as ye shall be
pleased. God thank your highness, said Balin, your bounty and highness
may no man praise half to the value; but at this time I must needs
depart, beseeching you alway of your good grace. Truly, said the king,
I am right wroth for your departing; I pray you, fair knight, that ye
tarry not long, and ye shall be right welcome to me, and to my barons,
and I shall amend all miss that I have done against you; God thank your
great lordship, said Balin, and therewith made him ready to depart.
Then the most part of the knights of the Round Table said that Balin
did not this adventure all only by might, but by witchcraft.
CHAPTER III. How the Lady of the Lake demanded the knight’s head that
had won the sword, or the maiden’s head.
The meanwhile, that this knight was making him ready to depart, there
came into the court a lady that hight the Lady of the Lake. And she
came on horseback, richly beseen, and saluted King Arthur, and there
asked him a gift that he promised her when she gave him the sword. That
is sooth, said Arthur, a gift I promised you, but I have forgotten the
name of my sword that ye gave me. The name of it, said the lady, is
Excalibur, that is as much to say as Cut-steel. Ye say well, said the
king; ask what ye will and ye shall have it, an it lie in my power to
give it. Well, said the lady, I ask the head of the knight that hath
won the sword, or else the damosel’s head that brought it; I take no
force though I have both their heads, for he slew my brother, a good
knight and a true, and that gentlewoman was causer of my father’s
death. Truly, said King Arthur, I may not grant neither of their heads
with my worship, therefore ask what ye will else, and I shall fulfil
your desire. I will ask none other thing, said the lady. When Balin was
ready to depart, he saw the Lady of the Lake, that by her means had
slain Balin’s mother, and he had sought her three years; and when it
was told him that she asked his head of King Arthur, he went to her
straight and said, Evil be you found; ye would have my head, and
therefore ye shall lose yours, and with his sword lightly he smote off
her head before King Arthur. Alas, for shame! said Arthur, why have ye
done so? ye have shamed me and all my court, for this was a lady that I
was beholden to, and hither she came under my safe-conduct; I shall
never forgive you that trespass. Sir, said Balin, me forthinketh of
your displeasure, for this same lady was the untruest lady living, and
by enchantment and sorcery she hath been the destroyer of many good
knights, and she was causer that my mother was burnt, through her
falsehood and treachery. What cause soever ye had, said Arthur, ye
should have forborne her in my presence; therefore, think not the
contrary, ye shall repent it, for such another despite had I never in
my court; therefore withdraw you out of my court in all haste ye may.
Then Balin took up the head of the lady, and bare it with him to his
hostelry, and there he met with his squire, that was sorry he had
displeased King Arthur and so they rode forth out of the town. Now,
said Balin, we must depart, take thou this head and bear it to my
friends, and tell them how I have sped, and tell my friends in
Northumberland that my most foe is dead. Also tell them how I am out of
prison, and what adventure befell 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 that I
may, to meet with King Rience and destroy him, either else to die
therefore; and if it may hap me to win him, then will King Arthur be my
good and gracious lord. Where shall I meet with you? said the squire.
In King Arthur’s court, said Balin. So his squire and he departed at
that time. Then King Arthur and all the court made great dole and had
shame of the death of the Lady of the Lake. Then the king buried her
richly.
CHAPTER IV. How Merlin told the adventure of this damosel.
At that time there was a knight, the which was the king’s son of
Ireland, and his name was Lanceor, the which was an orgulous knight,
and counted himself one of the best of the court; and he had great
despite at Balin for the achieving of the sword, that any should be
accounted more hardy, or more of prowess; and he asked King Arthur if
he would give him leave to ride after Balin and to revenge the despite
that he had done. Do your best, said Arthur, I am right wroth with
Balin; I would he were quit of the despite that he hath done to me and
to my court. Then this Lanceor went to his hostelry to make him ready.
In the meanwhile came Merlin unto the court of King Arthur, and there
was told him the adventure of the sword, and the death of the Lady of
the Lake. Now shall I say you, said Merlin; this same damosel that here
standeth, that brought the sword unto your court, I shall tell you the
cause of her coming: she was the falsest damosel that liveth. Say not
so, said they. She hath a brother, a passing good knight of prowess and
a full true man; and this damosel loved another knight 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 damosel understood this, she went to the Lady Lile of Avelion,
and besought her of help, to be avenged on her own brother.
CHAPTER V. How Balin was pursued by Sir Lanceor, knight of Ireland, and
how he jousted and slew him.
And so this Lady Lile of Avelion took her this sword that she brought
with her, and told there should no man pull it out of the sheath but if
he be one of the best knights of this realm, and he should be hard and
full of prowess, and with that sword he should slay her brother. This
was the cause that the damosel came into this court. I know it as well
as ye. Would God she had not come into this court, but she came never
in fellowship of worship to do good, but always great harm; and that
knight that hath achieved the sword shall be destroyed by that sword,
for the which will be great damage, for there liveth not a knight of
more prowess than he is, and he shall do unto you, my Lord Arthur,
great honour and kindness; and it is great pity he shall not endure but
a while, for of his strength and hardiness I know not his match living.
So the knight of Ireland armed him at all points, and dressed his
shield on his shoulder, and mounted upon horseback, and took his spear
in his hand, and rode after a great pace, as much as his horse might
go; and within a little space on a mountain he had a sight of Balin,
and with a loud voice he cried, Abide, knight, for ye shall abide
whether ye will or nill, and the shield that is to-fore you shall not
help. When Balin heard the noise, he turned his horse fiercely, and
said, Fair knight, what will ye with me, will ye joust with me? Yea,
said the Irish knight, therefore come I after you. Peradventure, said
Balin, it had been better to have holden you at home, for many a man
weeneth to put his enemy to a rebuke, and oft it falleth to himself. Of
what court be ye sent from? said Balin. I am come from the court of
King Arthur, said the knight of Ireland, that come hither for to
revenge the despite ye did this day to King Arthur and to his court.
Well, said Balin, I see well I must have ado with you, that me
forthinketh for to grieve King Arthur, or any of his court; and your
quarrel is full simple, said Balin, unto me, for the lady that is dead,
did me great damage, and else would I have been loath as any knight
that liveth for to slay a lady. Make you ready, said the knight
Lanceor, and dress you unto me, for that one shall abide in the field.
Then they took their spears, and came together as much as their horses
might drive, and the Irish knight smote Balin on the shield, that all
went shivers off his spear, and Balin hit him through the shield, and
the hauberk perished, and so pierced through his body and the horse’s
croup, and anon turned his horse fiercely, and drew out his sword, and
wist not that he had slain him; and then he saw him lie as a dead
corpse.
CHAPTER VI. How a damosel, which was love to Lanceor, slew herself for
love, and how Balin met with his brother Balan.