Le Morte dArthur Retold
The Complete Story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Sir Thomas Mallory
Retold in modern English by C. David Claudon
Book I
Book One: The Birth of a King
Chapter 1: For the Love of a Woman
Our story begins, as do many stories, because of the beauty of a woman.
During the days of Uther Pendragon, when he reigned as king of all England, there was a mighty duke in Cornwall who fought against him for a long time. The duke was called Gorlios, the duke of Tintagil. King Uther, pretending to want to make peace with the duke, sent for him, telling him to bring his wife with him. What the lusty unmarried king really wanted was to see the lady for himself, for she was said to be a lady fair in looks, and known as very wise, and her name was Igraine.
When the duke and his wife came to the king's castle, they were welcomed by the great lords. When he first saw her, the king immediately fell in love with the lady and made a great show at greeting them. He could not hide his attraction for her and whispered his desires when he could get her aside. But she was a good woman, and would not consent to the king's overtures. When they were alone, she told her husband, “I suppose we were brought here so that I should be dishonored. Therefore, husband, I counsel you that we leave immediately and ride all night to our own castle.”
And so in the dark of night, they departed, before the king or his council were even aware of their departing.
King Uther, furious at learning of their departure, called his privy council and told them of the duke and his wife's actions. They advised the king to send for the two again. “If they will not come at your command, then you declare war once more upon him.”
So this was done and the messengers returned saying that neither he nor his wife would come to him. The king grew even angrier. And a second time, he sent to the duke and told him to get ready for within forty days he would fetch him out of the biggest castle he had. When the duke heard this warning, he quickly furnished two strong castles of his, one called Tintagil and the other called Terrabil. He put his wife, Dame Igraine, and their three daughters in Tintagil Castle the furthest from the king, and he went to Terrabil Castle. There he built many pavilions, and there King Uther's men attacked, with many people slain. Out of pure anger and love for fair Igraine, the King Uther fell sick.
A noble knight, Sir Ulfius, came to King Uther and asked him why he was sick. “I will tell you,” said the king, “I am sick from anger and from love of fair Igraine.”
“Well, my lord,” said Sir Ulfius, “I shall seek out Merlin, and he will make you a remedy that will please your heart.”
So Ulfius departed, and by chance met Merlin disguised as a beggar. Merlin asked Ulfius whom he sought. Ulfius, disgusted by the beggar's smell, was ready to leave when Merlin said, “Well, I know whom you seek. You seek Merlin; therefore, seek no more for I am he. And if King Uther will well reward me, and fulfill my desire, which will bring him more honor and profit than mine, I will give him his desire. “
“I will do so,” said UIlfius, “as long as what you desire is reasonable.”
“Well,” said Merlin, “he will have what he intends and desires. Ride on your way and I will not be far behind.”
Ulfius was pleased as he left, and rode quickly to King Uther Pendragon's pavillion, and told him of his encounter with Merlin.
“Where is he?” asked the king.
“Sir,” said Ulfius, “he will be here shortly.” And immediately he saw Merlin standing at the porch of the pavilion's door. Merlin came to the king.
When King Uther saw him, he said, “You are welcome.”
“Sir,” said Merlin, “I know all your heart desires. If you will swear, as a true anointed king, to grant my desire, you shall have yours.”
Then the king swore upon the four Evangelists.
“Sir,” said Merlin, “this is my desire: the first night that you lie with Igraine, you will get her a child. When it is born, it shall be delivered to me to nourish.
“I will do as you ask,” said the king.
“Now get ready,” said Merlin. “This night you shall lie with Igraine in the castle of Tintagil, and you shall look to all who see you to be the duke her husband. Ulfius shall look like Sir Brastias, a knight of the duke's, and I will be like a knight named Sir Jordans, one of the duke's knights. Don't answer her questions nor her men's, but say you are ill. So get you to her bed, and rise not on the morning until I come to you, for the castle of Tintagil is only ten miles from here.”
So they did as they had planned. But the duke of Tintagil saw how the king rode from the siege of Terrabil and that night went out from his castle in hopes to attack the king. But when he went out, he himself was slain before the king had even reached Tintagil.
After the death of the duke, King Uther lay with Igraine more than three hours after the duke's death, and he begat on her that night Arthur. Before daybreak, Merlin came to the king and bid him to get ready. So the king kissed the lady Igraine and left quickly.
When the lady heard that her husband was by all reports dead before King Uther came to her, she wondered who had lain with her in the likeness of her lord. So she mourned privately and kept silent.
All the barons by vote advised the king to marry the lady Igraine. The king sent Ulfius to make a treaty and at 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 would be great joy for us all if the king would make her his queen.” The barons all agreed and proposed it to the king. And immediately, like a lusty knight, he agreed with good will.
And in all haste they were married in a morning with great mirth and joy. And King Lot of Lothian and of Orkeny then wedded Igraine's daughter Margawse (who became Gawaine's mother), and King Nentres of the land of Garlot wedded Igraine's daughter Elaine. All this was done at the request of King Uther. And the third sister, Morgan le Fay, was put to a school in a nunnery, and there she learned so much that she was a great student of sorcery. Later when she came of age, she was wedded to King Uriens of the land of Gore, who was Sir Ewain's le Blanchemain's father.
Queen Igraine grew bigger and bigger; so after about six months, as King Uther lay beside his queen, he asked her, “Whose child is within your body.” She turned away too ashamed to even answer him.
“Don't worry,” said the king, “but tell me the truth and I will love you all the more for it.”
“Sir,” she said, “I will tell you the truth. The same night that my lord died, at the hour of his death, as his knights recorded it, there came into my castle of Tintagil a man in voice and countenance like my lord, and two knights came with him in the likeness of his two knights Brastias and Jordans. So I went to bed with him as I ought to do with my lord. That same night, as I swear to God, this child was begotten upon me.”
“That is the truth,” said the king, “as you say. For it was I myself that came in the likeness, and therefore don't be dismayed because I am father of the chlld. And then he told her everything, how it was done by Merlin's counsel. The queen felt great joy knowing who had sired her child.
Soon came Merlin to the king and said, “Sir, you must provide for who will nurse the child.”
“As you will,” said the king, “so be it.”
“Well,” said Merlin, "I know a lord of yours in this land who is true and faithful, and he would do well raising your child. His name is Sir Ector, and he is owns many lands in England and Wales. Let Sir Ector be sent for to come and speak with you, and ask him, as he loves you, that he will send his own baby to another to nurse, and that his wife will nourish yours. When the child is born, let it be delivered to me at yonder secret rear gate unchristened.”
So as Merlin devised, it was done.
And when Sir Ector came, he made an agreement with the king to nourish the child just as the king desired; and the king in turn granted Sir Ector great rewards.
When the lady was delivered, the king commanded two knights and two ladies to take the infant, bound in a cloth of gold, “to deliver him to what poor man you find at the secret rear gate of the castle.” So the child was delivered to Merlin, and so he took him to Sir Ector, and he made a holy man christen him and named him Arthur. And Sir Ector's wife nourished Arthur with her own breasts.
Within a few years, King Uther fell sick of a great illness. His enemies took advantage of his illness and tried to overthrow him, did a great battle upon his men and killed many of his people.
“Sir,” said Merlin, “you may not lie down as you do, for you must go to the battlefield, though you ride on a horse litter. For you shall be defeated unless you are there in person, only then shall you have your victory.”
So it was done as Merlin devised, and they carried the king in a horse-litter with a great bodyguard toward his enemies. And at St. Albans a great host from the north met with the king. And that day Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias did great deeds in battle, and King Uther's men overcame the Northern army and killed many men and put the rest to flight. And then the king returned to London, and celebrated his victory.
But then the king grew even sicker, so that for three days and three nights, he was speechless. All his barons felt great sorrow and went to Merlin to ask his counsel.
“There is no other remedy,” said Merlin, “but that God will have his will. But look you, all barons, come to King Uther tomorrow, and God and I shall make him speak.”
So the next morning, all the barons with Merlin came before the king. Merlin said aloud to King Uther, “Sir, shall your son Arthur be king to follow after you, of this realm with all its connected lands?”
Uther Pendragon turned to him and said for all of them to hear, “I give him God's blessing and my blessing, and bid him pray for my soul, and without guilt and with fear of the Lord, he claim the crown as symbol of my blessing.” With that, King Uther died, and he was interred as befit a king. Fair Igraine and all the barons showed great sorrow.
Chapter Two: The Sword and the Stone
For over ten years, the realm stood in great peril, as every lord who felt mighty enough vied to be king. Merlin went to the Archbishop of Canterbury and counseled him to send for all the lords of the realm that they should come to London by Christmas upon pain of excommunication and that Jesus, who was born on that night, would show by a miracle who should be the rightful king of the realm. The Archbishop followed Merlin's advice and sent for all the lords and gentlemen of arms that they should come by Christmas to London. And many of them confessed their sins that their prayers might be more acceptable to God.
So in the greatest church in London--whether it was St. Paul's or not, the French book that is my source makes no mention--all the greatest men of the realm came to pray. And when matins and the first mass were done, there was seen in the churchyard, behind the high altar, a great square stone, like a marble stone, and in the midst of it was what appeared to be an anvil of steel a foot high, and in it stuck a naked sword, on which was written: Whoever pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is the rightful king born of all England.
A man marveled at the sight and ran to tell the Archbishop, who was presiding at Mass.
“I command,” said the Archbishop, “that you keep yourselves here in church, and continue praying to God; that no man touch the sword until the high Mass is done.”
So when all the masses were done, all the lords went to behold the stone and the sword. And when they saw what was written, some immediately tried to pull out the sword, as they would be king. But none could stir the sword nor move it.
“He is not here,” said the Archbishop, “that shall move the sword, but doubt not that God will soon make him known. This is my counsel, that we select ten knights, men of good fame, and they will protect the sword until it is time.” So it was ordained, and then someone cried that all men should try to win the sword. A pavilion was erected to protect the stone and the sword and the guards stood watch.
Upon New Year's Day, the barons set up jousts and a tournament, that all knights there might play, and all this was ordained to keep the lords and commoners together, for the Archbishop trusted that God would make him known who should win the sword.
So on New Year's Day, when the service was done, all the barons rode onto the field, some to joust, and some to tourney. So it happened that Sir Ector, who owned much property in London, rode to the jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay his son, and fifteen-year-old Arthur who was his nourished brother. Eighteen-year-old Sir Kay had been made knight at All Hallowmass before.
As they rode to the jousts, Sir Kay realized he had left his sword at his father's lodging, and so he asked young Arthur to ride for his sword. “I will,” said Arthur, who rode fast after the sword. When he reached home, he found the lady and all were already gone to the jousting. Arthur was angry, and said to himself, “I will ride to the churchyard and take the sword with me that sticks in the stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall not be without a sword today.”
So when he came to the churchyard, Sir Arthur alit and tied his horse to the stile. He went into the tent that surrounded the stone and found no knight there since they were all that the joust. So he took the sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the stone. Getting back on his horse, he rode until he came to his brother Sir Kay and gave him the sword.
As soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he knew it was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his father Sir Ector, and said, “Sir, look here is the sword of the stone; therefore, I must be king of this land.”
When Sir Ector saw the sword, he returned again and came to the church. There the three alit and went into the church. Taking Sir Kay to the Bible, Sir Ector made Sir Kay swear upon it how he came to possess the sword.
“Sir,” said Sir Kay, "by my brother Arthur, for he brought it to me.”
“How got you this sword?” asked Sir Ector of Arthur.
“Sir, I will tell you. I found nobody at home to give me his sword, and I thought that my brother Sir Kay should not be swordless. So I came here and pulled it out of the stone without any pain.”
“Weren't there any knights guarding the sword?” asked Sir Ector.
“No,” said Arthur.
“Now,” said Sir Ector to Arthur, “I understand that you must be king of this land.”
“Why me,” said Arthur, “for what reason?”
“Sir,” said Ector, “for God has declared it so, for no man can draw forth this sword unless he is the rightful king of this land. Now, let me see whether you can put the sword back and pull it out again.”
“That requires no skill,” said Arthur, and so he put it in the stone. Immediately Sir Ector tried to pull out the sword and failed.
“Now you try,” said Sir Ector to Sir Kay. At once he pulled at the sword with all his might, but it would not move. “Now shall you try,” said Sir Ector to Arthur. “I will,” said Arthur, and pulled it out easily. And immediately, Sir Ector knelt down on the ground before Arthur and Sir Kay joined him.
“Alas,” said Arthur, “my own dear father and brother, why kneel before me?”
“No, no, my lord Arthur, it is not so. I am not your father, nor are you my blood. You are of higher blood than I thought you were.” And then Sir Ector told him all, how he was given to him to be nourished, and by whose commandment, and by Merlin's involvement. Arthur cried when he understood that Sir Ector was not his father.
“Sir,” said Ector to Arthur, “will you be my good and gracious lord when you are king?”
“I would be a bad person,” said Arthur, “for you are the man I owe the most to in the world, and my good lady and mother your wife, who has nurtured and kept me as her own. And if it ever be God's will that I be king as you tell me, whatever you desire I will do for you. I shall not fail you; God forbid I should fail you.”
“Sir,” said Sir Ector, “I will ask no more of you, but that you make my son, your foster brother, Sir Kay, seneschal, chief steward of all your lands.”
“That shall be done,” said Arthur, “and more, for I promise that no man shall have that office but he as long as he and I live."
With all that, they went to the Archbishop, and told him how the sword was drawn and by whom. And on Twelfth-day (January 5th), all the barons came to make their attempts at drawing the sword. But no one succeeded but Arthur. Many of the lords were angry and said it was a great shame on all of them and the realm that a boy of no noble birth should govern them. And so they disputed and argued and put off until Candlemas (February 2nd) a decision. But always the ten knights were charged to watch the sword day and night, and so they constructed a larger tent, a pavilion, over the stone and the sword, and five always watched.
On Candlemas, many more great lords came to win the sword, but none of them prevailed. And just as Arthur did at Christmas, he did at Candlemas, and pulled out the sword with ease. The barons were even more aggravated and delayed a decision until the high feast of Easter. And as he did before, so he did at Easter, yet some of the great lords again refused to accept the feat. So finally it was delayed until the feast of Pentecost. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury by Merlin's guidance announced that the best of the knights might again try, including many of the knights that Uther Pendragon best loved and trusted the most. And Arthur was protected by such knights as Sir Baudwin of Britian, Sir Kay, Sir Ulfius, and Sir Brastias. All of these, and others, were always with Arthur day and night, until the feast of Pentecost.
At the feast of Pentecost, all manner of men tried to pull at the sword, but none succeeded but Arthur, who pulled it out before all the lords and commons that were there. Whereupon, all the commons cried at once, “We will have Arthur as our king. We will have no more delay, for we all see that it is God's will that he shall be our king, and he who disagrees, we will kill.”
And they all kneeled at once, both rich and poor, and asked Arthur for mercy because they had delayed so long. Arthur forgave them and took the sword in both his hands and offered it upon the altar where the Archbishop was, and so he was made knight of the best men that were there.
Quickly a coronation was made. And there he swore unto his lords and the commons to be a true king, to stand for true justice for the rest of his life. Also, then he made all lords that held of the crown to come in and do the service as they had done. And many complaints were made to Sir Arthur of great wrongs that had been done since the death of King Uther, of many lands that had been taken from lords, knights, ladies, and gentleman. Arthur returned the lands to their rightful owners. When this was done, the king made Sir Kay seneschal of England, Sir Baudwin of Britain was made constable, Sir Ulfius was made chamberlain; and Sir Brastias made warden to guard the north from Trent forwards, for most of the king's enemies were from that area. But within a few years, Arthur had won all the north, Scotland and all that were under their control. 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 3: A King Against Kings
King Arthur went into Wales and invited people to a great feast that was to be at Pentecost for his coronation at the city of Carlion. To the feast came King Lot of Lothian and Orkney, with five hundred knight with him. Also came to the feast King Uriens of Gore with four hundred knights with him. Also came to the feast the king of Scotland with six hundred knights with him (and he was but a young man). Also came to the feast a king who was called the king with the hundred knights, but he and his men were superior to many others. Also there came the king of Carados with five hundred knights. And King Arthur was glad that they came for he believed that all the kings and knights had come out of love for him and to honor him at his feast. Therefore, the king expressed great joy, and sent the kings and knights great presents.
But the kings refused the gifts and rebuked the messengers shamefully, saying that "there was no joy receiving gifts from a beardless boy who was of low blood." They sent him word that they would have none of his gifts, but that they would give him the gifts of their hard swords between his neck and his shoulders. They came, so they told the messengers plainly, for it was shameful to them all to see such a boy rule so noble a realm as this land was. With this answer, the messengers departed to give King Arthur his answer.
Upon the advice of his barons, Arthur retreated to a strong tower with five hundred good men with him; and all the previously mentioned kings laid siege to him, but King Arthur had plenty of provisions.
Within fifteen days, Merlin arrived among them in the city of Carlion. All the kings were happy to see Merlin and asked him, “Why 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 to Igraine, the duke's wife of Tintagil.”
“Then he is a bastard,” they all said.
“No,” said Merlin, “more than three hours after the death of the duke was Arthur begotten, and just thirteen days later King Uther wedded Igraine; therefore, he is no bastard, and whether you say or not, he shall be king and overcome all his enemies; he will long be king of all England, and have under his homage Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and more realms than I will now list.”
Some of the kings marveled at Merlin's words and believed him; some laughed at him in scorn, as did King Lot; and still others called him a witch. But then they agreed with Merlin that King Arthur should come out and speak with the kings and come and go safely. So Merlin went into King Arthur and told him what he had said and told him, “Fear not, but come out boldly and speak with them, and spare them not, but answer them as their king and chieftain, for you shall overcome them all, whether they agree or not.”
King Arthur came out of his tower, wearing under his gown a sleeveless jacket of double mail for protection. With him went the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Baudwin of Britain, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias; these were his closest allies. And when they met there was no meekness on his part, but stout words from both sides. But always King Arthur answered them, and he said he would make them bow to him if he lived. They departed in anger, and King Arthur bid them to keep well, and they bid the king to keep well. So the king returned to the tower again and armed him and all his knights.
“What will you do?” asked Merlin of the kings. “You were better to stop, for you will not prevail though you have ten times so many.”
“You think we should be afraid of a dream-reader?” asked King Lot.
With that Merlin vanished away, and came to King Arthur, and bid him set on them fiercely. Three hundred of the best of the king's men went straight into King Arthur and comforted him.
“Sir,” said Merlin to Arthur, “do not fight with the sword that you had by miracle until you see you are at your worst. Then draw it out and do your best"
So quickly King Arthur attacked them in their lodging. Sir Baudwin, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias slew men on the right and left, which was a marvel to see. King Arthur on horseback laid on with a sword and did marvelous deeds of arms that impressed many of the kings. King Lot broke out on the back side, accompanied by the king with hundred knights and King Carados. They set on Arthur's back troops fiercely. With that Sir Arthur turned with his knights and struck behind and before. And always Sir Arthur was in the foremost press until his horse was slain underneath him. King Lot attempted to strike King Arthur, but his four knights swooped in and set him on horseback.
At last King Arthur drew his sword Excalibur, but it was so bright in his enemies' eyes, that it gave light like thirty torches. With that he routed the enemy and slew many men. The commons of Carlion had had enough and rose with clubs and staves and slew many of the knights. Afraid for their lives, the kings who survived, gathered their knights and fled. As they left, Merlin appeared to Arthur and counseled him not to follow them.
Chapter 4: Ban and Bors
Arthur returned to London, and following Merlin's advise, he called his barons to council, for Merlin had told the king that the six kings would quickly try to attack him and his lands. His barons offered no advice other than that they had enough men.
“I thank you for your courage,” said Arthur, “but will you all who say you love me, speak with Merlin? He has done much for me and he knows many things.”
The barons agreed to hear Merlin, who was sent for.
“I say to you,” said Merlin, “I warn you all that your enemies are strong and they are as good soldiers as live. By this time, they have gotten four more kings and a mighty duke. Unless our king have more men than he does now in his own realm, he will be overcome and slain.”
“What shall we do?” asked the barons.
“I shall give you my advice,” said Merlin. “There are two brothers beyond the sea, and they are kings both and good men. One is called King Ban of Benwick, and the other is called King Bors of Gaul, that is France. At present a mighty man, King Claudas, wars with them. But this Claudas is so wealthy that he hires the best knights to fight these two. Therefore, this is my counsel. That our king and soverign lord sent unto Ban and Bors two trusty knights with letters asking them to come and see King Arthur and his court, agreeing to help them with their war against Claudas, if they help him in his. What say you to this counsel?”
The king and the barons agreed to Merlin's plan. In all haste, Ulfius and Brastias were chosen to take messages to the two kings, and off they went well horsed and well armed. They crossed over the sea and rode toward the city of Benwick. Eight knights spied them and at a straight passage they met Ulfius and Brastias and planned to take them prisoners. The two stated that they were messengers unto King Ban and Bors, sent from King Arthur.
“Therefore,” said the spokesman of the eight knights, “you shall die or be our prisoners, for we are knights of King Claudas.” Two of the knights dressed their spears and Ulfius and Brastias dressed their spears, and ran to them. Claudas' knights broke their spears and were knocked out of their saddles to the earth by the two. They continued on their way, leaving the other six knights in confusion. Quickly the six rode to another passage to head them off and once again two of Claudas' knights fell. After a third try, there remained just two men to battle, and both of these were laid upon the earth—all eight knights were either hurt or bruised.
When the two messenger knights arrived at Benwick they were pleased to find both Kings Ban and Bors there. When they heard that two messenger knights had come, two knights of worship were sent to greet them; namely, Lionses, lord of Payarne, and Sir Phariance, a worshipful knight. When told that they came from Arthur, the four knights embrased and expressed great joy. When brought before the two kings, they were made most welcome. Ulfius and Brastias kissed the letters and delivered them to the kings, and when Ban and Bors read the letters, they were more welcome than before. The kings told the two they agreed to Arthur's request. Ulfius and Brastias told of their encounter with Claudas' men.
“Ha!” said Ban and Bors, “they were our good friends. I'm sorry that they escaped.”
So Ulfius and Brastias were given great gifts, as much as they could carry, and given their answer by mouth that the two kings would come in all haste to help Arthur. The two messengers sailed back home and told Arthur of their journey, making Arthur very happy.
“When do you suppose we can expect the two kings?” asked Arthur.
“Sir,” they said, “before All Hallowmass.” So the king planned a great feast and jousts to welcome them. And by All Hallowmass, the two kings came over the sea with three hundred knights, well dressed for peace and war. King Arthur went out ten miles from London and met them. On All Hallowmass at the great feast, the three kings sat in the hall along while Sir Kay, seneschal, and Sir Lucas the butler, the Duke Corneus' son, and Sir Griflet, son of Cardol ruled over the serve in the hall. Later, after they had washed and risen, all knights that would joust were then made ready. When they were ready on horseback, there were seven hundred knights. Sitting in a place covered with cloth of gold, like in a hall, with ladies and gentlewomen, Arthur, Ban and Bors, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Ector watched the tourney.
King Arthur and the two kings divided the seven hundred men into two groups. And there were three hundred knights of the realm of Benwick and of Gaul on one side. They dressed their shields and began to couch their spears.
Griflet was the first that met with a knight, one Ladinas. They so eagerly clashed that the others watched in wonder, for as they fought, their shields fell to pieces, and horse and man fell to the earth. The French knight and the English knight lay still so long that everyone was convinced they were dead. When Lucas the butler saw Griflet lying on the ground, he ran to rouse him and the two mounted horses and did many marvelous deeds of arms with many bachelors.
Next Sir Kay and five other knights came out and together they knocked Frenchmen down. But no one did better than Sir Kay at deeds of arms. After came Ladians and Gracian, both from France, who did well, so that all men praised them. Next came Sir Placidas, a good knight, who met with Sir Kay. He struck him down, horse and man, whereupon Sir Griflet became so angry that he clashed with Sir Placidas so hard that horse and man fell to the earth. When the five knights that had been with Sir Kay realized he was down, they each knocked down a knight to avenge their friend. When King Arthur and the two kings realized how angry all the men were getting, they leapt upon small horses and told all their men to stop fighting and depart to their lodging.
So they all went home, unarmed them, and went to evensong and supper. Afterwards, the three kings went into a garden and gave a prize to Sir Kay, and to Lucas the butler, and to Sir Griflet. Then they went into the council, and with them Gwenbaus (the brother of Sir Ban and Bors, a wise clerk), Ulfius and Brastias, and Merlin. They finally left off council and went to bed. The next morning after mass and dinner, they resumed the council and finalized their plans. It was agreed that Merlin should go with a token, a ring from King Ban, to Ban and Bors' men; and going with him, Gracian and Placidas should go to Ban and Bors' castles and keep them safe.
This was done and the three crossed over the sea to Benwick. When the people of Benwick saw the ring and Gracian and Placidas, they rejoiced and quickly made ready fifteen thousand men on horse and foot. With Merlin's help they had plenty of provisions. But Gracian and Placidas remained behind to protect the castles from King Claudas.
Merlin led the men to the sea. At the water, he sent home the foot soldiers, but took with him ten thousand men on horseback who landed at Dover. Through Merlin's wit, he led the men into the forest of Bedegraine, and in a valley he secretly lodged them. Then Merlin rode to the three kings and told them how he had succeeded. They marveled at how quickly he had gotten the troops. So Merlin told them there were ten thousand men waiting for them at the forest of Bedegraine.
Shortly the three kings came to the castle of Bedegraine and found fellowship and food.
The six kings from the north who had felt insulted by their treatment at Carlion had gathered five other kings to their cause. Together they had begun to gather their people and agreed they should not leave one another until they had destroyed Arthur. They each made an oath. The first to begin the oath was the Duke of Camenet, that he would bring with him five thousand men of arms, who were ready on horseback. Then swore King Brandegoris of Stranggore that he would bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Then swore King Clariance of Northumberland that he would bring three thousand men of arms. Then swore the king of the hundred knights, who was a young and good man, that he would bring four thousand men of arms on horseback. Then swore King Lot, a good knight and Sir Gawain's father, that he would bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also swore King Urience, who was Sir Uwain's father, of the land of Gore, that he would bring six thousand men of arms on horseback. Also swore King Idres of Cornwall, that he would bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also swore King Cradelmas to bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also swore King Nentres to bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also swore King Carados to bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. So their whole army was fifty thousand men of arms on horseback, with ten thousand on foot.
As soon as they were ready, fore-riders were sent forth and the eleven kings headed to lay siege to the castle of Bedegraine.
Following Merlin's advice, fore-riders were sent to patrol the neighborhood looking for any enemy riders. Quickly they found the fore-riders from the north. After capturing them, they learned the plans of the host and conveyed the information to the three kings. King Ban and Bors counseled Arthur to burn and destroy all the country before the invading armies.
Soon fires ravaged the countryside.
The king with the hundred knights had a dream two nights before the battle. In the dream, a great wind came up and blew down their castles and their towns, and after that came a flood that washed them all away. All those who heard of the dream said it was a token of a great battle.
Following Merlin's council, the three kings led their armies in an attack of the eleven kings at midnight while they were still in their pavilions. But as they attacked, the scout-watch by the host cried, “Lords! To arms! Your enemies are at hand!”
Then King Arthur and King Ban and King Bors, with their good and trusty knights launched their attack so fiercely that they knocked down the pavilions onto their heads, but the eleven kings, by manly prowess of arms, fought a valiant battle. As morning approached, ten thousand good men's bodies lay on the ground, but they still had fifty thousand hardy men fighting. Then the sky began to lighten.
“Now shall you follow my advice,” said Merlin to the three kings. “I would that King Ban and King Bors, with their fellowship of ten thousand men, go to the wood beside here, to prepare an ambush, and keep them hidden and stir not until you and your knights have fought long and hard. When the morning comes, the host will look and see only twenty thousand men and will be anxious to attack. Then the hidden men can come out in full strength and rout the enemy.”
All three kinds and their barons agreed with Merlin's plan.
So as the sun rose, the host of the north was pleased. As they moved to attack, Ulfius and Brastias brought three thousand men of arms and attacked them, slaying knight left and right, which was a wonder to tell. When the eleven kings saw that it was only a small army doing such deeds of arms, they were ashamed and chastised their men.
Sir Ulfius's horse was slain under him, but he continued marvelously well on foot. But the Duke Eustace of Cambenet and King Clariance of Northumberland attacked Ulfius. When Brastias saw how his friend fared, he struck the duke with a spear, so that horse and man fell down. King Clariance charged Brastias and each struck the other, so that horse and man went to the ground. Long they lay dazed, and their horses lay with broken knees.
In charged Sir Kay the seneschal with six fellows with him, and did well.
The eleven kings came next, and there was Griflet knocked to the earth, horse and man, and Lucas the butler, horse and man, by King Brandegoris and King Idres and King Agwisance.
Both sides suffered many losses.
When Sir Kay saw Griflet on foot, he rode down King Netres, struck him down, and led his horse to Sir Griflet, who horsed himself again. Also Sir Kay used the same spear to strike down King Lot, injuring him badly. The king with the hundred knights ran unto Sir Kay and struck him down, taking his horse and giving it to King Lot, who said, “gramercy.” When Sir Griflet saw Sir Kay and Lucas the butler on foot, he took a sharp spear, and rode unto Pinel, a good man of arms, and struck horse and man down. Then he took his horse and gave him to Sir Kay. When King Lot saw King Nentres on foot, he ran unto Melot de la Roche, struck him down, horse and man, and gave King Nentres the horse. The king of the hundred knights saw King Idres on foot, so he ran unto Gwimiart de Bloi, struck him down, horse and man, and gave King Idres the horse. King Lot, also, struck down Clariance de la Forest Savage, and gave the horse unto Duke Eustace.
When all eleven kings were horsed again, they came together and said they would be revenged for the damage they had suffered that day. Meanwhile, Sir Ector found Ulfias and Brastias on foot, in danger of their lives, from being trampled by horse-hoofs. Then King Arthur as a lion, ran unto King Cradelment of North Wales, and struck him in the left side, so that horse and king fell down. Then he took the horse by reins and led him to Ulfius, saying, “Have this horse, my old friend, for great need have you of a horse.”
“Gramercy,” said Ulfias.
Then Sir Arthur did so marvelously at arms that all men stood in wonder.
When the king with the hundred knights saw King Caradelment on foot, he ran unto Sir Ector, Sir Kay's father, who was well horsed, and struck horse and man down, taking the horse to the king who horsed himself again. When King Arthur saw the king riding Sir Ector's horse, he filled with rage and with his sword he struck the king on his helmet, so that a quarter of the helmet and shield fell down, and the sword carved down onto the horse's neck, so that king and horse fell to the ground.
Then Sir Kay came unto Sir Morganore, seneschal for the king of the hundred knights, and struck him down, horse and man, and led the horse to his father, Sir Ector. After being horsed, Sir Ector ran unto a knight called Lardans, striking horse and man down, and leading the horse unto Sir Brastias who had great need of a horse, having been trampled by others' horses. When Brastias saw Lucas the butler lying like a dead man under a horse's feet, Sir Griflet headed on foot to his rescue. Fourteen knights surrounded Sir Lucas. Brastias struck one of them on the helmet, breaking the man's teeth, and attacking another struck him, sending the arm flying onto the field. Attacking a third, he struck him on the shoulder, sending shoulder and arm flying onto the field. When Sir Griflet arrived, he struck a knight on the temple, sending head and helmet to the earth, and Griflet took that knight's horse, led him to Sir Lucas, and bid him mount upon the horse and revenge his wounds, just as Brastias arrived with a horse for Griflet.
As he recovered his senses, Lucas, still unhorsed, saw King Agwisance, who had just slain Moris de la Roche, and Lucas ran to him with a short spear, thursting so hard, the horse and man fell to earth. He turned finding Bloias de La Flandres and Sir Gwinas, two hardy knights, on foot. Lucas slew two bachelors and horsed the hardy knights.
The battle went hard for both sides, but Arthur was glad that his knights were horsed again, and they fought together as the noise and cries rang across the water and through the woods. King Ban and King Bors made themselves ready, dressing their shields and harness, and many of their men strained to join the fray.
All this while Lucas, Gwinas, Briant, and Bellias of Flanders battled with six kings, King Lot, King Nentres, King Brandegoris, King Idres, King Uriens, and King Agawisance. With the help of Sir Kay and Sir Griflet, they cornered the six kings who were hard pressed to defend themselves.
When Sir Arthur saw the battle was not near an end, he once again became a lion and steered his horse here and there, on the right hand and on the left hand, slaying twenty knights as he went. He wounded King Lot on the shoulder, making him leave the ground. Together Sir Kay, Griflet and King did many great deeds. Then Ulfius, Brastias, and Sir Ector battled the Duke Eustace, King Cradelment, King Clariance of Northumberland, King Carados, and the king with the hundred knights. The kings retreated from Arthur's knights.
Then King Lot, crying in great pain, called to the ten kings, “Unless you do as I advise, we will all be slain and destroyed. Let me have the king with the hundred knights, King Agwisance, King Idres, and the Duke of Cambenet, and we will take our fifteen thousand men of arms with us. The other six stay with your twelve thousand. When our men have rested in that wood over there, we will come again fiercely and replace your men at arms.”
So they departed as they planned while the six kings continued fighting Arthur. Meanwhile, at the hiding place of King Ban and King Bors in the wood, two knights, Lyonses and Phariance, encountered King Idres and his men. There was a great melody of breaking spears and striking swords, with the slaying of men and horses. King Idres was in despair until Agwisance the king and the Duke of Cambenet arrived, putting the two knights in peril of their lives. But the two rescued themselves. When King Bors saw the knights in danger, he went into a black rage. When King Lot saw him, he knew him well and said, “O Jesu, defend us from death and horrible maiming. I see over there a king, one of the most honored men and best knights of the world.”
“Who is he?” asked the king with the hundred knights.
“It is,” said King Lot, “King Bors of Gaul. I marvel that he came into the country without us knowing it.
“It must have been Merlin's work,” said the knight.
“As for him,” said King Carados, “I will encounter King Bors if you will rescue me when I need it.”
“Go on,” they all said, “we will do all that we can.”
Then King Carados and his men rode quickly to within a arrow's flight of King Bors, then both sides let their horses run as fast as they might. And Bleoberia, King Bors godson, raised Bors chief banner.
“Now shall we see,” said King Bors, “how these northern Britons bear arms.” And King Bors encountered a knight, struck him through with a spear and he fell dead upon the earth. Drawing his sword, he did many marvelous deeds of arms, that all parties watched in wonder. His knights failed him not and King Carados was struck down to the earth. With that came the king with the hundred knights and rescued King Carados by force of arms, for he a good knight of a king, even though he was a young man.
By then, King Ban, fierce as a lion, arrived with his bands of green and gold.
“Ha! Ha!” cried King Lot, “we are in grave peril, for over there I see the most valiant knight of the world and the man of most renown, for two brothers such as King Ban and King Bors are not living. Therefore, we must fly or die; but if we stand and fight, there is only death.”
As King Ban came into the battle, the wood and water once more echoed of the swords and spears and men and horses. King Lot wept for pity and sorrow that so many knights were killed. King Ban's troops forced the northern forces to huddle together, while the three kings and their knights slew on. It was pity to see the multitude of people who fled.
But King Lot, the king of the hundred knights, and King Morganore gathered their knights and they held the battle that day. When the king of the hundred knights saw the great damage that King Ban did, he charged him with his horse and struck him high on the helmet—a great stroke—knocking him senseless. Recovering, King Ban was enraged and charged him. The other saw him coming, cast up his shield, and spurred his horse forward, but King Ban's sword carved off the rim of the shield, and the sword slid down the coat of chain mail on his back, cutting through the trappings of steel and slicing the horse into two pieces, as the sword felt the earth. The king of the hundred knights dismounted his horse, and with his sword stabbed the horse of King Ban through and through. King Ban dismounted his dead horse, and then King Ban struck at the other, striking his helmet and he fell to the earth. In great rage, he felled also King Morganore, and there continued a great slaughter of good knights and many people.
By then, came King Arthur onto the scene and found King Ban standing among dead men and dead horses, fighting on foot like a raging lion, so that all stayed far from him for fear of death. King Arthur felt great pity. Arthur was covered with blood, so that no one could even recognize his shield, for his sword was covered with blood and brains. Arthur looked around him and saw a knight who was still well horsed, and he rushed him, struck him on the helmet, his sword going into his teeth, and the knight sank down to the earth dead. Quickly Arthur took the horse by the rein and led him to King Ban, saying, “Fair brother, have this horse, for you are wounded and I am sorry for your being the cause.”
“I shall soon be revenged,” said King Ban, “for I trust in God that some of them will soon repent for these deeds.”
And when King Ban was mounted on horseback, a new battle began which brought great slaughter to the field.
So through great force King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors allowed their knights to withdraw. But always the eleven kings with their sense of chivalry never turned back. The three kings and their men withdrew to a small wood over a little rive and rested, knowing that that night there would be no rest on the field.
And then the eleven kings and their knights drew together in a heap, to protect themselves and make sure no man could pass them.
King Arthur spoke with wonder at their deeds of arms and grew increasingly angry.
“Ah, Sir Arthur,” consoled King Bors, “blame them not, for they do as good men ought to do.”
“By my faith,” said King Ban, “they are the best fighting men and knights of great prowess. And those eleven kings are men deserving great devotion. If they were your vassals, there is no king under heaven who has such noble knights.”
“I may not love them,” said Arthur, “for they would destroy me.”
“We see that,” said King Ban and King Bors, “for they are your mortal enemies, which they have proven today. It is a great pity seeing their willfulness.”
Meanwhile all the eleven kings drew together. King Lot said, “Lords, you must find other ways than we do, or else our losses will only grow. Look around at how many men we have lost because we must wait on the foot-men, and in saving one foot-man, we lose ten horsemen for him. Therefore, my advice is to send away our foot-men from us, for it is nearly night, and the noble Arthur will not bother with only foot-men, who may with luck save themselves by hiding in the wood nearby. And when we horsemen are together, let all the kings agree upon the pain of death that if we see any man begin to flee, we kill him. It is better to slay a coward, than to allow all of us to die because of that coward's actions. What say you? Answer me all you kings.”
“It is well said,” replied King Nentres.
The king of the hundred knight, King Carados, King Uriens, King Idres, King Brandegoris, King Cradelment, the Duke of Cambenet, King Clariance and King Agwisance--all swore they would never fail the others, neither for life nor for death. And whoever tried to flee should be slain. Then they checked their harness, righted their shields, and took new spears and set them on their thighs, and stood still like a grove of trees waiting for the storm to come.
Chapter 5: The Battle of Kings Ends
When Sir Arthur, King Ban and King Born saw the kings with their noble knights, they praised them for their chivalry. From behind them came forty noble knights who said to the three kings they would fight for them. These were some of their names: Lionses, Phariance, Ulfius, Brastias, Ector, Kay, Lucias the butler, Griflet le Fise de Dieu, Mariet de la Roche, Guinas de Blois, Briant de la Forest Savage, Bellaus, Morians of the Castle of Maidens, Flannedrius of the Castle of Ladies, Annecians who 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 before spears resting on their thighs, and spurred their horses into a run. And the eleven kings with part of their knights rushed with their horses as fast as they might with their spears. When they met both parts did marvelous deeds of arms.
So came into the press, Arthur, Ban, and Bors, slaying left and right on both sidea until their horses were in blood up to the fetlocks. But always the eleven kings and their host were in Arthur's sight. Ban and Bors were finally driven back over a little river.
At that moment came Arthur on a great black horse, and called to Arthur, “Haven't you done enough? Of three score thousand this day only fifteen thousand are left. It is time to say stop! For God is angry with you that you will never stop, for it is not time for these eleven kings to be overthrown. If you continue, your fortune will turn and they will succeed. Therefore, draw back to your lodgings and rest, and reward your good knights with gold and silver, for they have deserved it. There may be no riches too dear for them, for the few men you have shown great prowess, matching this day the best fighters of the world.”
“That is true,” said King Ban and Bors.
Then said Merlin, “Withdraw for three years for they will not fight you; and by then you will hear new tidings. For these eleven kings have more at hand than they know, for Saracens have landed in their countries, more than forty thousand and they burn and slay and have laid siege to the castle Wandesborow and bring great destruction. Therefore, don't worry about the three years. Also, sir, have all the goods taken in this battle be searched and when you have it in your hands give it freely unto these two kings, Ban and Bors, that they might reward their knights with it. No better way than to get a stranger to help you when you need them again. Then reward your own knights of your own goods.”
“It is well said,” replied a weary Arthur, “and as you have devised so will it be done.”
When the goods were delivered to Ban and Bors, they gave them as freely to their knights as they had been given them.
Then Merlin took leave of Arthur and the two kings to go and see his master Bleise, who dwelt in Northumberland. So he departed and came to his master who was delighted at his coming. There he told how Arthur and the two kings had fared in the great battle and how it ended and told the names of every king and knight that was there.
So Bleise wrote down the battle word for word, as Merlin had told him, how it began, by whom, how it ended and who suffered. All the battles that were done during Arthur's days, Merlin had his master Bleise write down; also he wrote down all the battles of every worthy knight of Arthur's court. From these writings comes our story.
So Merlin left his master and came to King Arthur at the castle of Bedegraine, one the castles that stood in the forest of Sherwood. Merlin was disguised, so Arthur didn't know him, for he wore black sheep skins covered with a russet gown, a great pair of boots, carrying a bow and arrows and three wild geese in hand. It was on the morning after Candlemas day, but King Arthur knew him not.
“Sir,” said Merlin to the king, “will you give me a gift?”
“Why,” said King Arthur, “should I give you a gift, dog?”
“Sir,” said Merlin, “you would do better to give me a gift that not in your hand than lose great riches, for here in this place, a great battle was fought and great treasure is hid in the earth.”
“Who told you that, dog?” said Arthur.
“Merlin told me so,” said he.
Then Ulfius and Brastias recognized Merlin and smiled.
“Sir,” said Ulfius, “it is Merlin who speaks to you.”
Then King Arthur was greatly surprised and marveled at Merlin, as did King Ban and King Bors, so they laughed heartedly at his disguise.
Meanwhile, there came a damsel who was an earl's daughter. (His name was Sanam, and her name was Lionors, a beautiful damsel.) And she came to the kings to do them homage, as other lord do after a great battle. King Arthur fell instantly and deeply in love with her and she with him. They were often together and soon he got her with child. The baby was named Borre, who long after became a good knight of the Table Round.
Then there came word that King Rience of North Wales had made war on King Leodegrance of Cameliard, which angered Arthur, for he loved Leodegrance and hated King Rience, who always opposed him. By agreement between the three kings, King Ban and King Bors sent Phariance, Antemes, Gratian and Lionses of Payarne home to Benwick in fear of King Claudas' attacking the castle.
Then the three kings departed with twenty thousand men and traveled for six days to the country of Cameliard, and there rescued King Leodegrance, slaying over ten thousand of King Rience's men and put him to flight. And then King Leodegrance honored and welcomed the three kings, thanking them for their goodness, that they would so revenge his enemies. And there it was that Arthur had the first sight of Guenever, the king's daughter of Cameliard, and ever after he loved her. Not long after, they were married, as is told in our book.
So briefly, to end this story, King Ban and King Bors took their leave and went into their own countries, for King Claudas was doing great destruction to their land.
“I will go with you,” said Arthur as they parted.
“No,” said the kings, “you shall not at this time, for you have much to do here. We will depart and with the gifts you have given we shall hire many good knights and withstand King Claudas' malice. By the grace of God, if we have need of you, we will send for you. If you have need for us, send for us, and we will come immediately.”
“You two kings,” said Merlin, “shall not be needed again to fight by way of war, but I know King Arthur will not be long from you. For within a year or two, you shall need him and then he will revenge you upon your enemies as you have done for him. For these eleven kings will died all in one day, by the great might and prowess of arms of two valiant knights, called Balin le Savage and Balan, his brother, both marvelous knights.”
But now let us turn to the eleven kings who returned to a city called Sorhaute, a city within King Uriens' country. There they refreshed themselves as they could, got leeches to search their wounds, and mourned for the loss of so many men. Then came a messenger who told them that the land was overrun with outlaws and Saracens, some forty thousand, who had burnt villages and slain all the people they came across without mercy, and had now laid siege on the castle of Wandesborow.
“Alas,” said King Lot, “here is sorrow upon sorrow. If we had not warred against Arthur as we have done, he would have come to help us. As for King Leodegrance, he loves Arthur better than us. And as for King Rience, he has enough to do with Leodegrance that he cannot help.”
So they agreed to keep their troops together, those of Cornwall, of Wales, and of the North. First, they sent King Idres to, the city of Nauntes in Britain with four thousand men of arms to watch the water and land. Also they sent King Nentres of Garlot with four thousand knights to the city of Windesan to watch the water and land. They sent over eight thousand to fortify all the fortresses in Cornwall. Also they sent knights to Wales and Scotland. They kept these good men of arms together for three years and allied themselves with mighty kings and dukes and lords. King Rience of North Wales, a mighty man of men, and Nero a mighty man of men, joined them. And all the while, they furnished them and fed them and prepared to avenge themsevles for the battle of Bedegraine, as it tells in following book of adventures.
Chapter 6: The Questing Beast and Arthur's Quest for His Birth
Now after King Ban and King Bors had departed, King Arthur rode to Carlion. To him came Queen Morgause, King Lot's wife of Orkney, as messenger for the king. But really she came to spy on King Arthur's court. She came with her four young sons, Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravine, and Gareth, and a retinue of many other knights and ladies. She a very beautiful lady, and the king fell instantly in love with her and lusted after her. Soon she allowed herself to give in to him and he begat Mordred on her, even though she was his half-sister. She stayed there a month and at last departed. But all the time, King Arthur did not know she was his sister through his mother Igraine.
Then a dream came to Arthur. He thought his land was beset with griffins and serpents which burnt the land and slew the people. He thought he fought them and was badly wounded, but at last he slew them. When he awoke, he was greatly disturbed.
So to put it out of his thoughts, he took many knights and went hunting. In the forest, he saw a great hart before him. “I will chase this hart,” said King Arthur to his men, and spurring his horse on, chased the hart for so long that his horse finally lost his breath and fell down dead. A yeoman went to get the king another horse. So the king saw the hart escape and his horse dead. He sat down by a fountain and fell into deep thoughts.
As he sat, he thought he heard a noise of thirty baying hounds coming toward him. With that he turned and saw the strangest beast that he ever saw or heard of. The beast was the size of a giant boar with the head and neck of a serpent, the body of a leopard, and the legs of a hind. The beast came to fountain and drank, all the while the noise within the beast's belly sounding like barking thirty hounds. But as the beast drank, there was no sound in his belly. And after drinking, the beast departed with a great noise.
The king was stunned at the sight, but he soon fell asleep. A knight on foot came to Arthur and said, “Knight full of thoughts and sleep, tell if you saw a strange beast pass this way.”
“I saw such a one,” said King Arthur, pointing in the direction it left, “It is about two miles that way. What do you want with the beast?”
“Sir, I have followed that beast a long time. My horse died and would to God I had another so I can continue on my quest.”
Immediately the yeoman reappeared with a fresh horse for the king. When the knight saw the horse, he asked the king to give it to him.
“For I have followed this quest for twelve months, and either I catch it or kill myself trying.” King Pellinore it was who followed the questing beast and after his death Sir Palamides followed it.
“Sir knight,” said the king, “leave off your quest and allow me to take it up and I will follow it for another twelve months.”
“Ah, fool,” said the knight to Arthur, “it is a vain desire, for it will never be captured unless it is by me or my next of kin.”
And saying that, he took the king's horse, mounted into the saddle, and said, “Gramercy, this horse is mine now.”
“Well,” said the king, “you may take my horse by force, but we would see who is better on horseback, you or me.”
“Well,” said the knight, “try to find me where you will, but I will return to this fountain.” And he rode off.
Then the king commanded his men to find him a horse as fast as they could.
While he waited, Merlin, like a child of fourteen years of age, came and saluted the king and asked him why he was so troubled.
“I may well be troubled,” said the king, “for I have seen the strangest sight that I ever saw.”
“I know,” said Merlin, “for I know all that you think. But you would be a fool to give it much importance. Also I know what you are and who your father was and of whom you were begotten. King Uther Pendragon was your father, and he begat you on Igraine.”
“You lie,” said King Arthur. “How would you know that for you are not old enough to have even known my father?”
“Yes,” said Merlin, “I know better than you or any man living.”
“I do not believe you,” said Arthur who was angry at the child. So Merlin left and returned again in the likeness of an old man of fourscore years of age. Arthur was glad for he seemed a very wise man.
Then asked the old man, “Why are you so sad?”
“I may be troubled by many things,” said Arthur. “A child came to me and told me many things that he shouldn't know since he was too young to know my father.”
“Ah, yes,” said the old man, “the child told you the truth. And he would have told you more if you had allowed him to. But you have done something lately that has displeased God. You have lain with your sister and on her you have begotten a child that will destroy you and all the knights of your kingdom.”
“Who are you,” asked Arthur, “who would bring me this news?”
“I am Merlin, and I was he also in the child's body.”
“Ah,” said King Arthur, “you are a marvelous man, but I marvel that you say I must die in battle.”
“Marvel not,” said Merlin, “for it is God's will that your body be punished for your foul deeds; but my fate will be worse than yours, being sealed up alive in the earth, while you shall die a noble death.”
And as they talked, the yeoman brought the king's horse. He mounted it and Merlin mounted another and together they rode to Carlion. When he got back home, the king asked Sir 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 want to send for my mother so that I can speak to her myself. If she tell me so herself, I will believe it.”
In all haste, the queen was sent for, and she came, bringing with her Morgan le Fay, her daughter, only a little older than the king. She was as beautiful a lady as her sister and her mother.
That evening, the king lavishly welcomed Igraine with a large feast for all the court to attend. Igraine sat on Arthur's right and Morgan le Fay his left. As everyone waited for the king's official welcome, Ulfius rose and spoke openly to Igraine so that Arthur and all could hear.
“You are the falsest lady in the world and the biggest traitoress to the king's person.”
“Beware,” said Arthur standing. “What you say is a powerful and dangerous word.”
“I am aware of that,” said Ulfius, “and here is my glove for anyone who can prove the contrary--that Queen Igraine is responsible for this war and devastation you just suffered. For if she had just uttered how you were begotten and born during Uther's life, all these questions about your heritage would have been answered. Instead she has played false with you and your kingdom.”
Queen Igraine rose saying, “I am a woman and, therefore, not able to fight for my honor, but surely some man here will take that challenge. Merlin knows well, as does Sir Ulfius, how King Uther came to me in the Castle of Tintagel in the likeness of my lord, who had been dead three hours before, and he got me a child that night. And after the thirteenth day, King Uther wedded me, and by his command was the baby delivered to Merlin to be nourished by him. So I never saw the child after, nor even knew his name.”
Then Ulfius said to the queen, “Then Merlin is more to blame than you.”
“I vow,” said the queen, “that I bore a child by my lord King Uther, but I know not what became of him.”
Then Merlin stepped forward and took the king by hand, saying, “Son, this is your mother.”
And Sir Ector bore witness that he nourished Arthur by Uther's command. Upon which, King Arthur took his mother, Queen Igraine, in his arms and kissed her, and both wept joyous tears. And the king had the feast last eight days.
Chapter 7: Sir Griflet's Adventure
One day a squire on horseback came to court, carrying the body of a dead knight before him. He told how there was a knight in the forest who had reared up a pavilion by a well and had slain his master, a good knight by the name of Miles.
“I beg you,” he said, “that my master may be buried and that some knight revenge my master's death.”
Angry voices rose up from the court and many volunteered to fight. But Griflet who was only a young squire, the same age as King Arthur, asked Arthur that he be allowed to go to prove his knighthood by this noble deed.
“You are too young,” said Arthur, “to take on so high a deed.”
“Sir,” said Griflet, “I beseech you to make me a knight.”
“Sir,” said Merlin, “it would be a great pity to lose Giflet, for he will be a great man if he spends his life here with you. And if he risks his life with yon knight at the fountain, he would be in great peril, for this man is one of the best knights of the world and the strongest man of arms.”
So at his request, Arthur made Griflet a knight.
“Now,” said Arthur to Sir Griflet, “since I have made you a knight, you must give me a gift.”
“Whatever you will,” said Griflet.
“Promise me by the faith of your body, when you have jousted with the knight at the fountain, whether you are on foot or horseback, you will come back to me without any more debate.”
“That I promise,” said Griflet, “as you desire.”
Then Griflet took his horse in great haste, dressed his shield and took a spear in hand, and rode as fast as his horse would carry him to the fountain. There beside it was a rich pavilion and a cloth-covered horse with saddle and birdle, and on a tree, a shield of many colors and a great spear.
Griflet rode up to the shield and hit it with the butt of his spear, making a loud noise as the shield fell to the ground. With that the knight came out of the pavilion, saying, “Fair knight, why did you knock down my shield?”
“I wish to joust with you,” said Griflet.
“It is better you do not,” said the knight, “for you are young and obviously just made a knight, and your strength is nothing compared to mine.”
“As for that,” said Griflet, “I will joust with you.”
‘I do not want to do it,” said the knight, “but since you insist, I will dress.” He turned to leave and then turned back, saying, “Where are you from?”
“Sir, I am of King Arthur's court.”
Satisfied, the knight put on his armor, mounted his horse, dressed his shield and picked up his spear. The two knights ran together. Griflet's spear broke and the knight struck Griflet through the shield on the left side, and his spear broke but the end part stuck in his body, so that horse and knight fell down.
When the knight saw him lying on the ground, he alit, sad that he had slain him. When he unlacing Griflet's helmet, Griflet got his wind back, and so with the shattered end of the spear in his side, the knight sat him on his horse and called for God's blessing on him: “For you have a mighty heart and will make a passing good knight in a few years.”
And so Sir Griflet rode to the court, where many sorrowed at the sight of his arrival. Through good leeches, however, he was healed and saved.
Chapter 8: The Knight at the Fountain
Not long after, twelve knights came to court, aged men who had come from the Emperor of Rome, and asked Arthur truage (that is, to place his kingdom under Rome's protection); otherwise, they cautioned, the emperor would destroy both him and his land.
“Well,” said King Arthur, “as you are messengers, you may say what you will. Had you not been you would have died for how you talked to me. But here is my answer. I owe the emperor no truage, but on a fair field I will give him my truage which will be a sharp spear or a sharp sword. I swear by my father's soul, Uther Pendragon.”
The messengers left in anger, and King Arthur as angry, for he was sorely worried by Sir Griflet's wounds. And so he commanded a privy man of his chamber that in the morning he have his best horse and armor brought to him so he could leave the city. At day break, he met his man and mounted his horse, dressed his shiled and took his spear, and asked his chamberlain to wait until his return.
As he rode along, he spied Merlin being chased by three bandits as if to slay him. The king rode to them and called, “Flee, dogs!” They were afraid when they saw a knight and fled.
“O Merlin,” said Arthur, “you would have been slain with all your crafts had I not arrived to save you.”
“No,” said Merlin, “that's not so. I could have saved myself had I wanted. You are closer to death than I am, for as you go toward your death, God is not your friend.”
So as they continued talking they came to the fountain and the pavilion. King Arthur saw the knight sitting in a chair.
“Sir knight,” said Arthur, “why are you here blocking the path of any knight who comes by? Do you force them to joust with you? Stop these challenges.”
“I will challenge all who come to me,” said the knight.
“Then you challenge me,” said King Arthur.
“We will fight,” said the knight. He mounted his horse, dressed his shield and took a spear and as they came together both spear split. Arthur pulled out his sword.
“No,” said the knight, “it is fairer if we use sharp spears.”
“That would be, if I had any more spears,” said Arthur.
“I have more,” said the knight. A squire came out of the pavilion and brought two good spears. Arthur chose one and the knight took the other. So they spurred their horses and charged again with all their might.Once again the spears shattered. Arthur again set his hand on his sword.
“No,” said the knight, “you will do better because you as good a jouster as any I have met, and for the love of the order of knighthood let us joust once more.”
“If you desire,” said Arthur.
So again two great spears were brought, and each knight took a spear, and then they ran together. Arthur's shield split, but other knight hit him so hard in the midst of his shield that the horse and man fell to earth. Arthur stood and pulled out his sword. I will fight you, sir knight, on foot, for I have lost the honor of fighting on horseback.
“I will be on horseback,” said the knight.
Then Arthur grew angry, and dressed his shield toward him with his shield drawn.
When the knight saw him prepare, he dismounted, thinking it unchilvalrous to fight a knight on foot while on horseback. He alit, dressed his shield toward Arthur, and pulled out his sword.
There was a strong battle with many great strokes. Much blood was bled by both until they began slipping in the blood. And after a long fight they rested. Then they went back to battle again, slamming into each other like two rams. At last they hit each other so that their words met together. But the sword of the knight cut Arthur's sword in two pieces, which made him sad.
Then said the knight to Arthur, “I may choose to let you live or slay you. Unless you yield and call yourself a coward, you will die.”
“As for death,” said King Arthur, “I will welcome it when it comes, but I would rather die than be called a coward.” And with that the king leapt on Pellinore (for that was the knight), and grabbed him around the waist and threw him down on the ground, raising his helmet.
When the knight gained control, for he was a big man, he threw Arthur down and raised his helmet and would have struck off his head.
Merlin appeared and said, “Knight, hold thy hand, for you about to slay that knight that would put this realm in the greatest damage it has been, for this knight is a man more admired than you know.”
“Why, who is he?” asked the knight.
“It is Arthur.”
But Pellinore would have slain him for fear of his anger, but Merlin cast an enchantment on him, so that he fell to earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin took up King Arthur and rode on the knight's horse.
“Alas!” said Arthur, “What have you done, Merlin? Have you slain this good knight by your crafts? There was none so admired; I would give up part of my land for a year so he could live.”
“Calm yourself,” said Merlin, “he is only asleep and will awake in three hours. I told you what kind of knight he was; here you would have been slain had I not been there. Also there is no knight as big as he, and he before long he will do you good service. His name is Pellinore, and he will have two sons that will be good men; one will no equal in prowess and of good living. Their names shall be Percivale of Wales and Lamerake of Wales. Pellinore shall tell you the name of your own son begotten of your sister that shall bring the destruction of this realm.”
Chapter 9: The Lady of the Lake
The king and Merlin went to a hermit who was a good man and skilled with leeches. So the hermit searched all his wounds and gave him good salves. The king rested there for three days, and when he was well enough to leave, they rode on.
As they rode, Arthur lamented, “I have no sword.”
“No matter,” said Merlin, “nearby is a sword that shall be yours.”
So they rode till they came to a lake which was pale blue and broad, and in the midst of the lake Arthur beheld an arm clothed in white heavy silk, that held a beautiful sword in that hand.
“Behold,” said Merlin, “There is the sword that I spoke of. With that they saw a fair young lady in white crossing the lake.
“Who is that lady?” asked Arthur.
“That is the Lady of the Lake,” said Merlin. “Within the lake is a rock and within it is as fair a place as any on earth, richly furnished. This lady will come to you, and if you speak sweetly to her, she will give you that sword. Soon the lady came to Arthur and saluted him and he her.
“Fair lady,” said Arthur, “what sword is that that yonder arm holds above the water. I wish it were mine for I have no sword.”
“Sir Arthur, king” said the young woman, “that sword is mine, but you shall have it if you give me a gift when I ask it.”
“In faith,” said Arthur, “I will give you whatever gift you ask for.”
“Well then,” said the lady, “get into yonder barge and row yourself to the sword. Take it and the scabbard with you, and I will ask my gift when we meet again.”
So Sir Arthur and Merlin alit, tied their horses to two trees, and went onto the boat. 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 disappeared under the water.
So they came back to the shore and rode away.
As they rode, in the distance, Sir Arthur saw a rich pavilion.
“What is that pavilion?”
“It is the knight's pavilion,” said Merlin. “The one you fought, Sir Pellinore. But he is out, he is not here. He is fighting with a knight of yours, Egglame, and they have fought together. But by now Egglame has fled, or else he is dead, or he has chased him to Carlion where we will meet him on the highway.”
“Now that I have a sword,” said Arthur, “I can battle with him and be avenged.”
“Sir, you shall not do so,” said Merlin, “for the knight is weary of fighting and chasing so that you would have no honor in fighting him. My advice is to let him pass since in a short time he will be in your service, and his sons after him. Also, you shall see that day when you will give him your sister to wed.”
“When we meet, I will do as you advise.”
Then Arthur pulled the sword from the bejeweled scabbard and admired it greatly. He saw his smile in the highly polished surface.
“Which do like better,” asked Merlin, “the sword or the scabbard?”
“I think I like the sword better,” said Arthur.
“Then you are a fool,” said Merlin, “for the scabbard is worth ten of the swords, for while you have the scabbard upon you, you will never lose blood nor will you ever be deeply wounded. Therefore, keep the scabbard with you always.”
So they rode on to Carlion, and along the way they met Sir Pellinore; but Merlin used his craft so that Pellinore didn't see Arthur and passed by without a word.
“I'm surprised,” said Arthur, “that the knight did not speak to us.”
“Sir,” said Merlin, “he saw you not, for if he had you would have had to fight.”
So they came to Carlion and his knights were excited to see him. And when he told of their adventures, they marveled that he would put his own person so in danger. But all his men said it was a happy thing to be under such a chieftain who would risk his person as other poor knights did.
Chapter 10: King Rience's Demand
Not long after this a messenger came from King Rience of North Wales, king of all Ireland and many isles. When he came before King Arthur, he spoke to him saying, “Greetings to you. My lord, King Rience, has defeated the eleven kings and forced each to give him homage. They had their beards flayed off their faces, and I have come to ask for your beard. King Rience has had a mantle of kings' beards created and lacks only one place on the mantle. Therefore, either send him your beard or he will enter into your lands, burning and slaying, and never leave until he has your head and the beard.”
“Well,” said King Arthur, “you have given your message, which is the vilest and most villainous that has ever been sent to a king. You can see that I am young and my beard sparse. So tell your king this: I owe him no homage, nor do any of my men, but come to this land and he will end up doing homage to me on both his knees, or else he shall lose his head. Tell him I will have his head when we meet unless he do me homage.”
With that the messenger departed.
Arthur turned to his court. “Is there anyone here who knows King Rience?”
A knight named Naram answered, “Sir, I know this man well. He is big, well built and stronger than most men living and an exceedingly proud man. He will without doubt make war on you.”
“Well,” said Arthur, “I shall be ready for that fight soon.”
In May, knowing that Arthur's son had been born, Merlin warned the king that he must destroy the child. At Merlin's prompting the king sent for all May-day sons, upon pain of death. These were all sent to the king; among them was Mordred sent by King Lot's wife. The four week old babies were put to sea on a ship. But as fortune would have it, the ship drove into a castle and cleft in two. All were destroyed but Mordred who was cast upon the sand. A good man found him and nourished him until he was fourteen years old, and then brought him to court, as the story will unfold of the Death of Arthur.
So many lords and barons despaired that their children were so lost, but rather than blame Arthur, they blamed Merlin, and for fear of him held their peace.
When the messenger brought King Rience Arthur's answer, he set out to gather a great army, which brings to the adventure of Balin Le Savage and how he got his sword.
End of Book One
Note: I have not followed Mallory's division into sections. For ease of reading I have gathered the book into 10 chapters.
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