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 II

Book III

Chapter One: Balin and the Adventure of the Sword

After the death of Uther Pendragon his son King Arthur reigned, having a great war to bring England into his hand. There were many kings in the realms of England, Wales, Scotland and Cornwall. So came a time when King Arthur was in London. A knight came to Arthur and told him that King Rience of North Wales had raised and army and entered the land, burning and slaying the king's people.

“If this is true,” said Arthur, “it would be a great shame on my estate.”

“It is true,” said the knight, “for I have seen the army myself.”

“Then,” said the king, “let it be made known that all lords, knights and gentlemen of arms should draw unto the castle called Camelot and there I will hold a council-general and a great joust.”

So the king withdrew there with his baronage. Then came a damsel with a message from the great lady Lile of Avelion. When she came before the king, she told him from whom she came and why she was sent. She let her richly furred mantel fall and she was wearing a noble sword which the king greatly admired.

“Beautiful lady, why are you wearing that sword? It doesn't become you.”

“I will tell you the story,” said the damsel, “This sword brings sorrow, for I must find a knight who is pure of hands and deeds, without any villainy or treachery, or treason. Only that the knight with those qualities may draw the sword out of the sheath. I have come from King Rience's, where it was told me there were many good good knights and he and all his knights tried but none succeeded.”

“This is a great marvel,” said Arthur, “if it be true. I myself with try to draw the sword, not assuming myself that I am the best knight, but I will draw your sword to give an example to all my barons that they should also try.”

Then Arthur took the sword by the sheath and by the girdle and pulled at it as hard as he could, but the sword didn't move.

“Sir,” said the damsel, “you need not pull so hard, for he who can attain it needs little strength.”

“So let my barons try, but beware that none of you are defiled with shame, treachery nor guile.”

“Fear not,” said the damsel, “only the knight without villainy and of a gentle birth can succeed.”

So all the barons of the Round Table who were there at the time tried, row on row, but none succeeded. At thje end, the damsel began to weep.

“Alas! I thought I should find here at this Court the best knights. I see I was wrong.”

“By my faith,” said Arthur, “here are as good a knight as can be found in the world, but even they could not help you, for which I am displeased.”

Now at the same time as the Arthur's knights were risking on the sword, there was a poor knight at Arthur's castle who had been prisoner with him for six months for killing another knight, a cousin of the king. Balin was his name, and as luck would have it, he was released out of prison at this exact moment, for he was actually a good man, having been born in Northumberland.

So he arrived at court in time to see the other knights trying their fortune. But Balin was poorly dressed when he arrived, although he knew in his heart that he had the grace to win the sword. As the damsel took her leave of Arthur and the barons, the knight Balin called her and said, “Fair lady, I pray you allow me to try your challenge. For, although I am poorly clothed, in my heart is what you seek.”

The damsel saw the young knight, saw he was a likely man who in spite of his poor clothing she thought him free of villainy and treachery. She said to the knight, “Sir, do not trouble yourself for you will not succeed.”

“Ah! Fair lady,” said Balin, “worthiness and good deeds are not found in one's clothing, but manhood and worship can be hidden behind a fair exterior. Many a worthy knight is not known to all people until they show their worthiness.”

“By God,” said the damsel, “what you say is true. Therefore, you shall try like the others."

Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath and in one move drew it out easily. He stood looking at the sword and smiling. Then the king and all the barons cheered Balin.

“Certainly,” said the damsel to the court, “this is a good knight, the best I have found, without treason, treachery or villainy. He will do many great deeds.” Turning back to the knight, she said, “Now, gentle and courteous knight, give me back the sword.”

“Nay,” said Balin, “only though force will this sword leave me.”

“Well,” said the damsel, “you would not be wise to keep this sword, for with it you will slay the best friend you have and the man you love most in the world, and this sword shall be the cause of your destruction.”

“I will take on the adventure that God sends me,” said Balin, “for this sword I will keep.”

“You will soon repent your decision,” said the damsel, “for I would keep the sword more to protect you than me, for I am sad to see what will happen to you since you do not believe the sword will lead to your destruction, and that is a great pity.”

With tears in her eyes, the damsel departed.

Soon after, Balin sent for his horse and armor to leave the court. As he took leave of King Arthur, the king said, “I suppose you are displeased at your treatment here. Blame me for being misinformed, but had I realized what a worthy knight you were, I would have honored you."

“God thank you highness,” said Balin, “for your kindness is beyond praise, but know that at this point I have to leave.”

“I pray you, fair knight, return soon so that I and my barons can welcome you as you deserve.”

Some of the knights of the Round Table grumbled that Balin did not succeed because of his goodness but by some witchcraft.

While Balin was taking his leave of the king, there came to court the Lady of the Lake, the same who had given Arthur his sword. She came on horseback, richly dressed, and saluted King Arthur. Then she asked him for the gift he had promised her when she gave the sword.

“That is true,” said Arthur, “I did promise you a gift, but I have forgotten the name of the sword that you gave me.”

“The name of it,” said the lady, "is Excalibur, which means ‘Cut-steel.'”

“That is well spoken,” said the king. “Ask what you will and you shall have it as long as it lies in my power to grant it.”

“Well,” said the lady, “I ask for the head of the knight there who has just won the sword, or else the damsel's head who brought it. I could as easily ask for both heads, for he slew my brother, a good and true knight, and that woman caused my father's death.”

“Truly,” said King Arthur, “I may not grant the request for either head. Therefore, ask for something else and I will grant that wish.”

“I ask for nothing else,” said the lady.

When Balin was ready to leave, he saw the Lady of the Lake whom he recognized as the person who had killed his mother and who he had sought for three years. When he was told that she had asked for his head, he went to Arthur and said, “I have found you evil one. You would have my head, but now you will lose yours.” And taking up his sword, he struck off her head as she stood by King Arthur.

“Alas, for shame!” cried Arthur, “why have you done this? You have shamed me and all my court, for I owed this lady much and she came to me under my safe-conduct. I shall never forgive you for this.”

“Sir,” said Balin, “I knew you would be upset, but this same lady was untruest lady living, and by enchantment and sorcery, she has been the destroyer of many good knights. She caused my mother to be burnt through her falsehood and treachery.”

“Whatever right you think you had, you should have waited until you were out of my court. Therefore, however right your cause might have been, leave my sight immediately and never return.”

Then Balin took up the head of the lady and bore it with him to his lodgings. There he met with his squire and regretted displeasing King Arthur. The two rode out of town.

“Now,” said Balin, “we must separate. Take this head and bear it to my friends. Tell them what happened and tell my friends in Northumberland that my enemy is finally dead. Also, tell them how I am free from prison and how I got this sword.”

“Alas!” said the squire, “you have caused King Arthur to hate you.”

“As for that,” said Balin, “I will in haste go to meet King Rience and destroy him or die trying. Hopefully with that King Arthur will forgive me.”

“Where shall I meet you?” asked the squire.

“In King Arthur's court,” said Balin.

So Balin and his squire parted ways. Then King Arthur and all his court mourned the death of the Lady of the Lake and the king buried her richly.

Chapter Two: Lanceor

At this same time, there was a knight, the king of Ireland's son, named Lanceor, a proud knight who considered himself the best of the court. He showed great distain toward Balin for achievlng the sword. He asked King Arthur if he would give him leave to ride after Balin and get revenge.

“Do what you will,” said Arthur, “I am angry with the man. You may get revenge if you can for what he has done to me and my court.”

Then Lanceor went to his lodgings to make ready.

Now Merlin came unto the court of King Arthur. Upon learning from Arthur and some of his men of the adventure of the sword and the death of the Lady of the Lake, he said, “This damsel that brought the sword to your court is the falsest damsel that lives.”

“Say not so,” said one of the men.

“She has a brother, a good knight of mighty prowess and a good true man. This damsel loved another knight who took her as his paramour. This good knight and her brother met and her brother strangled her lover. When she learned of this, she went to the Lady Lile of Avelion and sought help in avenging herself on her brother. And so Lady Lile gave her this sword, saying that no man should pull it out of the sheath but the best knight of the realm, and with that sword he would slay her brother. That is why the woman came to this court. She came to this court to do great harm and that knight who achieved the sword will be destroyed by it. He will do you mighty deeds, but he will be defeated.”

So the knight of Ireland armed himself and dressed his shield on his shoulder and mounted on horseback, taking his spear in hand, and rode as fast as his horse would go. Within a small space on a mountain, he caught sight of Balin and in a loud voice cried, “Stop, knight, for I would fight you.”

When Balin heard the noise, he turned his horse about and called, “Fair knight, what will you with me? Will you joust with me?”

“Yes,” said the Irish knight.

“It would have been better for you had you stayed at home,” said Balin, “for many a man sets out to face his enemy and fails to return home. Whose court sent you here?”

“I come from the court of King Arthur,” said the knight of Ireland, “and came to revenge the wrong you did today to King Arthur and his court.”

“Well,” said Balin, “I see that I must face you. But your quarrel is wrong. That lady is dead. She did me great damage, and had any of you known the whole story, you would have slain her also.”

“Make ready,” said the knight Lanceor, “and let us fight to the death.”

Then they took their spears and came together as hard as the horses could run, and the Irish knight struck Balin on the shield so that his spear split. Balin struck the knight through his shield, his spear piercing through his body and into the horse's rump. Drawing his sword, Balin wished he did not have to slay him, but when he looked, he saw him lying as a dead corpse.

Looking up he saw the damsel on a horse flying toward him. And when she saw Lanceor slain, she shrieked with horror.

“O Balin,” she cried, “two bodies you have killed with one heart and two hearts in one body and two souls you have lost.”

Thereupon she took the sword from her dead love and fainted. When she revived, she cried and wept and Balin went to hear to take the sword from her hand, but she held it so fast he could not take it without hurting her. Suddenly she stuck the pommel of the sword into the ground and threw herself on the sword, lying poised on the sword with it through her body.

When Balin saw her deeds, his heart was heavy and he felt ashamed that he was responsible for so beautiful a damsel killing herself. Turning away from the scene, he became aware of a knight bearing his brother's arms. And when they met, they took off their helmets and kissed each other for joy and pity.

“Dear brother,” said Balan, “I am didn't expect to meet you here, but I am glad are no longer in prison, for a man in the castle of Four Stones said that you were freed and seen in the court of King Arthur. So I came here wanting to find you.”

So Balin told his brother of his adventure of the sword, of the death of the Lady of the Lake, and Arthur's displeasure with him. “So he sent this knight after me,” he continued, “he who lies dead here, and beside him the damsel of the sword who has killed herself for love.”

Balan comforted his brother. “View it as God's will,” he said.

“Truly,” said Balin, “I am sorry that my Lord Arthur is so displeased with me, for he is the most noble knight that now reigns here on earth. I now plan to win back his love by confronting King Rience who lays siege at Castle Terrabil. Come, let us go together in haste.”

“I will help you as brothers ought to do,” said Balan.

As the brothers talked, there came on horseback a dwarf from the city of Camelot, riding as fast as he could. When he found the dead bodies, he began weeping and pulling at his hair in sorrow. Finally looking up he asked, “Which one of you did this deed?”

“Why do you ask,” said Balan.

“I would know,” said the dwarf.

“It was I,” said Balin, “who slew this knight in self defense when he came chasing me, and it was either slay him or he slay me. Then the damsel appeared and slew herself for his love, which I deeply regret. But I believe she proves that women love better than men.”

“Alas,” said the dwarf, “you have done great harm to yourself for this knight here is the most valiant knight who ever lived, and his family will chase you and not rest until they slay you.”

“I am not afraid of that, but I do regret that I have angered King Arthur with the death of this knight.”

As they talked, there came a king from Cornwall named King Mark. When he saw the bodies and learned of their history from the knights, he was so moved by the story of the power of love that he vowed to bury them before he left. He pitched his pavilion and sought throughout the area for a tomb to use. In a nearby church, he found an ancient but beautifully carved stone sarcophagus. Then the king laid them both in the tomb, writing above them: “Here lies Lanceor a prince of Ireland, killed by the hands of Balin, and beside him his lady and paramour, Colombe, who killed herself with her love's sword out of sorrow for his loss.”

Chapter Three: The Death of Twelve Kings

As he finished, Merlin came to King Mark, and seeing what he was doing said, “Here shall be the same place that the greatest battle between two knights occur, and the truest lovers, and neither will slay the other. And there Merlin wrote in gold letters on the tomb the names of two knights: Launcelot de Lake and Tristram.

“You are a wonderous man,” said King Mark to Merlin, “who speaks of such marvels. What is your name?”

“I will not say, but when Sir Tristram is taken with his sovereign lady, then you will hear and kinow my name, and at that time you will hear tidings that will not please you.”

“You have done yourself a great harm,” said Merlin to Balin, “because you did not save this lady who slew herself when you could have done it.”

“I swear,” said Balin, “she acted before I could not do it.”

“I am sorry,” said Merlin, “because of the death of that lady you will strike a blow worse than any man has struck, except the stroke of our Lord, for you will hurt the truest knight and the man most honorable that now lives, and through that stroke, in twelve years, three kingdoms will be brought to poverty, misery, and wretchedness, and the knight's wound will not heal for many years.”

Then Merlin prepared to leave. And Balin said, “If I thought you were correct in your prediction, I would as soon kill myself to make you a liar.” And at that, Merlin vanished.

And then Balan and his brother took leave of King Mark.

“First,” said the king, tell me your name.”

“Sir,” said Balan, “you see that he carries two swords; therefore, you may call him the knight with the two swords.”

And so King Mark departed for Camelot to King Arthur and Balin and his brother went toward King Rience. As they rode together, they met Merlin who was disguised so they didn't know him.

“Where do you ride?” said Merlin.

“We have little to tell you,” said Badan.

“What is your name?” asked Balin.

“I will not tell you at this time,” said Merlin.

“Only an evil man would not tell his name.”

“That may be,” said Merlin. “I can tell that you ride to meet King Rience, but you need my counsel.”

“Ah, you must then be Merlin. We will follow what you say.”

“You will have great honor, but do your deeds in a knightly manner, for you have great need.”

“As for that,” said Balin, “we will do what we may.”

Then Merlin had them rest among the leaves in a wood beside the highway and took the bridles off their horses and the three laid down to rest till midnight. Then Merlin awoke them and bid they make ready, for the king was near, having left his troops with only three score horses of his best knights, and twenty of them rode ahead to warn the Lady de Vance that the king was coming, for that night King Rience was planning to lay with her.

“Which one is the king?” asked Balin.

“Patience,” said Merlin, “he will come directly by here.” And when he came, Merlin pointed him out to them as he rode. Quickly Balin and his brother met the king and struck him down, seriously wounding him, and he fell to the ground. Then they slew those on the right hand and those on the left, killing more than forty of his men, while the remainder fled.

Then they went again to King Rience and were ready to slay him had he not asked for mercy. “Mighty knight, don't kill me, for by saving my life you will gain much, but by killing me gain nothing."

“The man speaks truth,” said Balin, and so they made a horse-litter to take him with them. With that Merlin vanished and reappeared before King Arthur, telling him how his biggest enemy had been taken.

“By whom?” said Arthur.

“By two knights that will please you. Tomorrow you will know who they are.”

Not long after came the knight with the two swords and Balan his brother, bringing with them King Rience of North Wales, and there delivered him to the porters, charging them to care for him. So they left and then returned as day dawned.

King Arthur came to King Rience and said, “Sir king, you are welcome. What adventure brought you here?”

“Sir,” said King Rience, “I came here by a hard adventure.”

“Who won you?” asked King Arthur.

“Sir,” said the king, “a knight with two swords and his brother, both marvelous knights.”

“I don't know them,” said Arthur, “but I owe much to them.”

“Ah,” said Merlin, “I will tell you. It is Balin that drew the lady's sword, and his brother Balan, a good knight, who is has great power and worthiness, and whose sad end comes too soon.”

“Alas,” said King Arthur, “that is a great pity. I owe him much for his kindess.”

“No,” said Merlin, “he will soon do much more for you. But now, sir, prepare for the great army of Nero, King Rience's brother, who will arrive tomorrow around noon. Make ready quickly, for I must leave you now.”

So King Arthur prepared his troops while Nero prepared his at the Castle Terrabil, with many more men than Arthur. Merlin brought King Lot from the Isle of Orkeny, telling him a tale of prophecy of success until Nero and his men could be destroyed.

In the ensuing battle, Sir Kay the Seneschal fought amirably, as did Sir Hervis de Revel. King Arthur slew twenty knights that day and maimed forty.

Then came the knight with the two swords and his brother Balan, who did so well that the king and all his knights marveled at them, saying they had been sent from heaven as angels or devils from hell. King Arthur, himself, said they were the best knights he had ever seen for they gave mighty strokes that awed everyone.

In the meantime, one came to King Lot and told him that Nero had been destroyed and slain with all his men. “Alas,” said King Lot, “I am ashamed, for it is my fault that that noble man was slain, for if we had been together there would have been no one to match us; this magician has mocked us with his false prophecy.”

Indeed Merlin had tricked King Lot, for if Lot had entered the battle first, Merlin knew King Arthur would be killed along with all his men. Merlin knew that one of the kings should be dead that day and he would rather it be King Lot than King Arthur.

“Now what shall we do?” asked King Lot of Orkney, “Is it better to face King Arthur even though the greater part of our people have been slain?”

“Sir,” said a knight, “attack Arthur, for he is weary and we are fresh.”

“As for me,” said King Lot, “I ask only that every knight do his part as well as I do mine.”

And so they advanced with their banners and struck together with all their spears shivering. Arthur's knights, with the help of the knight with the two swords and his brother Balan, bested King Lot's army. But always King Lot rode at the foremost front doing marvelous deeds of arms. Alas Lot was not to survive, which was a great pity, for he was a worthy knight who had served King Arthur and wedded his sister. But Lot knew Arthur had lain with his wife and begat Mordred on her, so he hated Arthur.

So there was a knight called the knight with the strange beast, whose real name was Pellinore, a man of great prowess, and he struck King Lot and his horse as he fought his enemies. He fell to the ground and Pellinore dismounted and struck him through the helmet across the brow.

All the army of Orkney fled when they saw King Lot fall, many mother's sons dying in the process.

But it was King Pellinore who killed King Lot, for which Sir Gawaine revenged his father's death some ten years after he was made knight and slew King Pellinore with his own hands.

Also slain in that army were twelve kings on the side of King Lot with Nero. All were buried in the Church of Saint Stephen's in Camelot, with the remainder of the knights and others buried in a great rock.

So at the kings' interment came King Lot's wife Margawse with her four sons, Gawine, Agravaine, Gaheris, and Gareth. Also came King Uriens, Sir Uwaine's father, and Morgan le Fay, his wife who was Margawse and Arthur's sister. All of these came for the interment.

But of all the twelve kings, King Arthur made King Lot's the best and made his tomb beside his own. Then Arthur commissioned twelve images of bronze and copper overgilt with gold of the twelve kings and each held a taper of wax that burnt day and night. Each figure was a portrait of one of the men slain. And King Arthur had a figure designed standing over them with a sword drawn in his hand. All this Merlin crafted by his sorcery, and he told the king, “When I am dead, these candles shall not longer burn. And soon after the adventures of the Sangreal shall come among you and be achieved.” He also told how Balin the wonderous knight should give a sorrowful stroke from which would come great vengeance.

“What then of Balin and Balan and Pellinore?” asked King Arthur.

“As for Pellinore,” said Merlin, “he will meet you soon; as for Balin he also come soon. As for the other brother, he will leave and you will never see him again.”

“By my faith,” said Arthur, “they are two great knights, and Balin surpasses the prowess of any of my knights. I owe him much. Would to God he would live here with me.”

“Sir,” said Merlin, “keep the scabbard of Excalibur safe, because while you have it upon you, you will lose no blood even though you may be wounded.”Soon after, Arthur, trusting his sister Morgan le Fay, took the scabbard to her, but his sister loved another knight better than her husband King Uriens or King Arthur. Planning Arthur's death, she created another scabbard like it through enchantment, giving the scabbard Excalibur to her love. The knight's name was Accolon, who after nearly slayed King Arthur.

Merlin told King Arthur of the prophecy that there would be a great battle beside Salibury, and Mordred his own son would fight against him. Also he told him that Baedemegus was his cousin and closely related to King Uriens.

Chapter Four: Balin and the Invisible Knight

Within a day or two, King Arthur, feeling sick, pitched his pavilion in a meadow and laid down on a pallet to sleep, but he had no rest for immediately he heard a loud noise of a horse, and when the king looked out at the porch of the pavilion, he saw a knight coming toward him, weeping loudly.

“Fair sir, stay,” said Arthur, “and tell me why you are in such sorrow?”

“Alas, you cannot help me,” said the knight, who passed forth to the castle of Meliot. Soon came Balin, and when he saw King Arthur, he got off his horse and saluted him.

“By my head,” said Arthur, “you are welcome, Sir. Just now a knight came by moaning in sorrow, but I don't know why. Therefore, I would ask you in your courtesy and gentleness to fetch him again either by force or your good will.”

“I will do more your lordship than that,” said Balin, who remounted his horse and quickly rode away, where he found the knight with a damsel in the forest. “Sir knight, you must come with me to King Arthur and tell him of your sorrow.”

“That I will not do,” said the knight, “for I could only be injured in doing so.”

“Sir,” said Balin, I pray you make yourself ready, for you must either go with me on your own or else I must fight you and bring you with me by force, which I do not wish to do.”

“Will you guarantee my safety if I go with you?” asked the knight.

“Certainly,” said Balin, “or else I will die trying.”

And so the knight made himself ready to go with Balin and took leave of the damsel.

And as they reached King Arthur's pavilion, there came an invisible knight who thrust a spear into the knight who accompanied Balin.

“Alas,” cried the knight to Balin, “I am slain under your safe conduct by a knight called Garlon. Take my horse that is better than yours and ride to the fair damsel and follow the quest I was on that she shall describe to you, and revenge my death when you may.”

“That I shall do,” said Balin, “swear by my knighthood.” So he departed in great sorrow.

King Arthur had the sorrowful knight richly buried and had an inscription on his tomb say how there was slain Herlews le Berbeus by the treachery of the knight Garlon. And from then on, the damsel carried with her the truncheon, the shattered spear, with which Sir Herlews was slain.

So Balin returned to the damsel and they rode into a forest where they met a knight who had been hunting. That knight asked Balin the cause of his great sorrow.

“I cannot tell you,” said Balin.

“Now,” said the knight, “if I were armed as you are, I would fight you.”

“There should be little need,” said Balin, “I am not afraid to tell you.” So he told him the cause of his sorrow.

“Ah,” said the knight, “it is a worthy quest? Here I swear, never to leave your side while my life remains.”

And so they rode to an inn and armed the knight. Then together they rode forth with Balin. As they came by an hermitage beside a churchyard, the invisible knight Garlon stabbed this knight, Perin de Mountbeliard through the body with a spear.

“Alas,” cried the knight, “I am slain by this traitor knight who rides forth invisible.”

“Alas,” cried Balin, “this is not the first injury he has done me.”

And there, the hermit and Balin buried the knight under a rich headstone and a royal tomb. On the morning, they found letters of gold written, how Sir Gawaine shall revenge his father's death, King Lot, on King Pellinore.

Leaving there, Balin and the damsel rode till they came to a castle, and the two of them alit and went into the castle. As Balin came through the castle's entrance, the iron gate fell down on his back and many men surrounded the damsel and would have slain her. When Balin saw this, he was greatly distressed, for he could not help the damsel. He ran up into the tower, leaping over the walls into the ditch, without injury and pulled his sword to fight them.

And they all said no, they would not fight him for they did nothing but what was an old custom of the castle, for their lady was sick and had lain so for many years. She could only be healed by a dish of silver full of blood from a clean maid and a king's daughter. Therefore, it was the custom of the castle to require that all damsels entering must bleed her blood into the silver dish.

“Well,” said Balin, “she shall bleed as much as she may, but I will not see her die while I still have life.” And so Balin, with her consent, cut her arm and she bled into the dish. But her blood failed to cure the lady of the castle.

So Balin and the damsel rested there all night and in the morning rose feeling in good spirits and headed on their way.

And as we learn later in the story of the Sangreal, Sir Percivale's sister helped the lady by giving her blood, whereby she died.

The knight and damsel rode for three or four days without adventure and by chance came to the estate of a rich gentleman who lodged them. As they sat at supper, Balin overheard someone complaining sadly in a chair near him.

“What is this noise?” asked Balin.

“I will tell you,” said their host. “I was recently at a jousting, and there jousted with a knight who is brother to King Pellam. Twice I struck him down, and then he promised to avenge me with my best friend. So he wounded my son, who cannot be cured until I have that knight's blood, but he rides invisible and I don't know his name.”

“Ah!” said Balin, “I know that knight. His name is Garlon and he slew two knights of mine in the same manner. I would give all the gold in this realm to meet him and avenge myself.”

“Well,” said his host, I will tell you. King Pellam of Listeneise has proclaimed a great feast within twenty days, and no knight may come unless he brings his wife or his paramour. And that knight, your enemy and mine, you will see that day.”

“Then I will promise you,” said Balin, “part of his blood to heal your son.”

Chapter Five: The Sorrowful Stroke

So the next morning the three began the journey to Pellam. After fifteen days travel, they arrived, just as the great feast began. So they alit and stabled their horses and went into the castle. But Balin's host was not allowed in because he had no lady. But Balin was well received, brought to a chamber, unarmed and given robes to wear at his pleasure. He was instructed to leave his sword behind.

“No,” said Balin, “that I will not do, for it is the custom of my country to keep one's weapon with him at all times, and that custom I will keep or else I will depart as I came.” So they allowed him to wear his sword. And so he went into the castle and sat among many worthy knights with his lady beside him. Soon Balin asked a knight, “Is there not a knight at this court called Garlon?”

“There he is,” said a knight, “he with the black face. He is the most marvelous knight living, for he has destroyed many good knights, for he goes about invisible.”

“Ah, well,” said Balin, “is that he?"

Then Balin contemplated what he was to do. "If I kill him now, I will not escape. If I leave him now, I may never meet him again in such an opportune situation. If he lives, many may die." As he sat debating, Garlon spied Balin and came to him and struck him on the face with the back of his hand, saying “Knight, why do you look at me so? For shame, eat your meat and do that that you came for.”

“You speak truly,” said Balin, “for this is not the first wrong you have done me; and therefore, I will do what I came for.” And before the silent crowd that watched, he rose fiercely from his place and cleaved Garlon's head in half down to the shoulders.

“Give me the truncheon,” said Balin to his lady, “with which he slayed your knight.” She gave it to him, for she had always carried it with her. And Balin rammed it into the body, saying for all to hear, “With this truncheon you slayed a good knight, and now I stick this into your body.” And then Balin went to the window and called to the host, “Now come and fetch blood enough to heal your son.”

Suddenly, a great confusion ensued, as if all the knights were reawakened from a dream, they arose from the table. King Pellam himself rose up fiercely, saying, “Knight, you have slain my brother. Prepare to die.”

“Well,” said Balin, “as you wish .”

“Yes,” said King Pellam, “no man shall do it but myself out of love for my brother.”

Then King Pellam picked up a sword and struck eagerly at Balin, but Balin raised his sword stopping the blow, and Balin's sword broke leaving him weaponless. He ran into an adjoining chamber seeking a weapon, but he went from chamber to chamber and found one. And always King Pellam was right behind him.

At last he entered a chamber which was marvelously furnished. A bed was covered with cloth of gold, the richest that could be found and someone lay under the gold. Beside stood a table of polished gold with four pillars of silver bearing up the table, and upon the table stood a marvelous spear, richly carved. When Balin saw the spear, he took it in his hand, and as he turned around, King Pellam rushed forward. In one stroke, Balin stuck him onto the spear. King Pellam collapsed, and as he did, the castle roof and walls cracked and began to tumble down. Balin also plunged down to the earth among the rubble and remained motionless. Around him lay the majority of the castle, which had fallen through that dolorous stroke. For three days Pellam and Balin lay as if dead.

Then Merlin appeared and picked up Balin, putting him on a new horse, for his was dead, and told him to ride out of that country. “I would have my damsel,” said Balin.

“Look,” said Merlin, “where she lies.” And Balin grieved for her death.

King Pellam lay sorely injured for many years, and would not be made whole again until Galahad, the haunty prince healed him in his quest for the Sangreal, for in that land was part of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which Joseph of Arimathea brought into the land, and it was Joseph himself who lay on that bed of gold. And that same spear was the one that Longius stuck our Lord to the heart, for King Pellam was one of Joseph's descendants, and was the most revered man alive in those days. As a result of his injury from that stroke, the land became filled with sorrow.

Then Balin departed from Merlin, saying, “In this world we will never meet again.”

Chapter Six: Balin and the Mourning Knight

So Balin rode forth through many countries and cities and found the people dead, slain on every side. And all that were alive cried, “O Balin, you have caused great damage in these countries for as a result of the dolorous stroke you gave King Pellam, three countries are destroyed. Beware. Vengeance will fall on you at last.”

When Balin was past these countries, he was happy. So he rode for eight days without adventure. At last he came to a forest in a valley where lay a tower. Beside it stood a great war horse, tied to a tree, and beside the tree sat a fair knight on the ground, loudly mourning.

Balin said, “God save you, sir. Why are you so unhappy? Tell me and if it is in my power to make amends I will.” The knight remained lamenting. “Sir knight,” said he again, “I grieve to hear you so sad since I was merry in my thoughts and you have made me feel much pain.” Balin moved over to the knight's horse. Then the knight spoke. “Ah, fair lady, why have you broken your promise ? You promised to meet me here by noon, and now I curse that you ever gave me this sword, for with this sword I will slay myself.” He pulled out the sword.

Balin moved quickly to him and stayed his hand.

“Let go my hand,” said the knight, “or I will slay you.”

“There is no need of that,” said Balin, “for I promise you my help in finding your lady if you will but tell me where she is.”

“What is your name?” asked the knight.

“My name is Balin le Savage.”

“Ah, sir, I know you well enough, for you are the knight with the two swords, and the greatest knight living.”

“What is your name?” asked Balin.

“My name is Garnish of the Mount, a poor man's son, but because of my prowess and strength, a duke made me a knight and gave me his lands. His name is Duke Hermel, and his daughter is the one I love and she says she loves me.”

“How far is she from here?” asked Balin.”

“Just six miles,” said the knight.

“Then let us ride there,” said Balin, and the two knight mounted and rode quickly till they came to a fair castle, strong walled and ditched.

“I will go into the castle and look if she is there.”

So he went in and searched chamber after chamber until he found her bed, but she was not there. Then Balin looked out a window into a beautiful little garden, and under a laurel tree he saw her lying upon a quilt of green silk and a knight lay in her arms, embracing each other. Under their heads were grass and herbs. When Balin saw this pretty maid lying so with the foulest knight that he ever saw, he went through all the chambers again and told the knight how he had found her fast asleep. Balin led him to the place where she lay sleeping.

When Garnish saw the two of them lying there, his mouth and nose began bleeding out of sorrow and he drew his sword and struck off both their heads. Weeping loudly, he turned to Balin and said, “O Balin, much sorrow have you brought me, for if you hadn't shown them to me, I would have just died from my own sorrow.”

“I intended that you should find your courage and that you could see how false she was. She was not worthy of such love. God knows I did only what I would have wanted you to do for me.”

“Alas,” said Garnish, “now my sorrow is doubled, having just slain the woman I loved with all my life.”And suddenly he thrust his sword into himself up to the hilt.

When Balin saw this, he laid the three bodies out on the ground with Garnish's sword beside him, so that no could say that he had slain them.

Chapter Seven: Balin and the Red Knight of the Island

So Balin rode forth and within three days came by a cross on which were letters of gold which said, “No knight alone should come to this castle.” Then he saw a wrinkled old gentleman coming toward him who said, “Balin le Savage, you go beyond your limits when you come this way. Turn around and think no more on it.” And then he vanished away. Then Balin heard a horn blow as if it announced the death of a beast.

“That blast,” thought Balin, “is blown for me, for I am the prize. But I am not yet dead.”

Soon he saw a hundred ladies and many knights who welcomed him with smiles and good cheer, leading him into the castle. There was much dancing and singing and all manner of great joy. Then the chief lady of the castle stepped forward, saying, “Knight with the two swords, you must come and joust with a knight that lives on an island, for no man can pass this way but he must joust before he continues on.”

“That is an unhappy custom,” said Balin, “that a man must joust to pass by.”

“You shall have only one knight to fight,” said the lady.

“Well,” said Balin, “since I must fight, I am ready; but traveling men are often weary and their horses also. But though my horse is weary, my heart is not so I would be happy if my death comes now.”

“Sir,” said a knight to Balin, “I think your shield if not good. I will lend you a bigger one, I pray you.”

And so Balin took the offered shield and left his own, and so rode to the island, and put he and his horse in a great boat. When he arrived on the other side, he met a damsel who said, “O knight Balin, why have you left your own shield? Alas you have put yourself in great danger for by your shield have you been known. It is a great pity, for no man equals your prowess or strength."

“I am sorry,” said Balin ”that I ever came into this country, but I may not turn around now for the shame of it. Whatever adventure awaits, be it life or death, I will accept it.” And he looked on his armor and knew he was well armed and making the sign of the cross mounted his horse.

Then before him, he saw a knight riding out of the castle, the horse's trappings were all red and the knight wore the same color armour. When this knight in red saw Balin, he thought that it should be his brother Balin because of his two swords, but seeing the shield he knew it was not him.

So they lowered their spears and came at each other at top speed, striking each other's shield. But their spears were so big that when they hit, both men and horses fell down. But Balin, already weary with travel, was sorely hurt in the fall of his horse. Balan was the first who rose on foot and drew his sword, attacking the prone Balin, who arose and went against him. Balan struck Balin first, as he raised his shield, cutting through the shield and hitting his helmet. Then Balin struck him again with his unhappy sword and he felled his brother Balan. So they fought on until both were out of breath.

Then Balin looked up at the castle and saw the towers filled with ladies. Once again, they went at each other and fought until the place they fought was blood red like Balan's armor. At this point, they both had at least seven great wounds, so that the least of knights would have already died. Then they went into battle again, drawing forth their hauberks. At last Balan the younger brother drew back and laid down. Then said Balin le Savage, “What knight are you? For I have never found a knight that matched me.”

“My name is,” said he, “Balan, brother of the good knight, Balin.”

“Alas,” said Balin, “that ever I should see this day.” And he fainted.

Then Balan crawled on all fours and pulled off the helmet of his brother, but knew him not because he was covered with blood. When Balin awoke he cried, “O Balan, my brother, you have slain me and I thee. What will the world say of the two of us.”

“Alas,” said Balan, “that I ever lived to see this day. I thought it was you when I saw the two swords, but when I saw the shield I didn't recognize it.”

“To think, all was caused by an unhappy knight in the castle who convinced me to leave my own shield which resulted in both of our destruction. If I lived I would destroy that castle for its evil customs.”

“That would have been good,” said Balan, “for I was not allowed to depart from them because I killed the knight who kept the island and I could never depart until someone killed me, nor would you have been allowed to leave if you had just killed me.”

Then came the lady of the tower with four knights, six ladies and six yeomen with them. When she reached them, Balin said, “We two came out of one tomb, that is to say one mother's belly, and so it is fitting we lie together in one pit.”

So Balan prayed the lady of her gentleness, for his true service to her, that she would bury them in the same place were the battle had taken place. She granted them with weeping that it should be done richly in the best manner. “Now, will you send for a priest that we may receive our sacrament and receive the blessed body of our Lord Jesus Christ?”

“Yes,” said the lady, “It shall done.”

And she sent for the priest who gave them their rites.

“Now,” said Balin, “when we are buried in one tomb and the inscription over us tells how two brothers slew each other, and asks all men who see it to pray for our souls.”

And all the ladies and gentlewomen wept for pity.

Then Balan died, but Balin didn't die until the midnight following. So they were buried together, and the lady had inscribed the name of Balan and how he was slain by his brother's hands, but she didn't know Balin's name so it was not inscribed.

The next morning Merlin came and wrote Balin's name on the tomb with letters of gold: “Here lies Balin le Savage, the knight with the two swords, who struck the dolorous stroke.” Also Merlin created a bed that should any man lie on it, he would go out of him mind, but later Launcelot de Lake got rid of it. And Merlin took Balin's sword and took off the pommel and set upon it another. Merlin told a knight that stood with him to take the sword, which he tried to do, but he failed. Merlin laughed.

“Why do you laugh?” asked the knight.

“Because,” said Merlin, “no man may handle this sword but the best knight of the world, and that shall be either Sir Launcelot or Galahad his son. And Launcelot with this sword shall slay the man he loves best in the world and that shall be Sir Gawaine.” All this he wrote on the pommel of the sword.

Then Merlin made a bridge of iron and steel to that island, but it was only half a foot across and only a knight without treachery or villainy could cross it. Also, Merlin left the scabbard of Balin's sword on that side of the island for Galahad to find.

Also through Merlin's magic, he put Balin's sword in a marble stone standing upright as large as a millstone, and the stone hovered above the water for year and years. Later it came downstream to the city of Camelot, which is in English Winchester. That same day Galahad the proud prince came with King Arthur, and as Galahad had brought the scabbard with him, he got the sword that was in the stone hovering above the water. And on Whitsunday, he achieved the sword as it is described in the book of Sangreal.

Soon after all this was done, Merlin came to King Arthur and told him of the dolorous stroke that Balin gave King Pellam and how Balin and Balan fought together in the most marvelous battle that anyone had ever seen, and how they were both buried in one tomb.

“Alas,” said King Arthur, “this is the most pitiful story I have heard tell of two knights, for the world has never known such knights."

Thus ends the tale of Balin and Balan, two brothers born in Northumberland, both good knights.

End of Book II

To be continued

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Book I

Book II

Book III