Sir Thomas Maloryc. 1405– 1471

Thomas Malory’s place in English literary history rests on one great work, his Morte D’arthur (TheDeath of Arthur), the first major prose work of the English language. Malory’s version is the

primary basis for the Arthurian mythology that endures to the present day. Malory drew on varioussources, both French and English, for his work, but crafted those sources to provide a full narrativeof the life of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Tennyson’s “Idylls of the King” is perhapsthe best known of the works inspired by Morte Darthur, but Malory’s work has also stronglyinfluenced the writings of Spenser, Milton, and Arnold, the paintings of Rossetti and Watts, and themusic of Wagner.

Most of Malory’s life is a matter of conjecture and dispute, but the available information suggeststhat he led an extraordinary life, one of striking contrast to the lives of honor and courtesydemonstrated by the heroes of his work. He was most likely born to John Malory and PhillipaChetwynd of Newbold Revell, Warwickshire, near the beginning of the fifteenth century. His fatherwas a man of some distinction, having served as a sheriff, a Member of Parliament, and a Justice ofthe Peace in Warwickshire. Malory was obviously an educated man, able to read both French andEnglish quite well.

After 1449, however, Malory’s reputation darkened. The political intrigue of the 1450s eventuallyled to the Wars of the Roses, the battle for the English throne that was carried on by the families ofYork and Lancaster, and Malory appears to have been a participant in the turmoil. Surviving recordsshow that Malory was charged with significant crimes during the 1450s, including extortion, theft,horse stealing, and rape. It is possible that Malory’s political activities earned him some enemies whoengaged in a slander campaign against him. Or he may indeed have been responsible for the acts withwhich he was charged. In 1451 a warrant was issued for Malory’s arrest. He was imprisoned atColeshill, Warwickshire, but escaped; in 1452 he was recaptured and put in jail in London, wherehe spent most of the next eight years awaiting trial.

By the mid-1450s the Wars of the Roses were in full force. Malory’s loyalty seems to havewavered between the two warring houses, and his fortunes rose and fell with the fortunes of eachhouse. While in prison, Malory was pardoned by the Duke of York; the Lancastrian court, however,dismissed the pardon. When the Yorkists overthrew the Lancastrians, Malory was pardoned andreleased. He then fought against the Lancastrians in a number of key battles. Oddly, Malory seemsto have changed sides in the dispute—in 1468 his name appeared on a list of men allied with theLancastrians. He was arrested by the Yorkists for his support of the Lancastrians, and againimprisoned in London. During these last years of imprisonment, Malory wrote Morte Darthur,describing himself in the text as a “knight presoner.”

Malory’s primary source for the Morte Darthur was the French Arthurian Prose Cycle (1225–30),but he also borrowed from Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain (1136–39) andtwo anonymous English works of the later 14th century, the Alliterative Morte Arthure and theStanzaic Morte Arthur. Some of the details of the narrative are purely Malory’s own inventions, buthe takes care to ascribe each of his additions to “the Freynshe booke,” even though no such detailsappear in his French sources.

Morte Darthur is vast in its scale. Malory tells eight tales over 21 books with 507 chapters.Malory originally titled the work “The Book of King Arthur and his Noble Knights of the RoundTable;” William Caxton, the printer who published the book in 1485, changed the title to Morte

2 Sir Thomas Malory

Darthur. Caxton also made a significant number of editorial changes, as was discovered in 1934, whena manuscript copy of Malory’s work that was significantly at variance with Caxton’s text came tolight. It became clear that Caxton had brought together what had been eight separate romances intotwenty-one books, making alterations so as to give the appearance of a more unified text. Caxton hadalso deleted the personal remarks with which Malory concluded each romance.

Within a year of the completion of Morte Darthur, the Lancastrians briefly returned to power, andMalory was once again released from prison. He died six months later and was buried in GreyfriarsChurch, in London.

zzz

from Morte Darthur

from Merlin

…

So in the greatest church of London, whether it werePaul’s1 or not the French book2 maketh no mention,

all the estates3 were long ere day4 in the church for topray. And when matins5 and the first mass was donethere was seen in the churchyard, against the high altar,a great stone four square,6 like unto a marble stone, andin midst thereof was like an anvil of steel a foot on high,and therein stuck a fair sword naked7 by the point, andletters there were written in gold about the sword thatsaid thus: “WHOSO PULLETH OUT THIS SWORD OF THIS

STONE AND ANVIL IS RIGHTWISE8 KING BORN OF ALL

ENGLAND.” Then the people marvelled and told it tothe Archbishop.

“I command,” said the Archbishop, “that ye keepyou within your church and pray unto God still; that noman touch the sword till the high mass be all done.”

So when all masses were done all the lords went tobehold the stone and the sword. And when they saw thescripture some essayed,9 such as would have been king,but none might stir the sword nor move it.

“He is not here,” said the Archbishop, “that shallachieve the sword, but doubt not God will make himknown. But this is my counsel,”10 said the Archbishop,“that we let purvey11 ten knights, men of good fame,and they to keep12 this sword.”

So it was ordained, and then there was made a cry13

that every man should essay that would for to win thesword. And upon New Year’s Day the barons let makea jousts and a tournament, that all knights that wouldjoust or tourney there might play. And all this wasordained for to keep the lords together and the com-mons,14 for the Archbishop trusted that God wouldmake him known that should win the sword.

So upon New Year’s Day, when the service wasdone, the barons rode unto the field, some to joust andsome to tourney. And so it happed15 that Sir Ector, thathad great livelihood16 about London, rode unto thejousts, and with him rode Sir Kay, his son, and youngArthur that was his nourished brother;17 and Sir Kay was

1 Paul’s Church of St. Paul, the site where now stands the famous St.Paul’s Cathedral.2 French book Unnamed French source from which Malory suppos-edly takes his material, actually a group of 13th century Old Frenchtexts.3 estates Clergy, nobility, and commoners.4 long ere day Long before dawn.5 matins Church service conducted at daybreak.6 four square Having four equal sides.7 naked Unsheathed.8 Rightwise Rightfully.

9 essayed Tried.10 counsel Advice.11 purvey Appoint.12 fame Reputation; keep Guard.13 cry Request.14 commons Commoners.15 happed Happened.16 livelihood Property from which income is derived.17 nourished brother Foster brother.

Morte D’Arthur 3

made knight at All Hallowmass1 afore. So as they rodeto the jousts-ward2 Sir Kay had lost3 his sword, for hehad left it at his father’s lodging, and so he prayed4

young Arthur for to ride for his sword.“I will well,” said Arthur, and rode fast after the

sword.And when he came home the lady and all were out

to see the jousting. Then was Arthur wroth,5 and said tohimself, “I will ride to the churchyard and take thesword with me that sticketh in the stone, for my brotherSir Kay shall not be without a sword this day.” So whenhe came to the churchyard Sir Arthur alight and tied hishorse to the stile,6 and so he went to the tent and foundno knights there, for they were at the jousting. And sohe handled the sword by the handles, and lightly andfiercely pulled it out of the stone, and took his horse androde his way until he came to his brother Sir Kay anddelivered him the sword.

And as soon as Sir Kay saw the sword he wist7 wellit was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to hisfather Sir Ector and said,

“Sir, lo here is the sword of the stone, wherefore8 Imust be king of this land.”

When Sir Ector beheld the sword he returned againand came to the church, and there they alight all threeand went into the church, and anon9 he made Sir Kayto swear upon a book10 how he came to that sword.

“Sir,” said Sir Kay, “by my brother Arthur, for hebrought it to me.”

“How got ye this sword?” said Sir Ector to Arthur.“Sir, I will tell you. When I came home for my

brother’s sword I found nobody at home to deliver mehis sword, and so I thought my brother Sir Kay should

not be swordless, and so I came hither eagerly11 andpulled it out of the stone without any pain.”12

“Found ye any knights about this sword?” said SirEctor.

“Nay,” said Arthur.“Now,” said Sir Ector to Arthur, “I understand ye

must be king of this land.”“Wherefore13 I?” said Arthur, “and for what cause?”“Sir,” said Ector, “for God will have it so, for there

should never man have drawn out this sword but he thatshall be rightwise king of this land. Now let me seewhether ye can put the sword thereas14 it was and pull itout again.”

“That is no mastery,”15 said Arthur, and so he put itin the stone. Therewithal16 Sir Ector essayed to pull outthe sword and failed.

“Now essay,” said Sir Ector unto Sir Kay. And anonhe pulled at the sword with all his might, but it wouldnot be.

“Now shall ye essay,” said Sir Ector to Arthur.“I will well,” said Arthur, and pulled it out easily.And therewithal Sir Ector kneeled down to the earth

and Sir Kay.“Alas!” said Arthur, “my own dear father and

brother, why kneel ye to me?”“Nay, nay, my lord Arthur, it is not so. I was never

your father nor of your blood, but I wot17 well ye are ofan higher blood than I weened18 ye were,” and then SirEctor told him all, how he was betaken19 him for tonourish him and by whose commandment, and byMerlin’s deliverance. 20

Then Arthur made great dole21 when he understoodthat Sir Ector was not his father.

1 All Hallowmass All Saint’s Day, Christian holy day, celebrated on1 November. 2 jousts-ward Toward the jousting-place.3 lost Realized he had lost.4 prayed Asked.5 wroth Angry.6 stile Turnstile entrance to the churchyard.7 wist Knew.8 lo Behold; wherefore For which reason.9 anon Immediately.10 a book I.e., a copy of the Bible.

11 hither eagerly Here quickly.12 pain Difficulty.13 Wherefore Why.14 thereas Where.15 mastery Action requiring great skill.16 Therewithal That being done.17 wot Know.18 weened Understood, knew.19 betaken Entrusted to.20 deliverance Delivery.21 dole Sorrow.

4 Sir Thomas Malory

“Sir,” said Ector unto Arthur, “will ye be my goodand gracious lord when ye are king?”

“Else were I to blame,” said Arthur, “for ye are theman in the world that I am most beholding1 to, and mygood lady and mother your wife that as well as her ownhath fostered me and kept. And if ever it be God’s willthat I be king as ye say, ye shall desire of me what I maydo, and I shall not fail you. God forbid I should failyou.”

“Sir,” said Sir Ector, “I will ask no more of you butthat ye will make my son, your foster brother Sir Kay,seneschal2 of all your lands.”

“That shall be done,” said Arthur, “and more, by thefaith of my body, that never man shall have that officebut he while he and I live.”

Therewithal they went unto the Archbishop andtold him how the sword was achieved and by whom.And on Twelfth-day3 all the barons came thither4 and toessay to take the sword who that would essay, but thereafore them all there might none take it out but Arthur.Wherefore there were many lords wroth, and said it wasgreat shame unto them all and the realm to be over-governed with a boy of no high blood born. And so theyfell out5 at that time, that6 it was put off till Candlemas,7

and then all the barons should meet there again; butalways the ten knights were ordained to watch the swordday and night, and so they set a pavilion over the stoneand the sword, and five always watched.

So at Candlemas many more great lords came hitherfor to have won the sword, but there might none

prevail. And right as Arthur did at Christmas he did atCandlemas, and pulled out the sword easily, whereof thebarons were sore aggrieved8 and put it off in delay tillthe high feast of Easter. And as Arthur sped9 afore so didhe at Easter. Yet there were some of the great lords hadindignation that Arthur should be king, and put it off ina delay till the feast of Pentecost.10 Then the Archbishopof Canterbury, by Merlin’s providence,11 let purvey thenof the best knights that they might get, and such knightsas Uther Pendragon12 loved best and most trusted in hisdays, and such knights were put about Arthur as SirBaud-win of Britain, Sir Kaynes, Sir Ulfius, Sir Brastias;all these with many other were always about Arthur dayand night till the feast of Pentecost.

And at the feast of Pentecost all manner of menessayed to pull at the sword that would essay, but nonemight prevail but Arthur, and he pulled it out afore allthe lords and commons that were there. Wherefore allthe commons cried at once,

“We will have Arthur unto13 our king! We will puthim no more in delay, for we all see that it is God’s willthat he shall be our king, and who that holdeth against14

it we will slay him!”And therewithal they kneeled at once, both rich and

poor, and cried Arthur mercy15 because they had delayedhim so long. And Arthur forgave them, and took thesword between both his hands and offered it upon thealtar where the Archbishop was, and so was he madeknight of the best man that was there. …

1 beholding Bound in duty.2 seneschal Steward, official overseeing the administration of a king’slands and court. 3 Twelfth-day Twelfth day after Christmas, or the Feast of theEpiphany, celebrating the three wise men’s visit to Jesus and theirrecognition of his divinity.4 thither There.5 fell out Quarreled.6 that So that.7 Candlemas Holy day commemorating the purification of the VirginMary after the birth of Jesus, and the presentation of Christ at theTemple, celebrated on 2 February.

8 aggrieved Distressed.9 sped Succeeded.10 Pentecost Christian celebration commemorating the descent of theHoly Spirit on the disciples, at which time they were given the gift oftongues, which would allow them to spread Christianity to other lands.The Feast of the Pentecost is celebrated on the seventh Sunday afterEaster.11 providence Arrangement.12 Uther Pendragon King of Britain before the story’s action andArthur’s true father.13 unto As.14 holdeth against Holds out against his acclamation.15 cried … mercy Begged Arthur’s forgiveness.

The Death of King Arthur 5

The D eath of King Arthuror The Most Piteous Tale of the Morte Arthur Saunz Guerdon1

1Slander and Strife

In May, when every heart flourisheth and burgeoneth(for as the season is lusty2 to behold and comfortable,3

so man and woman rejoiceth and gladdeth4 of summercoming with his fresh flowers, for winter with his roughwinds and blasts causeth lusty5 men and women tocower and to sit by fires), so this season it befell in themonth of May a great anger and unhap that stinted6 nottill the flower of chivalry of all the world was destroyedand slain.

And all was long upon two unhappy knights7 whichwere named Sir Agravain and Sir Mordred,8 that werebrethren unto Sir Gawain.9 For this Sir Agravain and SirMordred had ever a privy10 hate unto the Queen, DameGuinevere, and to Sir Lancelot;11 and daily and nightlythey ever watched upon Sir Lancelot.

So it misfortuned Sir Gawain and all his brethren12

were in King Arthur’s chamber, and then Sir Agravainsaid thus openly, and not in no counsel,13 that manyknights might hear:

“I marvel that we all be not ashamed both to see andto know how Sir Lancelot lies daily and nightly by theQueen. And all we know well that it is so, and it isshamefully suffered14 of us all that we should suffer sonoble a king as King Arthur is to be shamed.”

Then spoke Sir Gawain and said,“Brother, Sir Agravain, I pray you and charge you,15

move no such matters no more16 afore me, for wit17 youwell, I will not be of your counsel.” 18

“So God me help,” said Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth,“we will not be known of19 your deeds.”

“Then will I!” said Sir Mordred.“I lieve20 you well,” said Sir Gawain, “for ever unto

all unhappiness, sir, you will grant.21 And I would22 thatye left all this and made you not so busy, for I know,”said Sir Gawain, “what will fall23 of it.”

“Fall whatsoever fall may,”24 said Sir Agravain, “Iwill disclose it to the king!”

“Not by my counsel,” said Sir Gawain, “for, an25

there arise war and wrake26 betwixt Sir Lancelot and us,wit you well, brother, there will many kings and greatlords hold27 with Sir Lancelot. Also, brother, SirAgravain,” said Sir Gawain, “ye must remember howoftentimes Sir Lancelot has rescued the king and thequeen; and the best of us all had been full cold to theheart-root28 had not Sir Lancelot been better than we,and that has he proved himself full oft.29 And as for my

1 Saunz Guerdon French: without Reward.2 lusty Here, joyful.3 comfortable Pleasant.4 gladdeth Are glad.5 lusty Here, strong, healthy.6 unhap that stinted Misfortune that ceased.7 long upon … knights Because of two ill-fated knights.8 Sir Mordred Arthur’s son from his accidental incestuous union withMorgause, his half-sister.9 Sir Gawain Arthur’s nephew and one of the chief knights of theRound Table.10 privy Secret.11 Dame Guinevere … Lancelot Previously in Malory’s work, theQueen was engaged in a love-affair with Lancelot, the foremost knightof Arthur’s court, universally acclaimed for his prowess in battle.12 brethren Gawain’s brothers are Agravain, Gaheris, Gareth andMordred.13 not … counsel Not in private.

14 it … suffered It is shameful to us that we should allow.15 pray … you Beg you and order you.16 move … more Suggest no such thing any more.17 wit Know.18 I … counsel I will not go along with you. 19 not … of Not know about.20 lieve Believe.21 grant Give in.22 would Wish.23 fall Happen.24 Fall … may Whatever happens will happen.25 an If.26 wrake Strife.27 hold Side.28 full … heart-root Dead.29 full oft Often.

6 Sir Thomas Malory

part,” said Sir Gawain, “I will never be against SirLancelot for one day’s deed, and that was when herescued me from King Carados of the Dolorous Towerand slew him and saved my life. Also, brother SirAgravain and Sir Mordred, in like wise1 Sir Lancelotrescued both you and three score and two2 from SirTarquin. And therefore, brother, methinks such nobledeeds and kindness should be remembered.”

“Do you as ye list,”3 said Sir Agravain, “for I willlain4 it no longer.”

So with these words came in Sir Arthur.“Now, brother,” said Sir Gawain, “stint5 your strife.”“That will I not,” said Sir Agravain and Sir Mor-

dred.“Well, will ye so?” said Sir Gawain. “Then God

speed6 you, for I will not bear of your tales, neither be ofyour counsel.”7

”No more will I,” said Sir Gaheris.“Neither I,” said Sir Gareth, “for I shall never say

evil by that man that made me knight.”And therewithal they three departed, making great

dole.8

“Alas!” said Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, “now is thisrealm wholly destroyed and mischieved,9 and the noblefellowship of the Round Table shall be disparbled.”10

So they departed, and then King Arthur asked themwhat noise they made.11

“My lord,” said Sir Agravain, “I shall tell you, for Imay keep it no longer. Here is I and my brother SirMordred break12 unto my brother Sir Gawain, SirGaheris and to Sir Gareth-for this is all, to make itshort-how that we know all that Sir Lancelot holdeth

your queen, and hath done long, and we be your sister’ssons, we may suffer it no longer. And all we wote13 thatyou should be above Sir Lancelot; and ye are the kingthat made him knight, and therefore we will prove itthat he is a traitor to your person.”

“If it be so,” said the king, “wit you well, he is noneother. But I would be loath14 to begin such a thing but15

I might have proofs of it, for Sir Lancelot is an hardy16

knight, and all you know that he is the best knightamong us all, and but if he be taken17 with the deed hewill fight with him that bringeth up the noise,18 and Iknow no knight that is able to match him. Therefore, anit be sooth19 as ye say, I would that he were taken withthe deed.”

For, as the French book saith, the king was full loaththat such a noise20 should be upon Sir Lancelot and hisqueen; for the king had a deeming21 of it, but he wouldnot hear thereof, for Sir Lancelot had done so much forhim and for the queen so many times that wit you wellthe king loved him passingly well.

“My lord,” said Sir Agravain, “ye shall ride to-mornan-hunting, and doubt ye not, Sir Lancelot will not gowith you. And so when it draweth toward night ye maysend the queen word that ye will lie out all that night,and so may ye send for your cooks. And then, upon painof death, that night we shall take22 him with the queen,and we shall bring him unto you, quick23 or dead.”

“I will well,” said the king. “Then I counsel you totake with you sure24 fellowship.”

“Sir,” said Sir Agravain, “my brother Sir Mordredand I will take with us twelve knights of the RoundTable.”

1 like wise Similar fashion.2 three … two Sixty-two.3 list Please.4 lain Hide.5 stint Cease.6 speed Help.7 neither … counsel Nor will I participate in your plans.8 dole Sorrow.9 mischieved Dishonored.10 disparbled Dispersed.11 what noise they made What had upset them, why they were upset.12 break Make known.

13 wote Know.14 loath Reluctant.15 but Unless.16 hardy Strong.17 but if … with Unless he be caught at.18 bringeth up the noise Presents the accusation.19 sooth True.20 noise Disgrace.21 deeming Suspicion.22 take Catch.23 quick Alive.24 sure Trustworthy.

The Death of King Arthur 7

“Beware,” said King Arthur, “for I warn you, ye shallfind him wight.”1

“Let us deal,”2 said Sir Agravain and Sir Mordred.So on the morn King Arthur rode an-hunting and

sent word to the queen that he would be out all thenight. Then Sir Agravain and Sir Mordred got to themtwelve knights and hid themselves in a chamber in thecastle of Carlisle. And these were their names: SirColgrevance, Sir Madore de la Porte, Sir Guingalen, SirMeliot de Logres, Sir Petipace of Winchelsea, SirGaleron of Galway, Sir Melion de la Mountayne, SirAscomore, Sir Gromorsom Eriore, Sir Cursessalain, SirFlorence, and Sir Lovell. So these twelve knights werewith Sir Mordred and Sir Agravain, and all they were ofScotland, other else3 of Sir Gawain’s kin, other well-willers4 to his brother.

So when the night came Sir Lancelot told Sir Borshow he would go that night and speak with the queen.

“Sir,” said Sir Bors, “ye shall not go this night by mycounsel.”5

“Why?” said Sir Lancelot.“Sir, for I dread me ever of Sir Agravain that6 waits

upon you daily to do you shame and us all. And nevergave my heart against no going that ever ye went to thequeen so much as now,7 for I mistrust that the king isout this night from the queen because peradventure8 hehas lain some watch for you and the queen. Therefore Idread me sore of some treason.”

“Have you no dread,” said Sir Lancelot, “for I shallgo and come again and make not tarrying.”9

“Sir,” said Sir Bors, “that me repents,10 for I dreadme sore that your going this night shall wrath11 us all.”

“Fair nephew,” said Sir Lancelot, “I marvel me muchwhy you say thus, since the queen has sent for me. Andwit you well, I will not be so much a coward, but sheshall understand I will see her good grace.”

“God speed you well,” said Sir Bors, “and send yousound and safe again!”

So Sir Lancelot departed and took his sword underhis arm, and so he walked in his mantle,12 that nobleknight, and put himself in great jeopardy. And so hepassed on till he came to the queen’s chamber, and solightly13 he was had into the chamber. For, as theFrench book says, the queen and Sir Lancelot weretogether, and whether they were abed other at othermanner of disports me list not thereof make no men-tion,14 for love at that time was not as love is nowadays.

But thus as they were together there came SirAgravain and Sir Mordred with twelve knights withthem of the Round Table, and they said with greatcrying and scaring voice,

“Thou traitor, Sir Lancelot, now art thou taken!”And thus they cried with a loud voice, that all the courtmight hear it. And these fourteen knights all were armedat all points,15 as they should fight in a battle.

“Alas!” said Queen Guinevere, “now are we mis-chieved both!” “Madame,” said Sir Lancelot, “is there here anyarmour within you that might cover my body withal?16

And if there be any, give it me and I shall soon stinttheir malice, by the grace of God!”

“Now, truly,” said the queen, “I have none armourneither helm, shield, sword, neither spear, wherefore Idread me sore our long love is come to a mischievousend. For I hear by their noise there be many nobleknights, and well I wot they be surely armed, andagainst them ye may make no resistance. Wherefore yeare likely to be slain, and then I shall be brent!17 For anye might escape them,” said the queen “I would not

1 wight Strong and courageous.2 deal Take action.3 other else Or else.4 other well-willers Or well-wishers.5 counsel Advice.6 I … that I fear of Sir Agravain who.7 And … now Never before now did my heart warn me against youvisiting the Queen.8 peradventure Perhaps.9 tarrying Delaying.10 me repents Distresses me.11 wrath Bring to disaster.

12 mantle Cloak.13 lightly Quickly.14 disports Amusements; me … mention It pleases me not to makeany mention about it. 15 armed … points Armed completely.16 withal With.17 brent Burned at the stake.

8 Sir Thomas Malory

doubt but that ye would rescue me in what danger thatI ever stood in.”

“Alas,” said Sir Lancelot, “in all my life thus was Inever bestrad1 that I should be thus shamefully slain forlack of mine armour.”

But ever Sir Agravain and Sir Mordred cried,“Traitor knight, come out of the queen’s chamber!

For wit thou well thou art beset2 so that thou shalt notescape.”

“Ah, Jesu mercy!” said Sir Lancelot, “this shamefulcry and noise I may not suffer, for better were death atonce than thus to endure this pain.”

Then he took the queen in his arms and kissed herand said, “Most noblest Christian queen, I beseech ye,as you have been ever my special good lady, and I at alltimes your poor knight and true unto my power and asI never failed you in right nor in wrong since the firstday King Arthur made me knight, that you will pray formy soul if that I be slain. For well I am assured that SirBors, my nephew, and all the remnant of my kin, withSir Lavain and Sir Urry, that they will not fail you torescue you from the fire. And therefore, mine own lady,recomfort yourself,3 whatsoever come of me, that ye gowith Sir Bors, my nephew; and Sir Urry, and they allwill do you all the pleasure that they may, and you shalllive like a queen upon my lands.”

“Nay, Sir Lancelot, nay!” said the queen. “Wit thouwell that I will not live long after thy days. But an yoube slain I will take my death as meekly as ever deadmartyr take his death for Jesu Christ’s sake.”

“Well, madame,” said Sir Lancelot, “sith4 it is so thatthe day is come that our love must depart, wit you wellI shall sell my life as dear as I may. And a thousandfold,”said Sir Lancelot, “I am more heavier5 for ye than formyself! And now I had liefer6 than to be lord of allChristendom that I had sure armour upon me, that menmight speak of my deeds or ever I were slain.”7

“Truly,” said the queen, “an it might please God, Iwould that they would take me and slay me and sufferyou to escape.”

“That shall never be,” said Sir Lancelot, “Goddefend me from such a shame! But, Jesu Christ, be thoumy shield and mine armour!”

And therewith Sir Lancelot wrapped his mantleabout his arm well and surely; and by then they hadgotten a great form8 out of the hall, and therewith theyall rushed at the door.

“Now, fair lords,” said Sir Lancelot, “leave9 yournoise and your rushing, and I shall set open this door,and then may ye do with me what it liketh you.”10

“Come off, then,” said they all, “and do it, for itavaileth thee not to strive against us all! And thereforelet us into this chamber, and we shall save thy life untilthou come to King Arthur.”

Then Sir Lancelot unbarred the door, and with hisleft hand he held it open a little, that but one manmight come in at once. And so there came striding agood knight, a much11 man and a large, and his namewas called Sir Colgrevance of Gore. And he with asword struck at Sir Lancelot mightily, and so he putaside the stroke, and gave him such a buffet12 upon thehelmet that he fell grovelling13 dead within the chamberdoor.

Then Sir Lancelot with great might drew the knightwithin the chamber door. And then Sir Lancelot, withhelp of the queen and her ladies, he was lightly armed inColgrevance14 armour. And ever stood Sir Agravain andSir Mordred, crying,

“Traitor knight! Come forth out of the queen’schamber!”

“Sirs, leave your noise,” said Sir Lancelot, “for wityou well, Sir Agravain, ye shall not prison me this night!And therefore, an ye do by my counsel, go ye all fromthis chamber door and make you no such crying and

1 bestrad Attacked.2 beset Surrounded.3 recomfort yourself Regain your courage.4 sith Since.5 more heavier More sorrowful.6 liefer Rather.7 or … slain If I should be killed.

8 form Bench.9 leave Cease.10 what … you What pleases you.11 much Big.12 buffet Stroke.13 grovelling Upon his belly.14 Colgrevance Colgrevance’s.

The Death of King Arthur 9

such manner of sclander1 as ye do. For I promise you bymy knighthood, an ye will depart and make no morenoise, I shall as to-morn appear afore you all and beforethe king, and then let it be seen which of you all, otherelse ye all,2 that will depreve3 me of treason. And thereshall I answer you, as a knight should, that hither I cameto the queen of no manner of mal engin,4 and that willI prove and make it good upon you with my hands.”

“Fie5 upon thee, traitor,” said Sir Agravain and SirMordred, “for we will have thee maugre thine head6 andslay thee, an we list!7 For we let thee wit we have thechoice of King Arthur to save thee other slay thee.”

“Ah, sirs,” said Sir Lancelot, “is there none othergrace with you? Then keep8 yourself!”

And then Sir Lancelot set all open the chamberdoor, and mightily and knightly he strode in amongthem. And anon at the first stroke he slew Sir Agravain,and anon after twelve of his fellows. Within a while hehad laid them down cold to the earth, for there wasnone of the twelve knights might stand Sir Lancelot onebuffet. And also he wounded Sir Mordred, and there-withal he fled with all his might. And then Sir Lancelotreturned again unto the queen and said,

“Madame, now wit you well, all our true love isbrought to an end, for now will King Arthur ever be myfoe. And therefore, madame, an it like you9 that I mayhave you with me, I shall save you from all manneradventurous10 dangers.”

“Sir, that is not best,” said the queen, “meseems,11

for now ye have done so much harm it will be best thatye hold you still12 with this. And if ye see that asto-morn they will put me unto death then may ye rescue

me as ye think best.”“I will well,” said Sir Lancelot, “for have ye no

doubt, while I am a man living I shall rescue you.”And then he kissed her, and either of them gave

other a ring, and so the queen he left there and wentuntil13 his lodging.

When Sir Bors saw Sir Lancelot he was never so gladof his home-coming.

“Jesu mercy!” said Sir Lancelot, “why be ye allarmed? What meaneth this?”

“Sir,” said Sir Bors, “after ye were departed from uswe all that been of your blood and your well-willers wereso ad-retched14 that some of us leapt out of our bedsnaked, and some in their dreams caught naked swordsin their hands. And therefore,” said Sir Bors, “wedeemed15 there was some great strife on hand, and so wedeemed that we were betrapped with some treason; andtherefore we made us thus ready what need that ever yewere in.”

“My fair nephew,” said Sir Lancelot unto Sir Bors,“now shall ye wit all that this night I was more hardbestad16 than ever I was days of my life. And thanked beGod, I am myself escaped their danger.” And so he toldthem all how and in what manner, as ye have heardtoforehand.17 “And therefore, my fellows,” said SirLancelot, “I pray ye all that you will be of heart good,and help me in what need that ever I stand, for now iswar coming to us all.”

“Sir,” said Sir Bors, “all is welcome that God sendethus, and we have taken much weal18 with you and muchworship,19 we will take the woe20 with you as we havetaken the weal.” And therefore they said, all the goodknights, “Look you take no discomfort! For there is nobands of knights under heaven but we shall be able togrieve21 them as much as they may us, and therefore

1 sclander Slander.2 other else ye all Or else you all.3 depreve Accuse.4 mal engin Ill intent.5 Fie Shame.6 maugre … head In spite of your head, i.e. despite all you can do.7 an …list If we wish.8 keep Defend.9 an … you If it pleases you.10 adventurous Hazardous.11 meseems It seems to me.12 hold … still Do not proceed.

13 until Unto.14 ad-retched Troubled.15 deemed Suspected.16 bestad Attacked.17 toforehand Beforehand.18 weal Prosperity.19 worship Praise, honor.20 woe Misfortune.21 grieve Injure.

10 Sir Thomas Malory

discomfort not yourself by no manner. And we shallgather together all that we love and that loves us, andwhat that you will have done shall be done. And there-fore let us take the woe and the joy together.”

“Grantmercy,”1 said Sir Lancelot, “of your goodcomfort, for in my great distress, fair nephew, ye com-fort me greatly. But this, my fair nephew, I would thatye did in all haste that you may or it is far days past:2

that ye will look in their lodging that been lodged nighhere about the king, which will hold with me and whichwill not. For now I would know which were my friendsfrom my foes.”

“Sir,” said Sir Bors, “I shall do my pain,3 and or it beseven of the clock I shall wit of such as ye have doubtfor,4 who that will hold with you.”

Then Sir Bors called unto him Sir Lionel, Sir Ectorde Maris, Sir Blamour de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis de Ganis,Sir Gahalantin, Sir Galyhodin, Sir Galihud, Sir Mena-duke, Sir Villiers the Valiant, Sir Hebes le Renown, SirLavain, Sir Urry of Hungary, Sir Neroveous, Sir Plenor-ius (for these two were knights that Sir Lancelot wonupon a bridge, and therefore they would never beagainst him), and Sir Garry le Fitz Lake, and Sir Selisesof the Dolorous Tower, Sir Melias de Lisle, and SirBellengere le Beuse, that was Sir Alexander le Orphelin’sson; because his mother was Alice la Belle Pellerine, andshe was kin unto Sir Lancelot, he held with him. Socame Sir Palomides and Sir Saphir, his brother; SirClegis, Sir Sadok, Sir Dinas and Sir Clarius of Clere-mont.

So these two-and-twenty5 knights drew themtogether, and by then they were armed and on horse-back they promised Sir Lancelot to do what he would.Then there fell to them, what of North Wales and ofCornwall, for Sir Lamorak’s sake and for Sir Tristram’ssake, to the number of a seven score6 knights. Thenspoke Sir Lancelot:

“Wit you well, I have been ever since I came to thiscourt well-willed unto my lord Arthur and unto my ladyQueen Guinevere unto my power.7 And this nightbecause my lady the queen sent for me to speak withher, I suppose it was made by8 treason; howbeit I darelargely9 excuse her person, notwithstanding I was thereby a forecast nearhand slain but as10 Jesu provided forme.”

And then that noble knight Sir Lancelot told themhow he was hard bestad in the queen’s chamber, andhow and in what manner he escaped from them.

“And therefore wit you well, my fair lords, I am surethere is but war unto me and to mine. And for cause Ihave slain this night Sir Agravain, Sir Gawain’s brother,and at the least twelve of his fellows, and for this causenow am I sure of mortal war. For these knights weresent by King Arthur to betray me, and therefore theking will in this heat11 and malice judge the queen untobrenning, and that may not I suffer that she should bebrent for my sake. For an I may be heard and sufferedand so taken,12 I will fight for the queen, that she is atrue lady13 until her lord. But the king in his heat, Idread, will not take14 me as I ought to be taken.”

“My lord, Sir Lancelot,” said Sir Bors, “by mineadvice, ye shall take the woe with the weal, and take it inpatience and thank God of it. And since it is fallen as itis, I counsel you to keep yourself, for an ye willyourself,15 there is no fellowship of knights christenedthat shall do you wrong. And also I will counsel you, mylord, that my lady Queen Guinevere, an she be in anydistress, insomuch as she is in pain for your sake, that yeknightly rescue her; for an you did any other wise all theworld would speak you shame to the world’s end.Insomuch as ye were taken with her, whether you didright other wrong, it is now your part to hold with the

1 Grantmercy Thank you.2 or … past Before too many days go by.3 I … pain I will strive to do so.4 ye … for I.e., for whom you have no need to doubt.5 two-and-twenty As some editors have pointed out, this may be ascribal error; there are twenty-five knights in total.6 seven score One hundred and forty.

7 unto … power As far as it was in my power.8 made by Presented as.9 largely Wholly.10 by a forecast … but as By a pre-arrangement nearly slain had not.11 heat Anger.12 so taken Accepted as Guinevere’s protector.13 true lady Virtuous wife.14 take Accept.15 will yourself Ie., as you must accept yourself (“if you will”).

The Death of King Arthur 11

queen, that she be not slain and put to a mischievousdeath. For an she so die, the shame shall be evermoreyours.”

“Now Jesu defend me from shame,” said Sir Lance-lot, “and keep and save my lady the queen from villainyand shameful death, and that she never be destroyed inmy default.”1 Wherefore, my fair lords, my kin and myfriends,” said Sir Lancelot, “what will ye do?”

And anon they said all with one voice, “We will doas ye will do.”

“Then I put this case unto you,” said Sir Lancelot,“that my lord King Arthur by evil counsel will to-mornin his heat put my lady the queen unto the fire, andthere to be brent, then, I pray you, counsel me what isbest for me to do.” Then they said all at once with onevoice,

“Sir, us thinks best that ye knightly rescue thequeen. Insomuch as she shall be brent, it is for yoursake; and it is to suppose, an ye might be handled,2 yeshould have the same death, other else a more shame-fuller death. And, sir, we say all that you have rescuedher from her death many times for other men’s quarrels;therefore us seems it is more your worship3 that yourescue the queen from this quarrel, insomuch that shehas it for your sake.”

Then Sir Lancelot stood still and said,“My fair lords, wit you well I would be full loath

that my lady the queen should die such a shamefuldeath. But an it be so that ye will counsel me to rescueher, I must do much harm or I rescue her, and perad-venture I shall there destroy some of my best friends,and that should much repent4 me. And peradventurethere be some, an they could well bring it about ordisobey my lord King Arthur, they would soon come tome, the which5 I were loath to hurt. And if so be that Imay win the queen away, where shall I keep her?”

“Sir, that shall be the least care of us all,” said SirBors, “for how did the most noble knight Sir Tristram?6

By your good will, kept not he with him La Beale Isode7

near three year in Joyous Gard,8 the which was done byyour althers advice? 9 And that same place is your own,and in like wise may ye do, an ye list, and take thequeen knightly away with you, if so be that the king willjudge her to be brent. And in Joyous Gard may ye keepher long enough until the heat be past of the king, andthen it may fortune you to bring the queen again to theking with great worship, and peradventure you shallhave then thank for your bringing home, whether othermay happen to have maugre.”10

“That is hard for to do,” said Sir Lancelot, “for bySir Tristram I may have a warning: for when by meansof treatise11 Sir Tristram brought again La Beale Isodeunto King Mark from Joyous Gard, look ye now whatfell on12 the end, how shamefully that false traitor KingMark slew him as he sat harping afore his lady, La BealeIsode. With a grounden glaive13 he thrust him in behindto the heart, which grieveth sore me,” said Sir Lancelot,“to speak of his death, for all the world may not findsuch another knight.”

“All this is truth,” said Sir Bors, “but there is onething shall courage14 you and us all: you know well thatKing Arthur and King Mark were never like of condi-tions,15 for there was never yet man that ever couldprove King Arthur untrue of his promise.”

1 default Failure.2 handled Captured.3 worship Honor.4 repent I.e., I would be sorry about that.5 the which Whom.

6 how … Tristram What did the most noble knight Sir Tristram do?;Tristram Knight who falls in love with Iseut, the wife of his uncleMark. Malory recounts this episode in The Book of Sir Tristram DeLyones.7 La Beale Isode The Beautiful Iseut, Tristram’s lover.8 Joyous Gard Lancelot’s castle.9 your … advice The advice of you all.10 whether … maugre No matter who might happen to be hostile;maugre Spite, hostility.11 treatise Negotiation.12 fell on Happened.13 grounden glaive Sharpened spear or lance.14 courage Encourage.15 like of conditions Similar in disposition, character.

12 Sir Thomas Malory

But so, to make short tale, they were all conde-scended1 that, for better other for worse, if so were thatthe queen were brought on that morn to the fire, shortlythey all would rescue her. And so by the advice of SirLancelot they put them all in a bushment2 in a wood asnigh Carlisle as they might, and there they abode3 stillto wit what the king would do.

Now turn we again, that when Sir Mordred wasescaped from Sir Lancelot he got his horse and mountedupon him, and came to King Arthur sore wounded andall forbled,4 and there he told the king all how it was,and how they were all slain save himself alone.

“Ah, Jesu, mercy! How may this be?” said the king.“Took ye him in the queen’s chamber?”

“Yea, so God me help,” said Sir Mordred, “there wefound him unarmed, and anon he slew Sir Colgrevanceand armed him in his armour.”

And so he told the king from the beginning to theending.

“Jesu mercy!” said the king, “he is a marvellousknight of prowess. And alas,” said the king, “me sorerepenteth that ever Sir Lancelot should be against me,for now I am sure the noble fellowship of the RoundTable is broken for ever, for with him will many a nobleknight hold. And now it is fallen so,” said the king,“that I may not with my worship5 but my queen mustsuffer death,” and was sore amoved.6

So then there was made great ordinance7 in this ire,and the queen must needs be judged8 to the death. Andthe law was such in those days that whatsoever theywere, of what estate or degree, if they were found guiltyof treason there should be none other remedy but death,and other the menour9 other the taking with the deedshould be causer10 of their hasty judgement. And right

so was it ordained for Queen Guinevere: because SirMordred was escaped sore wounded, and the death ofthirteen knights of the Round Table, these proofs andexperiences caused King Arthur to command the queento the fire, and there to be brent. Then spake SirGawain and said,

“My lord Arthur, I would counsel you not to beover-hasty, but that ye would put it in respite,11 thisjudgement of my lady the queen, for many causes. Oneis this, though it were so that Sir Lancelot were found inthe queen’s chamber, yet it might be so that he camethither for none evil. For you know, my lord,” said SirGawain, “that my lady the queen has oftentimes beengreatly beholden12 unto Sir Lancelot, more than to anyother knight; for oftentimes he hath saved her life anddone battle for her when all the court refused the queen.And peradventure she sent for him for goodness and fornone evil, to reward him for his good deeds that he haddone to her in times past. And peradventure my lady thequeen sent for him to that intent that Sir Lancelotshould come privily13 to her, weening that it had be bestin eschewing14 and dreading of slander; for oftentimeswe do many things that we ween for the best be, and yetperadventure it turns to the worst. For I dare say,” saidSir Gawain, “my lady, your queen, is to you both goodand true. And as for Sir Lancelot, I dare say he will makeit good upon any knight living that will put upon him15

vil lainy or shame, and in like wise he will make goodfor my lady the queen.”

“That I believe well,” said King Arthur, “but I willnot that way work with Sir Lancelot,16 for he trusteth17

so much upon his hands and his might18 that he doubt-eth19 no man. And therefore for my queen he shallnevermore fight, for she shall have the law. And if I may

1 condescended In agreement.2 bushment Ambush.3 abode Waited.4 forbled Covered with blood.5 I may … worship I may not keep my honor unless.6 amoved Moved to emotion.7 ordinance … ire Preparation in this wrath.8 must needs … judged. It is necessary to be condemned.9 menour Manner, behavior.10 taking … causer Being caught in the act is the reason for.

11 respite Delay.12 beholden Obligated, in debt.13 privily Privately.14 eschewing Avoiding.15 put … him Accuse him of.16 I … Lancelot I will not deal in that manner with Sir Lancelot.17 trusteth Has confidence in.18 might Strength.19 doubteth Fears.

The Death of King Arthur 13

get1 Sir Lancelot, wit you well he shall have as shamefula death.”

“Jesu defend me,” said Sir Gawain, “that I never seeit nor know it!”

“Why say you so?” said King Arthur. “For, pardy,2

ye have no cause to love him! For this night last past heslew your brother, Sir Agravain, a full good knight, andalmost he had slain your other brother, Sir Mordred,and also there he slew thirteen noble knights. And alsoremember you, Sir Gawain, he slew two sons of yours,Sir Florence and Sir Lovell.”

“My lord,” said Sir Gawain, “of all this I have aknowledge, which of their deaths sore repents me. Butinsomuch as I gave them warning and told my brotherand my sons afore-hand what would fall on the end, andinsomuch as they would not do by my counsel, I willnot meddle me thereof, nor revenge me nothing of theirdeaths; for I told them that there was no boot to strive3

with Sir Lancelot. Howbeit I am sorry of the death ofmy brother and of my two sons, but they are the causersof their own death; and oftentimes I warned my brotherSir Agravain, and I told him of the perils the which benow fallen.”

Then said King Arthur unto Sir Gawain,“Make you ready, I pray you, in your best armour,

with your brethren, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, to bringmy queen to the fire and there to have her judgement.”

“Nay, my noble king,” said Sir Gawain, “that will Inever do, for wit you well I will never be in that placewhere so noble a queen as is my lady Dame Guinevereshall take such a shameful end. For wit you well,” saidSir Gawain, “my heart will not serve me for to see herdie, and it shall never be said that ever I was of yourcounsel4 for her death.”

“Then,” said the king unto Sir Gawain, “suffer yourbrethren Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth to be there.”

“My lord,” said Sir Gawain, “wit you well they willbe loath to be there present, because of many adventuresthat is like to fall,5 but they are young and full unable to

say you nay.”Then spake Sir Gaheris and the good knight Sir

Gareth untoKing Arthur,

“Sir, you may well command us to be there, but wityou well it shall be sore against our will. But an we bethere by your straight commandment, ye shall plainlyhold us there excused: we will be there in peaceablewise, and bear none harness6 of war upon us.”

“In the name of God,” said the king, “then makeyou ready, for she shall have soon her judgement.” “Alas,” said Sir Gawain, “that ever I should endureto see this woeful day!”

So Sir Gawain turned him and wept heartily, and sohe went into his chamber. And so the queen was ledforth without Carlisle, and anon she was despoiled intoher smock.7 And then her ghostly father8 was brought toher to be shriven of her misdeeds. Then was thereweeping and wailing and wringing of hands of manylords and ladies; but there were but few in comparisonthat would bear any armour for to strength9 the death ofthe queen.

Then was there one that Sir Lancelot had sent untothat place, which went to espy what time the queenshould go unto her death. And anon as he saw thequeen despoiled into her smock and shriven, then hegave Sir Lancelot warning anon. Then was there butspurring and plucking up10 of horse, and right so theycame unto the fire. And who that stood against them,there were they slain; there might none withstand SirLancelot.

So all that bore arms and withstood them, there werethey slain, full many a noble knight. For there was slainSir Belias le Orgulous, Sir Segwarides, Sir Griflet, SirBrandiles, Sir Aglovale, Sir Tor, Sir Gauter, Sir Gillimer,Sir Reynold, three brethren, and Sir Damas, Sir Pria-mus, Sir Kay l’Estrange, Sir Driant, Sir Lambegus, SirHerminde, Sir Pertolip, Sir Perimones, two brethrenwhich were called the Green Knight and the Red

1 get Capture.2 pardy By God.3 no boot to strive No use in quarreling.4 I … counsel I was in agreement with you.5 adventures … fall Perils likely to happen.

6 harness Gear.7 despoiled … smock Stripped to her undergarment.8 ghostly father Confessor.9 for … strength Assist in.10 plucking up Spurring forward.

14 Sir Thomas Malory

Knight.And so in this rushing and hurling,1 as Sir Lancelot

thrang2 here and there, it misfortuned him to slay SirGaheris and Sir Gareth, the noble knight, for they wereunarmed and unawares. As the French book saith, SirLancelot smote3 Sir Gareth upon the brain-pans, where-through that4 they were slain in the field. Howbeit invery truth Sir Lancelot saw them not. And so were theyfound dead among the thickest of the press.5

Then Sir Lancelot, when he had thus done, and slainand put to flight all that would withstand him, then herode straight unto Queen Guinevere and made cast akirtle6 and a gown upon her, and then he made her tobe set behind him and prayed her to be of good cheer.Now wit you well the queen was glad that she was atthat time escaped from the death, and then she thankedGod and Sir Lancelot.

And so he rode his way with the queen, as theFrench book saith, unto Joyous Gard, and there he kepther as a noble knight should. And many great lords andmany good knights were sent him, and many full nobleknights drew unto him. When they heard that KingArthur and Sir Lancelot were at debate7 many knightswere glad, and many were sorry of their debate.

2The Vengeance of Sir Gawain

Now turn we again unto King Arthur, that when it wastold him how and in what manner the queen was takenaway from the fire, and when he heard of the death ofhis noble knights, and in especial Sir Gaheris and SirGareth, then he swooned for very pure sorrow. Andwhen he awoke of his swough, then he said,

“Alas, that ever I bore crown upon my head! Fornow have I lost the fairest fellowship of noble knightsthat ever held Christian king together. Alas, my good

knights be slain and gone away from me, that nowwithin this two days I have lost nigh forty knights, andalso the noble fellowship of Sir Lancelot and his blood,8

for now I may nevermore hold them together with myworship. Now, alas, that ever this war began!”

“Now, fair fellows,” said the king, “I charge you thatno man tell Sir Gawain of the death of his two brethren,for I am sure,” said the king, “when he heareth tell thatSir Gareth is dead, he will go nigh out of his mind.Mercy Jesu,” said the king, “why slew he Sir Gaherisand Sir Gareth? For I dare say, as for Sir Gareth, heloved Sir Lancelot of9 all men earthly.”

“That is truth,” said some knights, “but they wereslain in the hurling as Sir Lancelot thrang in the thickestof the press. And as they were unarmed he smote themand wist not whom that he smote, and so unhappilythey were slain.”

“Well,” said Arthur, “the death of them will causethe greatest mortal war that ever was, for I am sure thatwhen Sir Gawain knoweth thereof that Sir Gareth isslain, I shall never have rest10 of him till I have destroyedSir Lancelot’s kin and himself both, other else he todestroy me. And therefore,” said the king, “wit you well,my heart was never so heavy as it is now. And muchmore I am sorrier for my good knights’ loss than for theloss of my fair queen; for queens I might have enough,but such a fellowship of good knights shall never betogether in no company. And now I dare say,” said KingArthur, “there was never Christian king that ever heldsuch a fellowship together. And alas, that ever SirLancelot and I should be at debate! Ah, Agravain,Agravain!” said the king, “Jesu forgive it thy soul, forthine evil will that thou hadst and Sir Mordred, thybrother, unto Sir Lancelot has caused all this sorrow.”

And ever among these complaints the king wept andswooned.

Then came there one to Sir Gawain and told himhow the queen was led away with Sir Lancelot, and nigha four-and-twenty knights slain.

“Ah, Jesu, save me my two brethren!” said SirGawain, “For full well wist I,” said Sir Gawain, “that SirLancelot would rescue her, other else he would die in

1 rushing and hurling Pushing and dashing violently.2 thrang Thrusted [his weapon] about.3 smote Struck.4 brain-pans … that Skull by means of which.5 press Crowd.6 kirtle Petticoat, undershirt.7 at debate At strife.

8 blood Kin.9 of Above.10 rest Peace.

The Death of King Arthur 15

that field; and to say the truth he were not of worshipbut if he had rescued the queen, insomuch as she shouldhave been brent for his sake. And as in that,” said SirGawain, “he has done but knightly, and as I would havedone myself an I had stood1 in like case. But where aremy brethren?” said Sir Gawain, “I marvel that I see notof them.”

Then said that man, “Truly, Sir Gaheris and SirGareth be slain.”

“Jesu defend!” said Sir Gawain, “For all this world Iwould not that they were slain, and in especial my goodbrother, Sir Gareth.”

“Sir,” said the man, “he is slain, and that is greatpity.”

“Who slew him?” said Sir Gawain.“Sir Lancelot,” said the man, “slew them both.”“That may I not believe,” said Sir Gawain, “that ever

he slew my good brother, Sir Gareth, for I dare say, mybrother loved him better than me and all his brethren,and the king both. Also I dare say, an Sir Lancelot haddesired my brother Sir Gareth with him, he would havebeen with him against the king and us all. And thereforeI may never believe that Sir Lancelot slew my brethren.”

“Verily,2 sir,” said the man, “it is noised that he slewhim.”

“Alas,” said Sir Gawain, “now is my joy gone!”And then he fell down and swooned, and long he lay

there as he had been dead. And when he arose out of hisswough he cried out sorrowfully, and said,

“Alas!”And forthwith3 he ran unto the king, crying and

weeping, and said,“Ah, mine uncle King Arthur! My good brother Sir

Gareth is slain, and so is my brother Sir Gaheris, whichwere two noble knights.”

Then the king wept and he both, and so they fellon-swooning. And when they were revived, then spakeSir Gawain and said,

“Sir, I will go and see my brother Sir Gareth.”“Sir, you may not see him,” said the king, “for I

caused him to be interred and Sir Gaheris both, for I

well understood that you would make overmuch sorrow,and the sight of Sir Gareth should have caused yourdouble sorrow.”

“Alas, my lord,” said Sir Gawain, “how slew he mybrother, Sir Gareth? I pray you tell me.”

“Truly,” said the king, “I shall tell you as it hathbeen told me: Sir Lancelot slew him and Sir Gaherisboth.”

“Alas,” said Sir Gawain, “they bore none armsagainst him, neither of them both.”

“I wot not how it was,” said the king, “but as it issaid, Sir Lancelot slew them in the thick press, and knewthem not. And therefore let us shape a remedy for torevenge their deaths.”

“My king, my lord, and mine uncle,” said SirGawain, “wit you well, now I shall make you a promisewhich I shall hold by my knighthood, that from this dayforward I shall never fail4 Sir Lancelot until that one ofus have slain that other. And therefore I require you, mylord and king, dress you unto the war,5 for wit you well,I will be revenged upon Sir Lancelot; and therefore, asye will have my service and my love, now haste youthereto and assay6 your friends. For I promise untoGod,” said Sir Gawain, “for the death of my brother, SirGareth, I shall seek Sir Lancelot throughout sevenkings’ realms, but I shall slay him, other else he shall slayme.”

“Sir, you shall not need to seek him so far,” said theking, “for as I hear say, Sir Lancelot will abide me andus all within the castle of Joyous Gard. And muchpeople draweth unto him as I hear say.”

“That may I right well believe,” said Sir Gawain;“but, my lord,” he said, “assay your friends and I willassay mine.”

“It shall be done,” said the king, “and as I suppose Ishall be big enough to drive him out of the biggest7

tower of his castle.” So then the king sent letters and writs throughout all

England, both the length and the breadth, for to assum-mon all his knights. And so unto King Arthur drew

1 stood Been.2 Verily Truly.3 forthwith Immediately.

4 fail Stop pursuing.5 dress … war Prepare for war.6 assay Appeal to.7 big Powerful; biggest Strongest.

16 Sir Thomas Malory

many knights, dukes, and earls, that he had a great host,and when they were assembled the king informed themhow Sir Lancelot had bereft him1 his queen. Then theking and all his host made them ready to lay siege aboutSir Lancelot where he lay within Joyous Gard.

And anon Sir Lancelot heard thereof and purveyedhim of2 many good knights; for with him held manyknights, some for his own sake and some for the queen’ssake. Thus they were on both parties well furnished andgarnished3 of all manner of things that longed unto4 thewar. But King Arthur’s host was so great that Sir Lance-lot’s host would not abide him in the field. For he wasfull loath to do battle against the king; but Sir Lancelotdrew him unto his strong castle with all manner ofvictual5 plenty, and as many noble men as he mightsuffice6 within the town and the castle.

Then came King Arthur with Sir Gawain with agreat host and laid siege all about Joyous Gard, both thetown and the castle. And there they made strong war onboth parties, but in no wise Sir Lancelot would ride out,nor go out of the castle, of long time; and neither hewould not suffer none of his good knights to issue out,neither of the town neither of the castle, until fifteenweeks were past.

So it fell upon a day in harvest time that Sir Lancelotlooked over the walls and spake on height7 unto KingArthur and to Sir Gawain:

“My lords both, wit you well all this is in vain thatye make at this siege, for here win ye no worship, butmaugre and dishonour. For an it list me to come myselfout and my very good knights, I should full soon makean end of this war.”

“Come forth,” said King Arthur unto Sir Lancelot,“an thou darest, and I promise thee I shall meet thee inmidst of this field.”

“God defend me,” said Sir Lancelot, “that ever Ishould encounter with the most noble king that made

me knight.”“Now, fie upon thy fair language!”8 said the king,

“for wit thou well and trust it, I am thy mortal foe andever will to my death-day; for thou hast slain my goodknights and full noble men of my blood, that shall Inever recover again. Also thou hast lain by my queen,and holden her many winters, and sithen,9 like a traitor,taken her away from me by force.”

“My most noble lord and king,” said Sir Lancelot,“ye may say what ye will, for ye wot well with yourselfI will not strive. But thereas ye say that I have slain yourgood knights, I wot well that I have done so, and thatme sore repenteth; but I was forced to do battle withthem in saving of my life, other else I must have sufferedthem to have slain me. And as for my lady, QueenGuinevere, except your person of your highness and mylord Sir Gawain, there is no knight under heaven thatdare make it good upon me that ever I was traitor untoyour person. And where it please you to say that I haveholden my lady, your queen, years and winters, untothat I shall ever make a large10 answer, and prove it uponany knight that beareth the life, except your person andSir Gawain, that my lady, Queen Guinevere, is as truea lady unto your person as is any lady living unto herlord, and that will I make good with my hands. How-beit it hath liked her good grace to have me in favourand cherish me more than any other knight; and untomy power again11 I have deserved her love,12 for often-times, my lord, you have consented that she should havebe brent and destroyed in your heat, and then it for-tuned me13 to do battle for her; and or I departed fromher adversary they confessed their untruth, and she fullworshipfully excused.14 And at such times, my lordArthur,” said Sir Lancelot, “you loved me and thankedme when I saved your queen from the fire, and then youpromised me for ever to be my good lord. And nowme-thinketh you reward me evil for my good service.

1 bereft him Robbed him of.2 purveyed … of Provided himself with.3 garnished Provided.4 longed unto Were required for.5 victual Food provisions.6 suffice Provide for.7 on height Loudly.

8 fair language Courteous speech.9 sithen Then.10 large Bold.11 unto … again To the best of my ability in return.12 I … love I have tried to deserve her love.13 fortuned Fell to.14 worshipfully excused Honorably acquitted.

The Death of King Arthur 17

And, my lord, meseemeth I had lost1 a great part of myworship in my knighthood an I had suffered my lady,your queen, to have been brent, and insomuch as sheshould have been brent for my sake; for sithen I havedone battles for your queen in other quarrels than inmine own quarrel, meseemeth now I had more right todo battle for her in her right quarrel. And therefore, mygood and gracious lord,” said Sir Lancelot, “take yourqueen unto your good grace, for she is both true andgood.”

“Fie on thee, false recreant2 knight!” said SirGawain. “For I let thee wit: my lord, mine uncle KingArthur shall have his queen and thee both maugre thyvisage,3 and slay you both and save you, whether itplease him.”4

“It may well be,” said Sir Lancelot, “but wit thouwell, my lord Sir Gawain, an me list to come out of thiscastle you should win me and the queen more harder5

than ever you won a strong battle.”“Now, fie on thy proud words!” said Sir Gawain. “As

for my lady the queen, wit thou well I will never say ofher shame. But thou, false and recreant knight,” said SirGawain, “what cause hadst thou to slay my goodbrother, Sir Gareth, that loved thee more than me andall my kin? And alas, thou madest him knight thine6

own hands! Why slewest thou him that loved thee sowell?”

“For to excuse me,” said Sir Lancelot, “it botenethme not,7 but by Jesu, and by the faith that I owe untothe high Order of Knighthood, I would with as good awill have slain my nephew Sir Bors de Ganis at thattime. And alas, that ever I was so unhappy,” said SirLancelot, “that I had not seen Sir Gareth and SirGaheris!”

“Thou liest, recreant knight,” said Sir Gawain, “thouslewest them in the despite8 of me! And therefore witthou well, Sir Lancelot, I shall make war upon thee, andall the while that I may live be thine enemy!”

“That me repents,” said Sir Lancelot, “for well Iunderstand it boteneth me not to seek none accord-ment9 while ye, Sir Gawain, are so mischievously set.And if ye were not, I would not doubt to have the goodgrace of my lord King Arthur.”

“I lieve well, false recreant knight, for thou hastmany long days overlaid10 me and us all, and destroyedmany of our good knights.”

“Sir, you say as it pleaseth you,” said Sir Lancelot,“yet may it never be said on me11 and openly provedthat ever I by forecast of treason12 slew no good knightas ye, my lord Sir Gawain, have done;13 and so did Inever but in my defence, that I was driven thereto insaving of my life.”

“Ah, thou false knight,” said Sir Gawain, “that thoumeanest by Sir Lamorak.14 But wit thou well, I slewhim!”

“Sir, you slew him not yourself,” said Sir Lancelot,“for it had been overmuch for you, for he was one of thebest knights christened of his age. And it was great pityof his death!”

“Well, well, Sir Lancelot,” said Sir Gawain, “sithenthou enbraidest me15 of Sir Lamorak, wit thou well, Ishall never leave thee till I have thee at such avail16 thatthou shalt not escape my hands.”

“I trust you well enough,” said Sir Lancelot, “an yemay get me, I get but little mercy.”

1 meseemeth I had lost It seems to me I would have lost.2 recreant Cowardly, villainous (a particularly insulting term).3 maugre … visage In spite of your face, i.e. in spite of all that youcan do.4 whether … him Whichever might please him.5 win … harder Defeat me and the queen at a greater price.6 thine With your.7 For … not It is of no use for me to offer explanations.

8 in … despite To harm purposefully.9 accordment Reconciliation.10 overlaid Overpowered.11 on me About me.12 forecast … treason By premeditated betrayal.13 by … done In The Tale of Sir Tristram De Lyones, Maloryrecounts how Gawain, Gaheris, Agravain and Mordred conspire tomurder Sir Lamorak for sleeping with their mother, Morgause.Lamorak is conventionally considered Arthur’s third best knight, afterLancelot and Tristram.14 that … Lamorak You speak of Sir Lamorak.15 sithen … me Throw in my face the matter of.16 avail Disadvantage.

18 Sir Thomas Malory

But the French book saith King Arthur would havetaken his queen again and to have been accorded withSir Lancelot, but Sir Gawain would not suffer him byno manner of mean.1 And so Sir Gawain made manymen to blow upon2 Sir Lancelot, and so all at once theycalled him “false recreant knight.” But when Sir Bors deGanis, Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Lionel heard thisoutcry they called unto them Sir Palomides and SirLavain and Sir Urry with many more knights of theirblood, and all they went unto Sir Lancelot and saidthus:

“My lord, wit you well we have great scorn of thegreat rebukes3 that we have heard Sir Gawain say untoyou; wherefore we pray you, and charge you as you willhave our service, keep us no longer within these walls,for we let you wit plainly we will ride into the field anddo battle with them. For you fare as a man that wereafeard, and for all your fair speech it will not avail you,for wit you well Sir Gawain will never suffer you toaccord4 with King Arthur. And therefore fight for yourlife and right, an ye dare.”

“Alas,” said Sir Lancelot, “for to ride out of thiscastle and to do battle I am full loath.”

Then Sir Lancelot spake on height unto King Arthurand Sir Gawain: “My lord, I require you and beseech you, sithen thatI am thus required and conjured5 to ride into the field,that neither you, my lord King Arthur, neither you, SirGawain, come not into the field.”

“What shall we do then?” said Sir Gawain. “Is notthis the king’s quarrel to fight with thee? And also it ismy quarrel to fight with thee because of the death of mybrother, Sir Gareth.”

“Then must I needs unto battle,”6 said Sir Lancelot.“Now wit you well, my lord Arthur and Sir Gawain, yewill repent it whensomever I do battle with you.”

And so then they departed either from other; andthen either party made them ready on the morn for to

do battle, and great purveyance7 was made on bothsides. And Sir Gawain let purvey many knights for towait upon Sir Lancelot, for to overset him and to slayhim. And on the morn at underne8 King Arthur wasready in the field with three great hosts.

And then Sir Lancelot’s fellowship came out at thethree gates in full good array;9 and Sir Lionel came inthe foremost battle, and Sir Lancelot came in themiddle, and Sir Bors came out at the third gate. Andthus they came in order and rule as full noble knights.And ever Sir Lancelot charged10 all his knights in anywise11 to save King Arthur and Sir Gawain.

Then came forth Sir Gawain from the king’s hostand proffered to joust. And Sir Lionel was a fierceknight, and lightly he encountered with him, and thereSir Gawain smote Sir Lionel throughout the body, thathe dashed to the earth like as he had been dead. Andthen Sir Ector de Maris and other mo bare12 him intothe castle.

And anon there began a great stour,13 and muchpeople were slain; and ever Sir Lancelot did what hemight to save the people on King Arthur’s party. For SirBors and Sir Palomides and Sir Saphir overthrew manyknights, for they were deadly knights, and Sir Blamourde Ganis and Sir Bleoberis, with Sir Bellengere le Beuse,these six knights did much harm. And ever was KingArthur about Sir Lancelot to have slain him, and everSir Lancelot suffered him and would not strike again. SoSir Bors encountered with King Arthur, and Sir Borssmote him; and so he alight and drew his sword, andsaid to Sir Lancelot,

“Sir, shall I make an end of this war?” (For he meantto have slain him.)

“Not so hardy,”14 said Sir Lancelot, “upon pain ofthy head, that thou touch him no more! For I will neversee that most noble king that made me knight neither

1 by … mean By no means.2 blow upon Discredit.3 rebukes Insults.4 accord Reconcile.5 conjured Begged.6 Then … battle Then it is necessary that I go into battle.

7 purveyance Preparation.8 underne Ecclesiastical third hour of the day, mid-morning.9 array Military precision.10 charged Ordered.11 in … wise At any cost.12 mo bare Many more bore.13 stour Battle.14 Not … hardy Not so fast!

The Death of King Arthur 19

slain nor shamed.”And therewithal Sir Lancelot alight of his horse and

took up the king and horsed him again, and said thus:“My lord the king, for God’s love, stint this strife,

for ye get here no worship an I would do mine utter-ance.1 But always I forbear2 you and ye nor none ofyours forbeareth not me. And therefore, my lord, I prayyou remember what I have done in many places, andnow am I evil rewarded.”

So when King Arthur was on horseback he lookedon Sir Lancelot; then the tears brast out of his eyen,3

thinking of the great courtesy that was in Sir Lancelotmore than in any other man. And therewith the kingrode his way, and might no longer behold him, sayingto himself, “Alas, alas, that ever yet this war began!”

And then either party of the battles withdrew themto repose them, and buried the dead, and searched4 thewounded men, and laid to their wounds soft salves;5 andthus they endured that night till on the morn. And onthe morn by underne they made them ready to dobattle, and then Sir Bors lead the vaward.6

So upon the morn there came Sir Gawain, as brim7

as any boar, with a great spear in his hand. And whenSir Bors saw him he thought to revenge his brother, SirLionel, of the despite8 Sir Gawain gave him the otherday.

And so, as they that knew either other, fewtred9 theirspears, and with all their might of their horses andthemselves so fiercely they met together and so felonous-ly10 that either bare other through, and so they fell bothto the bare earth.

And then the battle joined, and there was muchslaughter on both parties. Then Sir Lancelot rescued SirBors and sent him into the castle, but neither Sir

Gawain neither Sir Bors died not of their wounds, forthey were well holpen.11

Then Sir Lavain and Sir Urry prayed Sir Lancelot todo his pain12 and fight as they do:

“For we see that ye forbear and spare, and that dothus much harm. And therefore we pray you spare notyour enemies no more than they do you.”

“Alas,” said Sir Lancelot, “I have no heart to fightagainst my lord Arthur, for ever meseemeth I do not asme ought to do.”

“My lord,” said Sir Palomides, “though ye sparethem, never so much13 all this day they will never conyou thank;14 and if they may get you at avail ye are buta dead man.”

So then Sir Lancelot understood that they said himtruth. Then he strained himself more than he didtoforehand, and because of his nephew, Sir Bors, wassore wounded he pained15 himself the more. And sowithin a little while, by evensong16 time, Sir Lancelot’sparty the better stood; for their horses went in bloodpast the fetlocks,17 there were so many people slain.

And then for very18 pity Sir Lancelot withheld hisknights and suffered King Arthur’s party to withdrawthem inside. And so he withdrew his meiny19 into thecastle, and either parties buried the dead and put salveunto the wounded men. So when Sir Gawain was hurt,they on King Arthur’s party were not so orgulous20 asthey were toforehandto do battle.

So of this war that was noised through all Christianrealms, and so it came at the last by relation21 unto thePope. And then the Pope took a consideration of thegreat goodness of King Arthur and of the high prowessof Sir Lancelot, that was called the most noblest knight

1 utterance Utmost.2 forbear Spare.3 brast … eyen Burst from his eyes. 4 searched Examined.5 salves Healing ointments.6 vaward Vanguard.7 brim Fierce.8 despite Injury.9 fewtred Set firmly.10 felonously Cruelly.

11 holpen Helped.12 pain Utmost.13 never … much No matter how much; 14 they … thank They will never be able to thank you.15 pained Exerted.16 evensong Ecclesiastical office taking place just before dusk.17 fetlocks Tufts of hair above and behind horses’ hooves.18 very True.19 meiny Menials, household servants.20 orgulous Haughty.21 relation Report.

20 Sir Thomas Malory

of the world. Wherefore the Pope called unto him anoble clerk that at that time was there present (theFrench book saith it was the Bishop of Rochester), andthe Pope gave him bulls under lead,1 and sent themunto the king, charging him upon pain of interdicting2

of all England that he take his queen again and accordwith Sir Lancelot.

So when this Bishop was come unto Carlisle heshowed the king his bulls, and when the king under-stood them he wist not what to do: but full fain3 hewould have been accorded with Sir Lancelot, but SirGawain would not suffer him. But to have the queen, hethereto agreed; but in no wise he would suffer the kingto accord with Sir Lancelot; but as for the queen, heconsented. So the Bishop had of the king his great sealand his assurance, as he was a true and anointed king,that Sir Lancelot should go safe and come safe, and thatthe queen should not be said unto of4 the king, neitherof none other, for nothing done of time past. And of allthese appointments5 the Bishop brought with him surewriting6 to show unto Sir Lancelot.

So when the Bishop was come to Joyous Gard, therehe showed Sir Lancelot how he came from the Popewith writing unto King Arthur and unto him. And therehe told him the perils, if he withheld the queen from theking.

“Sir, it was never in my thought,” said Sir Lancelot,“to withhold the queen from my lord Arthur, but I keepher for this cause: insomuch as she should have be7

brent for my sake, meseemed8 it was my part to save herlife and put her from that danger till better recover9

might come. And now I thank God,” said Sir Lancelot,“that the Pope hath made her peace. For God know-eth,” said Sir Lancelot, “I will be a thousandfold more

gladder to bring her again than ever I was of her takingaway, with this I may be sure to come safe and go safe,and that the queen shall have her liberty as she hadbefore, and never for nothing that hath be surmisedafore this time that she never from this stand in no peril.For else,” said Sir Lancelot, “I dare adventure me tokeep her from an harder shour10 than ever yet I had.”

“Sir, it shall not need you,” said the Bishop, “todread thus much, for wit you well, the Pope must beobeyed, and it were not the Pope’s worship neither mypoor11 honesty to know you distressed neither thequeen, neither in peril neither shamed.”

And then he showed Sir Lancelot all his writing,both from the Pope and King Arthur.

“This is sure enough,” said Sir Lancelot, “for fullwell I dare trust my lord’s own writing and his seal, forhe was never shamed of12 his promise. Therefore,” saidSir Lancelot unto the Bishop, “ye shall ride unto theking afore and recommend me unto his good grace, andlet him have knowledging that this same day eightdays,13 by the grace of God, I myself shall bring thequeen unto him. And then say ye to my redoubted14

king that I will say largely for the queen;15 that I shallnone except for dread neither for fear but the kinghimself and my lord Sir Gawain, and that is for theking’s love more than for himself.”16

So the Bishop departed and came to the king toCarlisle, and told him all how Sir Lancelot answeredhim; so that made the tears fall out at the king’s eyen.Then Sir Lancelot purveyed him an hundred knights,and all well clothed in green velvet, and their horsestrapped17 in the same to the heels, and every knight helda branch of olive in his hand in tokening of peace. Andthe queen had four-and-twenty gentlewomen followingher in the same wise. And Sir Lancelot had twelve

1 bulls under lead Mandates sealed with lead.2 charging … interdicting Ordering him upon pain of excommunica-tion.3 fain Gladly.4 said … of Rebuked by.5 appointments Conditions.6 sure writing Guaranteed in writing.7 be Been.8 meseemed It seemed to me.9 recover Rescue.

10 I … had I would dare risk myself to protect her by fighting aharder battle.11 poor Humble.12 shamed of Untrue to.13 same … days Eight days from today.14 redoubted Noble.15 I … queen I will speak wholly in defense of the queen.16 himself I.e. Gawain.17 trapped Adorned.

The Death of King Arthur 21

coursers1 following him, and on every courser sat ayoung gentleman; and all they were arrayed2 in whitevelvet with sarpes of gold about their quarters,3 and thehorse trapped in the same wise down to the heels, withmany ouches iset4 with stones and pearls in gold, to thenumber of a thousand. And in the same wise was thequeen arrayed, and Sir Lancelot in the same, of whitecloth of gold tissue.5

And right so as you have heard, as the French bookmaketh mention, he rode with the queen from JoyousGard to Carlisle. And so Sir Lancelot rode throughoutCarlisle, and so into the castle, that all men mightbehold them. And there was many a weeping eyen. Andthen Sir Lancelot himself alight and voided6 his horse,and took adown the queen, and so led her where KingArthur was in his seat; and Sir Gawain sat afore him,and many other great lords.

So when Sir Lancelot saw the king and Sir Gawain,then he led the queen by the arm, and then he kneeleddown and the queen both. Wit you well, then was theremany a bold knight with King Arthur that wept astenderly as7 they had seen all their kin dead afore them!So the king sat still and said no word. And when SirLancelot saw his countenance he arose up and pulled upthe queen with him, and thus he said full knightly:“My most redoubted king, ye shall understand, by thePope’s commandment and yours, I have brought to youmy lady the queen, as right requireth. And if there beany knight, of what degree that ever he be of, exceptyour person, that will say or dare say but that she is trueand clean to you, I here myself, Sir Lancelot du Lake,will make it good upon his body that she is a true ladyunto you.

“But, sir, liars ye have listened,8 and that hath causedgreat debate betwixt you and me. For time hath been,my lord Arthur, that ye were greatly pleased with me

when I did battle for my lady, your queen; and full wellyou know, my most noble king, that she hath be put togreat wrong or this time. And sithen it pleased you atmany times that I should fight for her, thereforemeseemeth, my good lord, I had more cause to rescueher from the fire when she should have been brent formy sake.

“For they that told you those tales were liars, and soit fell upon them: for by likelihood, had not the mightof God been with me, I might never have endured withfourteen knights. And they were armed and aforepurposed,9 and I unarmed and not purposed;10 for I wassent unto my lady, your queen, I wot not for whatcause, but I was not so soon within the chamber doorbut anon Sir Agravain and Sir Mordred called me traitorand false recreant knight.”

“By my faith, they called thee right!” said SirGawain.

“My lord, Sir Gawain,” said Sir Lancelot, “in theirquarrel they proved not themselves the best, neither inthe right.”

“Well, well, Sir Lancelot,” said the king, “I havegiven you no cause to do to me as ye have done, for Ihave worshipped11 you and yours more than any otherknights.”

“My lord,” said Sir Lancelot, “so ye be not dis-pleased, ye shall understand that I and mine have doneyou oftentimes better service than any other knightshave done, in many diverse places; and where ye havebeen full hard bestad diverse times, I have rescued youfrom many dangers; and ever unto my power I was gladto please you and my lord Sir Gawain. In jousts and intournaments and in battles set, both on horseback andon foot, I have often rescued you, and you, my lord SirGawain, and many mo of your knights in many diverseplaces.

“For now I will make avaunt,”12 said Sir Lancelot: “Iwill that ye all wit that as yet I found never no mannerof knight but that I was overhard for him an I had donemine utterance, God grant mercy! Howbeit I have been

1 coursers Powerful horses.2 arrayed Dressed.3 sarpes … quarters Collars of gold around their thighs.4 ouches iset Jeweled ornaments set.5 gold tissue Gauzy cloth of gold. 6 voided Dismounted.7 as As if.8 liars … listened You have listened to liars.

9 afore purposed Planned ahead of time.10 not purposed Unprepared.11 worshipped Honored.12 I … avaunt I will be bold.

22 Sir Thomas Malory

matched with good knights, as Sir Tristram and SirLamorak, but ever I had favour unto them and a deem-ing what they were. And I take God to record, I neverwas wroth nor greatly heavy with1 no good knight an Isaw him busy and about to win worship; and glad I wasever when I found a good knight that might anything2

endure me on horseback and on foot. Howbeit SirCarados of the Dolorous Tower was a full noble knightand a passing strong man, and that wot ye, my lord SirGawain; for he might well be called a noble knightwhen he by fine force pulled you out of your saddle andbound you overthwart3 afore him to his saddle-bow.4

And there, my lord Sir Gawain, I rescued you and slewhim afore your sight. Also I found your brother, SirGaheris, and Sir Tarquin leading him abounden5 aforehim; and there also I rescued your brother and slew SirTarquin and delivered three-score-and-four6 of my lordArthur’s knights out of his prison. And now I dare say,”said Sir Lancelot, “I met never with so strong a knightnor so well-fighting as was Sir Carados and Sir Tarquin,for they and I fought to the uttermost. And therefore,”said Sir Lancelot unto Sir Gawain, “meseemeth ye oughtof right to remember this; for, an I might have yourgood will, I would trust to God for to have my lordArthur’s good grace.”

“Sir, the king may do as he will,” said Sir Gawain,“but wit thou well, Sir Lancelot, thou and I shall neverbe accorded while we live, for thou hast slain three ofmy brethren. And two of them thou slew traitorly andpiteously,7 for they bore none harness against thee,neither none would do.”

“Sir, God would they had been armed,” said SirLancelot, “for then had they been on life.8 And wit yewell, Sir Gawain, as for Gareth, I loved no kinsman Ihad more than I loved him, and ever while I live,” saidSir Lancelot, “I will bewail Sir Gareth his death, not all

only for the great fear I have of you, but for manycauses which causeth me to be sorrowful. One is that Imade him knight; another is, I wot well he loved meabove all other knights; and the third is, he was passingnoble and true, courteous and gentle and well- condi-tioned.9 The fourth is, I wist well, anon as I heard thatSir Gareth was dead, I knew well that I should neverafter have your love, my lord Sir Gawain, but everlastingwar betwixt us. And also I wist well that you wouldcause my noble lord King Arthur forever to be mymortal foe. And as Jesu be my help, and by my knight-hood, I slew never Sir Gareth neither his brother by mywilling; but alas that ever they were unarmed thatunhappy day!

“But this much I shall offer me to you,” said SirLancelot, “if it may please the king’s good grace andyou, my lord Sir Gawain: I shall first begin at Sandwich,and there I shall go in my shirt, bare-foot; and at everyten miles’ end I shall found and gar make10 an house ofreligion, of what order that you will assign me, with anholy convent, to sing and read day and night in especialfor Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris. And this shall I performfrom Sandwich until Carlisle; and every house shall havesufficient livelihood. And this shall I perform while thatI have any livelihood in Christendom, and there is noneof all these religious places but they shall be performed,furnished and garnished with all things as an holy placeought to be. And this were fairer and more holier andmore parfit11 to their souls than ye, my most noble king,and you, Sir Gawain, to war upon me, for thereby shallyou get none avail.”12

Then all the knights and ladies that were there weptas they were mad, and the tears fell on King Arthur’scheeks.

“Sir Lancelot,” said Sir Gawain, “I have right wellheard thy language and thy great proffers. But wit thouwell, let the king do as it pleaseth him, I will neverforgive thee my brothers’ death, and in especial thedeath of my brother Sir Gareth. And if mine uncle,King Arthur, will accord with thee, he shall lose my

1 greatly … with Too hard upon.2 anything At all.3 overthwart Lying across.4 saddle-bow Front part of saddle.5 abounden Bound up.6 delivered … three-score-and-four Rescued sixty-four.7 piteously Sadly.8 on life Alive.

9 well-conditioned Of a pleasant disposition.10 gar make Order to be made.11 parfit Perfect, right.12 avail Disadvantage.

The Death of King Arthur 23

service, for wit thou well,” said Sir Gawain, “thou artboth false to the king and to me.”

“Sir,” said Sir Lancelot, “he beareth not the life thatmay make it good!1 And ye, Sir Gawain, will charge mewith so high2 a thing, ye must pardon me, for thenneeds must I answer you.”

“Nay, nay,” said Sir Gawain, “we are past that as atthis time, and that causeth the Pope,3 for he hathcharged mine uncle the king that he shall take again hisqueen and to accord with thee, Sir Lancelot, as for thisseason, and therefore thou shalt go safe as thou came.But in this land thou shalt not abide past a fifteen-days,such summons4 I give thee, for so the king and we werecondescended and accorded ere thou came. And else,”said Gawain, “wit thou well, thou should not a-comenhere but if it were maugre thine head. And if it were notfor the Pope’s commandment,” said Sir Gawain, “Ishould do battle with thee mine own hands, body forbody, and prove it upon thee that thou hast been falseunto mine uncle, King Arthur, and to me both; andthat shall I prove on thy body, when thou art departedfrom hence, wheresomever that I find thee!”

Then Sir Lancelot sighed, and therewith the tearsfell on his cheeks, and then said he thus:

“Most noblest Christian realm, whom I have lovedabove all other realms! And in thee I have gotten a greatpart of my worship, and now that I shall depart in thiswise, truly me repents that ever I came in this realm,that I should be thus shamefully banished, undeservedand causeless. But fortune is so variant, and the wheel somutable5 that there is no constant abiding. And thatmay be proved by many chronicles, as of noble Hectorof Troy6 and Alexander,7 the mighty conqueror, andmany more other: when they were most in their royalty,

they alight passing low.8 And so fareth it by me,” said SirLancelot, “for in this realm I had worship, and by meand mine all the whole Round Table hath been in-creased more in worship, by me and mine, than ever itwas by any of you all.

“And therefore wit thou well, Sir Gawain, I may liveupon lands as well as any knight that here is. And if ye,my most redoubted king, will come upon my lands withSir Gawain to war upon me, I must endure you as wellas I may. But as to you, Sir Gawain, if that ye comethere, I pray you charge me not with treason neitherfelony, for an ye do, I must answer you.”

“Do thou thy best,” said Sir Gawain, “and thereforehie9 thee fast that thou were gone! And wit thou well weshall soon come after, and break the strongest castle thatthou hast, upon thy head!”

“It shall not need that,” said Sir Lancelot, “for an Iwere as orgulous set10 as ye are, wit you well I shouldmeet you in midst of the field.”

“Make thou no more language,” said Sir Gawain,“but deliver the queen from thee, and pike thee11 lightlyout of this court!”

“Well,” said Sir Lancelot, “an I had wist of thisshortcoming,12 I would ’a advised me13 twice or that Ihad come here. For an the queen had been so dear untome as ye noise her, I durst have kept her from thefellowship of the best knights under heaven.”

And then Sir Lancelot said unto Queen Guinevere,in hearing of the king and them all,

“Madam, now I must depart from you and thisnoble fellowship for ever. And sithen it is so, I beseechyou to pray for me, and I shall pray for you. And tell yeme, an if ye be hard bestead by any false tongues, butlightly, my good lady, send me word; and if any knight’shands under the heaven may deliver14 you by battle, I

1 he … good No one is alive who can make this better!2 charge … high Accuse me of so serious.3 causeth … Pope Because of the Pope.4 summons Terms.5 fortune … mutable Fortune so variable, and the Wheel of Fortuneso changeable.6 Hector of Troy Heroic prince of Troy, killed by Achilles in Homer’sIliad.7 Alexander Famed conqueror (356–323 BCE) of Greece, Egypt andPersia.

8 alight … low Fall to the bottom. (Ever changeable, the Wheel ofFortune raised up those who were low and cast down those who wereat the top.)9 hie Hasten.10 orgulous set Proudly determined.11 pike thee Quickly get yourself.12 shortcoming Unfortunate situation.13 ’a advised me Have thought.14 deliver Rescue.

24 Sir Thomas Malory

shall deliver you.”And therewithal Sir Lancelot kissed the queen, and

then he said all openly,“Now let see whatsomever he be in this place that

dare say the queen is not true unto my lord Arthur, letsee who will speak an he dare speak.”

And therewith he brought the queen to the king,and then Sir Lancelot took his leave and departed. Andthere was neither king, duke, earl, baron, nor knight,lady nor gentlewoman, but all they wept as people outof mind, except Sir Gawain. And when this nobleknight Sir Lancelot took his horse to ride out of Carlisle,there was sobbing and weeping for pure dole of hisdeparting.

And so he took his way to Joyous Gard, and thenever after he called it the “Dolorous Gard.”1 And thusdeparted Sir Lancelot from the court forever.

And so when he came to Joyous Gard he called hisfellowship unto him and asked them what they woulddo. Then they answered all wholly together with onevoice, they would do as he would do.

“Then, my fair fellows,” said Sir Lancelot, “I mustdepart out of this most noble realm. And now I shalldepart, it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart with noworship; for a fleamed2 man departeth never3 out of arealm with no worship. And that is to me great heavi-ness,4 for ever I fear after my days5 that men shallchronicle upon me that I was fleamed out of this land.And else, my fair lords, be ye sure, an I had not dreadshame, my lady Queen Guinevere and I should neverhave departed.”

Then spake noble knights, as Sir Palomides and SirSaphir, his brother, and Sir Bellengere le Beuse, and SirUrry with Sir Lavain, with many other:

“Sir, an ye will so be disposed to abide in this landwe will never fail you; and if ye list not abide in thisland, there is none of the good knights that here be thatwill fail you, for many causes. One is, all we that be not

of your blood shall never be welcome unto the court.And sithen it liked us to take a part with you in yourdistress in this realm, wit you well it shall like us as wellto go in other countries with you, and there to to takesuch part as you do.”

“My fair lords,” said Sir Lancelot, “I well understandyou, and as I can, I thank you. And you shall under-stand, such livelihood as I am born unto I shall departwith you in this manner of wise: that is for to say, I shalldepart6 all my livelihood and all my lands freely amongyou, and myself will have as little as any of you; for, haveI sufficient that may long unto my person,7 I will asknone other riches neither array. And I trust to God tomaintain you8 on my lands as well as ever you weremaintained.”

Then spake all the knights at once: “Have he shamethat will leave you! For we all understand in this realmwill be no quiet, but ever debate and strife now thefellowship of the Round Table is broken. For by thenoble fellowship of the Round Table was King Arthurupborne, and by their noblesse9 the king and all therealm was ever in quiet and rest. And a great part,” theysaid all, “was because of your most noblesse, Sir Lance-lot.”

“Now, truly I thank you all of your good saying!Howbeit, I wot well that in me was not all the stabilityof this realm, but in that I might I did my dever.10 Andwell I am sure I knew many rebellions in my days thatby me and mine were peased;11 and that I trow12 we allshall hear of in short space, and that me sore repenteth.For ever I dread me,” said Sir Lancelot, “that Sir Mor-dred will make trouble, for he is passing envious, andapplyeth him much to trouble.”

And so they were accorded to depart with SirLancelot to his lands. And to make short this tale, theytrussed, and paid13 all that would ask them; and wholly

1 Dolorous Gard Keep (or Castle) of Sorrow.2 fleamed Banished.3 never Ever. Middle English often uses the double negative foradditional emphasis. 4 heaviness Sadness.5 after … days After my death.

6 depart Divide.7 for … person For if I have what I need. 8 maintain you Provide for you.9 noblesse Noble quality.10 in … dever Insofar as I could, I did my duty. 11 peased Reconciled.12 trow Believe.13 trussed … paid Equipped themselves and hired.

The Death of King Arthur 25

an hundred knights departed with Sir Lancelot at once,and made their avows they would never leave him forweal ne1 for woe.

And so they shipped at Cardiff, and sailed untoBenwick: some men call it Bayan2 and some men call itBeaune, where the wine of Beaune is. But say the sooth,Sir Lancelot and his nephews was lord of all France andof all the lands that longed unto3 France; he and hiskindred rejoiced4 it, all through Sir Lancelot’s nobleprowess.

And then he stuffed and furnished and garnished allhis noble towns and castles. Then all the people of thoselands came unto Sir Lancelot on foot and hands.5 Andso when he had ’stablished all those countries, he shortlycalled a parliament; and there he crowned Sir Lionelking of France, and Sir Bors he crowned him king of allKing Claudas’ lands, and Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Lance-lot’s younger brother, he crowned him king of Benwickand king of all Guienne, which was Sir Lancelot’s ownlands. And he made Sir Ector prince of them all.

And thus he departed his lands and advanced6 all hisnoble knights. And first he advanced them of his blood,as Sir Blamour, he made him duke of Limousin inGuienne, and Sir Bleoberis, he made him duke ofPoitiers. And Sir Gahalantin, he made him duke ofAuvergne; and Sir Galyhodin, he made him duke ofSaintonge; and Sir Galihud, he made him earl ofPerigord; and Sir Menaduke, he made him earl ofRouergue; and Sir Villiers the Valiant, he made him earlof Bearn; and Sir Hebes le Renown, he made him earlof Comminges; and Sir Lavain, he made him earl ofArmagnac; and Sir Urry, he made him earl of Astarac;and Sir Neroveous, he made him earl of Pardiac; and SirPlenorius, he made him earl of Foix; and Sir Selises ofthe Dolorous Tower, he made him earl of Marsan; andSir Melias de Lisle, he made him earl of Tursan; and SirBellengere le Beuse, he made him earl of the Landes;and Sir Palomides, he made him duke of Provence; and

Sir Saphir, he made him duke of Languedoc. And SirClegis, he gave him the earldom of Agen; and Sir Sadok,he gave him the earldom of Sarlat; and Sir Dinas leSeneschal, he made him duke of Anjou; and Sir Clarrus,he made him duke of Normandy.

Thus Sir Lancelot rewarded his noble knights, andmany more meseemeth it were too long to rehearse.

3The Siege of Benwick

So leave we Sir Lancelot in his lands and his nobleknights with him, and return we again unto KingArthur and unto Sir Gawain that made a great hostaready to the number of three-score thousand. And allthing was made ready for shipping to pass over the sea,to war upon Sir Lancelot and upon his lands. And sothey shipped at Cardiff.

And there King Arthur made Sir Mordred chiefruler of all England, and also he put the queen under hisgovernance: because Sir Mordred was King Arthur’s son,he gave him rule of his land and of his wife.

And so the king passed the sea and landed upon SirLancelot’s lands, and there he brent and wasted, throughthe vengeance of Sir Gawain, all that they might over-run. So when this word was come unto Sir Lancelot,that King Arthur and Sir Gawain were landed upon hislands and made full great destruction and waste, thenspake Sir Bors and said,

“My lord, Sir Lancelot, it is shame that we sufferthem thus to ride over our lands. For wit you well, sufferye them as long as ye will, they will do you no favour anthey may handle7 you.”

Then said Sir Lionel that was ware8 and wise, “Mylord, Sir Lancelot, I will give you this counsel: let uskeep our strong-walled towns until they have hungerand cold and blow on their nails; and then let us freshly9

set upon them and shred them down as sheep in a fold,that ever after aliaunts10 may take ensample11 how they

1 ne Nor.2 Bayan Bayonne.3 longed unto Belonged to.4 rejoiced Possessed.5 on … hands Submissively.6 advanced Promoted in station.

7 handle Capture.8 ware Wary.9 freshly Quickly.10 aliaunts Foreigners.11 ensample Example.

26 Sir Thomas Malory

land upon our lands!”1

Then spoke King Bagdemagus to Sir Lancelot andsaid, “Sir, your courtesy will shend2 us all, and yourcourtesy hath waked all this sorrow; for an they thusoverride our lands, they shall by process bring us all tonought3 while we thus in holes us hide.”

Then said Sir Galihud unto Sir Lancelot, “Sir, herebeen knights come of king’s blood that will not longdroop and dare4 within these walls. Therefore give usleave, like as we been knights, to meet them in the field,and we shall slay them and so deal with them that theyshall curse the time that ever they came into this coun-try.”

Then spake seven brethren of North Wales whichwere seven noble knights; for a man might seek sevenkings’ lands or he might find such seven knights. Andthese seven noble knights said all at once,

“Sir Lancelot, for Christ’s sake, let us ride out withSir Galihud, for we were never wont5 to cower in castlesneither in noble towns.”

Then spake Sir Lancelot, that was master andgovernor of them all, and said,“My fair lords, wit you well I am full loath to ride outwith my knights for shedding of Christian blood; andyet my lands I understand be full bare for to sustain anyhost awhile for the mighty wars that whilom6 madeKing Claudas upon this country and upon my father,King Ban, and on mine uncle, King Bors. Howbeit wewill at this time keep our strong walls. And I shall senda messenger unto my lord Arthur a treatise for to take,for better is peace than always war.”

So Sir Lancelot sent forth a damsel7 with a dwarfwith her, requiring King Arthur to leave his warringupon his lands. And so she start upon a palfrey,8 and adwarf ran by her side. And when she came to the

pavilion of King Arthur, there she alight; and there mether a gentle knight, Sir Lucan the Butler, and said,

“Fair damsel, come you from Sir Lancelot du Lake?”“Yea, sir,” she said, “therefore came I hither to speak

with my lord the king.”“Alas,” said Sir Lucan, “my lord Arthur would

accord with Sir Lancelot, but Sir Gawain will not sufferhim.” And then he said, “I pray to God, damsel, that yemay speed well, 9 for all we that been about the kingwould that Lancelot did best of any knight living.”

And so with this Sir Lucan led the damsel to theking, where he sat with Sir Gawain, for to hear what shewould say. So when she had told her tale the water ranout of the king’s eyen. And all the lords were full gladfor to advise the king to be accorded with Sir Lancelot,save all only Sir Gawain. And he said,

“My lord, mine uncle, what will ye do? Will ye nowturn again, now ye are past this far upon your journey?All the world will speak of you villainy and shame.”

“Now,” said King Arthur, “wit you well, Sir Gawain,I will do as ye advise me; and yet meseemeth,” said KingArthur, “his fair proffers were not good to be refused.But sithen I am come so far upon this journey, I willthat ye give the damsel her answer, for I may not speakto her for pity: for her proffers been so large.”10

Then Sir Gawain said unto the damsel thus: “Say yeto Sir Lancelot that it is waste labour now to sue11 tomine uncle. For tell him, an he would have made anylabour for peace, he should have made it or this time,for tell him now it is too late. And say to him that I, SirGawain, so send him word, that I promise him by thefaith that I owe to God and to knighthood, I shall neverleave him till he has slain me or I him!”

So the damsel wept and departed, and so there wasmany a weeping eye. And then Sir Lucan brought thedamsel to her palfrey; and so she came to Sir Lancelot,where he was among all his knights, and when SirLancelot had heard her answer, then the tears ran downby his cheeks. And then his noble knights came abouthim and said,

“Sir Lancelot, wherefore make ye such cheer? Nowthink what ye are, and what men we are, and let us,

1 how … lands What will happen to them if they come upon ourlands like this. 2 shend Ruin.3 nought Nothing.4 droop and dare Cower and be still.5 wont Accustomed.6 whilom Once.7 damsel Maiden.8 palfrey Saddled horse, regarded as suitable for a woman.

9 speed well Succeed.10 large Generous.11 waste labour … sue Waste of time to petition.

The Death of King Arthur 27

noble knights, match them in midst of the field.”“That may be lightly1 done,” said Sir Lancelot, “but

I was never so loath to do battle. And therefore I prayyou, sirs, as ye love me, be ruled at this time as I willhave you. For I will always flee that noble king thatmade me knight; and when I may no further, I mustneeds defend me. And that will be more worship for meand us all than to compare with that noble king whomwe have all served.”

Then they held their language,2 and as that nightthey took their rest. And upon the morning early, in thedawning of the day, as knights looked out, they saw thecity of Benwick besieged round about, and gan fast toset up ladders. And they within kept them out of thetown and beat them mightily from the walls. Thencame forth Sir Gawain, well armed, upon a stiff3 steed,and he came before the chief gate with his spear in hishand, crying:

“Where art thou, Sir Lancelot? Is there none of allyour proud knights that dare break a spear with me?”

Then Sir Bors made him ready and came forth outof the town. And there Sir Gawain encountered with SirBors, and at that time he smote him down from hishorse, and almost he had slain him. And so Sir Bors wasrescued and borne into the town.

Then came forth Sir Lionel, brother to Sir Bors, andthought to revenge him, and either fewtred their spearsand so ran together, and there they met spiteously,4 butSir Gawain had such a grace5 that he smote Sir Lioneldown and wounded him there passingly sore. And thenSir Lionel was rescued and borne into the town.

And thus Sir Gawain came every day, and failed notbut that he smote down one knight or other. So thusthey endured half a year, and much slaughter was ofpeople on both parties.

Then it befell upon a day that Sir Gawain cameafore the gates, armed at all pieces,6 on a noble horse,with a great spear in his hand, and then he cried with a

loud voice and said,“Where art thou now, thou false traitor, Sir Lance-

lot? Why holdest thou thyself within holes and walls likea coward? Look out, thou false traitor knight, and hereI shall revenge upon thy body the death of my threebrethren!”

And all this language heard Sir Lancelot every deal.7

Then his kin and his knights drew about him, and allthey said at once unto Sir Lancelot,

“Sir, now must you defend you like a knight, eitherelse ye be shamed for ever, for now ye be called upon8

treason it is time for you to stir! For ye have slept overlong and suffered overmuch.”

“So God me help,” said Sir Lancelot, “I am rightheavy at Sir Gawain’s words, for now he charges9 mewith a great charge. And therefore I wot as well as ye Imust needs defend me, either else to be recreant.”

Then Sir Lancelot bade saddle his strongest horseand bade let fetch his arms and bring all to the tower ofthe gate. And then Sir Lancelot spake on high unto theking and said,

“My lord Arthur and noble king that made meknight! Wit you well I am right heavy for your sake thatye thus sue upon me.10 And always I forbear you, for anI would be vengeable11 I might have met you in midstthe field or this time, and there to have made yourboldest knights full tame. And now I have forborne youand suffered you half a year, and Sir Gawain, to do whatyou would do. And now I may no longer suffer toendure, but needs I must defend myself, insomuch asSir Gawain hath becalled me of treason; which is greatlyagainst my will that ever I should fight against any ofyour blood, but now I may not forsake it: for I amdriven thereto as beast till a bay.”12

Then Sir Gawain said unto Sir Lancelot,“An thou darest do battle, leave thy babbling and

come off, and let us ease our hearts!”

1 lightly Easily.2 held … language Remained quiet.3 stiff Sturdy.4 spiteously Violently.5 grace Good luck.6 armed … pieces Completely armed.

7 every deal Everything he said.8 called upon Accused of.9 charges Accuses.10 sue thus upon me Pursue me in this matter.11 vengeable Vengeful.12 till … bay At bay.

28 Sir Thomas Malory

Then Sir Lancelot armed him and mounted uponhis horse, and either of them got great spears in theirhands. And so the host without stood still all apart, andthe noble knights of the city came a great number, thatwhen King Arthur saw the number of men and knightshe marvelled and said to himself,

“Alas, that ever Sir Lancelot was against me! For nowI see that he has forborne me.”

And so the covenant was made, there should no mannigh them neither deal with them till the tone1 weredead other yolden.2

Then Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain departed a greatway in sunder,3 and then they came together with alltheir horse4 mights as fast as they might run, and eithersmote other in midst of their shields. But the knightswere so strong and their spears so big that their horsemight not endure their buffets, and so their horses fellto the earth. And then they avoided their horses anddressed their shields afore them; then they came to-gether and gave many sad strokes on diverse places oftheir bodies, that the blood brast out on many sides.

Then had Sir Gawain such a grace and gift that anholy man had given him, that every day in the year,from undern till high noon, his might increased thosethree hours as much as thrice his strength. And thatcaused Sir Gawain to win great honour. And for his sakeKing Arthur made an ordinance that all manner ofbattles for any quarrels that should be done afore KingArthur should begin at undern; and all was done for SirGawain’s love, that by likelihood if Sir Gawain were onthe tone party, he should have the better in battle whilehis strength endured three hours. But there were thattime but few knights living that knew this advantagethat Sir Gawain had, but King Arthur all only.

So Sir Lancelot fought with Sir Gawain, and whenSir Lancelot felt his might evermore increase, Sir Lance-lot wondered and dread him sore to be shamed; for, asthe French book saith, he wende,5 when he felt SirGawain’s double his strength, that he had been a fiend

and none earthly man. Wherefore Sir Lancelot tracedand traversed,6 and covered himself with his shield, andkept his might and his breath during three hours. Andthat while Sir Gawain gave him many sad brunts andmany sad strokes, that all knights that beheld Sir Lance-lot marvelled how he might endure him, but full littleunderstood they that travail that Sir Lancelot had toendure him.

And then when it was past noon Sir Gawain’sstrength was gone and he had no more but his ownmight. When Sir Lancelot felt him so come down, thenhe stretched him up and strode near Sir Gawain andsaid thus:

“Now I feel ye have done your worst! And now, mylord Sir Gawain, I must do my part, for many a greatand grievous strokes I have endured you this day withgreat pain.”

And so Sir Lancelot doubled his strokes and gave SirGawain such a stroke upon the helmet that sideling7 hefell down upon his one side. And Sir Lancelot withdrewhim from him.

“Why withdrawest thou thee?” said Sir Gawain.“Turn again, false traitor knight, and slay me out! Foran thou leave me thus, anon as I am whole I shall dobattle with thee again.”

“Sir,” said Sir Lancelot, “I shall endure you, byGod’s grace! But wit thou well, Sir Gawain, I will neversmite a felled knight.”

And so Sir Lancelot departed and went unto thecity. And Sir Gawain was borne unto King Arthur’spavilion, and anon leeches8 were brought unto him ofthe best, and searched and salved him with soft oint-ments. And then Sir Lancelot said,

“Now have good day, my lord and king! For wit youwell ye win no worship at these walls, for an I would myknights outbring, there should many a doughty9 mandie. And therefore, my lord Arthur, remember you ofold kindness, and howsoever I fare, Jesu be your guidein all places.”

1 tone One.2 yolden Yielded.3 in sunder Apart.4 horse Horses’.5 wende Thought.

6 traversed Dodged.7 sideling Sideways.8 leeches Physicians. 9 doughty Brave.

The Death of King Arthur 29

“Now, alas,” said the king, “that ever this unhappywar began! For ever Sir Lancelot forbeareth me in allplaces, and in like wise my kin, and that is seen well thisday, what courtesy he showed my nephew, Sir Gawain.”

Then King Arthur fell sick for sorrow of Sir Gawain,that he was so sore hurt, and because of the war betwixthim and Sir Lancelot. So after that they on King Ar-thur’s party kept the siege with little war withoutforth,and they withinforth kept their walls and defendedthem when need was.

Thus Sir Gawain lay sick and unsound three weeksin his tents with all manner of leechcraft1 that might behad. And as soon as Sir Gawain might go and ride, hearmed him at all points and bestrode a stiff courser andgot a great spear in his hand, and so he came ridingafore the chief gate of Benwick. And there he cried onhigh and said,

“Where art thou, Sir Lancelot? Come forth, thoufalse traitor knight and recreant, for I am here, SirGawain, that will prove this that I say upon thee!”

And all this language Sir Lancelot heard and saidthus: “Sir Gawain, me repents of your foul saying, thatye will not cease your language. For ye wot well, SirGawain, I know your might and all that ye may do, andwell ye wot, Sir Gawain, ye may not greatly hurt me.”

“Come down, traitor knight,” said he, “and make itgood the contrary with thy hands! For it mishapped methe last battle to be hurt of thy hands, therefore, witthou well, I am come this day to make amends, for Iween this day to lay thee as low as thou laidest me.”

“Jesu defend me,” said Sir Lancelot, “that ever I beso far in your danger2 as ye have been in mine, for thenmy days were done. But, Gawain,” said Lancelot, “yeshall not think that I shall tarry long, but sithen that yeunknightly call me thus of treason, ye shall have bothyour hands full of me!”

And then Sir Lancelot armed him at all points andmounted upon his horse and got a great spear in hishand and rode out at the gate. And both their hostswere assembled, of them without and within, and stoodin array full manly, and both parties were charged tohold them still to see and behold the battle of these twonoble knights.

And then they laid their spears in their rests and socame together as thunder. And Sir Gawain brake hisspear in an hundred pieces to his hand, and Sir Lancelotsmote him with a greater might, that Sir Gawain’s horsefeet raised, and so the horse and he fell to the earth.Then Sir Gawain deliverly3 devoided his horse and puthis shield afore him, and eagerly drew his sword andbade Sir Lancelot, “Alight, traitor knight!” and said, “Ifa mare’s son hath failed me, wit thou well a king’s sonand a queen’s son shall not fail thee!”

Then Sir Lancelot devoided his horse and dressed hisshield afore him and drew his sword, and so cameeagerly together and gave many sad strokes, that all menon both parties had wonder.

But when Sir Lancelot felt Sir Gawain’s might somarvellously increase, he then withheld his courage andhis wind,4 and so he kept him under covert of his mightand of his shield: he traced and traversed here and thereto break Sir Gawain’s strokes and his courage. And everSir Gawain enforced himself with all his might andpower to destroy Sir Lancelot, for, as the French booksaith, ever as Sir Gawain’s might increased, right soincreased his wind and his evil will.

And thus he did great pain unto Sir Lancelot threehours, that he had much ado to defend him. And whenthe three hours were passed, that he felt Sir Gawain wascome home to his own proper strength, then Sir Lance-lot said,

“Sir, now I have proved you twice that you are a fulldangerous knight and a wonderful man of your might!And many wonder deeds have ye done in your days, forby your might increasing ye have deceived many a fullnoble knight. And now I feel that ye have done yourmighty deeds, and now, wit you well, I must do mydeeds!”

And then Sir Lancelot strode near Sir Gawain anddoubled his strokes, and ever Sir Gawain defended himmightily, but nevertheless Sir Lancelot smote such astroke upon his helm, and upon the old wound, that SirGawain sank down and swooned. And anon as he didawake he waved and foined5 at Sir Lancelot as he lay,

1 leechcraft Medical arts.2 danger Power.

3 deliverly Quickly.4 wind Breath.5 foined Thrust his spear.

30 Sir Thomas Malory

and said,“Traitor knight, wit thou well I am not yet slain.

Therefore come thou near me and perform this battle tothe utterance!”

”I will no more do than I have done,” said SirLancelot. “For when I see you on foot I will do battleupon you all the while I see you stand upon your feet;but to strike a wounded man that may not stand, Goddefend me from such a shame!” And then he turned him and went his way towardthe city, and Sir Gawain evermore calling him “traitorknight,” and said,

“Traitor knight! Wit thou well, Sir Lancelot, whenI am whole I shall do battle with you again, for I shallnever leave thee till the tone of us be slain!”

Thus as this siege endured, and as Sir Gawain laysick nearhand1 a month, and when he was well recov-ered and ready within three days to do battle again withSir Lancelot, right so came tidings unto King Arthurfrom England that made King Arthur and all his host toremove.

4The Day of Destiny

As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England, he let make2

letters as though that they had come from beyond thesea, and the letters specified that King Arthur was slainin battle with Sir Lancelot. Wherefore Sir Mordredmade a parliament, and called the lords together, andthere he made them to choose him king. And so was hecrowned at Canterbury, and held a feast there fifteendays.

And afterward he drew him unto Winchester, andthere he took Queen Guinevere, and said plainly that hewould wed her (which was his uncle’s wife and hisfather’s wife).And so he made ready for the feast, and a day prefixedthat they should be wedded; wherefore Queen Guine-vere was passing heavy, but spake fair,3 and agreed to SirMordred’s will.

And anon she desired of Sir Mordred to go toLondon to buy all manner things that longed to thebridal. And because of her fair speech Sir Mordredtrusted her and gave her leave; and so when she came toLondon she took the Tower of London and suddenly inall haste possible she stuffed it with all manner ofvictual, and well garnished it with men, and so kept it.

And when Sir Mordred wist this he was passingwroth out of measure.4 And short tale to make, he laida mighty siege about the Tower and made many as-saults, and threw engines5 unto them, and shot greatguns. But all might not prevail, for Queen Guineverewould never, for fair speech neither for foul, never totrust unto Sir Mordred to come in his hands again.

Then came the Bishop of Canterbury, which was anoble clerk and an holy man, and thus he said unto SirMordred:

“Sir, what will ye do? Will you first displease Godand sithen shame yourself and all knighthood? For is notKing Arthur your uncle, and no farther but yourmother’s brother, and upon her he himself begat you,upon his own sister? Therefore how may you wed yourown father’s wife? And therefore, sir,” said the Bishop,“leave this opinion,6 other else I shall curse you withbook, bell and candle.”7

“Do thou thy worst,” said Sir Mordred, “and I defythee!”

“Sir,” said the Bishop, “and wit you well I shall notfear me to do that me ought to do. And also ye noisethat my lord Arthur is slain, and that is not so, andtherefore ye will make a foul work in this land!”

“Peace,8 thou false priest!” said Sir Mordred, “for anthou chafe9 me any more, I shall strike off thy head.”

So the Bishop departed, and did the cursing in themost orgulust wise10 that might be done. And then SirMordred sought the Bishop of Canterbury for to have

1 nearhand Nearly.2 let make Ordered to be made.3 passing heavy … spake fair I.e., Guinevere was terribly unhappy,but spoke as though she were not.

4 passing … measure Extremely angry. 5 engines Instruments used in war.6 leave … opinion Stop this scheme.7 curse … candle Officially excommunicate you, i.e., Mordred willbe cast out of the Roman Catholic Church.8 Peace Silence.9 An thou chafe If you anger.10 orgulust wise Determined way.

The Death of King Arthur 31

slain him. Then the Bishop fled, and took part of hisgoods with him, and went nigh unto Glastonbury. Andthere he was a priest-hermit in a chapel, and lived inpoverty and in holy prayers; for well he understood thatmischievous war was at hand.

Then Sir Mordred sought upon1 Queen Guinevereby letters and sonds,2 and by fair means and foul means,to have her to come out of the Tower of London; but allthis availed nought, for she answered him shortly,3

openly and privily, that she had liefer slay herself thanbe married with him.

Then came there word unto Sir Mordred that KingArthur had araised the siege from Sir Lancelot and wascoming homeward with a great host to be avenged uponSir Mordred; wherefore Sir Mordred made write writsunto all the barony of this land, and much people drewunto him. For then was the common voice among themthat with King Arthur was never other life but war andstrife, and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss.Thus was King Arthur depraved4 and evil said of; andmany there were that King Arthur had brought up ofnought, and given them lands, that might not then sayhim a good word.

Lo ye Englishmen, see ye not what a mischief herewas? For he that was the most king and noblest knightof the world, and most loved the fellowship of nobleknights, and by him they all were upholden, and yetmight not these Englishmen hold them content withhim. Lo thus was the old custom and the usages of thisland, and men say that we of this land have not yet lostthat custom. Alas! this is a great default of us English-men, for there may no thing us please no term.5

And so fared the people at that time: they werebetter pleased with Sir Mordred than they were with thenoble King Arthur, and much people drew unto SirMordred and said they would abide with him for betterand for worse. And so Sir Mordred drew with a greathost to Dover, for there he heard say that King Arthurwould arrive, and so he thought to beat his own father

from his own lands. And the most party of all Englandheld with Sir Mordred, for the people were so new-fangle.6

And so as Sir Mordred was at Dover with his host,so came King Arthur with a great navy of ships andgalleys and carracks,7 and there was Sir Mordred readyawaiting upon his landing, to let his own father to land8

upon the land that he was king over.Then there was launching of great boats and small,

and full of noble men of arms; and there was muchslaughter of gentle knights, and many a full bold baronwas laid full low, on both parties. But King Arthur wasso courageous that there might no manner of knight lethim to land, and his knights fiercely followed him. Andso they landed maugre Sir Mordred’s head and all hispower, and put Sir Mordred aback, that he fled and allhis people.

So when this battle was done King Arthur let search9

his people that were hurt and dead. And then was nobleSir Gawain found in a great boat, lying more than halfdead. When King Arthur knew that he was laid so lowhe went unto him and so found him. And there the kingmade great sorrow out of measure, and took Sir Gawainin his arms, and thrice he there swooned. And thenwhen he was waked, King Arthur said,

“Alas! Sir Gawain, my sister son,10 here now thouliest, the man in the world that I loved most. And nowis my joy gone! For now, my nephew, Sir Gawain, I willdiscover me11 unto you, that in your person and in SirLancelot I most had my joy and my affiance.12 And nowhave I lost my joy of you both, wherefore all mineearthly joy is gone from me!”

“Ah, mine uncle,” said Sir Gawain, “now I will thatye wit that my death-days be come! And all I may wite13

mine own hastiness and my wilfulness, for through mywilfulness I was causer of mine own death; for I was this

1 sought upon Pleaded with.2 sonds Messengers.3 shortly Quickly.4 depraved Slandered.5 no term For any length of time.

6 newfangle Fond of novelty.7 carracks Warships.8 to … land To prevent his own father from landing.9 let search Allowed to be examined.10 sister son Nephew by my sister.11 discover me Confide.12 affiance Faith, trust.13 all … wite For all this I may blame.

32 Sir Thomas Malory

day hurt and smitten upon mine old wound that SirLancelot gave me, and I feel myself that I must needs bedead by the hour of noon. And through me and mypride ye have all this shame and disease,1 for had thatnoble knight, Sir Lancelot, been with you, as he was andwould have been, this unhappy war had never beenbegun; for he, through his noble knighthood and hisnoble blood, held all your cankered2 enemies in subjec-tion and danger. And now,” said Sir Gawain, “ye shallmiss Sir Lancelot. But alas that I would not accord withhim! And therefore, fair uncle, I pray you that I mayhave paper, pen and ink, that I may write unto SirLancelot a letter written with mine own hand.”

So when paper, pen and ink was brought, then SirGawain was set up weakly3 by King Arthur, for he wasshriven a little afore. And then he took his pen andwrote thus, as the French book maketh mention:

“Unto thee, Sir Lancelot, flower of all noble knightsthat ever I heard of or saw by my days, I, Sir Gawain,King Lot’s son of Orkney, and sister’s son unto thenoble King Arthur, send thee greeting, letting thee tohave knowledge that the tenth day of May I was smittenupon the old wound that thou gave me afore the city ofBenwick, and through that wound I am come to mydeath-day. And I will that all the world wit that I, SirGawain, knight of the Table Round, sought my death,and not through thy deserving, but mine own seeking.Wherefore I beseech thee, Sir Lancelot, to return againunto this realm and see my tomb and pray some prayermore other less for my soul. And this same day that Iwrote the same cedle4 I was hurt to the death, whichwound was first given of thine hand, Sir Lancelot; for ofa more nobler man might I not be slain.

“Also, Sir Lancelot, for all the love that ever wasbetwixt us, make no tarrying, but come over the sea inall the goodly haste that ye may, with your nobleknights, and rescue that noble king that made theeknight, for he is full straitly bestead with a false traitorwhich is my half-brother, Sir Mordred. For he hathcrowned himself king and would have wedded my lady,

Queen Guinevere; and so had he done, had she not keptthe Tower of London with strong hand. And so thetenth day of May last past my lord King Arthur and weall landed upon them at Dover, and there he put thatfalse traitor, Sir Mordred, to flight. And so it mis-fortuned me to be smitten upon the stroke that ye gaveme of old.

“And the date of this letter was written but twohours and a half before my death, written with mineown hand and subscribed with part of my heart blood.And therefore I require thee, most famous knight of theworld, that thou wilt see my tomb.”

And then he wept and King Arthur both, andswooned. And when they were awaked both, the kingmade Sir Gawain to receive his sacrament,5 and then SirGawain prayed the king for to send for Sir Lancelot andto cherish him above all other knights.

And so at the hour of noon Sir Gawain yielded upthe ghost.6 And then the king let inter him in a chapelwithin Dover Castle. And there yet all men may see theskull of him, and the same wound is seen that SirLancelot gave in battle.

Then was it told the king that Sir Mordred hadpight7 a new field upon Barham Down. And so uponthe morn King Arthur rode thither to him, and therewas a great battle betwixt them, and much people wereslain on both parties. But at the last King Arthur’s partystood best, and Sir Mordred and his party fled untoCanterbury.

And there the king let search all the downs for hisknights that were slain and interred them; and salvedthem with soft salves that full sore were wounded. Thenmuch people drew unto King Arthur, and then they saidthat Sir Mordred warred upon King Arthur with wrong.

And anon King Arthur drew him with his host downby the seaside westward, toward Salisbury. And therewas a day assigned betwixt King Arthur and SirMordred, that they should meet upon a down besideSalisbury, and not far from the seaside. And this day wasassigned on Monday after Trinity Sunday,8 whereof

1 disease Anguish.2 cankered Corrupted.3 weakly Gently.4 cedle Letter.

5 sacrament Extreme unction, the last rites of the Roman Catholicchurch, given to those who are dying or thought to be near death.6 yielded up the ghost I.e., died.7 pight Pitched, set up.8 Trinity Sunday First Sunday after Pentecost.

The Death of King Arthur 33

King Arthur was passing glad that he might be avengedupon Sir Mordred.

Then Sir Mordred araised much people aboutLondon, for they of Kent, Sussex and Surrey, Essex,Suffolk and Norfolk held the most party with SirMordred. And many a full noble knight drew unto himand also to the king; but they that loved Sir Lancelotdrew unto Sir Mordred.

So upon Trinity Sunday at night King Arthurdreamed a wonderful dream, and in his dream himseemed that he saw upon a chafflet1 a chair, and thechair was fast to a wheel, and thereupon sat King Arthurin the richest cloth of gold that might be made. And theking thought there was under him, far from him, anhideous deep black water, and therein was all mannerof serpents and worms2 and wild beasts, foul andhorrible. And suddenly the king thought that the wheelturned up-so-down, and he fell among the serpents, andevery beast took him by a limb. And then the king criedas he lay in his bed, “Help! help!”

And then knights, squires and yeomen3 awaked theking, and then he was so amazed that he wist not wherehe was. And then so he awaked until it was nigh day,and then he fell on slumbering again, not sleeping northoroughly waking. So the king seemed verily that therecame Sir Gawain unto him with a number of fair ladieswith him. So when King Arthur saw him he said,

“Welcome, my sister’s son, I weened ye had beendead. And now I see thee on live, much am I beholdenunto Almighty Jesu. Ah, fair nephew, what been4 theseladies that hither be come with you?”

“Sir,” said Sir Gawain, “all these be ladies for whomI have foughten for, when I was man living. And allthese are those that I did battle for in righteous quarrels,and God hath given them that grace at their greatprayer, because I did battle for them for their right, thatthey should bring me hither unto you. Thus much hathgiven me leave God for to warn you of your death: foran ye fight as to-morn with Sir Mordred, as ye bothhave assigned, doubt ye not ye shall be slain, and the

most party of your people on both parties. And for thegreat grace and goodness that Almighty Jesu hath untoyou, and for pity of you and many more other goodmen there shall be slain, God hath sent me to you of Hisespecial grace to give you warning that in no wise ye dobattle as to-morn, but that ye take a treatise for amonth- day.5 And proffer you largely, so that to-mornye put in a delay. For within a month shall come SirLancelot with all his noble knights, and rescue youworshipfully, and slay Sir Mordred and all that ever willhold with him.”

Then Sir Gawain and all the ladies vanished, andanon the king called upon his knights, squires, andyeomen, and charged them mightly to fetch his noblelords and wise bishops unto him. And when they werecome the king told them of his avision:6 that Sir Gawainhad told him and warned him that an he fought on themorn he should be slain. Then the king commanded SirLucan the Butler and his brother Sir Bedivere the Bold,with two bishops with them, and charged them in anywise to take a treatise for a month-day with Sir Mor-dred:

“And spare not, proffer him lands and goods asmuch as you think reasonable.”

So then they departed and came to Sir Mordredwhere he had a grim host of an hundred thousand. Andthere they entreated Sir Mordred long time, and at thelast Sir Mordred was agreed for to have Cornwall andKent by King Arthur’s days;7 and after that all England,after the days of King Arthur. Then were they conde-scended that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should meetbetwixt both their hosts, and every each of them shouldbring fourteen persons. And so they came with thisword unto Arthur. Then said he, “I am glad that this is done,” and so he went into thefield.

And when King Arthur should depart he warned allhis host that an they see any sword drawn, “look yecome on fiercely and slay that traitor, Sir Mordred, forI in no wise trust him.” In like wise Sir Mordred warnedhis host that “an ye see any manner of sword drawn look

1 chafflet Platform.2 worms Dragons.3 yeomen Attendant to the king; a place of privilege given to someoneof some standing.4 what been Who are.

5 month-day A month from today.6 avision Dream.7 by … days While King Arthur lived.

34 Sir Thomas Malory

that ye come on fiercely and so slay all that ever beforeyou standeth, for in no wise I will not trust for thistreatise.”1 And in the same wise said Sir Mordred untohis host: “for I know well my father will be avengedupon me.”

And so they met as their pointment was, and wereagreed and accorded thoroughly. And wine was fette,2

and they drank together. Right so came out an adder ofa little heathbush, and it stang a knight in the foot. Andso when the knight felt him so stung, he looked downand saw the, adder; and anon he drew his sword to slaythe adder, and thought none other harm. And when thehost on both parties saw that sword drawn, then theyblew beams,3 trumpets, and horns, and shouted grimly,and so both hosts dressed them together. And KingArthur took his horse and said, “Alas, this unhappyday!” And so rode to his party, and Sir Mordred in likewise.

And never since was there seen a more dolefullerbattle in no Christian land, for there was but rushingand riding, foining and striking, and many a grim wordwas there spoken of either to other, and many a deadlystroke. But ever King Arthur rode throughout thebattle4 of Sir Mordred many times and did full nobly, asa noble king should do, and at all times he faintednever. And Sir Mordred did his devoir5 that day and puthimself in great peril.

And thus they fought all the long day, and neverstinted till the noble knights were laid to the cold earth.And ever they fought still till it was near night, and bythen was there an hundred thousand laid dead upon theearth. Then was King Arthur wood wroth out of mea-sure, when he saw his people so slain from him.

And so he looked about him and could see no mo ofall his host, and good knights left no mo on live but twoknights: the tone was Sir Lucan de Butler and hisbrother, Sir Bedivere; and yet they were full sorewounded.

“Jesu mercy!” said the king, “where are all my nobleknights become? Alas, that ever I should see this dolefulday! For now,” said King Arthur, “I am come to mineend. But would to God,” said he, “that I wist now wherewere that traitor Sir Mordred that hath caused all thismischief.”

Then King Arthur looked about and was ware wherestood Sir Mordred leaning upon his sword among agreat heap of dead men.

“Now, give me my spear,” said King Arthur unto SirLucan, “for yonder I have espied the traitor that all thiswoe hath wrought.”

“Sir, let him be,” said Sir Lucan, “for he is unhappy.And if ye pass6 this unhappy day ye shall be right wellrevenged. And, good lord, remember ye of your night’sdream and what the spirit of Sir Gawain told youtonight, and yet God of His great goodness hath pre-served you hitherto. And for God’s sake, my lord, leaveoff this, for, blessed be God, ye have won the field: foryet we been here three on live, and with Sir Mordred isnot one of live. And therefore if ye leave off now, thiswicked day of Destiny is past!”

“Now tide me death, tide me life,”7 said the king,“now I see him yonder alone, he shall never escape minehands! For at a better avail shall I never have him.”

“God speed you well!” said Sir Bedivere.Then the king got his spear in both his hands, and

ran toward Sir Mordred, crying and saying,“Traitor, now is thy death-day come!”And when Sir Mordred saw King Arthur he ran

until him with his sword drawn in his hand, and thereKing Arthur smote Sir Mordred under the shield witha foin of his spear throughout the body more than afathom.8 And when Sir Mordred felt that he had hisdeath wound he thrust himself with the might that hehad up to the burr9 of King Arthur’s spear, and right sohe smote his father, King Arthur, with his sword hold-ing in both his hands, upon the side of the head, thatthe sword pierced the helmet and the tay10 of the brain.

1 for … treatise Despite this treaty.2 fette Furnished.3 beams Small trumpets.4 battle Battleline.5 devoir Work, duty.

6 pass Survive.7 Now … life Now whether death or life befalls me.8 fathom Distance of arms stretched out fully.9 burr Ring around spear where hand is placed.10 tay Outer covering.

The Death of King Arthur 35

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And therewith Mordred dashed down stark dead to theearth.

And noble King Arthur fell in a swough to the earth,and there he swooned oftentimes, and Sir Lucan and SirBedivere oftentimes hove1 him up. And so weaklybetwixt them they led him to a little chapel not far fromthe sea, and when the king was there, him thought himreasonably eased.

Then heard they people cry in the field.“Now go thou, Sir Lucan,” said the king, “and do

me to wit what betokens2 that noise in the field.”So Sir Lucan departed, for he was grievously wound-

ed in many places; and so as he rode he saw and har-kened by the moonlight how that pillers3 and robberswere come into the field to pille4 and to rob many a fullnoble knight of brooches and bees5 and of many a goodring and many a rich jewel. And who that were not deadall out,6 there they slew them for their harness and theirriches.

When Sir Lucan understood his work he came tothe king as soon as he might, and told him all what hehad heard and seen.

“Therefore by my rede,”7 said Sir Lucan, “it is bestthat we bring you to some town.”

“I would it were so,” said the king, “but I may notstand, my head works so … Ah, Sir Lancelot!” said KingArthur, “this day have I sore missed thee! And alas, thatever I was against thee! For now have I my death,whereof Sir Gawain me warned in my dream.”

Then Sir Lucan took up the king the tone party8 andSir Bedivere the other party, and in the lifting up theking swooned, and in the lifting Sir Lucan fell in aswoon, that part of his guts fell out of his body; andtherewith the noble knight his heart brast. And whenthe king awoke he beheld Sir Lucan, how he lay foam-ing at the mouth and part of his guts lay at his feet.

“Alas,” said the king, “this is to me a full heavy sight,to see this noble duke so die9 for my sake, for he wouldhave holpen me that10 had more need of help than I!Alas, that he would not complain him, for his heart wasso set to help me. Now Jesu have mercy upon his soul!”

Than sir Bedwere wepte for the deth of hys brothir.Now leve thys mournynge and wepyng, jantyll11 knyght,seyde the kyng, for all thys woll12 nat avayle me. Forwyte thou well, and I myght lyve myselff, the dethe ofsir Lucan wolde greve me evermore. But my tymepassyth on faste, seyde the kynge. Therefore, seydekynge Arthur unto sir Bedwere, take thou hereExcaliber, my good swerde, and go wyth hit to yondirwatirs syde; and whan thou commyste there, I chargethe13 throw my swerde in that water, and com agayneand telle me what thou syeste14 there. My lorde, seydesir Bedwere, youre commaundement shall be done, andlyghtly brynge you worde agayne. So sir Bedweredeparted. And by the way he behylde that noble swerde,and the pomell and the hauffte15 was all precious stonys.And than he seyde to hymselff, If I throw thys rycheswerde in the water, thereof shall never com good, butharme and losse. And than sir Bedwere hyd Excalyberundir a tre, and so as sone as he myght he cam agayneunto the kynge and seyde he had bene at the watir andhad throwen the swerde into the water.

What sawe thou there? seyde the kynge. Sir, heseyde, [I] saw nothyng but wawis16 and wyndys. That ysuntruly seyde of the, seyde the kynge. And therefore gothou lyghtly agayne, and do my commaundemente; asthou arte to me lyff and dere,17 spare nat, but throw hitin. Than sir Bedwer[e] returned agayne a[n]d toke theswerde in hys honde; and <y>et hym thought synne and

1 hove Lifted.2 do … betokens Make me know what means.3 pillers Pillagers.4 pille Pillage.5 bees Arm and neck rings of precious metals.6 dead all out Completely dead.7 rede Advice.8 king … party One side of the king.

9 so die Die in such a manner.10 that He who.11 jantyll Gentle.12 woll Will.13 the Thee.14 syeste Saw. 15 hauffte Haft, handle of sword.16 wawis Waves.17 lyff and dere Beloved and dear.

36 Sir Thomas Malory

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[s]hame to throw away that noble swerde. And so effte1

he hyd the swerde and returned agayne and [t]olde thekynge that he had bene at the watir and done hyscommaundement. What sawist thou there? seyde thekynge.

Sir, he seyde, I sy2 nothynge but watirs wap3 andwawys wanne.4 A, traytour unto me and untrew, seydekyng Arthure, now hast thou betrayed me twyse! Whowolde wene that thou that hast bene to me so leve anddere, and also named so noble a knyght, that thou woldebetray me for the ryches of thys swerde? But now goagayn lyghtly; for thy longe taryynge puttith me in gretejouperté5 of my lyff. for I have takyn colde. And but ifthou do now as I bydde the, if ever I may se the, I shallsle the myne owne hondis, for thou woldist for my rychswerde se me dede. Than sir Bedwere departed andwente to the swerde and lyghtly toke hit up, and so hewente unto the watirs syde. And. there he bounde thegyrdyll6 aboute the hyltis, and threw the swerde as farreinto the watir as he myght. And there cam an arme andan honde above the watir, and toke hit and cleyght7 hit,and shoke hit thryse and braundysshed, and thanvanysshed with the swerde into the watir. So sir Bedy-vere cam agayne to the kynge and tolde hym what hesaw.

Alas, seyde the kynge, helpe me hens,8 for I dredeme I have taryed over [l]onge.

Than sir Bedwere toke the kynge uppon hys bak andso wente with hym to the watirs syde. And whan theywere there, evyn faste by the banke hoved9 a lytyll bargewyth many fayre ladyes in hit, and amonge hem10 allwas a quene, and all they had blak hoodis.11 And all theywepte and shryked whan they saw kynge Arthur. Now

put me into that barge, seyde the kynge. And so he dedsofftely, and there [re]sceyved hym three ladyes withgrete mournyng. And so they sette he[m d]owne, and inone of their lappis kyng Arthure layde hys hede. Andthan the quene12 seyde, A, my dere brothir! Why [ha]veye taryed so longe frome me? Alas, thys wounde onyoure hede hath caught overmuch coulde!13 And anonethey rowed fromward the londe, and sir Bedyverebehylde all tho ladyes go frowarde hym, Than sirBedwere cryed and seyde, A, my lorde Arthur what shallbecom of me, now ye go frame14 me I and leve me herealone amonge myne enemyes? Comforte thyselff, seydethe kynge, and do as well as thou mayste, for in me ysno truste for to truste in. For I muste into the vale15 ofAvylyon16 to hele me of my grevous wounde. And ifthou here nevermore of me, pray for my soule!

But ever the queen and ladies wept and shrieked,that it was pity to hear. And as soon as Sir Bedivere hadlost sight of the barge he wept and wailed, and so tookthe forest and went all that night.

And in the morning he was ware, betwixt two holtshoar,17 of a chapel and an hermitage. Then was SirBedivere fain,18 and thither he went, and when he cameinto the chapel he saw where lay an hermit grovelling onall fours, fast thereby a tomb was new graven.19 Whenthe hermit saw Sir Bedivere he knew him well, for hewas but little tofore20 Bishop of Canterbury, that SirMordred fleamed.

“Sir,” said Sir Bedivere, “what man is there hereinterred that you pray so fast21 for?”

1 effte Again.2 sy Saw.3 wap Lap at the shore.4 wanne Darken.5 jouperté Jeopardy.6 gyrdyll Belt.7 cleyght Clasped.8 hens Hence.9 hoved Came.10 hem Them.11 hoodis Hoods.

12 quene Morgan le Fay, Arthur’s mysterious sorceress sister, Queenin her own right through marriage (in most traditions) to Urien ofNorthumbria.13 coulde Cold, fever.14 frame From.15 vale Valley.16 Avylyon Avalon, magical island on the western shore of Britain.17 holts hoar Deserted woods.18 fain Glad.19 graven Engraved.20 tofore Before.21 fast Intently.

The Death of King Arthur 37

“Fair son,” said the hermit, “I wot not verily but bydeeming.1 But this same night, at midnight, here camea number of ladies and brought here a dead corse andprayed me to inter him. And here they offered anhundred tapers,2 and gave me a thousand besants.”3

“Alas,” said Sir Bedivere, “that was my lord KingArthur, which lieth here graven in this chapel.”

Then Sir Bedivere swooned, and when he awoke heprayed the hermit that he might abide with him still,there to live with fasting and prayers:

“For from hence will I never go,” said Sir Bedivere,“by my will, but all the days of my life here to pray formy lord Arthur.”

“Sir, ye are welcome to me,” said the hermit, “for Iknow you better than ye ween that I do: for ye are SirBedivere the Bold, and the full noble duke Sir Lucan deButler was your brother.”

Then Sir Bedivere told the hermit all as you haveheard tofore, and so he beleft4 with the hermit that wasbeforehand Bishop of Canterbury. And there SirBedivere put upon him poor clothes, and served thehermit full lowly in fasting and in prayers.

Thus of Arthur I find no more written in books thatbeen authorised, neither more of the very certainty ofhis death heard I never read,5 but thus was he led awayin a ship wherein were three queens; that one was KingArthur’s sister, Queen Morgan le Fay, the tother was theQueen of North Galis, and the third was the Queen ofthe Waste Lands.

Now more of the death of King Arthur could I neverfind, but that these ladies brought him to his grave, andsuch one was interred there which the hermit barewitness that sometime6 Bishop of Canterbury. But yetthe hermit knew not in certain that he was verily thebody of King Arthur; for this tale Sir Bedivere, a knightof the Table Round, made it to be written.

Yet some men say in many parts of England thatKing Arthur is not dead, but had7 by the will of ourLord Jesu into another place; and men say that he shallcome again, and he shall win the Holy Cross. Yet I willnot say that it shall be so, but rather I would say: here inthis world he changed his life. And many men say thatthere is written upon the tomb this:

HIC IACET ARTHURUS REX QUONDAM REXQUE

FUTURUS8

And thus leave I here Sir Bedivere with the hermitthat dwelled that time in a chapel beside Glastonbury,and there was his hermitage. And so they lived inprayers and fastings and great abstinence.

And when Queen Guinevere understood that KingArthur was dead and all the noble knights, Sir Mordredand all the remnant, then she stole away with five ladieswith her, and so she went to Amesbury. And there shelet make herself a nun, and weared white clothes andblack, and great penance she took upon her, as ever didsinful woman in this land. And never creature couldmake her merry, but ever she lived in fasting, prayersand alms-deeds,9 that all manner of people marvelledhow virtuously she was changed.

5The Dolorous Death and Departing O ut of This

World of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere

Now leave we the queen in Amesbury, a nun in whiteclothes and black-and there she was abbess10 and ruler,as reason would11-and now turn we from her and speakwe of Sir Lancelot du Lake, that when he heard in hiscountry that Sir Mordred was crowned king in Englandand made war against King Arthur, his own father, andwould let him to land in his own land (also it was toldhim how Sir Mordred had laid a siege about the Towerof London, because the queen would not wed him),then was Sir Lancelot wroth out of measure and said tohis kinsmen,

1 I … deeming I know not truly, but by suspicion.2 tapers Candles.3 besants Golden coins.4 beleft Remained.5 heard … read I have never heard nor read.6 sometime Was once.

7 had Was led.8 HIC … FUTURUS Here Lies Arthur, Once and Future King.9 alms-deeds Acts of charity.10 abbess Leaver of convent.11 as … would As is fitting.

38 Sir Thomas Malory

“Alas! that double traitor, Sir Mordred, now merepenteth that ever he escaped my hands, for muchshame hath he done unto my lord Arthur. For I feel bythis doleful letter that Sir Gawain sent me, on whosesoul Jesu have mercy, that my lord Arthur is full hardbestead. Alas,” said Sir Lancelot, “that ever I should liveto hear of that most noble king that made me knightthus to be overset with1 his subject in his own realm!And this doleful letter that my lord Sir Gawain hathsent me afore his death, praying me to see his tomb, wityou well his doleful words shall never go from my heart.For he was a full noble knight as ever was born! And inan unhappy hour was I born that ever I should have thatmishap to slay first Sir Gawain, Sir Gaheris, the goodknight, and mine own friend Sir Gareth that was a fullnoble knight. Now, alas, I may say I am unhappy thatever I should do thus. And yet, alas, might I never havehap2 to slay that traitor, Sir Mordred!”

“Now leave your complaints,” said Sir Bors, “andfirst revenge you of the death of Sir Gawain, on whosesoul Jesu have mercy! And it will be well done that yesee his tomb, and secondly that ye revenge my lordArthur and my lady Queen Guinevere.”

“I thank you,” said Sir Lancelot, “for ever ye will myworship.”3

Then they made them ready in all haste that mightbe, with ships and galleys, with him and his host to passinto England. And so at the last he came to Dover, andthere he landed with seven kings, and the number washideous to behold.

Then Sir Lancelot spered4 of men of Dover wherewas the king become.5 And anon the people told himhow he was slain and Sir Mordred too, with an hundredthousand that died upon a day; and how Sir Mordredgave King Arthur the first battle there at his landing,and there was Sir Gawain slain. “And upon the morn SirMordred fought with the king on Barham Down, andthere the king put Sir Mordred to the worse.”6

“Alas!” said Sir Lancelot, “this is the heaviest tidingsthat ever came to my heart. Now, fair sirs,” said SirLancelot, “show me the tomb of Sir Gawain.”

And anon he was brought into the castle of Dover,and so they showed him the tomb. Then Sir Lancelotkneeled down by the tomb and wept, and prayedheartily for his soul.

And that night he let make a dole,7 and all thatwould come of the town or of the country they had asmuch flesh and fish and wine and ale, and every manand woman he dealt to twelve pence, come whosowould. Thus with his own hand dealt he this money, ina mourning gown; and ever he wept heartily, and prayedthe people to pray for the soul of Sir Gawain.

And on the morn all the priests and clerks thatmight be gotten in the country and in the town werethere, and sang masses of Requiem.8 And there offeredfirst Sir Lancelot, and he offered an hundred pound,and then the seven kings offered, and every of themoffered forty pound. Also there was a thousand knights,and every of them offered a pound; and the offeringdured9 from the morn to night. And there Sir Lancelot lay two nights upon his tombin prayers and in doleful weeping. Then, on the thirdday, Sir Lancelot called the kings, dukes and earls, withthe barons and all his noble knights, and said thus:

“My fair lords, I thank you all of your coming intothis country with me. But wit you well all, we are cometoo late, and that shall repent me while I live, butagainst death may no man rebel. But sithen it is so,” saidSir Lancelot, “I will myself ride and seek my lady,Queen Guinevere. For, as I hear say, she hath great painand much disease, and I hear say that she is fled into thewest. And therefore ye all shall abide me here, and butif I come again within these fifteen days, take your shipsand your fellowship and depart into your country, for Iwill do as I say you.”

Then came Sir Bors and said, “My lord, SirLancelot, what think ye for to do, now for to ride in thisrealm? Wit you well ye shall do find10 few friends.”

1 overset with Defeated by.2 hap Chance.3 for … worship For you always desire me to be honorable.4 spered Asked.5 where … become Where the king had gone.6 put … worse Defeated Sir Mordred.

7 dole Wake.8 masses … Requiem Masses for the dead. 9 dured Lasted.10 ye … find You shall find.

The Death of King Arthur 39

“Be as be may as for that,”1 said Sir Lancelot, “keepyou still here, for I will further on my journey, and noman nor childe2 shall go with me.”

So it was no boot to strive, but he departed and rodewesterly, and there he sought a seven or eight days. Andat last he came to a nunnery; and anon Queen Guine-vere was ware of Sir Lancelot as she walked in thecloister. And anon as she saw him there, she swoonedthrice, that all ladies and gentlewomen had workenough to hold the queen from the earth. So when shemight speak she called her ladies and gentlewomen toher, and then she said thus:

“Ye marvel, fair ladies, why I make this fare.3 Truly,”she said, “it is for the sight of yonder knight that yonderstandeth. Wherefore I pray you call him hither to me.”

Then Sir Lancelot was brought before her; then thequeen said to all those ladies,“Through this same man and me hath all this war bewrought, and the death of the most noblest knights ofthe world; for through our love that we have lovedtogether is my most noble lord slain. Therefore, SirLancelot, wit thou well I am set in such a plight to getmy soul-heal.4 And yet I trust, through God’s grace andthrough His Passion5 of His wounds wide, that after mydeath I may have a sight of the blessed face of ChristJesu, and on Doomsday6 to sit on His right side; for assinful as ever I was now are saints in heaven. Andtherefore, Sir Lancelot, I require thee and beseech theeheartily, for all the love that ever was betwixt us, thatthou never see me no more in the visage.7 And Icommand thee, on God’s behalf, that thou forsake mycompany. And to thy kingdom look thou turn again,and keep well thy realm from war and wrack;8 for as wellas I have loved thee heretofore, mine heart will not servenow to see thee; for through thee and me is the flower

of kings and knights destroyed. And therefore go thouto thy realm, and there take thee a wife, and live withher with joy and bliss. And I pray thee heartily to prayfor me to the Everlasting Lord that I may amend mymisliving.” “Now, my sweet madam,” said Sir Lancelot, “wouldye that I should turn again unto my country, and thereto wed a lady? Nay, madam, wit you well that I shallnever do, for I shall never be so false unto you of that Ihave promised. But the self9 destiny that ye have takenyou to, I will take me to, for the pleasure of Jesu, andever for you I cast me10 specially to pray.”

“Ah, Sir Lancelot, if ye will do so and hold thypromise! But I may never believe you,” said the queen,“but that ye will turn to the world again.”

“Well, madam,” said he, “ye say as it pleaseth you,for yet wist ye me never false of my promise. And Goddefend but that I should11 forsake the world as ye havedone! For in the quest of the Sankgreal12 I had that timeforsaken the vanities of the world, had not your lovebeen. And if I had done so at that time with my heart,will and thought, I had passed13 all the knights that everwere in the Sankgreal except Galahad, my son.14 Andtherefore, lady, sithen ye have taken you to perfection,I must needs take me to perfection, of right. For I takerecord of God, in you I have had mine earthly joy; andif I had found you now so disposed, I had cast me tohave had you into mine own realm. But sithen I findyou thus disposed, I ensure15 you faithfully, I will evertake me to penance and pray while my life lasts, if thatI may find any hermit, either gray or white, that willreceive me. Wherefore, madam, I pray you kiss me, andnever no more.”16

1 Be … that Be that as it may.2 childe Young knight or squire.3 fare Commotion.4 soul-heal Salvation.5 Passion Christ’s suffering on the cross, for which, according to theChristian tradition, humanity has been cleansed of original sin.6 Doomsday Judgment Day.7 visage Face.8 wrack Ruin.

9 self Same.10 cast me Resolve. 11 God … should God forbid that I should not.12 quest of the Sankgreal Holy Grail; that is the search for the chaliceused by Christ at His Last Supper, which was undertaken by theKnights of the Round Table.13 passed Exceeded.14 Galahad my son Lancelot’s son by Elaine, daughter of King Pelles.Galahad was generally regarded as the most perfect knight, body andsoul.15 ensure Promise.16 never … more Never again.

40 Sir Thomas Malory

“Nay,” said the queen, “that I shall never do, butabstain you from such works.”1

And they departed; but there was never so hard anhearted man but he would have wept to see the dolourthat they made, for there was lamentation as they had bestung with spears, and many times they swooned. Andthe ladies bare the queen to her chamber.

And Sir Lancelot awoke, and went and took hishorse, and rode all that day and all night in a forest,weeping. And at last he was ware of an hermitage and achapel stood betwixt two cliffs; and then he heard a littlebell ring to mass. And thither he rode and alight, andtied his horse to the gate, and heard mass. And he thatsang mass was the Bishop of Canterbury. Both theBishop and Sir Bedivere knew Sir Lancelot, and theyspake together after mass. But when Sir Bedivere hadtold his tale all whole, Sir Lancelot’s heart almost brastfor sorrow, and Sir Lancelot threw his arms abroad, andsaid, “Alas! Who may trust this world?”

And then he kneeled down on his knee and prayedthe Bishop to shrive him and assoil2 him; and then hebesought the Bishop that he might be his brother.3

Then the Bishop said, “I will gladly,” and there he putan habit4 upon Sir Lancelot. And there he served Godday and night with prayers and fastings.

Thus the great host abode at Dover. And then SirLionel took fifteen lords with him and rode to Londonto seek Sir Lancelot; and there Sir Lionel was slain andmany of his lords. Then Sir Bors de Ganis made thegreat host for to go home again, and Sir Bors, Sir Ectorde Maris, Sir Blamour, Sir Bleoberis, with mo other ofSir Lancelot’s kin, took on them to ride all Englandoverthwart and endlong5 to seek Sir Lancelot. So SirBors by fortune rode so long till he came to the samechapel where Sir Lancelot was. And so Sir Bors heard alittle bell knell,6 that rang to mass; and there he alightand heard mass. And when mass was done the Bishop,Sir Lancelot and Sir Bedivere came to Sir Bors, and

when Sir Bors saw Sir Lancelot in that manner clothing,then he prayed the Bishop that he might be in the samesuit. And so there was an habit put upon him, and therehe lived in prayers and fasting.

And within half a year there was come Sir Galihud,Sir Galyhodin, Sir Blamour, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Villiars,Sir Clarrus, and Sir Gahalantin. So all these seven nobleknights there abode still. And when they saw SirLancelot had taken him to such perfection they had nolust7 to depart, but took such an habit as he had.

Thus they endured in great penance six year. Andthen Sir Lancelot took the habit of priesthood of theBishop, and a twelve-month he sang mass. And therewas none of these other knights but they read in booksand holp for to sing mass, and rang bells, and did lowlyall manner of service. And so their horses went wherethey would, for they took no regard of no worldlyriches; for when they saw Sir Lancelot endure suchpenance in prayers and fastings they took no force whatpain they endured, for to see the noblest knight of theworld take such abstinence that he waxed8 full lean.

And thus upon a night there came a vision to SirLancelot and charged him, in remission of his sins, tohaste him unto Amesbury: “And by then thou comethere, thou shalt find Queen Guinevere dead. Andtherefore take thy fellows with thee, and purvey them ofan horse bier,9 and fetch thou the corse of her, and buryher by her husband, the noble King Arthur.”

So this avision came to Lancelot thrice in one night.Then Sir Lancelot rose up or day and told the hermit.

“It were well done,” said the hermit, “that ye madeyou ready and that ye disobey not the avision.”

Then Sir Lancelot took his seven fellows with him,and on foot they yede10 from Glastonbury to Amesbury,the which is little more than thirty mile, and thitherthey came within two days, for they were weak andfeeble to go.

And when Sir Lancelot was come to Amesburywithin the nunnery, Queen Guinevere died but half anhour before. And the ladies told Sir Lancelot that Queen

1 works Behavior.2 assoil Absolve, forgive.3 be … brother Become a monk.4 habit Monk’s dress.5 overthwart and endlong Across; and from one end to the other.6 knell Toll.

7 lust Desire.8 waxed Grew.9 horse bier Coffin carrier, drawn by a horse.10 yede Went.

The Death of King Arthur 41

Guinevere told them all or she passed that Sir Lancelothad been priest near a twelve-month: “and hither hecometh as fast as he may to fetch my corse, and besidemy lord King Arthur he shall bury me.” Wherefore theQueen said in hearing of them all, “I beseech AlmightyGod that I may never have power to see Sir Lancelotwith my worldly eyen!”

“And thus,” said all the ladies, “was ever her prayerthese two days till she was dead.”

Then Sir Lancelot saw her visage, but he wept notgreatly, but sighed. And so he did all the observance ofthe service himself, both the Dirige,1 and on the mornhe sang mass. And there was ordained2 an horse-bier,and so with an hundred torches ever brenning about thecorse of the queen and ever Sir Lancelot with his eightfellows went about the horse-bier, singing and readingmany an holy orison,3 and frankincense4 upon the corseincensed.5

Thus Sir Lancelot and his eight fellows went on footfrom Amesbury unto Glastonbury; and when they werecome to the chapel and the hermitage, there she had aDirige, with great devotion. And on the morn thehermit that sometime was Bishop of Canterbury sangthe mass of Requiem with great devotion, and SirLancelot was the first that offered, and then all his eightfellows. And then she was wrapped in cered6 cloth ofRennes, from the top to the toe, in thirtyfold;7 and aftershe was put in a web8 of lead, and then in a coffin ofmarble.

And when she was put in the earth Sir Lancelotswooned, and lay long still while the hermit came andawaked him, and said,

“Ye be to blame, for ye displease God with suchmanner of sorrow-making.”

“Truly,” said Sir Lancelot, “I trust I do not displeaseGod, for He knoweth mine intent: for my sorrow wasnot, nor is not, for any rejoicing of sin, but my sorrowmay never have end. For when I remember of herbeauty and of her noblesse, that was both with her kingand with her, so when I saw his corpse and her corpse solie together, truly mine heart would not serve to sustainmy careful9 body. Also when I remember me how by mydefault, mine orgule and my pride that they were bothlaid full low that were peerless that ever was living ofChristian people, wit you well,” said Sir Lancelot, “thisremembered, of their kindness and mine unkindness,sank so to mine heart that I might not sustain myself.”So the French book maketh mention.

Then Sir Lancelot never after ate but little meat, nordrank, till he was dead, for then he sickened more andmore and dried and dwined10 away. For the Bishop nornone of his fellows might not make him to eat and littlehe drank, that he was waxen by a cubit11 shorter than hewas, that people could not know him. For evermore, dayand night, he prayed, but sometime he slumbered abroken sleep. Ever he was lying grovelling on the tombof King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, and there was nocomfort that the Bishop nor Sir Bors nor none of hisfellows could make him, it availed not.

So within six weeks after, Sir Lancelot fell sick, andlay in his bed. And then he sent for the Bishop thatthere was hermit, and all his true fellows. Then SirLancelot said with dreary steven,12

“Sir Bishop, I pray you give to me all my rites thatlongeth to a Christian man.”

“It shall not need you,”13 said the hermit and all hisfellows. “It is but heaviness of your blood. You shall bewell mended by the grace of God to-morn.”

1 Dirige Dirge, Office of the Dead in the Roman Catholic funeralmass.2 ordained Prepared.3 orison Prayer.4 frankincense Aromatic tree resin used for incense.5 incensed Perfumed.6 cered Waxed.7 thirtyfold Wrapped around her thirty times.8 web Sheet.

9 careful Filled with care, worry.10 dwined Wasted.11 cubit Unit of measurement equal to the distance between elbowand fingertips.12 steven Voice.13 It … you You do not need this.

42 Sir Thomas Malory

“My fair lords,” said Sir Lancelot, “wit you well mycareful body will into the earth, I have warning morethan now I will say. Therefore give me my rites.”

So when he was houseled and anealed1 and had allthat a Christian man ought to have, he prayed theBishop that his fellows might bear his body to JoyousGard. (Some men say it was Alnwick, and some men sayit was Bamborough.)

“Howbeit,” said Sir Lancelot, “me repenteth sore,but I made mine avow sometime that in Joyous Gard Iwould be buried. And because of breaking of mineavow,2 I pray you all, lead me thither.”

Then there was weeping and wringing of handsamong his fellows.

So at a season3 of the night they all went to theirbeds, for they all lay in one chamber. And so aftermidnight, against day,4 the Bishop that was hermit, ashe lay in his bed asleep, he fell upon5 a great laughter.And therewith all the fellowship awoke and came to theBishop and asked him what he ailed.6

“Ah, Jesu mercy!” said the Bishop, “why did yeawake me? I was never in all my life so merry and so wellat ease.”

“Wherefore?” said Sir Bors.“Truly,” said the Bishop, “here was Sir Lancelot with

me, with mo angels than ever I saw men in one day.And I saw the angels heave up Sir Lancelot unto heaven,and the gates of heaven opened against him.”7

“It is but dretching of swevens,”8 said Sir Bors, “forI doubt not Sir Lancelot aileth nothing but good.” 9

“It may well be,” said the Bishop. “Go ye to his bed,and then shall ye prove the sooth.”

So when Sir Bors and his fellows came to his bedthey found him stark dead; and he lay as he had smiled,and the sweetest savour about him that ever they felt.

Then was there weeping and wringing of hands, and thegreatest dole they made that ever made men.

And on the morn the Bishop did his mass ofRequiem, and after the Bishop and all the nine knightsput Sir Lancelot in the same horse-bier that QueenGuinevere was laid in tofore that she was buried. And sothe Bishop and they all together went with the body ofSir Lancelot daily till they came to Joyous Gard; andever they had an hundred torches brenning about him.

And so within fifteen days they came to JoyousGard. And there they laid his corpse in the body of thechoir,10 and sang and read many psalters11 and prayersover him and about him. And ever his visage was laidopen and naked, that all folks might behold him; forsuch was the custom in those days that all men ofworship should so lie with open visage till that they wereburied.

And right thus as they were at their service, therecame Sir Ector de Maris, that had seven year sought allEngland, Scotland, and Wales, seeking his brother, SirLancelot. And when Sir Ector heard such noise and lightin the choir of Joyous Gard, he alight and put his horsefrom him and came into the choir. And there he sawmen sing and weep, and all they knew Sir Ector, but heknew not them.

Then went Sir Bors unto Sir Ector and told himhow there lay his brother, Sir Lancelot, dead. And thenSir Ector threw his shield, sword and helm from him,and when he beheld Sir Lancelot’s visage he fell down ina swoon. And when he waked, it were hard any tongueto tell the doleful complaints that he made for hisbrother.

“Ah, Lancelot!” he said, “thou were head of allChristian knights! And now I dare say,” said Sir Ector,“thou Sir Lancelot, there thou liest, that thou werenever matched of12 earthly knight’s hand! And thouwere the courteoust knight that ever bare shield! Andthou were the truest friend to thy lover that ever

1 houseled and anealed Given communion and anointed.2 And … avow So that I do not break my vow.3 at a season At the proper time.4 against day Just before daybreak.5 fell upon Began.6 he ailed Ailed him.7 against him At his arrival.8 dretching of swevens Torment of dreams.9 aileth … good Feels well.

10 choir Area of church where services are performed.11 psalters Psalms. 12 of By.

The Death of King Arthur 43

bestrad1 horse, and thou were the truest lover of a sinfulman that ever loved woman, and thou were the kindestman2 that ever strake with sword. And thou were thegodliest person that ever came among press of knights,and thou was the meekest man and the gentlest that everate in hall among ladies, and thou were the sternestknight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear in the rest.”3

Then there was weeping and dolour out of measure.Thus they kept Sir Lancelot’s corpse on-loft4 fifteen

days, and then they buried it with great devotion. Andthen at leisure they went all with the Bishop ofCanterbury to his hermitage, and there they weretogether more than a month.

Then Sir Constantine, that was Sir Cador’s son ofCornwall, was chosen king of England. And he was afull noble knight, and worshipfully he ruled this realm.And then this King Constantine sent for the Bishop ofCanterbury, for he heard say where he was. And so hewas restored unto his Bishopric, and left that hermitage.And Sir Bedivere was there ever still hermit to his life’send.

Then Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, SirGahalantine, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Blamour,Sir Bleoberis, Sir Villiars le Valiant, Sir Clarrus ofClermount, all these knights drew them to theircountries. Howbeit King Constantine would have hadthem with him, but they would not abide in this realm.And there they all lived in their countries as holy men.

And some English books make mention that theywent never out of England after the death of Sir

Lancelot - but that was but the favour of makers.5 Forthe French book maketh mention—and is authorised—that Sir Bors, Sir Ector, Sir Blamour and Sir Bleoberiswent into the Holy Land, thereas Jesu Christ was quick6

and dead, and anon as they had established their lands.For, the book saith, so Sir Lancelot commanded themfor to do or7 ever he passed out of this world. And thesefour knights did many battles upon the miscreants, orTurks. And there they died upon a Good Friday forGod’s sake.

HERE IS THE END OF THE WHOLE BOOK OF KING

ARTHUR AND OF HIS NOBLE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND

TABLE, THAT WHEN THEY WERE WHOLE TOGETHER

THERE WAS EVER AN HUNDRED AND FORTY. AND HERE

IS THE END OF The Death of Arthur.

I PRAY YOU ALL GENTLEMEN AND GENTLEWOMEN

THAT READETH THIS BOOK OF ARTHUR AND HIS

KNIGHTS FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE ENDING, PRAY

FOR ME WHILE I AM ON LIVE THAT GOD SEND ME

GOOD DELIVERANCE. AND WHEN I AM DEAD, I PRAY

YOU ALL PRAY FOR MY SOUL.FOR THIS BOOK WAS ENDED THE NINTH YEAR OF

THE REIGN OF KING EDWARD THE FOURTH, BY SIR

THOMAS MALORY, KNIGHT, AS JESU HELP HIM FOR HIS

GREAT MIGHT, AS HE IS THE SERVANT OF JESU BOTH

DAY AND NIGHT.

1 bestrad Sat astride.2 of … man Among sinful men.3 rest Area on armor for stabilizing a spear during a charge. 4 on-loft On display.

5 favor … makers Fancy of the authors.6 quick Alive.7 or Before.

44 Sir Thomas Malory

1 Caxton’s Preface William Caxton (1422?–91), first printer in England; Caxton printed nearly 100 publications,many of which he translated from French and Dutch. In addition to Malory’s work, his most notable books includeChaucer’s Canterbury Tales and Troilus and Criseyde and John Gower’s Confessio Amantis (“Confession of a Lover”). 2 ensamples Stories depicting examples of behavior that should be followed or imitated.3 do … imprint Have made and printed.4 Saint Grail Holy Grail.5 notourly Notoriously, publicly.6 nine worthy Cf. Jean de Longuyon Voeux du Paon (Vows of the Peacock), a fourteenth century book addressing thenine leaders who best embodied chivalric values. The triads represent Pagan Law, Old Testament (Jewish) Law andChristian Law, respectively.7 Hector of Troy Trojan Prince famed for his battle prowess, killed by Achilles in Homer’s Iliad; Alexander theGreat Conqueror of Greece, Egypt and Persia (356–323 BCE); Julius … Rome Roman general and historian(100–44 BCE) who was murdered by political rivals.8 Joshua Successor to Moses as Israel’s leader; land of behest Land belonging to Israel by right of God’s promise;David … Jerusalem Biblical figure who defeated the giant Goliath and became king of Jerusalem; JudasMaccabeus Jewish military leader. 9 stalled Installed.10 Charlemagne Charles I (768–814), King of the Franks and Emperor of much of Western Europe. His court becamethe center of a flourishing renaissance of art and culture.

In Context

Caxton’s Preface1

After that I had accomplished and finished diverse histories, as well of contemplation as of otherhistorical and worldly acts of great conquerors and princes, and also certain books of ensamples2

and doctrine, many noble and diverse gentlemen of this realm of England came and demandedme many and oft times, wherefore that I have not do made and imprint3 the noble history ofthe Saint Grail,4 and of the most renowned Christian king, first and chief of the three best Christian,and worthy, King Arthur, which ought most to be remembered among us Englishmen to-fore allother Christian kings.

For it is notourly5 known through the universal world, that there be nine worthy and thebest that ever were, that is to wit, three Paynims,6 three Jews, and three Christian men. As for thePaynims, they were tofore the Incarnation of Christ, which were named, the first Hector of Troy, ofwhom the history is comen both in ballad and in prose, the second Alexander the Great, and the thirdJulius Caesar, Emperor of Rome,7 of whom the histories be well known and had. And as for the threeJews, which also were tofore the incarnation of our Lord, of whom the first was duke Joshua whichbrought the children of Israel into the land of behest, the second David king of Jerusalem, and thethird Judas Maccabeus,8 of these three the Bible rehearseth all their noble histories and acts. And sincethe said Incarnation have been three noble Christian men, stalled9 and admitted through the universalworld into the number of the nine best and worthy. Of whom was first the noble Arthur, whose nobleacts I purpose to write in this present book here following. The second was Charlemagne,10 or Charlesthe Great, of whom the history is had in many places, both in French and in English. And the thirdand last was Godfrey of Bouillon, of whose acts and life I made a book unto the excellent prince andking of noble memory, King Edward the Fourth.

The Death of King Arthur 45

1 Godfrey of Bouillon One of the leaders of the First Crusade (1058–1100).2 remember … nothing Record nothing of him.3 aretted Reckoned, considered. 4 Polychronicon Long chronicle that strives to couple universal history with theology, written by Ranulf Higden(1299–1363) and translated by John of Trevisa (in 1387), printed by Caxton in 1482.5 translated Buried again.6 Bochas Giovanni Boccaccio (1313–75), Italian writer, author of the Decameron and various other works; De CasuPrincipum Probably De Casibus Virorum Illustrium (Stories of Famous Men), a biographical work written by Boccacciobetween 1357 and 1363 that recounts the stories of great men who fell from the heights of success and happiness.7 Galfridus Geoffrey of Monmouth (1100?–1155), early British chronicler; British book Geoffrey’s Historia RegumBritanniae (History of the Kings of Britain), completed in 1138, that begins in a legendary past and continues up toGeoffrey’s own time.8 beryl Emerald.9 Patricius … Imperator Latin: Father Arthur, Emperor of Britain, Gaul, Germany and Dacia.

The said noble gentlemen instantly required me to imprint the history of the said noble king andconqueror King Arthur, and of his knights, with the history of the Saint Grail, and of the death andending of the said Arthur; affirming that I ought rather to imprint his acts and noble feats, than ofGodfrey of Bouillon, 1 or any of the other eight, considering that he was a man born within thisrealm, and king and emperor of the same: and that there be in French diverse and many noblevolumes of his acts, and also of his knights.

To whom I answered that diverse men hold opinion that there was no such Arthur, and that allsuch books as been made of him be feigned and fables, because that some chronicles make of him nomention, nor remember him nothing,2 nor of his knights.

Whereto they answered, and one in special said, that in him that should say or think that therewas never such a king called Arthur might well be aretted3 great folly and blindness. For he said thatthere were many evidences of the contrary. First ye may see his sepulchre in the monastery ofGlastonbury. And also in Polychronicon,4 in the fifth book the sixth chapter, and in the seventhbook the twenty-third chapter, where his body was buried, and after found, and translated5

into the said monastery. Ye shall see also in the history of Bochas, in his book De CasuPrincipum,6 part of his noble acts, and also of his fall. Also Galfridus in his British book7 recountethhis life: and in diverse places of England many remembrances be yet of him, and shall remainperpetually, and also of his knights. First in the abbey of Westminster, at St. Edward’s shrine,remaineth the print of his seal in red wax closed in beryl,8 in which is written, Patricius ArthurusBritannie, Gallie, Germanie, Dacie, Imperator.9 Item in the castle of Dover ye may see Gawaine’sskull, and Cradok’s mantle: at Winchester the Round Table: in other places Lancelot’s sword andmany other things. Then all these things considered, there can no man reasonably gainsay but therewas a king of this land named Arthur. For in all places, Christian and heathen, he is reputed andtaken for one of the nine worthy, and the first of the three Christian men. And also, he is morespoken of beyond the sea, more books made of his noble acts, than there be in England, as well inDutch, Italian, Spanish, and Greekish, as in French. And yet of record remain in witness of him inWales, in the town of Camelot, the great stones and the marvellous works of iron lying under theground, and royal vaults, which diverse now living have seen. Wherefore it is a marvel why he is nomore renowned in his own country, save only it accordeth to the Word of God, which saith that noman is accepted for a prophet in his own country.

Then all these things aforesaid alleged, I could not well deny but that there was such a noble kingnamed Arthur, and reputed one of the nine worthy, and first and chief of the Christian men. And

46 Sir Thomas Malory

1 maternal tongue Mother tongue, i.e. vernacular English.2 late Lately.3 drawn out Translated.4 conning Direction.5 enprised Undertaken.6 reduced Translated.7 done … imprint Caused it to be printed.8 estate or degree Social class or position.9 doctrine Teaching.

many noble volumes be made of him and of his noble knights in French, which I have seen and readbeyond the sea, which be not had in our maternal tongue.1 But in Welsh be many and also in French,and some in English but nowhere nigh all. Wherefore, such as have late2 been drawn out3 briefly intoEnglish I have after the simple conning4 that God hath sent to me, under the favour and correctionof all noble lords and gentlemen, enprised5 to imprint a book of the noble histories of the said KingArthur, and of certain of his knights, after a copy unto me delivered, which copy Sir Thomas Malorydid take out of certain books of French, and reduced6 it into English.

And I, according to my copy, have done set it in imprint,7 to the intent that noble men may seeand learn the noble acts of chivalry, the gentle and virtuous deeds that some knights used in thosedays, by which they came to honour, and how they that were vicious were punished and oft put toshame and rebuke; humbly beseeching all noble lords and ladies, with all other estates of what estateor degree8 they been of, that shall see and read in this said book and work, that they take the goodand honest acts in their remembrance, and to follow the same. Wherein they shall find many joyousand pleasant histories, and noble and renowned acts of humanity, gentleness, and chivalry. For hereinmay be seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice,murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after the good and leave the evil, and it shall bring you to good fameand renown.

And for to pass the time this book shall be pleasant to read in, but for to give faith and belief thatall is true that is contained herein, ye be at your liberty: but all is written for our doctrine,9 and forto beware that we fall not to vice nor sin, but to exercise and follow virtue, by which we may comeand attain to good fame and renown in this life, and after this short and transitory life to come untoeverlasting bliss in heaven; the which He grant us that reigneth in heaven, the blessed Trinity. Amen.

Then to proceed forth in this said book, which I direct unto all noble princes, lords and ladies,gentlemen or gentlewomen, that desire to read or hear read of the noble and joyous history of thegreat conqueror and excellent king, King Arthur, sometime king of this noble realm, then calledBritain; I, William Caxton, simple person, present this book following, which I have enprised toimprint: and treateth of the noble acts, feats of arms of chivalry, prowess, hardiness, humanity, love,courtesy, and very gentleness, with many wonderful histories and adventures.

The Death of King Arthur 47

Illustrating le Morte Darthur

William Caxton’s first printed edition of Malory’s work in 1485 was not illustrated, but forthe next edition (1498), Wynkyn de Worde added a number of woodcut illustrations. Twoof these are reproduced below.

Balin unsheathing Excalibur (after Arthur and various of his knights have failed to do so).

The Battle of Salisbury Plain.