 CHAPTER 36 OF THE PLOT AGAINST SALONSLOT In the same month of May when every lusty heart flourishedeth and bejoneth, there befell in King Arthur's realm a great anger and ill-fortune that stinted not till the flower or chivalry of all the world was destroyed, and all was due to two evil knights, the which were named Sir Agrivene and Sir Mordred, that were two nephews unto King Arthur, and brethren unto Sir Gawain. For this Sir Agrivene and Sir Mordred had ever a privy hate unto the Queen, Dame Gwenevere, and to Sir Lancelot, and daily and nightly they ever watched upon him. Sir Mishat, that Sir Agrivene on a day said openly, so that many knights might hear, that the friendship between Sir Lancelot and the Queen was a disgrace to knighthood, and a shame to so noble a King as Arthur. But Sir Gawain would not hear any of these tales, nor be of Agrivene's counsel. Moreover, he charged his brother to move no such matters for him, for he wist well what mischief would come, should war arise betwixt Sir Lancelot and the King, and he remembered how often Sir Lancelot had proved his goodness and loyalty by nightly deeds. Also Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, two other brethren, would know nothing of Agrivene's base accusation. But Sir Mordred, the fifth of the brethren, sons of the Queen of Orkney, the which had mocked the good Percival when first he came to the court, and who had ever been jealous and ready to think evil of another, joined with Sir Agrivene. Therewithal they three, Sir Gawain, Sir Gawain, and Sir Gareth, departed, making great dole over the mischief that threatened the destruction of the realm, and the dispersion of the noble fellowship of the round table. So Sir Agrivene and Sir Mordred came before King Arthur, and told him they might no longer suffer Sir Lancelot's deeds, for he was a traitor to his kingly person. But the King would believe nothing, unless he might have proofs of it, for, as the French book saith, he was full loathe to hear ill of a knight, who had done so much for him and for the Queen, so many times that, as was fully known, he loved him passingly well. Then these two brethren made a plot for taking Sir Lancelot, when in the Queen's presence, and bringing him dead or quick to King Arthur. So on the mourn Sir Agrivene and Sir Mordred get to them twelve nights, and hid themselves in a chamber in the castle of Carlisle, where Queen Guinevere was. Thus they plotted to take Sir Lancelot by force, if she should have speech with him. Sir Lancelot was no coward, and cared not what liars said about him, since he whist his own good will and loyalty. So when the Queen sent for him to speak with her, he went as true night to the castle, and fell into the trap that was set for him. In the battle that followed he was hard-busted, but slew Sir Agrivene at the first buffet, and within a little while he laid the twelve chosen nights cold to the earth. Also he wounded Sir Mordred, who, when he escaped from the noble Sir Lancelot, anon got his horse and rode unto King Arthur, sore wounded, and all bleeding. Then he told the King how it was, and how they were all slain save himself only. So the King believed Sir Mordred's evil accusation true, and he said, Alas! me saw repenteth that ever Sir Lancelot should be against me. Now am I sure the noble fellowship of the round table is broken for ever, for with him will many a noble night hold, and now it is fallen so that I may not keep my honour unless the Queen suffer the death. So then there was made great ordinance that the Queen must be judged to the death, for the law was such in those days that whatsoever they were, of what a state or degree, if they were found guilty of treason, there should be none other remedy but death. Right so it was ordained for Queen Grenever, and she was commanded to the fire there to be burned. King Arthur prayed Sir Gawain to make himself ready in his best armour, with his brethren Sir Gawairis and Sir Gareth, to bring the Queen to the fire, there to have her judgment and receive the death. But Sir Gawain ever believed Dame Grenever guiltless of the treason charged against her, and he would never have it said that he had any part in her shameful end. Sir Gawairis and Sir Gareth also were loath to be there present, but they were young, and full unable to say him nay. If we be there by your straight commandment, said they, ye shall plainly hold us excused though we go in peaceable wise, and bear none harness of war upon us. So the Queen was led forth without carlal, and she prepared herself for death. There was weeping and railing and ringing of hands of many lords and ladies, and few in comparison there present would bear any armour for to keep order. The gnan as the fire was to be lighted, there was spurring and plucking up of horses, and right so Sir Lancelot and his followers came hither, and whoever stood against them was slain. And so in this rushing and hurling, as Sir Lancelot pressed here and there, it mishapt him to slay Gawairis and Gareth, the noble knights, for they were unarmed and unaware. In truth Sir Lancelot saw them not, and so were they found dead among the thickest of the press. Then when Sir Lancelot had thus done, and had slain or put to flight all that would withstand him, he rode straight unto Dame Guinevere, and made her to be set behind him on his horse, and prayed her to be of good cheer. With ye well the Queen was glad that she was escaped from the death, and then she thanked God and Sir Lancelot. And so he rode his way with the Queen, as the French book sayeth, unto joyous guard his own castle, where Sir Tristram had taken the fair isowed after her flight from Cornwall. There Sir Lancelot kept Guinevere as a noble knight should do, and many great lords and some kings sent him many good knights, and many noble knights drew unto Sir Lancelot. When it was known openly that King Arthur and Sir Lancelot were at debate, many were full heavy of heart, and the King himself swooned for pure sorrow, as it was told him how and in what wise the Queen was taken away from the fire, and as he heard of the death of his noble knights, in a special that of Sir Geharris and Sir Gareth. And when he awoke of his swoon he said, Alas that ever I bear crown upon my head, for now have I lost the fairest fellowship of noble knights that ever Christian King held together. Alas that ever this war began, the death of these two brethren will cause the greatest mortal war that ever was, for I am sure, with Sir Gawain that Sir Gareth were slain, I should never have rest of him till I had destroyed Sir Lancelot's kin and himself, or else he had destroyed me. Ah aggravain, aggravain! Jesus, forgive it thy soul, for the evil will thou and thy brother Sir Moidrid haddest unto Sir Lancelot hath caused all this sorrow." CHAPTER XXXVII. How Sir Lancelot departed from the King and from joyous guard. There came one unto Sir Gawain, and told him how the Queen was led away by Sir Lancelot, and nigh a twenty-four night slain. Full well wist I, said then Sir Gawain, that Sir Lancelot would rescue her, or else he would die in that field. To say the truth had he not rescued the Queen, he would not have been a man of honour, in as much as she was to have been burned for his sake. He hath done but nightly, and as I would have done myself had I stood in like case. But where, my brethren, I marvel, I hear not of them. Then the man told him that Sir Gareth and Sir Goheres were slain, both by the hand of Lancelot. "'That may I not believe,' said Sir Gawain, that he slew my brother Sir Gareth, for I daresay Sir Gareth loved him better than me and all his brethren, and the King also. Sir Lancelot made him night, and had he desired my brother Sir Gareth with him, he would have been with him against the King and us all. Therefore I may never believe that Sir Lancelot slew my brother.' When at the last he knew in truth that Sir Gareth and Sir Goheres had died by Sir Lancelot's hand, all his joy was gone. He fell down in a swoon, and long he lay there as he had been dead. When he arose of his swoon, he ran to the King crying and weeping, and said, "'O King Arthur, my Lord and my Uncle, we e'er well, from this day I shall never fail Sir Lancelot, until the one of us have slain the other. Therefore dress you to the war, for we e'er well I will be revenged upon him.' Unto King Arthur now drew many nights, dukes and earls, so that he had a great host. Then they made them ready to lay siege about Sir Lancelot, where he lay within joyous guard. Thereof heard Sir Lancelot, and he gathered together his followers, for with him held many good nights, some for his own sake, and some for the Queen's sake. Thus they were on both sides well furnished and provided with all manner of things that belonged to the war. But Sir Lancelot was full loathe to do battle against the King, and so he withdrew into his strong castle, with all manner of victory, and as many noble men as might suffice, and for a long time would in no wise ride out, neither would he allow any of his good nights to issue out, though King Arthur with Sir Gawain came and laid a siege all about joyous guard, both at the town and at the castle. Then it befell upon a day in harvest time, Sir Lancelot looked over the walls and spake on high unto King Arthur and Sir Gawain. My Lord's both, we e'er well all is in vain that you may get this siege. No wigny, no honour, for if I list to come out with my good nights, I should full soon make an end of this war, but God defend me, that ever I should encounter with the most noble King that made me night. Fire upon thy fair language, said the King, come forth if thou derest, wit thou well I am thy mortal foe, and ever shall be to my death day, for thou hast slain my good nights and full noble men of my blood, and like a traitor has taken my Queen from me by force. My most noble Lord and King, answered Sir Lancelot, you may say what you will, for you what well with yourself I will not strive. I what well that I have slain your good nights, and that me saw repenteth, but I was forced to do battle with them in saving of my life, or else I must have suffered them to slay me. And as for my Lady, Queen Grenever, accept your highness and my Lord, Sir Gawain, there is no night under heaven that dare make it good upon me, that ever I was traitor unto your person, and I will prove it upon any night alive, except you or Sir Gawain, that my Lady Queen Grenever is as true and loyal unto you, as any living unto her Lord. How be it, it hath pleased her good grace to have me in charity, and to cherish me more than any other night, and unto my power I in return have deserved her love. For oft times, my Lord, it fortune'd me to do battle for her, and ye thanked me when I saved her life. Now me thinketh ye reward me full ill for my good service, and me seemeth I had lost a great part of my honour in my knighthood, had I suffered my Lady your Queen to be burned, inasmuch as she was to be burned for my sake. For, since I have done battle for your Queen in other quarrels than in my own, me seemeth now I had more right to do battle for her in right quarrel. Therefore my good and gracious Lord, take your Queen unto your good grace, for she is both fair, true, and good. Fire on thy proud words, said Sir Gawain, as for my Lady the Queen, I will never say of her shame but thou false and requriant knight. What cause hath thou to slay my good brother Sir Gareth, that loved thee more than all my kin? Unless thou madeest him knight with thine own hands, why slewest thou him that loved thee so well? Or to excuse myself, said Sir Lancelot, it helpeth me not, but by the faith I owe to the high order of knighthood, I should with his good will have slain my nephew Sir Bors of Gainus. Alas, that ever I was so unhappy that I had not seen Sir Gareth and Sir Gairus. But Sir Gawain was mischievously set, and it helped not Sir Lancelot to seek accordement. King Arthur must needs unto battle because of his nephew's great anger, and on the morning he was ready in the field with three great hosts. Then Sir Lancelot's fellowship came out at three gates in a full good array, in order and rule as noble knights, and always Sir Lancelot charged all his knights in any wise to save King Arthur and Sir Gawain. Then began a great battle, and much people were slain. Ever Sir Lancelot did what he might to save the people on King Arthur's side, and ever King Arthur was nigh about Sir Lancelot to slay him. Sir Lancelot suffered him and would not strike again, but at the last Sir Bors encountered with King Arthur, and with a spear smote him down. He alighted and drew his sword to slay him, and then he said to Sir Lancelot, shall I make an end of this war? Not so hardy, said Sir Lancelot, upon pain of thy head, touch him no further, for I will never see that most noble king that made me knight, either slain or shamed. Therewithal Sir Lancelot alighted off his horse and took up the king, and horsed him again and said thus, My Lord Arthur, for God's love stint this strife, for you get here no honour, if I were to do mine uttermost. Always I forbear you, but neither you nor any of yours forbeareth me. My Lord remember what I have done in many places, and now I am evil rewarded. When King Arthur was again on horseback, he looked upon Sir Lancelot, and then the tears burst out of his eyes, thinking on the great courtesy that was in Sir Lancelot more than in any other man. Therewith the king might no longer behold him, and he rode his way, saying, Alas, that ever this war began! And then both sides withdrew to repose themselves, to bury the dead, and to lay soft solves on the wounded. First they passed the night, and on the morn they made ready again to do battle. At the end of this day also Sir Lancelot and his party stood better, but for pity he withheld his knights, and suffered King Arthur's party to withdraw one side, and Sir Lancelot again returned into his castle. So the war went on day after day. It was noise through all Christendom, and at the last it was noise therefore the pope. He, considering the great goodness of King Arthur and of Sir Lancelot, that were called the noblest knights of the world, called unto him a noble clerk, that at that time was there present. The French book saith it was the bishop of Rochester, and gave him bulls unto King Arthur of England, charging him upon pain of interditing all of England, that he take his queen, Dame Guinevere, unto him again, and accord with Sir Lancelot. So when this bishop was come to Carlyle, he showed the king the bulls, and by their means peace was made between King Arthur and Sir Lancelot, with great pomp and ceremony Sir Lancelot rode with the queen from joyous guard to Carlyle, and they knelt before King Arthur, that was full gladly accorded with them both, but Sir Gawain would never be at peace with the knight that had slain his brethren. The king may take his queen again, if he will, said Sir Gawain to Sir Lancelot, and may be accorded with thee, but thou and I are past pardon. Thou shalt go from Carlyle safe as thou camest, but in this land thou shalt not abide past fifteen days, such summons I give thee. So the king and I were consented, and accorded ere thou camest hither, and else with thou well, thou shouldst not have come here except without thy head. If it were not for the pope's commandment, I should do battle with my own body against thy body, and prove it upon thee that thou hast been both false unto my uncle and to me, and that shall I prove upon thy body when thou art departed from hence, wheresoever I find thee. Then Sir Lancelot sighed, and therewith the tears fell on his cheeks, and he said, Alas! most noble Christian realm, that I have loved above all others, in thee have I gotten a great part of my honour, and now I shall depart in this wise. Truly, me repenteth, that ever I came in this realm, that I should be thus shamefully banished, undeserved, and causeless. But fortune is so variant, and the wheel so movable, there is no constant abiding. We eat well, Sir Gawain, I may live upon my lands as well as any night that here is, and if ye, most redoubted king, will come upon my lands with Sir Gawain to war upon me, I must endure you as well as I may. But as to you, Sir Gawain, if that ye come there, I pray you charge me not with treason or felony, for if ye do, I must answer you. Then Sir Lancelot said unto Grenovere, in hearing of the king and them all, Madam, now I must depart from you in this noble fellowship for ever, and since it is so, I beseech you to pray for me and say me well, and if ye be hard bestowed by any false tongue slightly, my lady, let's send me word, and if any night's hands may deliver you by battle, I shall deliver you. Therewith all Sir Lancelot kissed the queen, and then he said all openly, Now let's see what he be in this place, that dare say the queen is not true unto my Lord Arthur, let's see who will speak if he dare. Then he brought her to the king, and so took his leave and departed, and there was neither king, duke nor earl, barren nor night, lady nor gentlewoman, but all they wept as people out of their mind, except Sir Gawain. And when the noble Sir Lancelot took his horse to ride out of Carlyle, there was sobbing and weeping for pure dole of his departing. So he took his way unto Joy's guard, that ever after he called Dolores's guard, and thus left the court for ever. Stories of King Arthur and His Knights by Hugh Waldo Cutler Chapter 38 How King Arthur and Sir Gawain Invaded Sir Lancelot's Realm When Sir Lancelot came again to Joy's guard from Carlyle, he called his fellowship unto him, and asked them what they would do. Then they answered all wholly together with one voice, they would as he would do. My fair fellows, said he, I must depart out of this most noble realm, and now I am to depart, it grieve with me sore, for I shall depart with no honour. A banished man departed never out of any realm with honour, and that is my heaviness. For ever I fear that after my days they will chronicle upon me that I was banished out of this land. Then spake many noble knights. Sir, we will never fail, since it liked us to take apart with you in your distress and heaviness in this realm. We e'er well it shall like us, as well to go in other countries with you, and there to take such part as ye do. My fair lords, said Sir Lancelot, I well understand you, and, as I can, thank you, and you shall understand such livelihood and lands as I am born unto. I shall freely share among you, and I myself will have as little as any of you, for if I have sufficient for my personal needs, I will ask none other rich array, and I trust to God to maintain you on my lands, as well as ever were maintained any knights. Then spake all the knights at once. He have shame that will leave you. We all understand in this realm will be now no quiet, but ever strife and debate. Now the fellowship of the round table is broken, for by the noble fellowship of the round table was King Arthur upborn, and by their nobleness the King and all his realm was in quiet and in rest, and a great part, they said all, was because of your nobleness. So, to make short tale, they packed up and paid all that would ask them, and holy and hundred knights departed with Sir Lancelot at once, and made avows they would never leave him for wheel nor for woe. They shipped at Cardiff and sailed unto Benwick, but to say the sooth Sir Lancelot and his nephews were lords of all France, and of all the lands that belonged unto France through Sir Lancelot's noble prowess. When he had established all these countries, he shortly called a parliament, and appointed officers for his realm. Thus Sir Lancelot rewarded his noble knights and many more, that misimuth it were too long to rehearse. Now leave we Sir Lancelot in his lands, and his noble knights with him, and we turn we again unto King Arthur, to Sir Gawain, that made a great host ready, to the number of three score thousand. All things were made ready for their shipping to pass over the sea, and so they shipped at Cardiff. And there King Arthur made Sir Maudreth chief ruler of all England, and also he put Queen Guinevere under his governance. So King Arthur passed over the sea and landed upon Sir Lancelot's lands, and there burned and wasted through the vengeance of Sir Gawain, all that they might overrun. When this word came to Sir Lancelot, that King Arthur and Sir Gawain were landed upon his lands, and made a full destruction and waste, then said Sir Lionel, that was where and wise. My Lord Sir Lancelot, I will give you this counsel. Let us keep our strong world towns until they have hunger and cold, and blow upon their nails, and then let us freshly set upon them, and shred them down as sheep in the field, that aliens may take on sample for ever how they set foot upon our lands. Then said Sir Gawain unto Sir Lancelot, Sir, here be nights come of King's blood that will not long droop. Therefore give us leave, like as we be nights, to meet them in the field, and we shall slay them, that they shall curse the time that ever they came into this country. Then spake all at once seven brethren of North Wales, and they were seven noble knights a man might seek in seven lands ere he might find such seven knights. Sir Lancelot, let us ride out with Sir Gallowood, for we be never want to cower in castle or in noble towns. But then spake Sir Lancelot, that was master and governor of them all. My fair lords, we e'er well I am full loath to ride out with my knights for shedding of Christian blood, and yet my lands I understand to be full bear to sustain any host awhile, for the mighty wars that Willam made King Claudus upon this country, upon my father King Ban and my uncle King Bors. How be it, we will at this time keep our strong walls, and I shall send a messenger unto my Lord Arthur, a treaty for to take, for better is peace than always war. So he sent forth a damsel and a dwarf with her, requiring King Arthur to leave his warring upon his lands. When she came to the pavilion of King Arthur, there met her a gentle night, Sir Lucan the butler, and when he knew that she was a messenger from Sir Lancelot to the king, he said, I pray God, damsel, you may speed well. My Lord Arthur would love Lancelot, but Sir Gallowayne will not suffer him. So Lucan led the damsel unto the king, and when she had told her tale, all the lords were full glad to advise him to be accorded with Sir Lancelot, save only Sir Gallowayne, who would not turn again, now that they were passed thus far upon the journey. We eat well, Sir Gallowayne, said Arthur, I will do as you will advise me, and yet me Seymouth his fair proffers were not good to be refused. Then Sir Gallowayne sent the damsel away with the answer that it was now too late for peace, and so the war went on. Sir Lancelot was never so loath to do battle, but he must need defend himself. And when King Arthur's host besieged Benwick round about, and fast began to set up ladders, then Sir Lancelot meet them from the walls mightily. Then upon a day it befell that Sir Gallowayne came before the gates fully armed on a noble horse, with a great spear in his hand, and cried with a loud voice, Where art thou now, thou false traitor, Lancelot? Why hideest thou thyself within holes and walls like a coward? Look out now, thou false traitor knight, and here I shall revenge upon thy body the death of my three brethren. All this language heard Sir Lancelot, and he wished well that he must defend himself, or else be requriant. So he armed himself at all points and melted upon his horse, and got a great spear in his hand, and rode out at the gate. And both the hosts were assembled, of them without and of them within, and stood in array full manly, and both parties were charged to hold them still, to see and behold the battle of these two noble knights. Then they laid their spears in their rests, and came together as thunder. Sir Gallowayne break his spear upon Sir Lancelot in a hundred pieces unto his hand, and Sir Lancelot smote him with a greater might, so that Sir Gallowayne's horses feet raised, and the horse and he fell to the earth. Then they dressed their shields, and fought with swords on foot, giving many sad strokes, so that all men on both parties had thereof passing great wonder. But Sir Lancelot withheld his courage and his wind, and kept himself wonderly covert of his might. Under his shield he traced and traversed here and there, to break Sir Gallowayne's strokes and his courage, and Sir Gallowayne enforced himself with all his might to destroy Sir Lancelot. At the first ever Sir Gallowayne's power increased, and right so his wind and his evil will. For a time Sir Lancelot had great pain to defend himself, but when three hours were passed, and Sir Lancelot felt that Sir Gallowayne was come to his full strength. Then Sir Lancelot said, I feel that you have done your mighty deeds. Now with you well I must do my deeds. So he doubled his strokes, and soon smote such a buffett upon Sir Gallowayne's helm, that he sank down upon his side in a swoon. Unknown as he did awake, he waved at Sir Lancelot as he lay and said, Trader Knight, with thou well I am not yet slain. Come thou near me and perform this battle unto the uttermost. I will know more do than I have done, said Sir Lancelot, when I see you on foot, I will do battle upon you all the while I see you stand on your feet. But to smite a wounded man that may not stand. God defend me from such a shame. Then he turned and went his way towards the city, and Sir Gallowayne, evermore calling him Trader Knight, said, With thou well, Sir Lancelot, when I am whole, I shall do battle with thee again, for I shall never leave thee till one of us be slain. Thus this siege endured. Sir Gallowayne lay sick near month, and when he was well recovered, and ready within three days to do battle again with Sir Lancelot, right so came tidings unto Arthur from England, that made him and all his host to remove. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, Recording by Joy Chan. Stories of King Arthur and His Knights by Hugh Waldo Cutler. Chapter 39 Of Sir Mordred's Treason As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England, he did make letters as though they came from beyond the sea, and the letters specified that King Arthur was slain in battle with Sir Lancelot. Wherefore Sir Mordred made a parliament, and called the lords together, and there he made them to choose him king. So was he crowned at Canterbury, and held a feast there fifteen days. Afterwards he drew unto Winchester, and there he took the Queen Guinevere, and said plainly that he would wed her, which was his uncle's wife. So he made ready for the feast, and a day was prefixed when they should be wedded. Wherefore Queen Guinevere was passing heavy, but she does not discover her heart, and spake fair, and agreed to Sir Mordred's will. Then she desired of him for to go to London, to buy all manner of things that longed unto the wedding, and because of her fair speech Sir Mordred trusted her well enough, and gave her leave to go. When she came to London, she took the Tower of London, and suddenly, in all haste possible, she stuffed it with all manner of victory, and well garnished it with men, and so kept it. Then, when Sir Mordred wisdom understood how he was beguiled, he was passing wroth out of measure, and a short tale for to make. He went and laid a mighty siege about the Tower of London, and made many great assaults there at, and threw many great engines unto them, and shot great guns. But all might not prevail, Sir Mordred, because Green Guinevere, for fair speech, nor for foul, would never trust to come in his hands again. Then came the Bishop of Canterbury, the which was a noble clerk and a holy man, and thus he said to Sir Mordred, Sir, what will ye do? Will ye first displease God, and then shame yourself and all nighthood? Leave this matter, or else I shall curse you with book and bell and candle. Do thou thy worst, said Sir Mordred, with thou well I shall defy thee. Sir, said the Bishop, and with ye well I shall not fear me to do that I ought to do. Also, when ye noise that my Lord Arthur is slain, that is not so, and therefore ye will make a foul work in this land. Peace, thou foul priest, said Sir Mordred, for if thou chafed me any more, I shall make strike off thy head. So the Bishop departed, and did the curse in the haughtiest wise that might be done. Then Sir Mordred sought the Bishop of Canterbury for to slay him, and he fled, and, taking part of his goods with him, went nigh to Glassenbury, and there lived in poverty and in holy prayers, as priest Hermit in a chapel, for well he understood that mischievous war was at hand. Then came word to Sir Mordred that King Arthur had raised the siege from Salonslot, and was coming homeward with a great host to be avenged upon Sir Mordred. Wherefore Sir Mordred made right rites to all the barony of this land, and much people drew to him, for then was the common voice among them, that with Arthur was none other life but war and strife, and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss. Thus was Sir Arthur depraved and evil set of, and many there were that King Arthur had made up of naught, and had given lands to, who might not then say of him a good word. Lo, or ye Englishmen, see not what a mischief here was, for Arthur was the most king and knight of the world, and most loved the fellowship of noble knights, and by him they were all upholding. Now might not these Englishmen hold us content with him. Lo, thus was the old custom and usage of this land, and men say that we of this land have not yet lost nor forgotten that custom and usage. Alas, this is a great fault of all Englishmen, for there may no thing please us. And so fared the people at that time. They were better pleased with Sir Mordred than they were with King Arthur, and much people drew on to Sir Mordred, and said they would abide with him for better and for worse. So Sir Mordred drew with a great host to Dover, for there he heard say that Sir Arthur would arrive, and so he thought to beat his own uncle from his lands, and the most part of all England held was Sir Mordred, the people were so newfangled. As Sir Mordred was at Dover with his host, there came King Arthur with a great navy of ships, galleys and caracks, and there was Sir Mordred ready awaiting upon his landage, to keep his own uncle from landing in the country that he was king over. Then there was launching of great boats and small, full of noble men of arms, and there was much slaughter of gentle knights, and many a bold baron was laid full low on both sides. But King Arthur was so courageous that there might no manner of knights prevent him from landing, and his knights fiercely followed him. So they landed in spite of Sir Mordred and all his power, and they put him aback, so that he fled and all his people. When this battle was done, King Arthur let bury his dead, and then was the noble knight Sir Gawain found in a great boat lying more than half dead. When Sir Arthur wist that Sir Gawain was laid so low, he went unto him and made sorrow out of measure, for this sister's son was the man in the world that he most loved. Sir Gawain felt that he must die, for he was smitten upon the old wound that Sir Lancelot had given him before the city of Benwick. He now knew that he was the cause of this unhappy war, for had Sir Lancelot remained with the king, it would never have been, and now King Arthur would saw miss his brave knights of the round table. Then he prayed his uncle that he might have paper, pen, and ink, and when they were brought, he with his own hand wrote thus, as the French book Maketh mentioned, unto Sir Lancelot, flower of all noble knights that ever I heard of, or saw by my days. I, Sir Gawain, King Lot's son of Orkney, sister's son unto the noble King Arthur, send thee greeting, and let thee have knowledge that this tenth day of May, through the same wound that thou gavest me, I am come to my death. And I will that all the world wit that I, Sir Gawain, knight of the table round, sought my death. It came not through thy deserving, but it was my own seeking. Wherefore I beseech thee, Sir Lancelot, to return again unto this realm, and see my tomb, and pray some prayer, more or less, for my soul. For all the love that ever was betwixt us make no tarrying, but come over the sea in all haste, that thou mayest with thy noble knights rescue that noble King that made thee knight, that is my Lord Arthur. For he is full, straightly bestowed with a false traitor, my half-brother, Sir Mordred. We all landed upon him and his host at Dover, and there put him to flight, and there misfortune'd me to be stricken in the same wound the which I had of thy hand, Sir Lancelot. Of a nobler man might I not be slain. This letter was written but two hours and a half before my death, with mine own hand, and so subscribed with part of my heart's blood. Then Sir Gawain wept, and King Arthur wept, and then they swooned both. When they awaked both, the King made Sir Gawain to receive the sacrament, and then Sir Gawain prayed the King to send for Sir Lancelot, and to cherish him above all other knights. And so at the hour of noon Sir Gawain yielded up the spirit, and the King let inter him in a chapel within Dover Castle. Then was it told King Arthur that Sir Mordred had pitched a new field upon Barham Down. Upon the morn the King rode thither to him, and there was a great battle betwixt them, and much people were slain on both parties. But at the last Sir Arthur's party stood best, and Sir Mordred and his party fled to Canterbury. Upon this much people drew on to King Arthur, and he went with his host down by the seaside, westward toward Salisbury. And there was a day assigned between him and Sir Mordred, when they should meet in battle upon a down beside Salisbury, not far from the sea. In the night before the battle King Arthur dreamed a wonderful dream, and it seemed to him verily that there came Sir Gawain unto him and said, God giveth me leave to come hither for to warn you that, if ye fight to mourn with Sir Mordred, as ye both have assigned, thou ye not ye must be slain, and the most part of your people on both parties. For the great grace and goodness that Almighty Jesu hath unto you, and for pity of you and many other good men that they shall be slain, God hath sent me to you, of his special grace, to give you warning, that in no wise ye do battle to mourn, but ye take a treaty for a month, and profit ye largely, so as to mourn to be put in delay, for within a month shall come Salon Salot with all his noble knights, and rescue ye honourably, and slay Sir Mordred, and all that ever will hold with him. Then Sir Gawain vanished, and Anon the King commanded Sir Lucan and his brother Sir Bedevere, with two bishops with them, and charged them to take a treaty for a month with Sir Mordred in any wise they might. So then they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where he had a grim host of an hundred thousand men. There they entreated Sir Mordred long time, and at the last he was agreed to have Cornwall and Kent by King Arthur's days, and after the days of King Arthur, all England. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Joy Chan, Stories of King Arthur and His Knights by U. Waldo Cutler. CHAPTER 40 OF ARTHUR'S LAST GREAT BATTLE IN THE WEST Sir Lucan and Sir Bedevere were agreed with Sir Mordred, that King Arthur and he should meet betwixt both their hosts, for to conclude the treaty they had made, and every each of them should bring fourteen persons, and they came with this word unto King Arthur. Then said he, I am glad that this is done. So Arthur made ready to go into the field, and when he would depart, he warned all his hosts, that if they saw any sword drawn, they should come on fiercely, and slay that traitor Sir Mordred, for he in no wise trusted him. In like manner Sir Mordred warned his host, if ye see any sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that ever before ye stand, for in no wise will I trust for this treaty. I know well my uncle will be avenged upon me. So they met as their appointment was, and they were agreed and accorded thoroughly, and wine was fetched and they drank. Right so came an adder out of a little heath-bush, and it stung a knight on the foot. When the knight felt himself stung, he looked down and saw the adder. Then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of none other harm. But when the hosts on both parties saw the sword drawn, then they blew trumpets and horns and shouted grimly, and so both hosts dressed them together. King Arthur took his horse and said, Alas! this unhappy day! And so rode to his party, and Sir Mordred did likewise, and never was there seen a doleful a battle in any Christian land, for there was but rushing and riding, foining and striking, and many a grim word was there spoken either to other, and there was given many a deadly stroke. Thus they fought all the long day, and never stinted till the noble knights were laid to the cold ground, and ever they fought still till it was near night, and by that time where there were a hundred thousand laid dead upon the down. Then the king looked about him and was where, that of all his hosts and of all his good knights were left no more alive but two knights, that was Sir Luke and the butler, and his brother Sir Bedivere, and even they were full sore wounded. Yesu mercy! said the king, where all my noble knights become, and last that ever I should see this doleful day, now I am come to my end, but with to God that I whisked where is that traitor Sir Mordred that hath caused all this mischief. Then was King Arthur where where Sir Mordred leaned upon his sword among a great heap of dead men. Now give me my spear, said Arthur unto Sir Luke, for yonder I have aspired the traitor that all this woe hath wrought. Sir, let him be, said Sir Luke, if ye pass this evil day, ye shall be right well rearranged upon him. My lord, remember ye of your knight's dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawain told you last night. God of his great goodness hath preserved you hitherto. Therefore for God's sake, my lord, leave off with this. For blessed be God ye have won the field, for here we be three alive, and with Sir Mordred is none. If ye leave off now, this wicked day of destiny is past. Tide me death, but tide me life, saith the king. Now I see him yonder alone, he shall never escape mine hands, for at a better avail shall I never have him. Then he got his spear in both his hands, and ran towards Sir Mordred crying, traitor, now is thy death day come. When Sir Mordred heard Sir Arthur, he ran unto him with his sword drawn in his hand, and then King Arthur smote him under the shield with a foin of his spear throughout the body. When Sir Mordred felt that he had his death's wound, he thrust himself with the might that he had up to the berth of King Arthur's spear, and right so he smote his uncle Arthur with his sword holden in both his hands on the side of the head, so that the sword pierced the helmet and the brain-pan, and therewith also Mordred fell stark dead to the earth, and the noble Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth, and there he swooned oftimes, and Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivir oftimes heaved him up, and so weakly they led him betwixt them both to a little chapel not far from the seaside. End of Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Of Stories of King Arthur and His Knights This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Joy Chan. Stories of King Arthur and His Knights. By U. Waldo Cutler Chapter 41 Of The Passing Of King Arthur When the king was laid in the chapel, he thought himself well eased. Then heard they people cry in the field, and Sir Lucan went out to wit what the noise betokened. As he went he saw and heard in the moonlight how the plunderers and robbers were coming to the battlefield to pillage and rob many a full noble night of rings and jewels, and who that were not dead all out there they slew them for their harness and their riches. When Sir Lucan understood this work he came to the king as soon as he might, and told him all what he had heard and seen. Therefore by my advice said Sir Lucan, it is best that we bring you to some town. I would it were so, said the king, but I may not stand, my head works so. Ah, Sir Lancelot, this day have I saw mist thee. Alas, that ever I was against thee, for now have I my death, whereof Sir Gawain me warned in my dream. Then Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere took up the king, and in the lifting the king swooned, and Sir Lucan, that was grievously wounded in many places, also fell in a swoon with the lift, and therewith the noble night died. When King Arthur came to himself again, he beheld Sir Lucan dead, and Sir Bedivere weeping for his brother, and he said, this is unto me a full heavy sight to see this noble duke so die for my sake, for he would have hoping me that he had more need of help than I. Yet Sir Bedivere weeping and mourning will not avail me, for with thou well, if I might live myself, the death of Sir Lucan would grieve me ever more, but my time hath fast. Therefore, Sir Bedivere, take thou Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder water-side, and when thou comest there, I charge thee, throw my sword in that water, and come again and tell me what thou there seest. My lord, said Bedivere, your commandment shall be done, and I will lightly bring you word again. So Sir Bedivere departed, and by the way he beheld that noble sword, whose pommel and haft were all of precious stones, and then he said to himself, if I throw this rich sword in the water, thereof shall never come good, but harm and loss. Then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibur under a tree, and as soon as he might he came again unto the king, and said he had been at the water, and had thrown the sword into the water. What sawest thou there, said the king? Sir, he said, I saw nothing but waves and winds. That is untruly said of thee, said the king, therefore go thou lightly again, and do my command as thou art to me life and dear. Spare not, but throw it. Then Sir Bedivere returned again and took the sword in his hand, and then him thought it sin and shame to throw away that noble sword. And so again he hid the sword, and returned, and told the king that he had been at the water, and done his commandment. What sawest thou there, said the king? Sir, he said, I saw nothing but the water's lap and the waves' toss. Ah, traitor untrue, said King Arthur, now hast thou betrayed me twice. Who would have thought that thou that has been to me so life and dear, and that art named a noble knight, would betray me for the riches of the sword? But now go again lightly, for thy long tearing puteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have taken cold, and unless thou do as I bid thee, if ever I may see thee, I shall slay thee with my own hands, for thou wouldst for my rich sword see me dead. Then Sir Bedivere departed, and went to the sword, and lightly took it up, and went to the water-side. There he bound the girdle about the hilts, and then he threw the sword as far into the water as he might. And there came an arm and a hand above the water, and met it, and caught it, and so shook it thrice and brandished, and then vanished away the hand with the sword in the water. So Sir Bedivere came again to the King and told him what he saw. Alas! said the King, help me, thence, for I fear me I have tarried over long. Then Sir Bedivere took the King upon his back, and so went with him to that water-side, and when they were at the water-side, even fast by the bank over little barge, with many fair ladies in it, and among them all was a Queen, and all they had Black Hoods, and all they wept and shrieked when they saw King Arthur. Now put me into the barge, said the King, and so he did softly, and there received him three Queens with great mourning, and so they set him down, and in one of their laps King Arthur laid his head, and then that Queen said, Ah, dear brother, why have you tarried so long for me? Alas, this wound on your head hath caught over much cold, and so then they rode from the land, and Sir Bedivere beheld all these ladies go from him. Then he cried, Ah, my Lord Arthur, what shall become of me now ye go from me, and leave me here alone among mine enemies? Comfort thyself, said the King, and do as well as thou mayest, for in me is no trust for to trust in, for I will enter the veil of a villain to heal me of my grievous wound, and if thou hear never more of me, pray for my soul. Ever the Queens and the ladies wept and shrieked that it was pity to hear, and as soon as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight of the barge he wept and wailed, and so took the forest, and he went all that night, and in the morning he was wear'd betwixt two ancient cliffs of a chapel and an hermitage, and he was glad. When he came into the chapel he saw a hermit praying by a tomb new-graven. The hermit was the bishop of Canterbury that Sir Mordred had banished, and Sir Bedivere asked him what man was there interred. Fair son, said the hermit, I want not verily, but this night, at midnight, here came a number of ladies, and brought hither a dead corpse, and prayed me to bury him, and here they offered an hundred tapers, and gave me a hundred besants. Then Sir Bedivere knew that King Arthur lay buried in that chapel, and he prayed the hermit that he might abide with him still there. So there abode Sir Bedivere with the hermit, that was to four bishop of Canterbury, and there Sir Bedivere put on poor clothes, and served the hermit full lowly in fasting and in prayers. Thus of Arthur I find never more written in books that be authorised, nor more of the certainty of his death heard I tell, but that he was thus led away in a ship wherein were three queens. The hermit that some time was bishop of Canterbury, bear witness that ladies brought a night to his burial in the chapel, but the hermit knew not in certain that it was verily the body of King Arthur. For this tale Sir Bedivere, night of the round table, made to be written. Some men still say in many parts of England that King Arthur is not dead, but tarried by the will of our Lord Jesus in another place, and men say that he shall come again, and shall win the Holy Cross. I will not say it shall be so, but rather I will say, here in this world he changed his life. But many men say that there is written upon his tomb these words. REX QUAY FUTURUS HERE LIES ARTHUR, KING THAT WAS, AND KING THAT SHALL BE END OF CHAPTER 41 CHAPTER 42 OF STORIES OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS NIGHTS This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Joy Chan. STORIES OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS NIGHTS BY NEW WOLDO CUTLER CHAPTER 42 OF THE END OF THIS BOOK When Queen Grenever understood that King Arthur was slain, and all the noble knights, Samordret and all the remnant, then she stole away and five ladies with her, and so she went to Armsbury, and there she let make herself a nun and lived in fasting, prayers and arms-deeds, that all manner of people marveled how virtuously she was changed, and there she was abbess and ruler, as reason would. When the launch-lot of the lake heard in his country that Samordret was crowned king and made war against his uncle, then he made all haste with ships and galleys to go on to England, so he passed over the sea till he came to Dover. There the people told him how that King Arthur was slain, and Samordret, in an hundred thousand, died on a day, and how Samordret gave King Arthur there the first battle at his landing, and how there was good Sir Gawain slain. And then certain people of the town brought him unto the castle of Dover, and showed him the tomb, and he made a duel for Sir Gawain, and all the priests and clerks that might be gotten in the country were there, and sang mass of requiem. Two nights the launch-lot lay on Sir Gawain's tomb in prayers and in weeping, and then on the third day he called his kings, dukes, earls, barons, and knights, and said thus, My fair lords, I thank you all of your coming into this country with me, but we come too late, and that shall repent me while I live, but against death may no man rebel. Since it is so, I will myself ride and seek my Lady Guinevere, for as I here say, she hath great pain and much disease. Therefore ye all abide me here fifteen days, and then, if I come not again, take your ships and your fellowship, and depart into your country. So Sir Launch-lot rode forth alone on his journey into the West Country. There he sought seven or eight days, and at the last came to the nunnery where was Queen Guinevere. Once only he had speech with her, and then took his horse and rode away to forsake the world as she had done. He rode all that day and all that night in a forest, and at the last he was aware of an hermitage, and a chapel betwixt two cliffs. Thither he rode, and there found Sir Bedivere with the Bishop of Canterbury, for he was come to their hermitage, and then he besought the Bishop that he might remain there as a brother. The Bishop would gladly have it so, and there he put hermit's clothes upon Sir Launch-lot, and there Sir Launch-lot served God day and night with prayers and fasting. The great host abode in Dover fifteen days, as Sir Launch-lot had bid in them. Then, since Sir Launch-lot did not return, Sir Bores of Gaines made them take ship and return home again to Benwick. But Sir Bores himself and others of Sir Launch-lot's kin took on them to ride all England across and end long to seek Sir Launch-lot. So Sir Bores by fortune rode so long till he came to the same chapel, where Sir Launch-lot and Sir Bedivere were, and he prayed the Bishop that he also might remain and be of their fellowship. So there was an habit put upon him, and there he lived in prayers and fasting, and within half a year there were come seven other nights, and when they saw Sir Launch-lot they had no list to depart, but took such an habit as he had. Thus they remained in true devotion six years, and Sir Launch-lot took the habit of priesthood. And there were none of those other nights but read in books, and hoped in the worship and did bodily or manner of service. And so their horses went where they would, for they took no regard of worldly riches. Thus upon a night they came a vision to Sir Launch-lot, and charged him to hasten to Armsbury, for Queen Guinevere was dead, and he should fetch the corpse and bury her by her husband, the noble King Arthur. Then Sir Launch-lot rose up here day, took seven fellows with him, and on foot they went from Glastonbury to Armsbury, the which is little more than thirty miles. They came thither within two days, for they were weak and feeble to go, and found that Queen Guinevere had died but half an hour before. The lady said she had told them all ere she passed, that Sir Launch-lot had been a priest near twelve months, and that he came thither as fast as he might to take her corpse to Glastonbury for burial. So Sir Launch-lot and his seven fellows went back on foot beside the corpse of Queen Guinevere from Armsbury and to Glastonbury, and they buried her with solemn diversion in the chapel at the Hermitage. When she was put in the earth Sir Launch-lot swirled, for he remembered the noblest and kindness that was both with the King and with herself, and how by his fault and his pride they were both laid full low. Then Sir Launch-lot sickened more and more, and within six weeks afterwards Sir Boers and his fellows found him dead in his bed. The bishop did his mass of requiem, and he and all the nine knights went with the corpse till they came to joyous guard, his own castle, and there they buried him in the choir of the chapel as he had wished, with great devotion. Thereafter the knights went all with the Bishop of Canterbury back to his Hermitage. Then Sir Constantine of Cornwall was chosen King of England, a full noble knight that honourably ruled this realm. And this King Constantine sent for the Bishop of Canterbury, for he heard say where he was, and so was he restored unto his bishopric, and left that Hermitage. Sir Bedivere was there ever still hermit to his life's end, but the French bookmaker had mentioned that Sir Boers and three of the knights that were with him at the Hermitage went into the Holy Land, and there did many battles upon the miscreant Turks, and there they died upon a Good Friday, for God's sake. Here is the end of the book of King Arthur and his noble knights of the round table, that when they were whole together were ever 140. And here is the end of the death of Arthur. I pray you all gentlemen and gentle women that read this book of Arthur and his knights from the beginning to the ending. Pray for me while I am alive, 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 IV, by Sir Thomas Mallior, Knight, as Yesiu helped him for his great might, as he is the servant of Yesiu both day and night. Thus ended thy noble and joyous book entitled Le Morte d'Ato. Not withstanding, it treated of the birth, life, and acts of the said King Arthur, of his noble knights of the round table, their marvellous inquests and adventures, the achieving of the holy grail, and in the end the dolorous death and departing out of this world of them all. Which book was reduced into English by Sir Thomas Mallory? Knight as Arthur is said, and by me imprinted and finished in the Abbey of Westminster the last day of July, the year of our lord, 1485. Caxton may Fieri fetch it. End of Chapter 42. End of Stories of King Arthur and His Knights.