Stories of king arthurs knights

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Title:StoriesofKingArthur'sKnights
ToldtotheChildrenbyMaryMacGregor
Author:MaryMacGregor
Editor:LoueyChisholm
Illustrator:KatharineCameron
ReleaseDate:May31,2008[EBook#25654]
Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKSTORIESOFKINGARTHUR'SKNIGHTS***

ProducedbyChrisCurnow,LindyWalsh,SuzanFlanaganand
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TOLDTOTHECHILDRENSERIES
EDITEDBYLOUEYCHISHOLM

KINGARTHUR’S
KNIGHTS


TO
MARIEWINIFRED

BESIDEHERSTOODHERBEAUTIFULDAUGHTER
Page7

STORIESOF

KingArthur’sKnights
TOLDTOTHECHILDRENBY

MARYMACGREGOR
WITHPICTURESBY

KATHARINECAMERON


Childrenreading

LONDON:T.C.&E.C.JACK
NEWYORK:E.P.DUTTON&CO.


ABOUTTHISBOOK
MorethanfourhundredyearsagotherelivedadiligentmancalledSirThomas
Malory, who wrote in English words many of the beautiful Welsh tales about
KingArthur’sKnights,thatthepeopleofWaleslovedsowell.
All the stories in this little book were found in Malory’s big book, except
‘GeraintandEnid.’Butit,too,isoneoftheoldWelshtalesthattellofthebrave
knightsandfairladiesofKingArthur’scourt.
Many times,since SirThomasMalorywrotehisbook,havethesestoriesbeen
toldagaintooldandyoung,butperhapsneverbeforehavetheybeentoldtothe
childrensosimplyasinthislittlebook.

MARYMACGREGOR.


LISTOFSTORIES
GeraintandEnid,
LancelotandElaine,
PelleasandEttarde,
GarethandLynette,
SirGalahadandtheSacred
Cup,
TheDeathofKingArthur,

PAGE
1
29
45
61
88
107


LISTOFPICTURES
GERAINTANDENID.
Besideherstoodherbeautifuldaughter,
ThroughwoodsandswampsEnidand
Geraintrode
silently,
LANCELOTANDELAINE.
TheLilyMaidofAstolat,
PELLEASANDETTARDE.

SirPelleaswasalwaysathislady’sside,
GARETHANDLYNETTE.
Sometimesthebirdsandbeasts,his
woodland
friends,wouldcalltohim,
TheLadyLyonors,
SIRGALAHADANDTHESACREDCUP.
‘Mystrengthisasthestrengthoften
Becausemyheartispure,’
THEDEATHOFKINGARTHUR,

Frontispiece
Atpage
20

44
50

62
84
102
114


GERAINTANDENID
QueenGuineverelayidlyinbeddreamingbeautifuldreams.Thesunnymorning
hourswereslippingaway,butshewassohappyindreamland,thatshedidnot
rememberthatherlittlemaidhadcalledherlongago.
ButtheQueen’sdreamscametoanendatlast,andallatoncesheremembered
thatthiswasthemorningshehadpromisedtogotothehuntwithKingArthur.

Eveninthehunting-field,theKingwasnotquitehappyifhisbeautifulQueen
Guinevere were not there. This morning he had waited for her in vain, for in
dreamlandtheQueenhadforgottenallaboutthehunt.
‘IfIdressquickly,Ishallnotbeverylate,’thoughttheQueen,assheheardthe
far-offsoundofthehunting-horn.Andshewassoquickthatinaveryshorttime
sheandherlittlewaiting-maidwereout,andridinguptoagrassyknoll.Butthe
huntsmen were already far away. ‘We will wait here to see them ride
homewards,’saidtheQueen,andtheydrewuptheirhorsestowatchandlisten.
They had not waited long, when they heard the sound of horse’s hoofs, and
turning round, the Queen saw Prince Geraint, one of Arthur’s knights. He was
unarmed,exceptthathisswordhungathisside.Heworeasuitofsilk,witha
purple sash round his waist, and at each end of the sash was a golden apple,
whichsparkledinthesunlight.
‘Youarelateforthehunt,PrinceGeraint,’saidtheQueen.
‘Likeyou,Ihavecome,nottojointhehunt,buttoseeitpass,’saidthePrince,
bowinglowtothebeautifulQueen.Andheaskedtobeallowedtowaitwithher
andthelittlemaid.
Astheywaited,threepeople,alady,aknightandadwarf,cameoutoftheforest,
androdeslowlypast.Theknighthadhishelmetoff,andtheQueensawthathe
lookedyoungandbold.
‘IcannotrememberifheisoneofArthur’sknights.Imustknowhisname,’she
said.Andshesentherlittlemaidtofindoutwhothestrangeknightwas.
Butwhenthelittlemaidaskedthedwarfhismaster’sname,thedwarfanswered


rudelythathewouldnottellher.
‘ThenIwillaskyourmasterhimself,’saidthemaid.Butasshesteppedtowards
theknight,thedwarfstruckherwithhiswhip,andthelittlemaid,half-angryand
half-frightened, hurried back to the Queen, and told her how the dwarf had
treatedher.

Prince Geraint was angry when he heard how rude the dwarf had been to the
Queen’s little messenger, and said that he would go and find out the knight’s
name.
But the dwarf, by his master’s orders, treated the Prince as rudely as he had
treatedthelittlemaid.WhenGeraintfeltthedwarf’swhipstrikehischeek,and
sawtheblooddroppingontohispurplesash,hefeltfortheswordathisside.
Thenherememberedthatwhilehewastallandstrong,thedwarfwassmalland
weak,andhescornedtotouchhim.
GoingbacktotheQueen,Gerainttoldherthathehadnotbeenabletofindout
theknight’snameeither,‘butwithyourleave,Iwillfollowhimtohishome,and
compelhimtoaskyourpardon,’saidthePrince.AndtheQueenallowedhimto
followtheknight.
‘Whenyoucomeback,youwillperhapsbringabridewithyou,’saidtheQueen.
‘If she be a great lady, or if she be only a beggar-maid, I will dress her in
beautifulrobes,andsheshallstandamongthefairestladiesofmycourt.’
‘InthreedaysIshallcomeback,ifIamnotslaininbattlewiththeknight,’said
Geraint. And he rode away, a little sorry not to hear the merry sound of the
hunter’shorn,andalittlevexedthathehadundertakenthisstrangeadventure.
Through valleys and over hills Geraint followed the lady, the knight and the
dwarf,tillatlast,intheevening,hesawthemgothroughthenarrowstreetsofa
littletown,andreachawhitefortress.Intothisfortressthelady,theknightand
thedwarfdisappeared.
‘Ishallfindtheknightthereto-morrow,’thoughtGeraint‘NowImustgotoan
innforfoodandabed,’forhewashungryandtiredafterhislongride.
But all the inns in the little town were full, and every one seemed too busy to
takeanynoticeofthestranger.
‘Why is there such a bustle in your town this evening?’ asked Geraint, first of


one person and then of another. But they hurried past him, muttering, ‘The

Sparrow-hawkhashistournamenthereto-morrow.’
‘The Sparrow-hawk! that is a strange name,’ thought Geraint. But he did not
knowthatthiswasoneofthenamesoftheknighthehadfollowedsofar.
Soon Geraint reached a smithy, and he looked in, and saw that the smith was
busysharpeningswordsandspears.‘Iwillgoinandbuyarms,’thoughtGeraint.
And because the smith saw that the stranger was dressed like a Prince, he
stoppedhisworkforamomenttospeaktohim.
‘Arms?’hesaid,whenGerainttoldhimwhathewanted.‘Therearenoarmsto
spare,fortheSparrow-hawkholdshistournamenthereto-morrow.’
‘TheSparrow-hawkagain!’thoughtGeraint.‘Iwonderwhohecanbe.’Thenhe
turnedtothesmithagainandsaid,‘Thoughyoucannotgivemearms,perhaps
youcantellmewheretofindfoodandabed.’
‘The old Earl Yniol might give you shelter. He lives in that half-ruined castle
across the bridge,’ said the smith. And he turned again to his work, muttering,
‘ThosewhoworkfortheSparrow-hawkhavenotimetowasteintalk.’
So Geraint rode wearily on across the bridge and reached the castle. The
courtyardwasquiteemptyandlookedverydreary,foritwasallovergrownwith
weedsandthistles.Atthedoorofthehalf-ruinedcastlestoodtheoldEarl.
‘Itisgrowinglate.Willyounotcomeinandrest,’saidEarlYniol,‘althoughthe
castlebebare,andthefaresimple?’
And Geraint said he would like to stay there, for he was so hungry that the
plainestfoodwouldseemafeast.
Asheenteredthecastle,heheardsomeonesinging.Thesongwassobeautiful,
and the voice was so pure and clear, that Geraint thought it was the sweetest
songinalltheworld,andtheoldcastleseemedlessgloomyashelistened.
Then Earl Yniol led Geraint into a long low room, and this room was both
dining-roomandkitchen.
TheEarl’swifesatthere,andsheworeadressthatmusthavebeenverygrand
once,butnowitwasold.

Beside her stood her beautiful daughter, and she wore a faded silk gown, but
Geraintthoughthehadneverseensofairaface.
‘Thisisthemaidenwhosangthebeautifulsong,’hethought.‘IfIcanwinher
formybride,sheshallcomebackwithmetoQueenGuinevere.Butthebrightest
silkstheQueencandressherin,willnotmakeherlookmorefairthanshedoes
inthisoldgown,’hemurmuredtohimself.
‘Enid,’saidtheEarl,‘takethestranger’shorsetothestable,andthengotothe
townandbuyfoodforsupper.’
Geraintdidnotlike the beautifulgirltowaiton him,andhegotupeagerlyto
helpher.
‘We are poor, and have no servants, but we cannot let our guest wait upon
himself,’saidtheEarlproudly.AndGerainthadtositdown,whileEnidtookhis
horsetothestall,andwentacrossthebridgetothelittletowntobuymeatand
cakesforsupper.
And as the dining-room was the kitchen too, Geraint could watch Enid as she
cookedthefoodandsetthetable.
At first it grieved him that she should work at all, but afterwards he thought,
‘She touches everything with such grace and gentleness, that the work grows
beautifulunderherwhitehands.’
Andwhensupperwasready,Enidstoodbehind,andwaited,andGeraintalmost
forgotthathewasveryhungry,ashetookthedishesfromhercarefulhands.
Whensupperwasover,GeraintturnedtotheEarl.‘WhoisthisSparrow-hawkof
whom all the townspeople chatter? Yet if he should be the knight of the white
fortress,donottellmehisrealname.ThatImustfindoutformyself.’Andhe
told the Earl that he was Prince Geraint, and that he had come to punish the
knight,becauseheallowedhisdwarftobesorudetotheQueen’smessengers.
The Earl was glad when he heard his guest’s name. ‘I have often told Enid of
yournobledeedsandwonderfuladventures,’hesaid,‘andwhenIstopped,she
would call to me to go on. She loves to hear of the noble deeds of Arthur’s

knights.ButnowIwilltellyouabouttheSparrow-hawk.Helivesinthewhite
fortress,andheismynephew.Heisafierceandcruelman,andwhenIwould
notallowhimtomarryEnid, hehated me,and madethepeoplebelieveIwas
unkindtohim.HesaidIhadstolenhisfather’smoneyfromhim.Andthepeople


believedhim,’saidtheEarl,‘andwerefullofrageagainstme.Oneevening,just
beforeEnid’sbirthday,threeyearsago,theybrokeintoourhome,andturnedus
out, and took away all our treasures. Then the Sparrow-hawkbuilthimselfthe
whitefortressforsafety,butushekeepsinthisoldhalf-ruinedcastle.’
‘Give me arms,’ said Geraint, ‘and I will fight this knight in to-morrow’s
tournament.’
‘Arms I can give you,’ said the Earl, ‘though they are old and rusty; but you
cannotfightto-morrow.’AndtheEarltoldGeraintthattheSparrow-hawkgavea
prize at the tournament. ‘But every knight who fights to-morrow must have a
ladywithhim,’saidtheEarl,‘sothatifhewinstheprizeinfairfightfromthe
Sparrow-hawk,hemaygiveittoher.Butyouhavenoladytowhomyoucould
givetheprize,soyouwillnotbeallowedtofight.’
‘Let me fight as your beautiful Enid’s knight,’ said Geraint. ‘And if I win the
prizeforher,letmemarryher,forIlovehermorethananyoneelseinallthe
world.’
Then the Earl was pleased, for he knew that if the Prince took Enid away, she
wouldgotoabeautifulhome.Andthoughtheoldcastlewouldbemoredreary
than ever without her, he loved his fair daughter too well to wish to keep her
there.
‘HermotherwilltellEnidtobeatthetournamentto-morrow,’saidtheEarl,‘if
shebewillingtohaveyouasherknight.’
And Enid was willing. And when she slept that night she dreamed of noble
deedsandtrueknights,andalwaysinherdreamthefaceofeachknightwaslike
thefaceofPrinceGeraint.

EarlyinthemorningEnidwokehermother,andtogethertheywentthroughthe
meadowstotheplacewherethetournamentwastobeheld.
And the Earl and Geraint followed, and the Prince wore the Earl’s rusty arms,
butinspiteofthese,everyonecouldseethathewasaPrince.
A great many lords and ladies and all the townspeople came to see the
tournament.
ThentheSparrow-hawkcametothefrontofthegreatcrowd,andaskedifany
one claimed his prize. And he thought, ‘No one here is brave enough to fight


withme.’
ButGeraintwasbrave,andhecalledoutloudly,‘Iclaimtheprizeforthefairest
ladyinthefield.’AndheglancedatEnidinherfadedsilkdress.
Then, in a great rage, the Sparrow-hawk got ready for the fight with Enid’s
champion, and they fought so fiercely that three times they broke their spears.
Thentheygotofftheirhorses,andfoughtwiththeirswords.Andthelordsand
ladies and all the townspeople marvelled that Geraint was still alive, for the
Sparrow-hawk’sswordflashedlikelightningroundthePrince’shead.
ButGeraint,becausehewasfightingfortheQueen,andtowinthegraciousEnid
for his bride, brought down his sword with all his strength on the Sparrowhawk’shelmet.Theblowbroughttheknighttotheground,andGeraintputhis
footonhim,anddemandedhisname.
AndalltheprideoftheSparrow-hawkwasgonebecauseEnidhadseenhisfall,
andhequicklytoldGerainthisnamewasEdyrn.
‘Iwillspareyourlife,’saidGeraint,‘butyoumustgototheQueenandaskher
toforgiveyou,andyoumusttakethedwarfwithyou.Andyoumustgiveback
toEarlYniolhisearldomandallhistreasures.’
Edyrn went to the Queen and she forgave him; and he stayed at the court and
grewashamedofhisroughandcrueldeeds.AtlasthebegantofightforKing
Arthur,andlivedeverafterasatrueknight.
Whenthetournamentwasover,GerainttooktheprizetoEnid,andaskedherif

shewouldbehisbride,andgototheQueen’scourtwithhimthenextday.And
Enidwasglad,andsaidshewouldgo.
Intheearlymorning,Enidlaythinkingofherjourney.‘Ihaveonlymyfadedsilk
dress to wear,’ she sighed, and it seemed to her shabbier and more faded than
ever, as it hung there in the morning light. ‘If only I had a few days longer, I
would weave myself a dress. I would weave it so delicately that when Geraint
tookmetotheQueen,hewouldbeproudofit,’shethought.Forinherheartshe
was afraid that Geraint would be ashamed of the old faded silk, when they
reachedthecourt.
Andherthoughtswanderedbacktotheeveningbeforeherbirthday,threelong
yearsago.Shecouldneverforgetthatevening,for itwasthenthattheirhome
hadbeensacked.Thenshethoughtofthemorningofthatdaywhenhermother


hadbroughtherabeautifulgift.Itwasadress,madeallofsilk,withbeautiful
silkflowerswovenintoit.Ifonlyshecouldhavewornthat,buttherobbershad
takenitaway.
But what had happened? Enid sat up and rubbed her eyes. For at that moment
hermothercameintotheroom,andoverherarmwastheverydressEnidhad
beenthinkingof.
‘Thecoloursareasbrightasever,’saidthemother,touchingthesilksoftly.And
shetoldEnidhowlastnighttheirscatteredtreasureshadbeenbroughtback,and
howshehadfoundthedressamongthem.
‘Iwillwearitatonce,’saidEnid,agladlookinhereyes.Andwithlovinghands
hermotherhelpedhertoputontheoldbirthdaygift.
Downstairs the Earl was telling Geraint that last night the Sparrow-hawk had
sentbackalltheirtreasures.‘AmongthemisoneofEnid’sbeautifuldresses.At
lastyouwillseeherdressedasaPrincess,’saidtheEarlgladly.
ButGeraintrememberedthathehadfirstseenandlovedEnidinthefadedgown,
andhethought,‘Iwillaskhertowearitagainto-dayformysake.’

AndEnidlovedthePrincesodearly,thatwhensheheardhiswish,shetookoff
thebeautifuldressshehadbeensogladtowear,andwentdowntohimintheold
silkgown.AndwhenGeraintsawEnid,thegladnessinhisfacemadeherglad
too,andsheforgotallabouttheolddress.
AllthatdayQueenGuineveresatinahightowerandoftenglancedoutofthe
windowtolookforGeraintandhisbride.Whenshesawthemridingalongthe
whiteroad,shewentdowntothegateherselftowelcomethem.Andwhenthe
QueenhaddressedEnidinsoftandshiningsilk,allthecourtmarvelledather
beauty.
But because Geraint had first seen and loved her in the old faded silk, Enid
foldeditupwithcareandputitawayamongthethingssheloved.
And a feast was made for the wedding-day, and in great joy Geraint and Enid
weremarried.
Day by day Geraint loved his wife more dearly. And Enid was happy in this
strangenewlife,andshewonderedatthemerrylordsandladies,andsheloved
thebeautifulQueen,whowassokindtoher.


AndGeraintwasgladthatEnidwasoftenwiththeQueen,tillonedayheheard
some people say that though the Queen was very beautiful, she was not good.
AndGeraintheardthissooften,thathelearnedtobelieveit.
‘ImusttakeEnidawayfromthecourt,’hethought,‘forsheworshipstheQueen
andmaygrowlikeher.’
So Geraint went to King Arthur, and asked to be allowed to go to his own
country.HetoldtheKingthatrobberstrampleddownhiscornfields,andcarried
awayhiscattle.‘Iwishtogoandfighttheserobbers,’hesaid.AndKingArthur
allowedhimtogo.
AndEnidlefttheQueenandthelordsandladiesgladly,togowithGeraint.
ButallthetimeGeraintcouldnothelpthinking,‘Enidislongingfortheknights
andladiessheknewatthecourt.’

When Geraint reached his own country, he forgot all about the robbers, who
were destroying his land. He forgot to go to the hunt, or the tournament, or to
lookafterthepoorpeople.AndthiswasallbecausehelovedEnidsomuch.He
thought,‘Iwillstaywithherallday.Iwillbesokindtoherthatshewillforget
thegaylordsandladies,andbehappyhere,alonewithme.’
ButEnidgrewsadderandpalereveryday.ShedidnotwishGerainttowaiton
herandforgeteveryoneelse.Shewantedhimtobeatrueknight.
And the people began to scoff and jeer whenever Geraint’s name was spoken.
‘ThePrinceisnoknight,’theysaid.‘Therobbersspoilhislandandcarryoffhis
cattle,butheneithercaresnorfights.HedoesnothingbutwaitonthefairLady
Enid.’
Enidknewwhatthepeoplesaid,andshethought,‘ImusttellGeraint,andthen
surelyhewillbeashamed,andbecomeabraveknightoncemore.’Butalways
hercouragefailed.
‘IthinkIcouldbuckleonhisarmourandridewithhimtobattle,’thoughtEnid,
‘buthowcanItellhimheisnoworthyknight?’
And her tears fell fast, and Geraint coming in, saw her weeping, and thought,
‘SheweepsforthegaylordsandladiesofArthur’scourt.’
Then all at once he hated his idle life. ‘It has only made Enid despise me,’ he


thought.‘Wewillgotogetherintothewilderness,andIwillshowherIcanstill
fight.’Andhalfinangerandhalfinsadnesshecalledforhiswar-horse.
Then Geraint told Enid to put on her oldest dress and ride with him into the
wilderness.AndbecausehewasangrywithhimselfforthinkingthatEnidwept
forthegayknightsandladiesatArthur’scourt,hewouldnotridewithher,but
toldhertogooninfront,and‘whateveryouseeorhear,donotspeaktome,’he
saidsternly.
ThenEnidrememberedtheoldfadedsilkgown.‘Iwillwearthat,forheloved
meinit,’shethought.

ThroughwoodsandswampsEnidandGeraintrodeinsilence.AndwhileEnid’s
heartcried,‘WhyisGeraintangrywithme?’hereyeswerebusyglancinginto
everybushandcorner,incaserobbersshouldattackherlord.
At last in the shadow of some trees, Enid saw three tall knights. They were
armed,andsheheardthemwhisper,whentheysawGeraint,‘Thisisacravenlookingknight.Wewillslayhim,andtakehisarmourandhismaiden.’
And Enid thought, ‘Even if it makes Geraint angry, I must tell him what the
knightssay,ortheywillattackhimbeforeheknowstheyarethere.’AndEnid
turned back. Geraint frowned as he saw her coming to speak to him, but Enid
saidbravely,‘Therearethreeknightsinfrontofus.Theysaytheywillfightwith
you.’
‘I do not want your warning,’ said Geraint roughly, ‘but you shall see I can
fight.’
Sad and pale, Enid watched the three knights spring suddenly out of their
ambushandattackherlord.
ButGeraintthrewhisspearatthetallestknight,anditpiercedhisbreast.Then
withtwoswordthrusts,hestunnedtheothertwo.
Geraintdismounted,andtookthearmourofthethreefallenknights,andtiedit
roundtheirhorses.Twiningthethreebridlereinsintoone,hegaveittoEnid.
‘Drivethesehorsesinfront,andwhateveryouseeorhear,donotspeaktome,’
saidGeraint.ButherodealittlenearerEnidthanbefore,andthatmadeherglad.
Soontheycametoawood,andinthewoodEnidagainsawthreeknights.One


wastallerandlookedstrongerthanGeraint,andEnidtrembledasshelookedat
him.
‘Theknighthangshishead,andthehorsesaredrivenbyagirl,’sheheardthem
mutter. ‘We will kill the knight, and take his damsel and his horses for
ourselves.’
THROUGHWOODSANDSWAMPSENIDANDGERAINTRODEINSILENCEPage19
Page19

‘Surely,’ thought Enid, ‘I may warn Geraint this time, for he is faint and tired
afterthelastbattle.’
AndEnidwaitedtillGeraintrodeuptoher,andtoldhimtherewerethreeevil
meninfrontofthem.‘Oneisstrongerthanyou,’shesaid,‘andhemeanstokill
you.’
And Geraint answered angrily, ‘If you would but obey me, I would fight one
hundredknightsgladly.’YetGeraintlovedEnidallthetime,thoughhespokeso
roughly.
Then Enid stood out of the way, and she hardly dared to look as the strongest
knightattackedGeraint.ButGerainthurledhisspearthroughthestrongknight’s
armour,andhefelloveranddied.
Theother twoknightscameslowlytowardsGeraint,butheshoutedhisbattlecry,andtheyturnedandfled.ButGeraintcaughtthem,andkilledthem.
AgainGerainttiedthearmourofthethreeslainknightsroundtheirhorses.Then
hetwistedthethreereinstogether,andhandedthemtoEnid.
‘Drive these on in front,’ said Geraint. And now Enid had six horses to drive,
andGeraintsawthattheyweredifficulttomanage.ThenherodenearerEnid.
They had left the wood behind them now, and were riding through cornfields,
wherereaperswerebusycuttingdownthewavingcorn.
Coming down the path towards them, they saw a fair-haired boy. He was
carryingfoodtothereapers.GeraintthoughtEnidlookedfaint,andhewasvery
hungry,sohestoppedtheladandaskedforfood.
‘I can give you some of this; it is the reapers’ dinner,’ said the boy. ‘But it is


coarseandplainfood,’andheglanceddoubtfullyattheladywiththesadeyes
andherstern-lookingknight.
ButGeraintthankedhim,andtookthefoodtoEnid.Andtopleasehimsheatea
little,butGeraintwassohungrythathefinishedallthereapers’dinner.
‘Iwillrewardyou,’saidGeraint,fortheladwasdismayedtofindnothingleft

forthereaperstoeat.Andhetoldhimtotakeoneofthehorses,withthesuitof
armourboundroundit.
Thentheboywasfullofglee,andthoughthimselfaknight,asheledthehorse
away.
Geraint and Enid then went to the little village near the cornfields, and lodged
thereforonenight.
ThecountrytheywereinbelongedtoacruelEarl.Hehadoncewantedtomarry
Enid. When he heard that she was in his country, he made up his mind to kill
Geraint,andmakeEnidmarryhimafterall.
‘I will go to the inn while they are still asleep,’ thought the Earl, ‘and kill the
knightandtakeEnidaway.’
ButGeraintandEnidhadgotupveryearlythatmorning,andhadleftthefive
horsesandthefivesuitsofarmourwiththelandlord,topayhimfortheirfood
andshelter.
BythetimetheEarlreachedtheinnGeraintandEnidhadriddenalongwayinto
awildcountry.
ThenthewickedEarlgallopedafterthem,andEnidheardthesoundofhorse’s
hoofs coming nearer and nearer. As the horseman dashed down upon Geraint,
Enidhidherface,andaskedGodtospareherdearlord’slifeoncemore.
Thefightwaslongandfierce,butatlastGeraintoverthrewtheEarl,andlefthim
lyinghalf-deadinthedust.
Stillalittleinfront,Enidrodesilentlyon,andGeraintfollowed,buthehadbeen
woundedinthefightwiththeEarl,thoughhedidnottellEnid.Andthewound
bled inside his armour, till Geraint felt very faint, and suddenly everything
seemedblackinfrontofhim.Hereeledandfellfromhishorseontoabankof
grass.


Enidheardthecrashofhisarmourashefell,andinamomentshewasbeside
him.SheunbuckledthearmourandtookoffhishelmetThenshetookherveilof

fadedsilkandbounduphiswound.ButGeraintlayquitestill.
Enid’shorsewanderedintoaforestandwaslost,butGeraint’snoblewar-horse
keptwatchwithEnid,asifheunderstood.
About noon, the Earl, in whose country they now were, passed along with his
followers.Hesawthetwobythewayside,andshoutedtoEnid,‘Ishedead?’
‘No, no, not dead; he cannot be dead. Let him be carried out of the sun,’ she
entreated.
AndEnid’sgreatsorrow,andhergreatbeauty,madetheEarlalittlelessrough,
andhetoldhismentocarryGerainttothehall.‘Hischargerisanobleone,bring
ittoo,’shoutedtheEarl.
HismenunwillinglycarriedGerainttothehall,andlaidhimdownonastretcher
there,andlefthim.
Enidbentoverhim,chafinghiscoldhands,andcallinghimtocomebacktoher.
AfteralongtimeGeraintopenedhiseyes.HesawEnidtenderlywatchinghim,
andhefeltEnid’stearsdroppingonhisface.‘Sheweepsforme,’hethought;but
hedidnotmove,butlaythereasifheweredead.
IntheeveningtheEarlcameintothegreathallandcalledfordinner,andmany
knightsandladiessatdownwithhim,butnoonerememberedEnid.Butwhen
the Earl had finished eating and drinking, his eye fell on her. He remembered
howshehadweptforherwoundedlordinthemorning.
‘Donotweepanymore,buteatandbemerry.ThenIwillmarryyou,andyou
shallsharemyearldom,andIwillhuntforyou,’saidthewildEarl.
Enid’sheaddroopedlower,andshemurmured,‘Leavemealone,Ibeseechyou,
formylordissurelydead.’
TheEarlhardlyheardwhatshesaid,butthoughtEnidwasthankinghim.‘Yes,
eatandbeglad,’herepeated,‘foryouaremine.’
‘HowcanIeverbegladagain?’saidEnid,thinking,‘SurelyGeraintisdead.’
ButtheEarlwasgrowingimpatient.Heseizedherroughly,andmadehersitat

thetable,andheputfoodbeforeher,shouting,‘Eat.’
‘No,’saidEnid,‘Iwillnoteat,tillmylordarisesandeatswithme.’
‘Thendrink,’saidtheEarl,andhethrustacuptoherlips.
‘No,’saidEnid,‘Iwillnotdrink,tillmylordarisesanddrinkswithme;andifhe
doesnotarise,IwillnotdrinkwinetillIdie.’
TheEarlstrodeupanddownthehallinagreatrage.‘Ifyouwillneithereatnor
drink,willyoutakeoffthisoldfadeddress?’saidtheEarl.Andhetoldoneof
his women to bring Enid a robe, which had been woven across the sea, and
whichwascoveredwithmanygems.
ButEnidtoldtheEarlhowGerainthadfirstseenandlovedherinthedressshe
wore,andhowhehadaskedhertowearitwhenhetookhertotheQueen.‘And
whenwestartedonthissadjourney,Iworeitagain,towinbackhislove,’she
said,‘andIwillnevertakeitofftillhearisesandbidsme.’
Then the Earl was angry. He came close to Enid, and struck her on the cheek
withhishand.
AndEnidthought,‘Hewouldnothavedaredtostrikeme,ifhehadnotknown
thatmylordwastrulydead,’andshegaveabittercry.
WhenGeraintheardEnid’scry,withoneboundheleapedtowherethehugeEarl
stood,andwithoneswingofhisswordcutofftheEarl’shead,anditfelldown
androlledalongthefloor.
Thenallthelordsandladieswereafraid,fortheyhadthoughtGeraintwasdead,
andtheyfled,andGeraintandEnidwereleftalone.
AndGeraintneveragainthoughtthatEnidlovedthegaylordsandladiesatKing
Arthur’scourtbetterthanshelovedhim.
Thentheywentbacktotheirownland.AndsoonthepeopleknewthatPrince
Gerainthadcomebackatrueknight,andtheoldwhispersthathewasacoward
fadedaway,andthepeoplecalledhim‘GerainttheBrave.’
AndherladiescalledEnid,‘EnidtheFair,’butthepeopleonthelandcalledher
‘EnidtheGood.’

LANCELOTANDELAINE
HernamewasElaine.Butshewassofairthatherfathercalledher‘Elainethe
Fair,’ andshewassolovablethatherbrotherscalledher‘ElainetheLovable,’
andthatwasthenameshelikedbestofall.
The country people, who lived round about the castle of Astolat, which was
Elaine’s home, had another and a very beautiful name for her. As she passed
theirwindowsinherwhitefrock,theylookedatthewhiteliliesgrowingintheir
gardens, and they said, ‘She is tall and graceful and pure as these,’ and they
calledherthe‘LilyMaidofAstolat.’
Elainelivedinthecastlealonewithherfatherandhertwobrothers,andanold
dumbservantwhohadwaitedonhersinceshewasababy.
ToherfatherElaineseemedalwaysabrightandwinsomechild,thoughshewas
growingupnow.HewouldwatchherseriousfaceasshelistenedtoSirTorre,
the grave elder brother, while he told her that wise maidens stayed at home to
cookandsew.Andhewouldlaughashesawher,whenSirTorreturnedaway,
runoffwilfullytothewoods.
Elaine spent long happy days out of doors with her younger brother Lavaine.
When they grew tired of chasing the butterflies and gathering the wildflowers,
theywouldsitunderthepine-treesandspeakofArthur’sknightsandtheirnoble
deeds,andtheylongedtoseetheheroesofwhomtheytalked.
‘And the tournament will be held at Camelot this year,’ Lavaine reminded his
sister.‘IfsomeoftheknightsridepastAstolat,wemayseethemastheypass.’
AndElaineandLavainecountedthedaystillthetournamentwouldbegin.
NowArthurhadofferedtheprizeofalargediamondtotheknightwhofought
mostbravelyatthetournament.
Buttheknightsmurmuredtoeachother,‘Weneednothopetowintheprize,for
SirLancelotwillbeonthefield,andwhocanstandbeforethegreatestknightof
Arthur’scourt?’
AndtheQueenheardwhattheknightssaidtoeachother,andshetoldLancelot

how they lost courage and hope when he came on to the field. ‘They begin to


thinksomemagicisatworkwhentheyseeyou,andtheycannotfighttheirbest.
ButIhaveaplan.YoumustgotothetournamentatCamelotindisguise.And
thoughtheknightsdonotknowwithwhomtheyfight,theywillstillfallbefore
thestrengthofLancelot’sarm,’addedtheQueen,smilinguptohim.
Then Lancelotdisguisedhimself,and leftthe courtand rodetowardsCamelot.
ButwhenhewasnearAstolathelosthisway,andwanderedintotheoldcastle
grounds,whereElainestood,withherfatherandbrothers.
AndasElaine’sfather,theoldBaron,welcomedtheknight,LavaineandElaine
whisperedtogether,‘Thisisbetterthantoseemanyknightspassingontheirway
toCamelot.’
AndLancelotstayedatAstolattillevening,andhetoldmanytalesofArthur’s
court.
As Elaine and Lavaine listened to his voice, and looked at his face, with the
scarsofmanybattlesonit,theylovedhim.‘Iwillbehissquireandfollowhim,’
thoughtLavaine,andElainewishedthatshemightfollowthestrangeknighttoo.
But Sir Torre, the grave elder brother, looked gloomily at the stranger, and
wishedhehadnotcometoAstolat.
IntheeveningSirLancelottoldtheBaronhowhewasgoingindisguisetothe
tournament, and how, by mistake, he had brought his own shield with him. ‘If
youcanlendmeanother,IwillleavemyshieldwithyoutillIcomebackfrom
Camelot,’saidtheknight.
Then they gave him Sir Torre’s shield, for Sir Torre had been wounded in his
firstbattle,andcouldnotgotothetournament.AndElainecamerunninggladly
totakethestrangeknight’sshieldunderhercare.Butnoneofthemknewthatit
wasSirLancelot’sshield,forhehadnottoldthemhisname.
AndElaine,carryingtheshieldwithher,climbedthetowerstair,uptoherown
littleroom.Andsheputtheshieldcarefullyintoacorner,thinking,‘Iwillsewa

coverforit,tokeepitsafeandbright.’Thenshewentdownstairsagain,andsaw
thattheknightwasgoing,andthatLavainewasgoingtoo.
‘Hehasaskedtheknighttotakehimashissquire,’shethought.‘ButalthoughI
cannot go,’ she murmured sadly, ‘I can ask him to wear my favour at the
tournament.’Forinthosedaysaknightoftenworethecoloursoftheladywho
lovedhim.


Very shyly Elaine told the knight her wish. Would he wear her favour at the
tournament?Itwasaredsleeve,embroideredwithwhitepearls.
Lancelot thought how fair Elaine was, as she looked up at him with love and
trust in her eyes, but he told her gently that he had never yet worn a lady’s
favour,andthathecouldnotwearhers.
‘Ifyouhaveneverwornonebefore,wearthis,’sheurgedtimidly.‘Itwillmake
yourdisguisemorecomplete.’AndLancelotknewthatwhatshesaidwastrue,
andhetooktheredsleeveembroideredwithpearls,andtieditonhishelmet.
SoElainewasglad,andaftertheknightandLavainehadriddenaway,shewent
uptheturretstairagaintoherlittleroom.Shetooktheshieldfromthecorner,
andhandledthebruisesanddintsinitlovingly,andmadepicturestoherselfof
allthebattlesandtournamentsithadbeenthroughwithherknight.
ThenElainesatdownandsewed,asSirTorrewouldhavewisemaidensdo.But
whatshesewedwasabeautifulcoverfortheshield,andthatSirTorrewouldnot
haveherdo,forhecaredneitherforthestrangeknightnorhisshield.
LancelotrodeontowardsCamelot,withLavaineashissquire,tilltheycametoa
woodwhereahermitlived.Andtheystayedatthehermitageallnight,andthe
nextmorningtheyrodeontilltheyreachedCamelot.
AndwhenLavainesawtheKingsittingonahighthrone,readytojudgewhich
knightwasworthytohavethediamond,hedidnotthinkofthegrandeurofthe
throne,noroftheKing’smarvellousdressofrichgold,norofthejewelsinhis
crown.HecouldthinkonlyofthenoblenessandbeautyofthegreatKing’sface,

andwishthathisfairsisterElainemightseehimtoo.
Thenmanybraveknightsbegantofight,andallwonderedwhySirLancelotwas
not there. And they wondered more at the strange knight, with the bare shield
and the red sleeve with pearls on his helmet, who fought so bravely and
overthrewtheothersonebyone.
And the King said, ‘Surely this is Sir Lancelot himself.’ But when he saw the
lady’sfavourontheknight’shelmet,hesaid,‘No,itcannotbeSirLancelot.’
When at last the tournament was over, the King proclaimed that the strange
knightwhoworetheredsleeveembroideredwithpearlshadwontheprize,and
hecalledhimtocometotakethediamond.


Butnoonecame,andtheknightwiththeredsleevewasnowheretobeseen.For
Sir Lancelot had been wounded in his last fight, and when it was over, had
ridden hastily from the field, calling Lavaine to follow. And when they had
riddenalittlewayintothewood,SirLancelotfellfromhishorse.‘Theheadof
thespearisstillinmyside,’hemoaned;‘drawitout,Lavaine.’
AtfirstLavainewasafraid,forhethoughtofthepainitwouldgivetheknight,
andhewasafraidtoothatthewoundwouldbleedtillhisknightbledtodeath.
But because Sir Lancelot was in great suffering, Lavaine at last took courage,
and pulled the head of the spear out of Lancelot’s side. Then he, with great
difficulty,helpedtheknightontohishorse,andslowlyandpainfullytheyrode
towardsthehermitage.
Theyreacheditatlast,andthehermitcameoutandcalledtwoofhisservantsto
carrytheknightintohiscell;andtheyunarmedhimandputhimtobed.Then
thehermitdressedtheknight’swoundandgavehimwinetodrink.
WhenKingArthurfoundthestrangeknighthaddisappeared,andheardthathe
waswounded,hesaidthattheprizeshouldbesenttosogallantavictor.‘Hewas
tiredandwounded,andcannothaveriddenfar,’saidtheKing.AndturningtoSir
Gawaine,hegavehimthediamond,andtoldhimtogoandfindtheknightand

givehimtheprizehehadwonsobravely.
But Sir Gawaine did not want to obey the King. He did not want to leave the
feasting and merriment that followed the tournament. Yet since all Arthur’s
knights had taken a vow of obedience, Gawaine was ashamed not to go, so
sulkily,likenotrueknight,heleftthefeast.
And Sir Gawaine rode through the wood and past the hermitage where the
wounded knight lay; and because he was thinking only of his own
disappointment, his search was careless, and he did not see the shelter Sir
Lancelothadfound.HerodeontillhecametoAstolat.AndwhenElaineandher
fatherandherbrotherSirTorresawtheknight,theycalledtohimtocomeinand
tellthemaboutthetournament,andwhohadwontheprize.
Then Sir Gawaine told how the knight with the red sleeve embroidered with
whitepearlshadgainedtheprize,buthow,beingwounded,hehadriddenaway
withoutclaimingit.HetoldtoohowtheKinghadsenthimtofindtheunknown
knightandtogivehimthediamond.
ButbecauseElainewasveryfair,andbecausehedidnotgreatlywishtodothe


order of the King, Sir Gawaine lingered there, wandering in the old castle
garden,with‘theLilyMaidofAstolat.’AndhetoldElainecourtlytalesoflords
and ladies, and tried to win her love, but she cared for no one but the knight
whoseshieldsheguarded.
Oneday,asElainegrewimpatientwiththeidleSirGawaine,shesaidshewould
showhimtheshieldthestrangeknighthadleftwithher.‘Ifyouknowthearms
engraved on the shield, you will know the name of the knight you seek, and
perhapsfindhimthesooner,’shesaid.
AndwhenSirGawainesawtheshieldhecried,‘ItistheshieldofSirLancelot,
thenoblestknightinArthur’scourt.’
Elaine touched the shield lovingly, and murmured, ‘The noblest knight in
Arthur’scourt.’

‘YouloveSirLancelot,andwillknowwheretofindhim,’saidSirGawaine.‘I
willgiveyouthediamond,andyoushallfulfiltheKing’scommand.’
AndSirGawainerodeawayfromAstolat,kissingthehandsofthefairElaine,
and leaving the diamond with her. And when he reached the court he told the
lordsandladiesaboutthefairmaidofAstolatwholovedSirLancelot.‘Hewore
herfavour,andsheguardshisshield,’hesaid.
ButwhentheKingheardthatSirGawainehadcomeback,withoutfindingthe
strange knight, and leaving the diamond with the fair maid of Astolat, he was
displeased.‘Youhavenotservedmeasatrueknight,’hesaidgravely;andSir
Gawainewassilent,forherememberedhowhehadlingeredatAstolat.
WhenElainetookthediamondfromSirGawaineshewenttoherfather.‘Letme
gotofindthewoundedknightandLavaine,’shesaid.‘Iwillnursetheknightas
maidensnursethosewhohaveworntheirfavours.’Andherfatherlethergo.
With thegraveSirTorretoguardher,Elainerodeintothe wood,andnearthe
hermitageshesawLavaine.
‘TakemetoSirLancelot,’criedtheFairElaine.AndLavainemarvelledthatshe
knewtheknight’sname.
Then Elaine told her brother about Sir Gawaine, and his careless search for
Lancelot,andsheshowedhimthediamondshebroughtforthewoundedknight.