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The Story of King Arthur and His Knights

The Story of King Arthur and His Knights is a children's book written and illustrated by Howard Pyle.

Plot Summary

Part I: The Book of King Arthur

The Winning of Kinghood

Chapter First

Sir Ector Bonmaison had two sons, Sir Kay and Arthur, Sir Kay’s esquire-at-arms. The Archbishop called Sir Ector Bonmaison and other knights to London. The Archbishop decreed that the knights should fight in a tournament and that a sword should be put into an anvil in front of the cathedral. Sir Kay asked his father to enroll in the tournament. His father having given him his blessing, Sir Kay enrolled in the tournament. At the tournament, Sir Kay joins a group of knights with which he will fight. Though they are less in number than their foe, the knights in this group are stronger. On the trumpet call, the two parties advance towards one another. After the first ride, many knights have been knocked off their horses and are carried off the field of battle by their squires. Sir Kay himself fended off two foes and knocked off another.

After a brief respite, the contestants begin to battle again. Sir Kay again proves himself a noble knight, taking down five knights. Sir Kay even takes down Sir Balamorgineas, a huge man, with one blow. In the blow on Sir Balamorgineas, Sir Kay snaps his sword. Sir Balamorgineas regains his wits and begins to attack Sir Kay. His friends help Sir Kay and he escapes the field of battle.

Sir Kay finds Arthur immediately and asks him to go find a new sword. Arthur runs to get him one but cannot find anyone to give him one. He remembers the sword in the anvil and rushes over to retrieve it for his brother. He pulls it from the anvil and returns to his brother.

Sir Kay immediately recognizes the sword. He verifies it came from the anvil and takes it from Arthur and tells him to tell no one of it.

Chapter Second

Sir Kay summons his father and tells him that he has the sword from the anvil and leads him to believe that he has drawn it himself. Sir Ector is hesitant to believe and challenges his son to place the sword back in the anvil to prove he removed it. Sir Kay is nervous, but agrees. Try as he might, Sir Kay cannot penetrate the iron anvil. At this point, Arthur asks to be allowed to try to place the sword in the anvil, as he is the one who pulled it out. Sir Ector grants his wish and Arthur easily places the sword in the anvil again. Sir Ector bows before him and proceeds to tell him his actual identity as son of Uther Pendragon and how he came into his house. Merlin organized that Sir Ector should raise Arthur. Arthur is saddened by the death of his father.

At that moment, Merlin appears and reveals that he has kept watch over the boy for some time. He then foretells that Arthur will do great things and will be the savior of Britain. Merlin instructs Sir Ector to guard Arthur for the next three days. Sir Ector then asks Arthur that Sir Kay be Seneschal of the realm and Arthur grants his wish.

Chapter Third

Christmas morning, the town gathers around to see someone pull up the sword. Many people showed up, including the Archbishop. Many kings attempted at pulling the sword out of the stone including King Lot of Orkney, King Fion of Scotland, King Leodegrance of Cameliard, and countless others after. All of them tried and failed. Everyone began to wonder how no one was succeeding and the Kings were pleading with the Archbishop, hoping to find an answer. They suggest that this is a trick created by Merlin so as to shame the kings for trying and failing. Convinced Merlin is not tricking him, the Archbishop decides to wait longer for a champion. The point-of-view then switches to King Arthur, who is with his father and brother and Merlin. Merlin decides it is time and the group, along with Sir Ulfius, makes its way toward the stone. As they walk, they pass people gasping in disbelief at King Arthur, thinking that he must be very important to associate with Merlin and Sir Ulfius. When they arrive, Merlin reveals to the Archbishop that Arthur is in fact the son of Uther-Pendragon, previously believed to not have a son. The Archbishop blesses Arthur as a result and encourages him to try removing the sword from the stone. Arthur pulls at the sword and removes it from the stone with ease. He proceeds to spin the sword around his head three times creating lightning and shoving it back into the stone. He pulls and pushes the sword in the stone many times while the crowd erupts with shouting and cheering behind him. Despite his great feat, Arthur is criticized by the kings around him who claim he is undeserving of the sword. They say that Merlin simply caused it to happen because he wanted more power and that Arthur doesn’t even have a beard so he could not be king. In response, the Archbishop orders another sword to be lodged in a different stone. Arthur is the only success again. After that, they try several more of the same scenario and at every occasion, Arthur is the only to succeed. After all of these trials, the people are convinced and they demand that Arthur be made their king. He is given the crown and while he has plenty of supporters, there are still many who dissent his authority and become his enemy. In his years as king, he wins many battles and drives off his enemies, establishing himself securely on the throne.

The Winning of a Sword

Chapter First

As King Arthur and his Knights were resting near the Forest of the Usk, a wounded knight approached them. The knight was deeply wounded and unlikely to live much longer. He was a Knight of Sir Myles of the WHite fountain of the country of the North. Sir Myles and his knight had encountered three girls playing with a golden ball, who directed them toward a castle where Sir Myles lost a battle and his shield to a Sable Knight. Then Sir Griftlet, one of King Arthur's Knight's went to find the girls and the Sable knight. While Sir Griftlet was gone, Sir Myles died of his wounds. Sir Griftlet returned from his adventure wounded badly and without his shield, and told King Arthur of the failed adventure. King Arthur was very fond of Griftlet, and decided to pay the Sable Knight a visit himself, in order to avenge his friend. King Arthur set off on his adventure to find the Sable Knight, and found the three girls playing with the golden ball. They invited Arthur to stay with them and feast, but he declined, because he was determined to go continue onwith his adventure, even after their warnings. Before King Arthur could get to the castle, he saw three wicked men with knives chasing down an old bearded man. Arthur persued the men and as soon as they saw a knight chasing them they fled and left the old man alone. As it turns out, the old man was the Enchanter Merlin, and he wasn't in any real danger at all, but he warned King Arthur of the danger he was heading toward, and to be cautious in his adventure, but King Arthur refused to change his mind, and continued on.

Chapter Second

King Arthur and Merlin rode together through the forest in search of the Sable Knight's castle. After a long ride, they finally approached the castle exactly as Myles and Griftlet had described it. The Sable shield sitting out with a warning sign on it, and a tree filled with hundreds of shields of the fallen knights just beyond it. Arthur read the warning "Whoso Smiteth this shield, doeth So at his own Peril" next to the Sable shield, but struck it anyway. The Sable knight appeared and declared a battle with King Arthur. Arthur had never fought a knight so strong before, because at first the Sable Knight was not knocked immediately off of his horse, and Arthur had been known as the best knight in all of Britain. After two more clashes of the spear, King Arthur was knocked from his horse, and challenged the Sable knight to a sword battle on foot. The Sable knight refused, but Arthur forced it to happen by attempting to knock him off his horse. They proceeded to fight on foot, and Arthur was struck with an almost fatal blow to the head. Weak and bleeding, Arthur layed on the ground and the Sable knight told Arthur to surrender his shield, but Arthur miraculously got back up and knocked the Knight to the ground. It was then that The knight's helmet was knocked off and revealed his true identity, King Pellinore. Arthur told Pellinore to surrender, but once again, miraculously, Pellinore was able to turn the table on Arthur and then had the upper hand, pinning Arthur to the ground. Just before Pellinore was about to slay Arthur, Merlin stepped in and saved him, knocking Pellinore back to the ground, seemingly dead, but it turned out Merlin had only put him to sleep. Merlin then took Arthur deep into the forest to the dwelling of a hermit to be healed for his grievous wound. For days Arthur slept on the Hermit's table, in pain, slowly healing. Lady Guinevere, happened to be passing by and noticed Arthur was a very noble knight, and had her Leech annoint Arthur's wounds with basalm, and he was immediately healed, and declared that he would serve Lady Guinevere nobly for the rest of his days.

Chapter Third

King Arthur wakes and his wounds have miraculously been healed after his fight with King Pellinore. He wakes with the desire to fight him again, and he speaks to Merlin to tell him of this desire. Arthur says that he thinks the fight may have gone differently if his sword would not have broken. Merlin asks Arthur how he plans to fight when he is so unprepared and has no sword or weapon. Arthur responds to this saying he will try to find a weapon, but even if he doesn’t he would battle Pellinore with an oaken cudgel. Merlin then tells Arthur about a Lake of Enchantment from which a woman’s arm holds a sword extended into the air. Many men have tried to obtain the sword in the past and have drowned. Arthur is extremely interested in this story and demands Merlin take him to this lake so he can try to obtain the sword. When they arrive at the lake there is a page standing by a white cloth with food and wine spread across it. He greets Arthur and Merlin and tells them to eat. After they ate, Arthur observed the beautiful setting and saw the woman’s arm extended in the middle of the lake holding the sword. As he thought about how to obtain the sword a beautiful woman walked through the reeds nearby and Arthur knew she must be Faerie. He told the Faerie about why he had ventured to the lake, and she told him she would do all she could to help him achieve the sword. She then blew her whistle and a boat appeared that she and Arthur both boarded. They drove to the middle of the lake, and when Arthur grabbed the sword, the woman let go and pulled her arm away. He obtained Excalibur, and was overjoyed. He then returned and fought King Pelllinore and successfully defeated him. Pellinore agreed to be his ally and to give his two sons Sir Aglaval and Sir Lamorack to be members of his round table. Merlin asked Arthur which was more treasured, the sheath or the sword and Arthur said the sword. Merlin told him he was wring in this because it was the sheath that protected him so dearly. Arthur then put the sword in a safe place to use only in times of need and treated it with more respect.

The Winning of a Queen

Chapter First

The chapter starts off with King Arthur holding a feast at Carleon for many noble guests such as kings, queens, high lords, and knights. He praises himself for being able to bring everyone together without any fighting. During the feast, a messenger comes to inform King Arthur that King Leodegrance of Cameliard has requested King Arthur's aid in war again King Ryence of North Wales because King Leodegrance failed to fulfill King Ryence's requests. King Arthur agrees to send his knights to help King Leodegrance and asks the messenger what the requests were. They were that King Leodegrance give up much of the land that borders North Wales and that he send Lady Guinevere to marry Duke Mordaunt. King Arthur becomes very mad and storms out of the feast into another room. He was angered at the thought of Duke Mordaunt wanting to marry Lady Guinevere. King Arthur called upon Merlin, Sir Ulfius, and Sir Kay. He told Merlin to prepare for their journey and told Sirs Ulfius and Kay to gather knights and armed men for battle. The next day, they all traveled to Tinagalon which guards the country bordering upon Cameliard and North Wales. King Arthur tells Merlin that he is in love with Lady Guinevere and believes that no one but him should be able to marry her. King Arthur asks Merlin to disguise him so he can go into Cameliard unrecognizable and be able to see Lady Guinevere every day. King Arthur uses the disguise to become a gardener's boy in Cameliard. One morning when King Arthur had his cap off, one of Lady Guinevere's damsels saw him and raced down to the garden only to find the gardener's boy. She thought this was suspicious so the next time she saw him, she made Lady Guinevere come to the window to look. When they both went down to the garden the same thing happened and all they found was the gardener boy. Lady Guinevere thought this was odd and one day ordered the boy to bring her a basket of roses to her room. She told him to take off his cap but he refused, so she snatched it off his head and watched him transform into King Arthur. But she old recognized him as the wounded soldier she found in the hermit's cell in the forest. She laughed at him and gave him back his cap and bid him to resume his work in the garden.

Chapter Second

The chapter begins with a messenger coming to tell King Leodegrance that King Ryence of North Wales and Duke Mordaunt of North Umber were coming to Cameliard with their best knights and lords. King Leodegrance met with them in the meadows and offered them to come into his castle. King Ryence refused until he knew whether they were allies or enemies. And to be allies, King Leodegrance had to fulfill King Ryence's requests by giving him the land he wanted and Lady Guinevere to be Duke Mordaunt's wife. Duke Mordaunt challenged any knight to fight him for Lady Guinevere but no one came out to challenge him because he was a well-known knight during that time. King Arthur heard the challenge from the garden and decided to visit a famous merchant in Cameliard. He took off his disguise and showed the proof of his power. The merchant recognized his ring as the one of the King of Britain and told him he would give him the best weapons and armor to challenge the Duke. King Arthur rode through the streets to the castle and rode up to the window of Lady Guinevere and told her he was challenging the Duke for her. He asked for a token to wear and she gave him the pearl necklace from her neck. Word that a knight had come to challenge the Duke spread and many people gathered to watch. The Duke and King Arthur took their respective spots and the battle began. They rode towards each other and when they made contact, the Duke's spear burst into splinters and King Arthur's spear held. The duke was thrown from his horse. King Ryence's Court believed the Duke to be dead by King Arthur knew better and rode away.

Chapter Third

King Arthur is travelling on a beautiful, pleasant day. The audience is told to remember that Arthur came from Carleon to the castle of Tintagalon. With him, he brought four knights for his company: Sir Gawaine, Sir Ewaine, Sit Pellias, and Sir Geraint. On the journey, Arthur came upon a tower. On the balcony of the tower were three demoiselles, and near the road was a knight in armor. This knight began to play his flute to the three women who loved his playing. Arthur approached this knight and found him to be Sit Geraint from the crest on his armor. Arthur closed his hemlet’s visor to conceal his identity. After conversing with the women, Sir Geraint made his way over to Arthur. Unknowing of Arthur’s identity, Geraint challenges Arthur to a joust and states that the three women are fairer than Arthur’s lady. Arthur accepts in honor of his lady and says that whichever is to lose must become the servant for the next seven days to either Geraint’s three women, or a lady of Arthur’s choosing.

In the joust, Arthur is able to overthrow Sir Geraint. Sir Geraint accepts his loss and offers his service up to Lady Guinevere at Cameliard. Both men part ways; down the way Arthur comes upon two knights on horses eating and when they saw Arthur they stopped. Arthur saw these two men to be Sir Gawaine and Sir Ewaine according to the crests on their chest. Again, Arthur shut the visor on his helmet to conceal his identity. Arthur challenges Sir Gawaine to a gage, to which Sit Gawaine accepts. Arthur overthrows Sir Gawaine, and Arthur calls for Sir Gawaine’s servitude. Sir Ewaine declines and challenges Arthur to a gage. During the gage, Sir Ewaine’s spear is broken into pieces. Sir Ewaine and Sir Gawaine accept their loss and commit to their servitude.

Arthur leaves the two knights, thinking about how easily he had dismounted them both. Along the path of the forest, Arthur came across a tree with a shield on it. Arthur hits the shield with his spear because he was so filled with spirit. Through the ringing of the shield, a voice calls out and a man on a white horse comes forward. Arthur saw this knight to be Sir Pelllias. Again, Arthur challenges another knight to a jousting and breaks the spear into pieces. Sir Pellias accepts his loss and asked to see the man behind the helmet. Arthur tells him that he will find out later, but for now it will be a secret; then the two part ways.

The four knights go to Cameliard to tell Lady Guinevere of their service to her. The men tell her that one knight who wore her necklace had overthrown all of them. Confused as to who could have done such a task, Lady Guinevere questions who it could be. Arthur had entered the forest and came upon wood-choppers. He stayed with them for a night and gives them his horse and armor to look after as he makes his way back to Cameliard. Concealing his identity, he goes back to be a gardener’s boy as he was before.

Chapter Fourth:

Arthur goes to the gardener, but when the gardener attempts to discipline Arthur, Arthur terrifies the gardener with his strength and commands. The gardener goes straight to Lady Guinevere and retells the story to her. She tells the gardener everything will be fine because she will take care of it. She makes fun of the gardener’s boy for the cap he has on his head. Sir Gawaine, serving Lady Guinevere with three other knights for seven days, offers to take off his hat for her, but Guinevere declines. In another area, Duke Mordaunt challenges King Leodegrance, Guinevere’s father, to have his best seven champions he can find to fight against Duke and his own six men. He says that if he’s defeated, he will do anything for Guinevere, but if not, he demands claim to a large amount of land. This makes the King nervous and he begins to wish for the White Champion to come back. Guinevere tells the four knights to fight against Duke and his men, but the knights won’t do it because they’re pledged to Guinevere and not her father, as explained by Sir Gawaine. Arthur, on the other hand, has known of the occurring situation the entire time, and he tells the gardener to go give Guinevere the pearl necklace he was given and tell her that he demands her presence and if the four knights obey him instead, he and the knights will face the Duke. When given the necklace, Guinevere realizes the gardener’s boy is actually the White Champion (Arthur) and tells the knights to do exactly what Arthur had demanded. The knights obey but say that once they’re done serving the gardener’s boy that they’ll kill him. Arthur, as the gardener’s boy, demands an extraordinary amount of tasks for the knights to do, and when Sir Gawaine said he was going to kill Arthur, Arthur takes off his cap (his main disguise prop for being the gardener’s boy). The knights were shocked and immediately go to Arthur to spew apologies for how they treated him.

Chapter Fifth:

On the day of the battle, King Ryence is out with Duke and his six men to watch Duke succeed while King Leodegrance hides away due to shame. Guinevere comforts her father by showing that the gardener’s boy is the White Knight, and the White Knight with the four other knights go to face Duke. Duke tells Arthur that he’ll defeat them because the battle is five men against seven men. The fight begins and after the first part of the battle, three of the seven men are defeated and not one of the five men had lost their seat. Arthur had killed Duke with a spear, and Arthur told his four knights to fight the remaining enemies. After the brutal defeat, King Ryence left, but again comes back with a messenger, saying that if he isn’t given both the White Knight and the land, he will take them by force. King Leodegrance tells Guinevere to fetch the White Knight, but she said she doesn’t know what knight he speaks of. Once King Leodegrance explains to Guinevere that he wishes her to marry the White Knight, Guinevere says to call on the gardener’s boy in order to show her father the truth. When in the room with King Leodegrance, Arthur is commanded to take his cap (disguise) off. He does so, and King Leodegrance is shown that he’s in the presence of King Arthur and is elated. Guinevere then feels bad about mistreating Arthur, and when Arthur goes to her in order to cheer her up, they kiss. After this, King Arthur calls upon his men and defeats King Ryence. In the end, Leodegrance asks Arthur what the one thing he wants as a dowry for his marriage with Guinevere. Arthur asks Merlin, and Merlin tells him the story of the Round Table (Uther was the leader of the Round Table during his reign, when he died Leodegrance became the leader, and eventually the Round Table died out) and suggests that be the one possession that he takes. Arthur agrees, and the Round Table is given to him and set up in Camelot.

Chapter Sixth

In this chapter, King Arthur and Lady Guinevere are finally married. Characters from Arthur’s previous adventures, including the many nobles and knights he’s met, all convene for a magnificent ceremony and feast. Merlin reveals to Arthur that he has a surprise for him, and shows Arthur and the knights to a pavilion. The pavilion is lavishly decorated, and inside is the Round Table. Although there are 50 seats, Arthur has only 32 knights to fill it with, and Merlin tasks him to fill the remaining seats and to continue his missions of chivalry with his knights. Melin also points that opposite Arthur’s own seat is one that Merlin refers to as the Seat Perilous and is currently empty. The seat to Arthur’s right is also unclaimed, both of whom Merlin says will come in time and are both very important.

Part II: The Book of Three Worthies

The Story of Merlin

Chapter First

After Queen Morgana arrives at the Island of Avalon, she contemplates evil against King Arthur. Queen Morgana knew she could not harm King Arthur as long as Merlin protected him. She had to destroy Merlin first to destroy the King. Vivien, a beautiful damsel at Queen Morgana’s court, was 15 years old and the daughter of King of Northumberland. Queen Morgana liked her because Vivien was cunning, cold and cruel. The Queen taught Vivien magic and sorcery, but Vivien did not feel any love toward the Queen. Vivien and the Queen sat overlooking the sea in a garden, and the Queen told Vivien about Merlin, his great wisdom and his gift of foreseeing things. Vivien asked the Queen to help her obtain Merlin’s powers, and she would make sure he never cast a spell on anyone anymore. Queen Morgana gave Vivien two rings of pure yellow gold. If Vivien wore the ring with the white stone, whoever wore the ring with the red stone would fall in love with her. Vivien attends King Arthur’s Feast of Pentecost. King Arthur tried on the ring, but it did not fit because only he who was most wise and worthy could wear it. Merlin tried on the ring, and it fit. The ring worked its charm on Merlin, and he felt an intense passion for Vivien. Merlin agreed to teach Vivien his wisdom if they left Court. Merlin and Vivien depart from King Arthur’s Court toward the Valley of Delight, or Valley of Joyousness.

Chapter Second

Merlin and Vivien traveled for three days and arrived at an enchanted forest. Merlin and Vivien arrived at the Valley of Joyfulness with a small lake and meadows with many different colored flowers. Merlin’s followers wondered how they would seek shelter because the Valley did not have a house or castle. Merlin asked them to set aside, and he built a castle by means of his magic. Vivien and Merlin lived in the Valley of Joyfulness for more than a year, and in that time he taught her everything about magic. Vivien made a feast for Merlin, and she added a very potent sleeping potion that had no taste to the wine. Vivien offered the wine to Merlin after the feast, and he drinks it believing it is not enchanted after she set her lips to the chalice. Merlin is overcome by the wine and falls asleep. Vivien then wove another enchantment trapping Merlin in a silver web where he could not move. Vivien bewitched Merlin. Merlin asks Vivien one last request: To save King Arthur because his life was in great danger. Vivien agreed, and placed Merlin underneath a stone that was hard to lift. Vivien caused the castle to disappear and a mist to arrive in the Valley.

Chapter Third

Queen Morgana returns to Camelot and the Court with intent to harm King Arthur. They reconciled their differences and Arthur let Morgana take the sword for as long as she wanted. Morgana had a replica of the sword made so that she could trick Arthur when the time was right. When Arthur went on a hunt, his gifted horse from Morgana led him far away until he was lost with Sir Accalon. They went aboard a beautiful, mysterious ship with 12 damsels, who were part fay, and fell asleep. Arthur awoke in a stone dungeon with other knights, which belonged to Sir Domas. Arthur decided to fight Sir Domas’ brother in return for his freedom. He sent a letter to Morgana to send his sword, and this is when Morgana would send the fake sword.

Chapter Fourth

When Sir Accalon awoke from the same night on the ship as Arthur, he found himself in a meadow. Sir Accalon was led to a brilliant pavilion where the fair Lady Gomyne was waiting for him. She explained that Sir Ontzlake needed a knight to fight his brother, Sir Domas, to get the rest of his patrimony. Sir Accalon agreed to the fight and was given what looked like the Excalibur sword. Arthur and Sir Accalon were put on a battlefield in full armor to fight, but their faces were covered. Vivien was sent by Merlin to cast a spell on Arthur, but she later realized Arthur was the knight who was about to die. She cast a spell on Sir Accalon to drop the sword. Arthur realized he had been betrayed and the Excalibur was in Sir Accalon’s hands. Right before Arthur would kill Sir Accalon, they both realized who the other was and stopped. Vivien healed Arthur immediately and Sir Accalon died of his wounds the next day. Arthur summoned the brothers that day and pardoned Sir Ontzlake by stripping Sir Domas of all his belongings and giving them to Sir Ontzlake.

The Story of Sir Pellias

Chapter First

Lady Guinevere is taking a walk with the Ladies of her court and Knights when a damsel with three pages appears. The damsel, named Parcenet, says she was sent by her mistress Lady Ettard to see Lady Guinevere’s beauty and compare the two. A page uncovers a portrait of Lady Ettard, and all marvel at her beauty except Sir Pellias, who says Lady Ginevere is prettier and agrees to duel with Lady Ettard’s knight to prove it. Sir Pellias heads off with Parcenet, and as they travel, Sir Pellias says he will find her a knight. On their journey they enter the Forest of Adventure and come across an old woman beside a fountain. The old woman asks Sir Pellias to help her across the water on his horse, and when he does, she transforms into Lady Nymue of the Lake. In return for helping her, the Lady of the Lake gives him a collar of gold and jewels which is enchanted so that whoever possesses it is loved by all who look at him, though Sir Pellias is unaware of this and simply thinks it is a beautiful present.

Chapter Second

After travelling for a long time, Sir Pellias and the group stop to refresh when a sorrowful lady and esquire come out of the forest. Sir Pellias calms the lady down, and she tells him how she and her husband were hunting when they went to cross a bridge guarded by a Red Knight. The Red Knight said that they could not cross unless her husband dueled him. Her husband, Sir Brandemere, takes on the challenge and is defeated and brought back to a castle. The lady does not know if he is dead or alive or what has happened to him. Sir Pellias says he will find out what happened to the lady’s husband, and sets off to find the castle of the Red knight even though he has no armor to protect himself in a duel. The Red Knight is cruel and tells Sir Pellias to surrender for he has no weapons, but Sir Pellias overthrows him with a great stone and then takes him own sword to use against him. The Red Knight reveals himself to be Sir Adresack and says that Sir Brandemere is not as wounded as he was made out to be. Sir Pellias takes mercy on him and allows him to go if Sir Adresack will return to Lady Guinevere to tell her of how Sir Pellias has acquired his armor and confess his faults to King Arthur and hope he takes pity on him. Sir Pellias then summons his squire and instructs him to take Sir Adresack’s armor and put it on him, which the squire does, as Sir Adresack stands ashamed to the side. Adresack then, at Pelias’s request, takes him to the castle to release the captives. As Adresack has said, Sir Brandemere and the others were there and upon the sight of him, the lady embraces him and they weep over each other. Among the others that were help captive were Sir Brandiles and Sir Mador de la Porte, also members of King Arthur’s Court and they each embrace Sir Pellias when they realize it was he that liberated them. All that were set free rejoice. Sir Pellias, very angry with Sir Adresack at the sight of all the captives, dismisses him. Sir Adresack then rides to Camelot to do the penance that he promised he would do. When he leaves, Sir Pellias and the captives find thirteen chests of silver and gold and four caskets of jewels elsewhere in the castle, which had all be ransom money paid by the captives. All of the gold and silver is then divided into nineteen equal parts and given to the captives, and the ladies are each given a casket of jewels. Sir Pellias keeps nothing for himself and when the knights notice, they all swear fidelity to him until their deaths. Then Sir Brandemere throws a three day long feast in celebration of their freedom. On the fourth day, though, Sir Pellias departs, along with Sir Brandiles and Sir Mador de la Porte.

Chapter Third

After traveling until the afternoon, Sir Pellias compliments the land. The damsel Parcenet is gratified that he admires her homeland. As they approach the Castle of Grantmesnle, Sir Pellias admires it further. Sir Pellias then tells Parcenet that he and his men will set up pavilions to shelter themselves, which they later do, and then asks her to tell Lady Guinevere that he thinks she is the fairest lady in all the world. She agrees and they part ways. At midday, he then goes to the field in front of the castle to challenge anyone who will refute that Lady Guinevere is the fairest lady in all the world, as he said he would do. He is dressed in Sir Adresack’s armor and eventually the drawbridge opens to reveal a man clothed in green armor, who is sometimes known as the Knight of the Green Sleeves. His name, he reveals, is Sir Engamore of Malverat and he is there to defend Lady Ettard of Grantmesnle’s beauty. They salute each other and prepare to joust, and Sir Pellias unhorses his opponent. When Lady Ettard approaches him though, Sir Pellias realizes that she is much more beautiful than her portrait and apologizes that he fought against her credit and if it had not been for his Queen, he would not have done so. She forgives him when she sees the collar that the Lady of the Lake had given him, and invites them into the castle for a feast, where she places him on her right side and Sir Engamore on her left. Sir Engamore feels cast down because until then he had always sat at her right side. Later, when the other knights are leaving, Lady Ettard asks Sir Pellias to stay longer and makes supper for the two of them, all the while admiring his collar. Sir Pellias is beside himself with her graciousness and beauty and asks if there is anything he can do in return. She asks for the collar, but his face falls and he says that he cannot part from it. He tells her of the Lady of the Lake and how she gave it to him. She is amazed by his story, and then asks if she cannot have it, if she could at least wear it for a while. He reluctantly agrees. Immediately she starts scheming about how she may get revenge on Sir Pellias, while keeping her face cheerful so as not to let on. She makes an excuse and goes to ask Parcenet to get a sleeping draught. Parcenet knows what she’s thinking and argues slightly, but thinking it unwise to disobey her lady, she goes and brings a chalice. Lady Ettard gives it to Sir Pellias and, even though Parcenet tries to warn him by frowning and shaking her head, he doesn’t see and drinks the wine anyway. After he falls asleep, Lady Ettard laughs and summons her attendants to take him away, strip him of his jewelry and such and takes him outside where he defeated Sir Engamore so that he may be humiliated in the morning. Upon hearing this, Parcenet leaves and weeps for him. When he wakes the next morning, dressed only in his linen undervestment, he finds Lady Ettard laughing at him from the landing above. Parcenet runs to him and gives him a mantle to wrap himself in. He then returns to his pavilion and lays on the couch, silent. Sir Brandiles and Sir Mador de la Porte say that they will make her pay for what she has done, but Sir Pellias says no, because he loves her and they don’t know if he is mad or under some enchantment. He rides back to the castle anyway. Lady Ettard sends six soldiers out to confront him and upon the sight of them, he grows furious, and fights each one of them off until only two are left. He surrenders to them and lets himself be taken to the castle. He intended to speak with Lady Ettard but she instead instructs the two remaining knights to tie him under his horse and send him back to his companions. They ask him if he will allow this to continue and he says he doesn’t care what happens to him. They then ask how this will affect King Arthur’s reputation and he says he doesn’t care about that either. Throughout all this, Lady Ettard is still wearing the collar and it continually influences Sir Pellias.

Chapter Fourth

Queen Guinevere and Sir Gawaine had a very strong dislike for each other, and this dislike manifested itself fully and with great consequence on one occasion. One day Sir Gawain, some knights, and some damsels were sitting in a garden below the castle and enjoying a beautiful day. Unbeknownst to them, Queen Guinevere was listening from her tower to their discourse and the music Sir Gawaine was playing. In the middle of a song, Queen Guinevere’s favorite dog came and knocked over Sir Gawaine, dirtying his clothes and angering him. He struck the dog, which greatly offended Guienevere. An argument ensued where Sir Gawaine, in his arrogance, refuted the Queen’s authority over him. In response, the Queen banished him from Camelot until he came back to apologize for his affront. Sir Ewain, Gawaine’s cousin, decided to go with him even though he was not banished himself, which grieved King Arthur. Gawaine, Ewaine, and their squires traveled all day and eventually found a valley with a village and abbey. They stayed at the abbey that night and heard of a possible adventure from the abbot. The next day they set off in search of the adventure to a castle of gray stone. In front of that castle was a meadow and a sycamore tree with a shield hanging from it. Damsels were throwing mud and rocks at the shield while a knight in dark armor watched. Gawaine told the damsels to stop defacing the shield, and the knight challenges him to a joust because Gawaine just accidentally insulted his honor by suggesting he couldn’t protect his own shield. The Knight won the joust and Sir Gawaine attacked him with his sword in a fury. Ewaine stopped the fight and after it was revealed that the knight was Sir Marhaus, the son of the King of Ireland. After this the knights became friends and retired to Marhaus’ estate, where he told them why he had been letting the damsels deface his shield. He had been traveling on a small bridge when he got into an altercation with another horsed knight and lady. He knocked them off their horse into the river and saved them from drowning immediately after. The lady of the castle thought up the punishment that until he unhorsed seven knights, he would stand every day and watch as damsels defaced his shield. Gawaine had been the seventh knight. The next day the three knights decided to travel together and entered a forest that was known for being the beginning of many adventures. In the forest they encounter Nymue, chiefest of the Ladies of the Lake. She tells Marhau that he will become a very famous knight of the round table, and she offers Gawaine an adventure that he accepts. She mounts the back of his horse and directs the party out of the forest. When they leave the forest, they come across a castle where a small fight was going on between one knight in red armor and ten other knights. The red knight defeated all but two of the castle’s knights, but surrendered himself to them for no reason. He was taken to the castle where a lady was seen berating him, then he was dragged out by his horse. The lady of the lake disappeared.

Chapter Fifth

The three knights rode down to a place with three pavilions and met, with great surprise, Sirs Brandiles and Mador de la Porte. They refused to tell Gawaine what had happened with the red knight, but instead show him. Gawaine went with Sir Mador de la Porte to another pavilion and found Sir Pelias there, who was the red knight. When he saw Gawaine, he ran to the other side of the room. Gawaine threatened to attack him if he did not explain what happened on the field and why Pelias allowed himself to be treated so poorly. Pelias became entangled in the charms of the lady of the castle, and believed it to be some sort of enchantment. Gawaine made a plan to go to the castle and find the person who enchanted his friend. He would take Pelias’ armor and pretend that he had defeated him in battle, gaining him entrance into the castle. His plan worked, and he gained entrance into the castle from Lady Ettard, who at first believed it was Pelias coming to afflict her once more. She asked his name, but he would not give it as he said he was under an oath of secrecy. Shortly after speaking with Lady Ettard, Gawaine fell in enchantment for the spell in her jewels and was persuaded to the stay in the castle as her champion. Lady Ettard prepared a feast of supper for Gawaine and herself to partake in, and in much delight Gawaine was captivated by the lifestyle that he began to question his destiny. Meanwhile, Sir Pellias heart grew troubled as he began to worry that lady Etttard’s charm might have drawn Gawain unto her, making him forget his duty in the castle. Sir Pellias then devised a plan to disguise himself into a black friar and enter the castle of Grantmesnle. His planned worked and he was granted access into the castle. When Sir Pellias entered the castle, he demanded to speak with Gawaine. He was sent to the room where Gawaine and Lady Ettard were feasting, and was angered by the pleasure of their company. He felt betrayed. Angrily he approached the two and revealed himself. He forcefully snatched his jewelry from Lady Ettard’s neck, and violently slapped Gawaine across his cheek. Gawaine fell and cried to Sir Pellias for forgiveness. With no jewelry around her neck, Lady Ettard had no more magic to enchant Gawaine. She spoke with great anger to Gawaine about how affronted she was that he deceived her into thinking he overcame Sir Pellias. Gawaine fell shame to his dishonor. He called his esquire to take the red armor off him and carry it in honor of Sir Pellias, while he walked up and down the entire night with a troubled spirit in his heart.

Chapter Sixth

The next day, Gawaine called his esquire to bring him his armor and horse. He gave his esquire his glove to give to Sir Pellias along with a message. Sir Gawaine was challenging Sir Pellias to meet him a-horse or a foot to fight. The four knights: Sir Brandiles, Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Marhaus, and Sir Ewaine, who knew Gawaine and Sir Pellias to be close friends grew worried when they heard about the fight. The knights approached Sir Pellias concerned and offered to bring peace instead of war between the two. Their planned failed because Sir Pellias did not take heed. Sir Pellias grabbed his armor and rode to the field before the castle ready to fight. The fight began and Sir Gawaine fell off his saddle and lay motionless on the ground. In much haste, the four knights ran over to Gawaines rescue. Gawaine appeared to be dead. One of the knights, Sir Ewaine, warned Sir Pallias to leave or else trouble will befall him. Sir Pellias did as he was told and rode away to the woodlands. While Sir Pellias mourned in the woodlands, the damsel Parcenet and Lady Ettard’s dwarf, Gansaret, approached him. They saw how greatly injured and wounded he was so the dwarf offered to take him to a chapel where he would be healed. The hermit at the chapel offered to help Sir Pellias, so the Parcenet and the dwarf left and headed home. While the hermit examined and attended to Sir Pellias injury, out of nowhere came a lady clad in green that offered to heal him with good magic. The hermit left the lady with Sir Pellias as she performed her magic. The Lady brought Sir Pellias back to life, but when he woke up, she was wearing his jewelry. He was amazed and mesmerized by her beauty. When the Parcenet and the dwarf arrived at the castle and delivered the news that Sir Pellias was almost dead, Gawaine went to the chapel to go visit him. Upon his arrival at the chapel, the hermit told Gawaine that a Lady clad in green healed Sir Pellias, and they both rode off in the forest together told him. Sir Gawaine left the hermit and rode off in the direction of the two. Eventually Gawaine caught up to Sir Pellias and the Lady of the Lake. Pellias told Gawaine to o back to the King Arthur’s Court and make peace with the Queen. After he said those words, Sir Pellias said his farewell to Gawaine, and he and the Lady of the Lake disappeared. That was the end of the story.

The Story of Sir Gawaine

Chapter First

In chapter one Sir Gawaine and his brother undertakes the command given to them by King Arthur to find the reasoning of what beheld in front of King Arthur and the Court at feast. Gawaine and his brother take an adventurous challenge of their pursuit to a white hart, a white brachet and a knight who carried off a lady upon their journey. The biggest challenge Gawaine faces is his supernatural abilities battling the thought if his knightly virtues are more important than his life despite, him being fearful of death. Once he has found the castle a host makes a promise to him to show him the way to green chapel however, Gawaine struggles to protect, remain courteous and maintain his virtues as a knight and keeps his pack with the Green Knight and his host.

Chapter Second

Gawaine survives the blow among him and the Green Knight. Gawainee then sets out on another adventure of his own in search of the Green Chapel. On this new journey is where Gawaine true abilities will be tested of honesty, courtesy and etc. as he confronts the Knight.

Chapter Third

King Arthur goes to the castle and the knight of the castle asks him if he has come to redeem his pledge and tells King Arthur if he answers the riddle wrong, he will be killed. King Arthur guesses right, to the knight’s surprise. King Arthur then demands the locket from around the knight’s neck and opens it and breaks the crystal inside, at which point the knight dies. The king then leaves the castle and goes to the old beldame’s home and tells her that in order to thank her for her help, he will bring her to his court to find a husband. They reach Carleon and King Arthur asks the old woman who she would like as a husband and she points to Sir Gawaine and he accepts. Sir Gawaine becomes depressed at the situation but quickly snaps out of it to fulfill his promise to the king. He then goes to fetch a candle for the old lady and when he comes back he finds a beautiful young lady instead of the old lady. The young lady reveals that she was under an enchantment that made her old and ugly. She also then reveals that during one part of the day she must be old and ugly and during the other part young and beautiful. In deciding which part of the day she will be beautiful and which ugly, Sir Gawaine says that out of respect for her, she can choose. The young lady then tells him that this was his final test and since he passed she will always stay young and beautiful. Her last reveal to Sir Gawaine is that she is actually one of the ladies of the lake but she has become mortal for him. Sir Gawaine then proceeds to show her off to everyone and they all had great joy and all their mourning changed to rejoicing.

Character List

King Arthur

The main character of the story, he was once a knight, but after being mentored by Merlin, he becomes the King of Camelot and overseer of The Round Table. He lives as a very well-regarded and merciful ruler; however, faith and justice sometimes prevent him from seeing conspiracy around him.

Merlin the Wise

The king's advisor and mentor throughout the book. He is a powerful and wise wizard with prophetic abilities. He protects the kingdom and Arthur, so much so that it results in his undoing.

Queen Morgana Le Fay

She is the sister of King Arthur and a main antagonist throughout the book. She is a fairy queen with the ability to cast spells on knights and villagers. She seeks to destroy King Arthur for the shame she feels he as brought her, and even manages to destroy Merlin through the Damsel Vivien.

Sir Ector

He is Arthur's foster father and Kay's biological father.

Sir Kay

The son of Ector, he is also Arthur's foster brother and a knight of The Round Table. He has a selfish attitude towards people.

Sir Balamorgineas

He s the biggest of the knights. He is extremely strong and has a huge frame.

Sir Lancelot

The best of King Arthur's noble knights, he has a love affair with Guinevere, King Arthur's wife. His guilt and betrayal haunt him.

Lady Guinevere

Lady to King Arthur and Queen of Camelot, she is also a lover to Sir Lancelot. She is a beautiful and supportive queen, but she also can be very jealous. She as a strong dislike for Sir Gawaine, causing him to go traveling on various adventures before finally returning to Camelot.

Sir Gawaine

He is a knight with good intentions, but he allows his anger to get the best of him at times. He rejects requests from other knights, and even engages other knights when he loses in battle. He has a lot of rage hidden inside of him. He even quarrels with Lady Guinevere quite a bit, which causes him to travel on an adventure to save Sir Pellias, ultimately getting himself killed.

Sir Pellias

An honorable and passionate knight of King Arthur's Round Table who encounters Lady Ettard, who bewitches Sir Pellias with his own enchanted collar. He is free of the enchantment when Sir Gawaine arrives and agrees to free him of Lady Ettard's spell. When Sir Pellias finds that he was betrayed by Sir Gawaine, the two conduct a combat in which Sir Pellias is mortally wounded. The Lady of the Lake finds him, restores him to life, and the two disappear to the land of the fae.

Lady of the Lake

She is a mysterious woman who aids King Arthur and his various knights during their time of need, and is shown in many chapters throughout the book. She heals Sir Pellias, and takes him into her fae world when he is mortally wounded by Sir Gawaine.

Vivien

A beautiful and cunning damsel only fifteen years old who was sent by Queen Morgana le Fay to use her charm to beguile Merlin, and to use his own power and knowledge to defeat the great wizard.

King Pellinore

An accomplished knight who was later killed. His legacy still lives on through the life of his children.

External links

Howard Pyle's The Story of King Arthur and His Knights: A Backwards Look at Chivalry by Jill P May