Le Morte Darthur / by Syr Thomas Malory ; the original edition of William Caxton now reprinted and edited with an introduction and glossary by H. Oskar Sommer ; with an essay on Malory's prose style by Andrew Lang

Book Nineteen

¶ Capitulum primum

SOo it befelle in the moneth of May / quene Gueneuer called vnto her knyȝtes of the table round / and she gafe them warnynge that erly vpon the morowe she wold ryde on mayeng in to woodes & feldes besyde westmynstre / & I warne yow that there be none of yow but that he be wel horsed / and that ye alle be clothed on grene outher in sylke outher in clothe and I shalle brynge with me ten ladyes / and euery knyght shalle haue a lady behynde hym / and euery knyghte shal haue a squyer and two yomen / and I wyll that ye alle be wel horsed / Soo they made hem redy in the fresshest maner / and these were the names of the knyghtes / sir Kay the Seneschal / sir Agrauayne / sir Brandyles / sir Sagramor le desyrus / Sir Dodynas le saueage / sir Ozanna le cure hardy / sir Ladynas of the forest saueage / sir Persaunt on Inde / syre Ironsyde that was called the knyghte of the reed laundes / and sire Pelleas the louer / and these ten knyghtes made hem redy in the fresshest maner to ryde with the quene / And soo vpon the morne they toke their horses with the quene / and rode on mayenge in woodes and medowes as hit pleasyd hem in grete Ioye and delytes / for the quene had cast to haue ben ageyne with kyng Arthur at the ferthest by ten of the clok / and soo was that tyme her purpoos / Thenne there was a knyghte that hyghte Mellyagraunce / and he was sone vnto kynge Bagdemagus / and this knyghte had at that tyme a castel of the yefte of kyng arthur

[leaf 387r] within seuen myle of westmynstre / And this knyghte sir Mellyagraunce loued passynge wel Quene Gueneuer / and soo had he done longe and many yeres /

¶ And the book sayth he had layne in a wayte for to stele away the quene / but euermore he forbare for by cause of sir launcelot / for in no wyse he wold medle with the quene / and sir Launcelot were in her company / outher els and he were nere hand her / and that tyme was suche a customme / the quene rode neuer withoute a grete felaushyp of men of armes aboute her / and they were many good knyghtes / and the moost party were yong men that wold haue worshyp / and they were called the quenes knyghtes and neuer in no batail / turnement / nor Iustes / they bare none of hem no maner of knoulechynge of their owne armes / but playne whyte sheldes / and there by they were called the quenes knyghtes / And thenne whan it happed ony of them to be of grete worshyp by his noble dedes / thenne at the next feest of Pentecost / yf there were ony slayne or dede / as there was none yere that there fayled / but somme were dede / Thenne was there chosen in his stede that was dede the moost men of worshyp that were called the quenes knyghtes / And thus they came vp alle fyrste or they were renoumed men of worship / both sire Launcelot and alle the remenaunt of them / But this knyȝte sir Mellyagraunce had aspyed the quene well and her purpos and how sir launcelot was not with her / and how she had no man of armes with her but the ten noble knyghtes all arayed in grene for mayeng / thenne he purueyed hym a xx men of armes and an honderd archers for to destroye the quene and her knyghtes / for he thoughte that tyme was best season to take the quene /

¶ Capitulum secundum

SOo as the quene had mayed and alle her knyghtes / alle were bedasshed with herbys mosses and floures in the best maner and fresshest / Ryghte so came oute of a wode syre Mellyagraunce with an eyghte score men wel harnysed as they shold fyghte in a batail of a reeste and bad the quene and her knyghtes abyde / for maulgre theyr hedes they

[leaf 387v] shold abyde / Traytoure knyghte sayd quene Gueneuer what cast thou for to doo / wolte thow shame thy self / bethynke the how thou arte kynges sone / and knyghte of the table roūd and thou to be aboute to dishonoure the noble kynge that made the knyghte / thow shamest alle knyghthode and thy selfe / & me I lete the wete shalte thow neuer shame / for I had leuer cutte myn owne throte in tweyne rather than thou sholdest dishonoure me / As for alle this langage sayd sir Mellyagraunce be it as it be may / for wete yow wel madame I haue loued yow many a yere / and neuer or now coude I gete yow at suche an auauntage as I doo now / and therfor I wylle take yow as I fynde yow / thenne spake alle the ten noble knyghtes att ones and sayd / Syr Mellyagraunce wete thow wel ye ar aboute to Ieoparde your worshyp to dishonour / and also ye cast to Ieoparde oure persons / how be it we ben vnarmed / ye haue vs at a grete auayle / for hit semeth by yow that ye haue layd watche vpon vs / but rather than ye shold putte the quene to a shame and vs alle / we had as leef to departe from oure lyues / for & yf we other wayes dyd / we were shamed for euer Thenne sayd sir Mellyagraunce dresse yow as wel as ye can/ and kepe the Quene /

¶ Thenne the ten knyghtes of the table round drewe their swerdes / and the other lete renne at them/ with their speres / and the ten knyghtes manly abode them / & smote awey their speres / that no spere dyd them none harme Thenne they lasshed to gyder with swerdes / and anone syre Kay / sir Sagramor / sir Agrauayn / sir Dodynas / sir Ladynas and syr Ozanna were smyten to the erthe with grymly woundes / Thenne sir Brandyles and sir Persaunt of Ironsyde / syre Pelleas foughte longe / and they were sore wounded / for these ten knyghtes or euer they were layd to the ground slewe xl men of the boldest and the best of them / Soo whan the Quene sawe her knyghtes thus dolefully wounded / and nedes must be slayne at the last / thenne for pyte and sorowe she cryed syr Mellyagraunce slee not my noble knyghtes / and I wille go with the vpon this couenant that thou saue hem / and suffer hem not to be no more hurte with this that they be ledde wyth me where someuer thow ledest me / for I wylle rather slee my self than I wylle goo with the / onles / that thyse my noble

[leaf 388r] knyghtes maye be in my presence / Madame said Mellyagraūce for your sake they shalle be ledde with yow in to myn owne Castel with that ye wylle be ruled & ryde with me /

¶ Thenne the quene prayd the four knyghtes to leue their fyghtynge / & she and they wold not departe / Madame sayd sir Pelleas we will doo as ye doo / for as for me I take no force of my lyfe nor deth / For as the Frensshe book sayth sir Pelleas gaf suche buffets there that none armour myghte holde hym /

¶ Capitulum Tercium

THenne by the quenes commaundement they lefte batail and dressid the wounded knyghtes on horsbak some syttyng somme ouerthwarte their horses / that hit was pyte to beholde them / And thenne sir Mellyagraunce charged the quene & al her knyghtes that none of al her felaushyp shold departe from her / for ful sore he dradde sir launcelot du lake lest he shold haue ony knoulechynge / Alle this aspyed the Quene / and pryuely she called vnto her a child of her chamber that was swyftly horsed to whome she sayd / Go thow whan thou seest thy tyme / and bere this rynge vnto sir launcelot du lake / and praye hym as he loueth me that he wylle see me / and rescowe me yf euer he wille haue Ioye of me / and spare not thy hors said the quene nouther for water neyther for lond / Soo the chyld aspyed his tyme / and lyghtely he took his hors with the spores and departed as fast as he myghte / and whan sir Mellyagraunce sawe hym soo flee / he vnderstood that hit was by the quenes commaundement for to warne sir launcelot / Thenne they that were best horsed chaced hym and shot at hym/ But from hem alle the child wente sodenly / and thenne syre Mellyagraunce sayd to the quene / Madame ye are aboute to bitraye me / but I shalle ordeyne for sir launcelot that he shall not come lyghtely at yow / And thenne he rode with her and they alle to his castel in alle the haste that they myghte / And by the waye sire Mellyagraunce layd in an enbusshement the best archers that he myghte gete in his coūtrey to the nombre of

[leaf 388v] a thyrtty to awayte vpon sir Launcelot chargyng them that yf they sawe suche a manere of knyghte come by the way vpon a whyte hors that in ony wyse they slee his hors / but in no manere of wyse haue not adoo with hym bodyly / for he is ouer hardy to be ouercomen / Soo this was done / and they were comen to his castel / but in no wyse the quene wold neuer lete none of the ten knyghtes and her ladyes oute of her syghte / but alwayes they were in their presence / for the book sayth sir Melyagraunce durste make no maystryes for drede of sir launcelot in soo moche he demed that he had warnynge / Soo whan the child was departed from the felauship of syr Mellyagraunce within a whyle he came to westmynstre / And anone he fonde sir launcelot / And whanne he had told his message / & delyuerd hym the quenes rynge / Allas sayd syr Launcelot now am I shamed for euer onles that I maye rescowe that noble lady from dishonour / thenne egerly he asked his armour / and euer the child told syr launcelot how the ten knyghtes foughte merueyllously / and how sir Pelleas and sire Ironsyde and sir Brandyles and sir Persaunt of Inde fought strongly / but namely sir Pelleas / there myghte none withstāde hym / & how they all fouȝte tyll at the last they were layd to the erthe / and thenne the quene made apoyntement for to saue their lyues / and goo with syr Mellyagraunce / Allas sayd syr Launcelot / that moost noble lady that she shold be so destroyed / I had leuer said sir launcelot than alle Fraunce that I had ben there were wel armed / Soo whan syre launcelot was armed / and vpon his hors / he prayd the chyld of the Quenes chamber to warne syr Lauayne how sodenly he was departed / and for what cause / and praye hym as he loueth me that he wylle hyhe hym after me / and that he stynte not vntyll he come to the castel where sir Mellyagraunce abydeth / or dwelleth / for there sayd sire launcelot he shalle here of me / and I am a man lyuynge / and rescowe the quene and the ten knyȝtes the whiche he traitoursly hath taken / and that shalle I preue vpon his hede and alle them that hold with hym /

¶ Capitulum iiij

[leaf 389r]

THenne sir launcelot rode as fast as he myghte / and the book saith / he took the water at westmynstre brydge / & made his hors to swymme ouer Temse vnto lambehythe / And thēne within a whyle he came to the same place there as the ten noble knyghtes foughte with syre Mellyagraunce And thanne sir launcelot folowed the trak vntyl that he came to a wood / and there was a strayte waye / and there the xxx archers bad sir launcelot torne ageyne / and folowe noo lenger that trak / what commaundement have ye ther to sayd sir launcelot to cause me that am a knyghte of the round table to leue my ryghte way / This way shalte thou leue / outher els thow shalt goo it on thy foote / for wete thou wel thy hors shalle be slayne / that is lytel maystry sayd syre launcelot to slee myn hors / but as for my self whan my hors is slayne I gyue ryght nought for yow / not and ye were fyue honderd moo / So thenne they shot sir launcelots hors / and smote hym with many arowes / and thenne syr launcelot auoyded his hors / and wente on foote / but there were soo many dyches and hedges betwixe them and hym that he myghte not medle with none of hem /

¶ Allas for shame said launcelot that euer one knyght shold bitraye another knyght / but hit is an old sawe / a good man is neuer in daunger / but whan he is in the daunger of a coward / Thenne sir launcelot wente a whyle / and thenne he was fowle combred of his armour / his sheld and his spere & alle that longed vnto hym / wete ye wel he was ful sore annoyed / and ful loth he was for to leue ony thynge that longed vnto hym / for he drad sore the treason of sir Mellyagraūce Thenne by fortune there came by hym a charyot that cam thyder for to fetche wood / Say me carter said syr launcelot what shal I gyue the to suffre me to lepe in to thy charyot / & that thou brynge me vnto a castel within this two myle / thou shalt not come within my charyot said the carter / for I am sente for to fetche wood for my lord sir Mellyagraunce / with hym wold I speke / thou shalt not go with me said the carter / thēne sir launcelot lept to hym / & gaf hym suche a buffet that he felle to the erthe starke dede / thenne the other carter his felawe was aferde & wende to haue gone the same way / & thenne he cryed fair lord saue my lyf / & I shal brynge you where ye wil / thēne

[leaf 389v] I charge the sayd syr launcelot that thow dryue me and thys charyot euen vnto sir Melliagaunce yate / lepe vp in to the charyot sayd the carter / and ye shalle be there anone / Soo the carter drofe on a grete wallop / and sir launcelots hors folowed the charyot with more than a xl arowes brode and rough in hym / and more than an houre and an half dame Gueneuer was awaytynge in a bay wyndowe with her ladyes / & aspyed an armed knyghte standynge in a charyot / See madame sayd a lady where rydeth in a charyot a goodly armed knyghte / I suppose he rydeth vnto hangyng / where sayd the quene / thenne she aspyed by his shelde that he was there hym self sir launcelot du lake / And thenne she was ware where came his hors euer after that charyot / and euer he trade his guttes and his paunche vnder his feet / Allas sayd the quene now I see well and preue that wel is hym that hath a trusty frend /

¶ Ha a moost noble knyghte sayd quene Gueneuer I see wel thow arte hard bestad whan thow rydest in a charyot / thenne she rebuked that lady that lykend sir launcelot to ryde in a charyot to hangynge / hit was fowle mouthed sayd the quene and euylle lykened soo for to lyken the moost noble knyght of the world vnto suche a shameful dethe / O Ihesu defende hym and kepe hym said the quene from alle mescheuous ende / By thys was sir Launcelot comen to the gates of that Castel / and there he descended doune and cryed that alle the Castel range of it where arte thow fals traitour sir Melliagraunce and knyght of the table round / now come forth here thou traytour knyȝte thou and thy felauship with the / For here I am sir launcelot du lake that shal fyghte with yow / and there with all he bare the gate wyde open vpon the porter / and smote hym vnder his ȝere with his gauntelet that his neck brast in sonder /

¶ Capitulum v

WHanne sir Mellyagraūce herd that sir Launcelot was there / he ranne vnto quene Gueneuer / and felle vpon his knee / and sayd mercy madame now I put me holy in to your grace / what eyleth yow now sayd quene

[leaf 390r] Gueneuer / For sothe I myghte wel wete somme good knyȝt wold reuenge me / though my lord Arthur wyste not of this youre werke / Madame said sir Mellyagraunce / alle this that is amys on my parte shalle be amended ryghte as your self wille deuyse / & holy I putte me in your grace / what wold ye that I dyd sayd the quene / I wold no more said Mellyagraunce but that ye wold take alle in your owne handes / and that ye wille rule my lord sir launcelot / and suche chere as maye be made hym in this poure castel ye and he shalle haue vntyl to morne / and thenne may ye and alle they retorne vnto westmynster / and my body and all that I haue I shal putte in your rule / ye saye wel sayd the quene / and better is pees than euer werre / and the lesse noyse / the more is my worship / thenne the quene and her ladyes wente doune vnto the knyghte syr launcelot / that stood wrothe oute of mesure in the Inner courte to abyde bataille / & euer he bad thou traytour knyghte come forth Thenne the quene came to hym and sayde syre Launcelot why be ye soo moeued / Ha madame sayd sire Launcelot why aske ye me that question / Me semeth said sir launcelot ye ouȝte to be more wrothe than I am / for ye haue the hurte and the dishonour / For wete ye wel madame my hurte is but lytel for the kyllynge of a mares sone / but the despyte greueth me moch more / than alle my hurte / truly sayd the quene ye saye trouth but hertely I thanke yow sayd the quene / but ye muste come in with me peasyble / for al thynge is put in my hand / and alle that is euylle shalle be for the best / for the knyghte ful sore repenteth hym of the mysauenture that is befallen hym / Madame saide sire Launcelot / syth it is soo that ye ben accorded with hym / as for me I may not be ageyn it / how be it sir Mellyagraunce hath done ful shamefully to me & cowardly /

¶ A madame said sir Launcelot / & I had wyst ye wold haue ben soo soone accorded with hym / I wold not haue made suche haste vnto yow / why saye ye soo sayd the quene / doo ye forthynke your self of your good dedes / wete you well sayd the Quene I accorded neuer vnto hym for fauour nor loue that I had vnto hym / but for to laye doune euery shameful noyse

¶ Madame said syr launcelot ye vnderstande ful well I was neuer willynge nor gladde of shameful sklaunder nor noyse

[leaf 390v] And there is neyther kynge / quene ne knyght that bereth the lyf excepte my lord kynge Arthur and yow madame shold lette me / but I shold make sir Mellyagraunce herte ful cold/ or euer I departed from hens / That wote I wel said the quene / but what wille ye more ye shall haue alle thynge rulyd as ye lyst to haue it / Madame said syr launcelot / soo ye be pleasyd I care not / as for my parte ye shal soone please / ryghte so the quene took syr launcelot by the bare hand / for he had put of his gauntelet / and soo she wente with hym tyl her chamber and thenne she commaunded hym to be vnarmed / and thenne syr launcelot asked where were the ten knyghtes that were wounded sore / so she shewed them vnto sir launcelot / and ther they made grete Ioye of the comynge of hym / and sir launcelot made grete dole of their hurtes and bewayled them gretely / & there sir launcelot told them how cowardly and traytourly Mellyagraunce sette archers to slee his hors / and how he was fayne to putte hym self in a charyot / thus they complayned eueryche to other / and ful fayn they wold haue ben reuengid but they peaced them self by cause of the Quene / Thenne as the Frenssh book sayth / syr launcelot was called many a day after le cheualer du charyot / and dyd many dedes and grete aduentures he had / and soo leue we of this tale le Cheualer du Charyot and torne we to this tale /

¶ Soo syr Launcelot had grete chere with the quene / and thenne syr launcelot made a promys with the quene that the same nyghte sir launcelot shold come to a wyndowe outward toward a gardyn / & that wyndowe was y barryd with yron / and there sir launcelot promysed to mete her when alle folkes were on slepe / So thenne came syr lauayne dryuynge to the gates cryeng where is my lord syr launcelot du lake / thenne was he sente for / & when sir lauayne sawe sir Launcelot / he sayd my lord I fond well how ye were hard bestad / for I haue fonde your hors that was slayne with arowes / As for that sayd syr launcelot I praye yow syr Lauayne speke ye of other maters / and lete ye this passe / & we shalle ryghte hit another tyme when we beste may

¶ Capitulum vj

[leaf 391r]

THenne the knyghtes that were hurte were serched / & softe salues were leyd to their woundes / and soo hyt past on tyl souper tyme / and alle the chere that myght be made them / there was done vnto the quene and all her knyȝtes / thenne whan season was / they wente vnto their chambres but in no wyse the quene wold not suffre the wounded knyȝtes to be fro her / but that they were layde within draughtes by her chamber vpon beddes and pylowes that she her self myght see to them that they wanted no thynge / Soo whan sir launcelot was in his chamber that was assygned vnto hym / he called vnto hym sire Lauayne / and told hym that nyght he must goo speke with his lady dame Gueneuer / Sir said syr Lauayne / lete me goo with yow and hit please yow / for I drede me sore of the treason of sir Mellyagraunce / Nay sayd sir launcelot I thanke yow / but I wille haue no body with me / thenne sir Launcelot took his suerd in his hand / and pryuely went to a place where he had aspyed a ladder to fore hand / and that he took vnder his arme / and bare it thurgh the gardyn / & sette it vp to the wyndowe / and there anone the quene was redy to mete hym / and thenne they made eyther to other their complayntes of many dyuerse thynges / & thenne sir launcelot wysshed that he myghte haue comen in to her / wete ye wel said the quene / I wold as fayne as ye / that ye myghte come in to me wold ye madame said syre launcelot with youre herte that I were with yow / ye truly said the quene / Now shalle I proue my myght said syr Launcelot for your loue / and thenne he set his handes vpon the barres of yron / and he pulled at them with suche a myghte that he brast hem clene oute of the stone walles / and there with all one of the barres of yron kytte the braune of his handes thurgh out to the bone / & thenne he lepte in to the chamber to the quene / make ye no noyse sayd the quene / for my wounded knyghtes lye here fast by me / So to passe vpon this tale syr Launcelot wente vnto bed with the quene / & took no force of his hurte hand / but took his plesaūce and his lykynge vntyll it was in the daunynge of the daye / & wete ye well he slepte not but watched / and whan he sawe his tyme that he myghte tary no lenger / he took his leue and departed at the wyndowe / and putte hit to gyder as wel as he

[leaf 391v] myghte ageyne and soo departed vnto his owne chamber / & there he told sir Lauayne how he was hurte / thenne sir lauayn dressid his hand and staunched it / and putte vpon it a gloue that it shold not be aspyed / and soo the quene lay long in her bedde vntyl it was nyne of the clok / thēne sir Mellyagraunce wente to the quenes chamber / and fond her ladyes there redy clothed / Ihesu mercy sayd sir Mellyagraunce what eyleth you madame that ye slepe thus longe / and ryght there with alle he opened the curteyn for to beholde her / and thenne was he ware where she laye & alle the shete & pylowe was bebled with the blood of sir Launcelot and of his hurte hand / Whan sir mellyagraunce aspyed that blood / thenne he demed in her that she was fals to the kynge / and that some of the wounded knyghtes had layne by her alle that nyghte / A madame said sir Mellyagraunce / now I haue founden you a fals traytresse vnto my lord Arthur / For now I proue wel it was not for nought that ye layd these wounded knyghtes within the bandes of your chamber / therfore I wille calle yow of treason before my lord kynge Arthur / and now I haue proued yow madame with a shameful dede / and that they ben all fals or somme of them I wylle make good / for a wounded knyghte this nyght hath layne by yow / That is fals sayd the Quene and that I wyl reporte me vnto them alle / thenne whanne the ten knyghtes herd sir Mellyagraunce wordes / they spak al in one voys and sayd to sire Mellyagraunce thou sayst falsly / and wrongfully puttest vpon vs suche a dede / and that we wil make good ony of vs chese whiche thou lyst of vs whan we are hole of oure woundes / ye shal not said syr Mellyagraunce away with your proud langage / for here ye may alle see sayd sir Mellyagraunce that by the quene this nyghte a wounded knyghte hath layne / thenne were they al ashamed whan they sawe that blood / and wete you wel syr Mellyagraunce was passynge glad that he had the quene at suche an auauntage / For he demed by that to hyde his treson / soo with this rumoure came in syr launcelot and fond them al at a grete araye/

¶ Capitulum septimum

[leaf 392r]

¶ Capitulum septimum /

WHat araye is this sayd sir Launcelot / thenne syr mellygraunce told hem what he had fonde & shewed hem the quenes bed / Truly said syr launcelot ye dyd not your part nor knyȝtly to touche a quenes bedde whyle it was drawen / & she lyeng therin / for I dar say my lord Arthur hym self wold not haue displayed her courteyns she beyng within her bed / onles that it had pleasyd hym to haue layne doune by her / and therfor ye haue done vnworshipfully & shamefully to your selfe I wote not what ye mene sayd syr Mellyagraunce / but well I am sure ther hath one of her wounded knyȝtes layne by her this nyȝte / & therfor I wil proue with my handes that she is a traytresse vnto my lord Arthur / beware what ye do said launcelot / for & ye say so & ye wil preue it / it wil be taken at your handes / My lord sir Launcelot said sire Mellyagraunce I rede yow beware what ye do / for thouȝ ye are neuer so good a knyght as ye wote wel ye ar renomed the best knyȝt of the world yet shold ye be aduysed to do batail in a wrong quarel / for god wil haue a stroke in euery batail / As for that sayd syr launcelot god is to be drad / but as to that I saye nay playnly / that this nyȝte there lay none of these ten wounded knyȝtes wyth my lady quene Gueneuer / & that wil I preue with my handes that ye say vntruly in that now / Hold said sir Mellyagraunce here is my gloue that she is traytresse vnto my lord kyng Arthur / & that this nyghte one of the wounded knyȝtes lay with her / & I receyue your gloue sayd sir Launcelot / & so they were sealyd with their sygnettys / and delyuerd vnto the x knyȝtes At what day shal we do batail to gyders said sir launcelot / this day viij dayes said sir Mellyagraunce in the felde besyde westmynstre / I am agreed said sir Launcelot / but now said sir mellyagraunce / sythen it is so that we must fyȝte to gyders I pray yow as ye be a noble knyȝt awayte me with no treason / nor none vylony the meane whyle / nor none for yow / soo god me help said sir launcelot ye shal ryȝte wel wete I was neuer of no suche condycyons / for I reporte me to al knyȝtes that euer haue knowen me I ferd neuer with no treason / nor I loued neuer the felauship of no man that ferde with treson / Thenne lete vs go to dyner seid melliagraūce. & after dyner ye & þ^e quene

[leaf 392v] and ye may ryde alle to westmester / I wylle wel sayd sir laūcelot / thenne sir Mellyagraunce sayd to sir launcelot pleaseth it yow to see the eftures of this castel / with a good wylle sayd sir Launcelot / and thenne they wente to gyders from chamber to chamber / for sir Launcelot drad noo peryls / for euer a man of worshyp and of prowesse / dredeth lest alwayes perils / For they wene euery man be as they ben / But euer he that fareth with treason putteth ofte a man in grete daunger / So it befel vpon sir launcelot that no peryl dredde / as he wente with sire Mellyagraunce he trade on a trap and the bord rollyd / and there sir Launcelot felle doune more than ten fadom in to a caue ful of strawe / and thenne sir Mellyagraunce departed and made no fare as that he nyst where he was / And whan sir laūcelot was thus myssed / they merueylled where he was bycomen / and thenne the quene and many of them demed that he was departed as he was wonte to doo sodenly / For syr Mellyagraunce made sodenly to putte awaye on syde sir Lauayns hors that they myght alle vnderstande that sir launcelot was departed sodenly / soo it past on tyl after dyner / and thenne sir Lauayne wold not stynte vntyl that he ordeyned lyttyers for the wounded knyghtes that they myghte be lad in them / and so with the quene and them al bothe ladyes & gentilwymmen and other wente vnto westmynster / & there the knyȝtes told kyng arthur hou Mellyagraūce had appelyd the quene of hyghe treason / and how sir Launcelot had receyued the gloue of hym / and this daye eyghte dayes they shall doo batail afore yow / By my hede sayd kynge Arthur I am aferd syre Mellyagraunce has taken vpon hym a grete charge / but where is syr Launcelot sayd the kynge / Sir sayd they alle we wote not where he is / but we deme he is ryden to somme aduentures as he is oftymes wonte to doo / for he hath syr Lauayns hors / lete hym be said the kyng / he wylle be founden but yf he be trapped with somme treason

¶ Capitulum octauum

SOo leue we syr Launcelot lyenge within that caue in grete payne / and euery day ther came a lady & brouȝt hym his mete & his drynke / & wowed hym to haue layne by hym / and euer the noble knyghte syre Launcelot sayd

[leaf 393r] her nay / sir Launcelot sayd she ye ar not wyse / for ye maye neuer oute of this pryson / but yf ye haue my helpe and also your lady quene Gueneuer shalle be brente in your deffaulte onles that ye be there at the daye of bataille / God defende sayd syr Launcelot that she shold be brente in my deffaute / & yf hyt be soo said sir Launcelot that I maye not be there / hit shalle be wel vnderstande bothe at the kynge and at the quene & wyth alle men of worshyp that I am dede / seke / outher in pryson / For alle men that knowe me / wille saye for me that I am in somme euyl caas and I be not there at that day / and wel I wote there is somme good knyghte outher of my blood or some other that loueth me that wylle take my quarel in hand / and therfor said sir launcelot wete ye wel ye shalle not fere me / & yf there were no more wymmen in alle this land but ye / I wil not haue adoo with yow / thenne arte thow shamed sayd the lady / and destroyed for euer / As for worldes shame Ihesu defende me / and as for my dystresse it is welcome what so euer hit be that god sendeth me / soo she came to hym the same day that the batail shold be / and sayd sir launcelot / me thynketh ye are to hard herted / but woldest thow but kysse me ones I shold delyuer the and thyn armour / and the best hors that is within sir Mellyagraunces stable / As for to kysse yow said sir launcelot I maye doo that and lese no worshyp / and wete ye wel and I vnderstood / there were ony disworship for to kysse yow / I wold not doo hit / thenne he kyssed her / & thenne she gat hym and broughte hym to his armour / and whan he was armed / she broughte hym to a stable / where stood xij good coursers / and bad hym chese the best / Thenne syr launcelot loked vpon a whyte courser the whiche lyked hym best / & anone he commaunded the kepers faste to sadle hym with the best sadel of werre that there was / and soo it was done as he badde / thenne gatte he his spere in his hand and his suerd by his syde / and commaunded the lady vnto god / and sayd lady for this good dede I shal doo yow seruyse yf euer hit be in my power /

¶ Capitulum Nonum

[leaf 393v]

NOwe leue we sir Launcelot wallop alle that he myghte And speke we of Quene Gueneuer / that was broughte to a fyre to be brent / for sire Mellyagraunce was sure / hym thoughte that sir launcelot shold not be att that bataille / therfore he euer cryed vpon kynge Arthur to doo hym Iustyce / outher els brynge forth syr launcelot du lake / thenne was the kynge and al the Courte ful sore abasshed & shamed that the quene shold be brente in the defaute of sir Launcelot My lord Arthur sayd sir Lauayne ye maye vnderstande that it is not wel with my lord syr launcelot / for and he were on lyue / soo he be not seke outher in pryson / wete ye wel he wold ben here / for neuer herd ye that euer he failed his part for whome he shold doo batail for / and therfor sayd sir lauayne / my lord kynge Arthur I byseche yow gyue me the lycence to doo batail here this day for my lord and maister / and for to saue my lady the quene / Gramercy gentil sir Lauayne sayd kyng arthur / for I day say alle that sir Mellyagraunce putteth vpon my lady the Quene / is wronge / for I haue spoken with al the ten wounded knyghtes / and there is not one of them and he were hole and able to doo bataille / but he wold preue vpon sir Mellyagraunce body that it is fals that he putteth vpon my quene / soo shal I sayd sir lauayne in the defence of my lord syr launcelot and ye wylle gyue me leue / Now I gyue yow leue sayd kynge Arthur and doo your best / for I dar wel say there is some treason done to sir launcelot / Thenne was sir Lauayne armed and horsed / and sodenly at the lystes ende he rode to performe this bataille / and ryghte as the herowdes shold crye / lesses les aler / Ryghte soo came in sir launcelot dryuynge with alle the force of his hors / and thenne Arthur cryed ho / and abyde / thenne was sir launcelot called on horsbak to fore kynge Arthur / and there he told openly to fore the kynge and alle how sire Mellyagraunce had serued hym fyrste and last / And whanne the kynge and the quene and al the lordes knewe of the treason of sir Mellyagraunce / they were alle ashamed on his behalfe / thenne was quene Gueneuer sente for / and sette by the kynge in grete truste of her champyon And thenne there was no more els to say / but syr Launcelot and sire Mellyagraunce dressid them vnto bataille / and took

[leaf 394r] their speres / and soo they came to gyders as thonder / and there sir launcelot bare hym doune quyte ouer his hors croupe / And thenne sire Launcelot alyghte and dressid his sheld on his sholder with his suerd in his hand / and sir Mellyagraunce in the same wyse dressid hym vnto hym / and there they smote many grete strokes to gyders / and at the laste sire Launcelot smote hym suche a buffet vpon the helmet that he felle on the one syde to the erthe / and thenne he cryed vpon hym alowde / Moost noble knyghte sir launcelot du lake saue my lyf / for I yelde me vnto yow / and I requyre yow / as ye be a knyghte & felawe of the table round slee me not / for I yelde me as ouercomen / and whether I shalle lyue or dye I put me in the kynges handes and yours / thenne sir Launcelot wyste not what to doo / for he had had leuer than all the good of the world / he myghte haue ben reuenged vpon syr Mellyagraunce / and sir Launcelot loked vp to the Quene Gueneuer / yf he myghte aspye by ony sygne or countenaunce what she wold haue done / And thenne the quene wagged her hede vpon sir Launcelot / as though she wold saye slee hym / Ful wel knewe sir launcelot by the waggynge of her hede that she wold haue hym dede / thenne sir launcelot bad hym ryse for shame and performe that bataille to the vtteraunce / nay said sir Mellyagraunce I wylle neuer aryse vntyll ye take me as yolden & recreaunt I shalle profer yow large profers sayd sir Launcelot / that is for to say / I shall vnarme my hede & my lyfte quarter of my body alle that may be vnarmed & lete bynde my lyfte hand behynde me / soo that it shalle not helpe me / and ryghte so I shall doo bataille with yow / thenne sir Mellyagraunce starte vp vpon his legges / & sayd on hyghe My lord Arthur take hede to this profer / for I wille take hit / and lete hym be dysarmed & bounden accordynge to his profer / what saye ye sayd kyng Arthur vnto syre launcelot / wille ye abyde by youre profer / ye my lord sayd sir launcelot / I wille neuer goo fro that I haue ones sayd / Thenne the knyghtes parters of the felde disarmed sir launcelot first his hede / & sythen his lyfte arme & his lyfte syde / & they bond his lyft arme behynd his bak without sheld or ony thyng / & thenne they were put to gyders / Wete you wel there was many a lady & knyȝt merueylled that sir laūcelot

[leaf 394v] wold Ieopardy hym self in suche a wyse / Thenne syre Mellyagraunce came with his suerd all on hygh / and sire launcelot shewed him openly his bare hede and the bare lyfte syde / and whan he wende to haue smyten hym vpon the bare hede / thenne lyghtly he auoyded the lyfte legge & the lyfte syde / & put his ryght hand and his suerd to that stroke / and soo putte it on syde with grete sleyghte / and thenne with grete force syr launcelot smote hym on the helmet suche a buffet that the stroke kerued the hede in two partyes / thenne there was no more to doo / but he was drawen oute of the felde / and at the grete Instaunce of the knyghtes of the table round / the kynge suffred hym to be entered & the mencyon made vpon hym who slewe hym/ and for what cause he was slayne / and thenne the kyng and the Quene made more of syr Launcelot du lake / and more he was cherysshed than euer he was afore hand

¶ Capitulum x

THenne as the Frenssh booke maketh mencyon there was a good knyghte in the land of Hongre his name was syr Vrre and he was an aduenturous knyghte and in al places where he myghte here of ony dedes of worshyp ther wold he be / Soo it happend in Spayne there was an Erles sone his name was Alphegus / and at a grete turnement in spayn this syre Vrre knyghte of Hongry and sir Alphegus of spayne encountred to gyders for veray enuy / and soo eyther vndertook other to the Vtteraunce / and by fortune sire Vrre slewe syr Alphegus the erles sone of Spayn / but this knyghte that was slayne had yeuen syre Vrre or euer he was slayne seuen grete woundes / thre on the hede / and four on his body / & vpon his lyfte hand / and this syr Alphegus had a moder / the whiche was a grete sorceresse / and she for the despyte of her sones dethe wrought by her subtyl craftes that syr Vrre shold neuer be hole / but euer his woundes shold one tyme feyster & another tyme blede / so that he shold neuer be hole vntyl the best knyghte of the world had serched his woundes / and thus she made her auaunt where thurgh it was knowen that syre Vrre

[leaf 395r] shold neuer be hole / Thenne his moder lete make an hors lytter / and put hym theryn vnder two palfroyes/ and thenne she took syr Vrres syster with hym a ful fayr damoysel / whos name was Felelolye / and thenne she took a page with hym to kepe their horses / and soo they ledde sir Vrre thurgh many countreyes / For as the Frensshe book sayth she ledde hym so seuen yere thurgh alle landes crystened / and neuer she coude fynde no knyghte that myghte ease her sone / Soo she came in to Scotland and in to the bandes of England / and by fortune she came nyghe the feeste of pentecoste vntyl Arthurs Courte that at that tyme was holden at Carleil / And whan she came there thenne she made it openly to be knowen how that she was come in to that land for to hele her sone

¶ Thenne kynge Arthur lete calle that lady / and asked her the cause why she broughte that hurte knyghte in to that land My moost noble kynge sayd that lady / wete yow wel I broughte hym hydder for to be heled of his woundes / that of alle this seuen yere he myghte not be hole / & thenne she told the kynge where he was wounded and of whome / and how his moder had discouerd in her pryde / how she had wroughte that by enchauntement / soo that he shold neuer be hole vntyl the best knyghte of the world had serched his woundes / and soo I haue passed thurgh alle the landes crystned to haue hym heled / excepte this land / And yf I fayle to hele hym here in this land I wylle neuer take more payne vpon me / and that is pyte for he was a good knyghte and of grete noblenes / what is his name sayd Arthur / My good and gracyous lord she sayde / his name is syr Vrre of the mounte / In good tyme sayd the Kynge / and sythe ye are come in to this land / ye are ryght wel come / and wete yow wel here shal your sone be helyd / and euer ony crysten man may hele hym / And for to gyue alle other men of worshyp courage / I my self wille assay to handle your sone / and soo shalle alle the kynges dukes and Erles that ben here presente with me at this tyme thereto wylle I commaunde them / and wel I wote they shalle obeye and doo after my commaundement And wete yow wel sayd kynge Arthur vnto Vrres syster I shalle begynne to handle hym and serche vnto my power

[leaf 395v] not presumyng vpon me that I am soo worthy to hele youre sone by my dedes / but I wille courage other men of worshyp to doo as I wylle doo / And thenne the kynge commaunded alle the kynges dukes and erles & alle noble knyȝtes of the Round table that were there that tyme presente to come in to the medowe of Carleil / and so at that tyme there were but an honderd and ten of the roūd table / for xl knyghtes were that tyme awey / and soo here we muste begynne at kynge Arthur as is kyndely to begynne at hym / that was the moost man of worshyp that was crystned at that tyme

¶ Capitulum xj

THenne kynge Arthur loked vpon sire Vrre and the kynge thoughte he was a ful lykely man whanne he was hole / and thenne kynge Arthur made hym to be take doune of the lytter and layd hym vpon the erthe / and there was layd a cusshyn of gold that he shold knele vpon / And thenne noble Arthur sayd fayr knyghte me repenteth of thy hurte / and for to courage alle other noble Knyghtes / I wille praye the softly to suffre me to handle your woundes / Moost noble crystned kynge sayd Vrre doo as ye lyste / for I am at the mercy of god and at your commaundement /

¶ So thenne Arthur softely handelyd hym / and thenne somme of his woundes renewed vpon bledynge / Thenne the kynge Claryaunce of Northumberland serched and it wold not be / And thenne sir Baraunt le apres that was called the Kyng with the honderd Knyghtes he assayed and fayled / and so dyd kynge Vryence of the land of Gore / Soo dyd Kynge Anguyssaunce of Irland / Soo dyd Kynge Nentres of Garloth / So dyd Kyng Carados of Scotland / Soo dyd the duke Galahalt the haute prynce / Soo dyd Constantyn that was sir Carados sone of Cornewail / Soo dyd duke Challyns of Claraunce / Soo dyd the Erle Vlbause / Soo dyd the Erle Lambaile Soo dyd the erle Arystause Thenne came in syr Gawayne with his thre sones sir Gyngalyn / syr Florence / & sir Louel / these two were begoten vpon sir

[leaf 396r] dyd the erle Lambayle / Soo dyd the erle Arystause

¶ Thenne came in syre Gawayne with his thre sones syr gangalayne / syr Florence and syr Louel these two were goten vpon syr Brandyles syster / and al they fayled / Thenne cam in syr Agrauayne / syr Gaherys / syr Mordred / & the good knyȝt sir Gareth that was of veray knyghthode worth al the bretheren / Soo came knyghtes of Launcelots kynne / but syr launcelot was not that tyme in the courte / for he was that tyme vpon his aduentures / Thenne syr Lyonel / syr Ector de marys/ syr Bors de ganys / syr Blamor de ganys / syr Bleoberis de ganys / syr Gahalantyne / syr Galyhodyn / syr Menadeuke / syr Vyllyars the valyaunt / syr Hebes le renoumes / Al these were of syr launcelots kynne / and alle they fayled /

¶ Thenne came in syr Sagramore le desyrus / syr Dodynas le saueage syr Dynadan / syr Bruyn le noyre / that syr kay named la cote male tayle and syr Kay the Seneschal / syr Kay de straūges / syr Melyot de Logrys / syr Petypase of wynchelsee / syre Galleron of Galway / syr Melyon of the montayne / syr Cardok / syr Vwayne les aduoultres / and syr ozanna le cure hardy / Thenne came in syr Astamor & syr Gromere grummors sone / syr Crosselme / Sir Seruause le breuse that was callyd a passynge stronge knyghte / for as the book sayth the chyef lady of the lake feested syr launcelot and syr Seruause le breuse/ And whan she had feested hem bothe at sondry tymes she prayd hem to gyue her a bone / and they graunted it her / and thenne she prayd sur Seruause that he wold promyse her neuer to doo batail ageynst syr launcelot du lake / & in the same wyse she prayd syr Launcelot neuer to doo batail ageynst syr Seruause / and soo eyther promysed her / For the Frensshe book sayth / that sir Seruause had neuer courage nor lust to doo batail ageynst no man but yf it were ageynst gyaunts & ageynste dragons and wylde beestes / Soo we passe vnto them that att the kynges request made hem alle that were there at that hyȝ feest as of the knyȝtes of the table round for to serche sir Turre / to that entente the kynge dyd hit / to wete whiche was the noblest knyghte amonge them

¶ Thenne came sir Aglouale / sire Durnore / sir Tor that was bygoten vpon Aryes the couherdes wyf / but he was begoten

[leaf 396v] afore Aryes wedded her / and Kynge Pellenor begatte hem all / fyrst syre Tor / syre Aglouale / syr Durnore / syre Lamorak the moost noblest knyghte one that euer was in Arthurs dayes / as for a worldly knyghte / and syre Percyual that was pyerles excepte syre Galahad in holy dedes / but they dyed in the quest of the Sancgreal / Thenne cam syr Gryflet le fyse de dieu / Sir Lucan the botteler / syre Bedeuer his broder / syr brandyles / syr Constantyne / syr Cadores sone of Corneway1 that was kynge after Arthurs dayes / and syre Clegys / syre Sadok / syr Dynas the Seneschal of Cornewaile / syre Fergus/ syr Dryaunt / syr Lambegus / syre Clarrus of Cleremont / syr Cloddrus / syre Hectymere / syre Edward of Canaruan / syre Dynas / syre Pryamus that was crystned by syr Tristram the noble Knyghte / and these thre were bretheren syr Hellayne de blank that was sone to syre Bors / he begat hym vpon kyng Brandegorys doughter and syre Bryan de lystynoyse / Syre Gautere / syr Reynold / syr Gyllemere were thre bretheren that syre launcelot wanne vpon a brydge in syre Kayes armes / sir Guyart le petyte / syre Bellangere le beuse that was sone to the good knyghte syr Alysander le orphelyn that was slayne by the treason of Kynge Marke /

¶ Also that traytour kyng slewe the noble Knyghte syre Trystram as he sat harpyng afore his lady la Beale Isoud with a trenchaunt glayue / for whos deth was moche bewaylynge of euery knyghte that euer were in Arthurs dayes / there was neuer none so bewailed as was syre Tristram and syr lamorak / for they were traytoursly slayne / syr Trystram by kyng Marke / and syr lamorak by syr Gawayne and his bretheren / And this syre Bellangere reuenged the deth of his fader Alysander and syr Tristram slewe Kynge Marke and la Beale Isoud dyed swounyng vpon the crosse of syr Tristram whereof was grete pyte / And alle that were with Kyng Marke that were consentynge to the deth of syr Tristram were slayne as syre Andred and many other / Thenne came syr Hebes / syr Morganore / syr Sentrayle / Syre Suppynabylis / Sire Bellangere le orgulous that the good Knyghte syr lamorak wanne in playne batail syr Nerouens / & syr Plenorius two good knyȝtes that syr launcelot wan/ sir Darras / sir Harre le fyse lake / sir ermynyde broder to kyng

[leaf 397r] Hermaunce for whome syre Palomydes foughte att the reed cyte with two bretheren / & syr Selyses of the dolorous toure / sir Edward of Orkeney / syre Ironsyde that was called the noble knyȝte of the reed laundes that syre Gareth wanne for the loue of dame Lyones / syr Arrok de greuaunt / syr Degrane saunce velany that foughte with the gyaunt of the black lowe / Syr Epynogrys that was the kynges sone of Northūberland Sir Pelleas that loued the lady Ettard / and he had dyed for her loue had not ben one of the ladyes of the lake / her name was dame Nymue / and she wedded sire Pelleas / and she saued hym that he was neuer slayne / and he was a ful noble knyghte / and sire Lamyel of Cardyf that was a grete louer / Sir Playne de fors / sire Melleaus de lyle / sir Bohart le cure hardy that was kynge Arthurs sone / sir Mador de la porte / sir Colgreuaunce / sir Heruyse de la forest saueage / sir Marrok the good knyghte that was bitrayed with his wyf / for she made hym seuen yere a werwolf / sir Persaunt / sire Pertilope his broder that was called the grene knyght / and sir Perymones broder to them bothe / that was called the reed knyght / that sir Gareth wanne whan he was called Beaumayns / Alle these honderd knyghtes and ten serched syr Vrres woundes by the commaundement of kynge Arthur

¶ Capitulum xij /

MErcy Ihesu sayd kynge Arthur where is syr launcelot du lake that he is not here at this tyme / Thus as they stood and spak of many thynges / there was aspyed syr launcelot that came rydyng toward them / and told the kynge / Pees sayd the kynge lete no maner thynge be sayd vntyl he be come to vs / Soo whan syr launcelot aspyed Kyng Arthur / he descended from his hors and came to the kynge / & salewed hym / and them all / Anone as the mayde syre Vrres syster sawe syr launcelot / she ranne to her broder there as he lay in his lyttar / and sayd broder here is come a knyghte that my herte gyueth gretely vnto / Fayr syster sayd syr Vrre soo dothe my herte lyghte ageynst hym / and certaynly I hope now to be heled for my hert yeueth vnto hym more thā to al these þ^t haue

[leaf 397v] serched me / Thenne sayd Arthur vnto syr Launcelot ye muste doo as we haue done / and told syr launcelot what they hadde done / and shewed hym them alle / that had serched hym / Ihesu defende me sayd syr Launcelot whan soo many kynges and knyghtes haue assayed and fayled / that I shold presume vpon me to encheue that alle ye my lordes myghte not encheue / Ye shalle not chese sayd kynge Arthur / for I will commaunde yow for to doo as we alle haue done / My most renoumed lord said sir Launcelot ye knowe wel I dar not nor may not disobeye your commaundement / but and I myghte or durste / wete yow wel I wold not take vpon me to touche that wounded knyghte in that entente that I shold passe alle other knyghtes / Ihesu defende me from that shame / Ye take it wrong sayd kynge Arthur / ye shal not do it for no presumcyon / but for to bere vs felaushyp in soo moche ye be a felawe of the table round / and wete yow wel sayd kynge Arthur / and ye preuayle not and hele hym / I dare say / there is no knyghte in thys land may hele hym / and therfor I pray yow / doo as we haue done / and thenne alle the kynges and knyghtes for the moost party prayd sir Launcelot to serche hym / and thenne the wounded knyghte syr Vrre sette hym vp weykely / and praid sir Launcelot hertely sayeng / curtois knyghte I requyre the for goddes sake hele my woundes / for me thynketh euer sythen ye came here / my woundes greuen me not / A my fayre lord sayd syr launcelot Ihesu wold that I myghte helpe yow I shame me sore that I shold be thus rebuked / for neuer was I able in worthynes to doo so hyghe a thynge / Thenne sire Launcelot kneled doune by the wounded knyghte sayenge / My lord Arthur I must doo your commaundement / the whiche is sore ageynst my herte / And thenne he helde vp his handes / & loked in to the eest / sayenge secretely vnto hym self / thow blessid fader / sone and holy ghoost I byseche the of thy mercy / that my symple worshyp and honeste be saued / and thou blessid Trynyte thow mayst yeue power to hele this seke knyghte by thy grete vertu and grace of the / but good lord neuer of my self And thenne sir Launcelot prayd sir Vrre to lete hym see hys hede / and thenne deuoutely knelyng he ransaked the thre woūdes that they bled a lytyl / and forth with alle the woundes

[leaf 398r] fayre heled / and semed as they had ben hole a seuen yere/ And in lyke wyse he serched his body of other thre woundes and they heled in lyke wyse / and thenne the last of alle he serched the whiche was in his hand / and anone it heled fayre /

¶ Thenne kyng Arthur and alle the kynges and knyghtes kneled doune and gaf thankynges and louynges vnto god and to his blessid moder / And euer syre Launcelot wepte as he had ben a child that had ben beten / Thenne kynge Arthur lete araye preestes and clerkes in the moost deuoutest manere to brynge in sir Vrre within Carleil with syngynge and louynge to god / And when this was done / the kyng lete clothe hym in the rychest maner that coude be thoughte / and thenne were there but fewe better made knyghtes in alle the courte / for he was passyngly wel made and bygly / and Arthur asked syr Vrre how he felte hym self / My good lord he sayd I felt my self neuer soo lusty / wylle ye Iuste and doo dedes of armes sayd kyng Arthur / Sir sayd Vrre and I had all that longed vnto Iustes I wold be soone redy /

¶ Capitulum xiij

THenne Arthur made a party of honderd knyghtes to be ageynste an honderd knyghtes / and soo vpon the morne they Iusted for a dyamond / but there Iusted none of the daungerous knyghtes / & soo for to shorten thys tale syr Vrre & sir Lauayn Iusted best that day / for there was none of hem but ouerthrewe & pulled doun thyrtty knyghtes/ & thenne by the assente of alle the knyges & lordes syre Vrre & sir Lauayn were made knyghtes of the table round / & sir lauayn caste his loue vnto dame Felelolle sire Vrres syster / & thēne they were wedded to gyder with grete Ioye / & kyng Arthur gaf to eueryche of hem a Barony of landes / and this sire Vrre wold neuer goo from sire Launcelot / but he & sir Lauayn awayted euermore vpon hym / & they were in all the courte accounted for good knyghtes / & full desyrous in armes / & many noble dedes they dyd / for they wold haue no reste / but euer foughte aduentures / thus they lyued in all that courte wyth grete noblesse & Ioye long tyme / But euery nyghte & day sire

[leaf 398v] Agrauayne / syr Gawayns broder awayted Quene Gueneuer and sir Launcelot du lake to putte them to a rebuke & shame And soo I leue here of this tale and ouer hyp grete bookes of sir Launcelot du lake / what grete aduentures he dyd whan he was called le cheualer du charyot / For as the Frensshe booke sayth by cause of despyte that knyȝtes and ladyes called hym the knyghte that rode in the charyot lyke as he were Iuged to the galhous / Therfor in despyte of all them that named hym soo / he was caryed in a charyot a twelue moneth / for but lityl after that he had slayne sir Mellyagraunce in the quenes quarel / he neuer in a twelue moneth came on horsbak / And as the Frensshe book sayth / he dyd that twelue moneth more than xl batails / And by cause I haue lost the very mater of la cheualer du charyot / I departe from the tale of sir Launcelot / & here I goo vnto the morte of kynge Arthur / and that caused syre Agrauayne

¶ Explicit liber xix

¶ And here after foloweth the moost pytous history of the morte of kynge Arthur / the whiche is the xx book