Le Morte Darthur
unto Sir Arthur of great wrongs that were done since the death of king
Uther, of many lands that were bereaved lords, knights, ladies, and
gentlemen. Wherefore king Arthur made the lands to be given again unto
them that owned them. When this was done that the king had stablished
all the countries about London, then he let make Sir Kay seneschal of
England; and Sir Baudwin of Britain was made constable; and Sir Ulfius
was made chamberlain; and Sir Brastias was made warden to wait upon the
north from Trent forwards, for it was that time for the most part the
king’s enemies. But within few years after, Arthur won all the north,
Scotland, and all that were under their obeisance. Also Wales, a part
of it held against Arthur, but he overcame them all as he did the
remnant through the noble prowess of himself and his knights of the
Round Table.
CHAP. VI.
_How king Arthur held in Wales at a Pentecost a great feast, and what
kings and lords came to his feast._
Then the king removed into Wales, and let cry a great feast, that it
should be holden at Pentecost, after the incoronation of him at the
city of Carlion. Unto the feast came king Lot of Lothian and of Orkney
with five hundred knights with him. Also there came to the feast king
Uriens of Gore with four hundred knights with him. Also there came to
that feast king Nentres of Garloth with seven hundred knights with him.
Also there came to the feast the king of Scotland with six hundred
knights with him, and he was but a young man. Also there came to the
feast a king that was called the king with the hundred knights, but he
and his men was passing well beseen at all points. Also there came the
king of Carados with five hundred knights. And king Arthur was glad of
their coming, for he wend that all the kings and knights had come for
great love, and for to have done him worship at his feast, wherefore
the king made great joy, and sent the kings and knights great presents.
But the kings would none receive, but rebuked the messengers
shamefully, and said they had no joy to receive no gifts of a beardless
boy that was come of low blood, and sent him word they would have none
of his gifts, but that they were come to give him gifts with hard
swords betwixt the neck and the shoulders: and therefore they came
thither, so they told to the messengers plainly, for it was great shame
to all them to see such a boy to have a rule of so noble a realm as
this land was. With this answer the messengers departed, and told to
king Arthur this answer. Wherefore, by the advice of his barons, he
took him to a strong tower with five hundred good men with him: and all
the kings aforesaid in a manner laid a siege tofore him, but king
Arthur was well victualled. And within fifteen days there came Merlin
among them into the city of Carlion. Then all the kings were passing
glad of Merlin, and asked him, For what cause is that boy Arthur made
your king? Sirs, said Merlin, I shall tell you the cause. For he is
king Uther Pendragon’s son, born in wedlock of Igraine, the duke’s wife
of Tintagil. After the death of the duke thirteen days king Uther
Pendragon wedded fair Igraine. And who saith nay, he shall be king, and
overcome all his enemies; and, or he die, he shall be long king of all
England, and have under his obeisance Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and
more realms than I will now rehearse. Some of the kings had marvel of
Merlin’s words, and deemed well that it should be as he said: and some
of them laughed him to scorn, as king Lot: and more other called him a
witch. But then were they accorded with Merlin that king Arthur should
come out and speak with the kings, and to come safe and go safe, such
assurance was there made. So Merlin went unto king Arthur and told him
how he had done, and bade him fear not, but come out boldly and speak
with them, and spare them not, but answer them as their king and
chieftain, for ye shall overcome them all whether they will or nill.
CHAP. VII.
_Of the first war that king Arthur had, and how he won the field._
Then king Arthur came out of his tower, and had under his gown a
jesseraunt of double mail, and there went with him the archbishop of
Canterbury, and Sir Baudwin of Britain, and Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias:
these were the men of most worship that were with him. And when they
were met there was no meekness, but stout words on both sides: but
always king Arthur answered them, and said that he would make them to
bow and he lived. Wherefore they departed with wrath, and king Arthur
bade keep them well, and they bade the king keep him well. So the king
returned him to the tower again, and armed him and all his knights.
What will ye do? said Merlin to the kings: ye were better for to stint,
for ye shall not here prevail though ye were ten so many. Be we well
advised to be afraid of a dream-reader? said king Lot. With that Merlin
vanished away, and came to king Arthur, and bade him set on them
fiercely; and in the meanwhile there were three hundred good men of the
best that were with the kings that went straight unto king Arthur, and
that comforted him greatly. Sir, said Merlin to Arthur, fight not with
the sword that ye had by miracle, till that ye see ye go unto the
worse, then draw it out and do your best. So forthwithal king Arthur
set upon them in their lodging. And Sir Baudwin, Sir Kay, and Sir
Brastias slew on the right hand and on the left hand that it was
marvellous: and always king Arthur on horseback laid on with a sword,
and did marvellous deeds of arms, that many of the kings had great joy
of his deeds and hardiness. Then king Lot brake out on the back side,
and the king with the hundred knights, and king Carados, and set on
Arthur fiercely behind him. With that Sir Arthur turned with his
knights and smote behind and before, and ever Sir Arthur was in the
foremost press till his horse was slain underneath him. And therewith
king Lot smote down king Arthur. With that his four knights received
him, and set him on horseback. Then he drew his sword Excalibur, but it
was so bright in his enemies’ eyes, that it gave light like thirty
torches. And therewith he put them on back, and slew much people. And
then the commons of Carlion arose with clubs and staves, and slew many
knights; but all the kings held them together with their knights that
were left alive, and so fled and departed. And Merlin came unto Arthur,
and counselled him to follow them no farther.
CHAP. VIII.
_How Merlin counselled king Arthur to send for king Ban and king Bors,
and of their counsel taken for the war._
So after the feast and tourney king Arthur drew him unto London, and so
by the counsel of Merlin the king let call his barons to council. For
Merlin had told the king that the six kings that made war upon him
would in all haste be awroke on him and on his lands. Wherefore the
king asked counsel at them all. They could no counsel give, but said
they were big enough. Ye say well, said Arthur; I thank you for your
good courage; but will ye all that love me speak with Merlin: ye know
well that he hath done much for me, and he knoweth many things, and
when he is afore you I would that ye prayed him heartily of his best
advice. All the barons said they would pray him and desire him. So
Merlin was sent for, and fair desired of all the barons to give them
best counsel. I shall say you, said Merlin, I warn you all, your
enemies are passing strong for you, and they are good men of arms as be
on live, and by this time they have gotten to them four kings more, and
a mighty duke; and unless that our king have more chivalry with him
than he may make within the bounds of his own realm, and he fight with
them in battle he shall be overcome and slain. What were best to do in
this cause? said all the barons. I shall tell you, said Merlin, mine
advice: There are two brethren beyond the sea, and they be kings both,
and marvellous good men of their hands; and that one hight king Ban of
Benwick, and that other hight king Bors of Gaul, that is France. And on
these two kings warreth a mighty man of men, the king Claudas, and
striveth with them for a castle; and great war is betwixt them: but
this Claudas is so mighty of goods, whereof he getteth good knights,
that he putteth these two kings the most part to the worse. Wherefore
this is my counsel, that our king and sovereign lord send unto the
kings Ban and Bors by two trusty knights with letters well devised,
that if they will come and see king Arthur and his court, and so help
him in his wars, that he will be sworn unto them to help them in their
wars against king Claudas. Now what say ye unto this counsel? said
Merlin. This is well counselled, said the king and all the barons.
Right so in all haste there were ordained to go two knights on the
message unto the two kings. So were there made letters in the pleasant
wise according unto king Arthur’s desire. Ulfius and Brastias were made
the messengers, and rode forth well horsed and well armed, and as the
guise was that time, and so passed the sea and rode toward the city of
Benwick. And there besides were eight knights who espied them, and at a
straight passage they met with Ulfius and Brastias, and would have
taken them prisoners. So they prayed them that they might pass, for
they were messengers unto king Ban and Bors sent from king Arthur.
Therefore, said the eight knights, ye shall die, or be prisoners, for
we be knights of king Claudas. And therewith two of them dressed their
spears, and Ulfius and Brastias dressed their spears, and ran together
with great might, and Claudas’s knights brake their spears, and theirs
to-held, and bare the two knights out of their saddles to the earth,
and so left them lying, and rode their ways. And the other six knights
rode afore to a passage to meet with them again, and so Ulfius and
Brastias smote other two down, and so passed on their ways. And at the
fourth passage there met two for two, and both were laid to the earth:
so there was none of the eight knights but he was sore hurt or bruised.
And when they came to Benwick it fortuned there were both kings Ban and
Bors. And when it was told the kings that there were come messengers,
there were sent to them two knights of worship, the one hight Lionses,
lord of the country of Payarne, and Sir Phariance a worshipful knight.
Anon they asked from whence they came, and they said from king Arthur
king of England: so they took them in their arms, and made great joy
each of other. But anon as the two kings wist they were messengers of
Arthur’s, there was made no tarrying, but forthwith they spake with the
knights and welcomed them in the faithfullest wise, and said they were
most welcome unto them before all the kings living. And therewith they
kissed the letters and delivered them; and when Ban and Bors understood
the letters, then were they more welcome than they were before. And
after the haste of the letters they gave them this answer, that they
would fulfil the desire of king Arthur’s writing, and let Ulfius and
Brastias tarry there as long as they would, they should have such cheer
as might be made them in those marches. Then Ulfius and Brastias told
the king of the adventure at their passages of the eight knights. Ha,
ha, said Ban and Bors, they were my good friends. I would I had wist of
them, they should not have escaped so. So Ulfius and Brastias had good
cheer and great gifts as much as they might bear away, and had their
answer by mouth and by writing, that those two kings would come unto
Arthur in all the haste that they might.
So the two knights rode on afore, and passed the sea, and came to their
lord and told him how they had sped, whereof king Arthur was passing