Lanc1-1: In old times two kings live at the borders of Gaul (Galla) and Brittany (Mynnre Brytanien): Ban and Bohort of Gaule, who are brothers and married to two sisters. King Ban is already old and his wife is young and very popular. They have a little son named Lancelot, whose baptismal name is Galaad. Near the region of Berry (Berrone) the Waste Land borders Ban’s kingdom. It belongs to Claudas, lord of Bourges (Bohorges). Although he is a good king, just and wise, that man is a traitor. He is a liegeman of the king of Gaul that now is called France. Claudas’sland once has been devastated by Uterpandragon and Aramunt, the lord of Brittany (then having the epithet Hocri) and therefore is called the Waste Land. Aramunt had been liege lord over Gaule and Bonewig and all lands as far as Auvergne, Gascogne and Bourges but Claudas disputed the king’s right to the land and refused service. Rome was Gaul’s overlord and received their tribute. Claudas obtained the support of the Romans. Thereupon Aramunt waged war against Claudas, who got aid from the king of Gaul. Aramunt at last became king Uterpandragon’s liegeman to obtain his military aid. Uterpandragon crossed the sea with his army.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
T 69.1.1 Three (two) brothers married to three (two) sisters
P 251.5 Two brothers
P 252.1 Two sisters
P 550.1.2 (Li) Defense of legitimate rights by war
P 557.0.3 (Li) Military aid (alliance)
K 2246.1 Treacherous king

Lanc1-2: Aramunt and Uterpandragon devastated Claudas’slands and drove him away. Only Bourges was spared for Uterpandragon had been born and raised there. Brittany became part of the kingdom of Logres. Shortly after King Arthur had succeeded his father, had married Queen Genover (Gynovier), and was busy to appease the land king Claudas waged war once again. Having already retrieved his kingdom after King Aramunt’s death he now attacks king Ban of Bonewig. The Roman count Pontes Antonies aids Claudas summoning allies throughout the lands. They conquer Ban’s kingdom except the fortress of Trebe, the king’s last refuge. The castle is very strong and only to be taken by famine or treachery.

Motif References:

W 11.5.5 Conqueror spares city
P 17.0.2 Son succeeds father as king
Q 261 Treachery punished
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 557.0.3 (Li) Military aid (alliance)
Q 595 Loss or destruction of property as punishment

Lanc1-3: Claudas besieges Trebe and Ban sends messengers to obtain military aid from his kin and friends, but his brother king Bohort is near death and King Arthur warred in his own country cannot help him. Claudas knows that Trebe will not be conquered that easily arranges a meeting with king Ban, both promising safe conduct to each other. Claudas blames Ban for having killed his ally Pontes, Ban accuses Claudas for having assaulted him without reason. Thereupon Claudas tells him that he is taking revenge for his defeat by the father of Ban’s liege lord, King Arthur, who deprived him of his land.

Motif References:

P 550 Military affairs
P 557.0.3 (Li) Military aid (alliance)
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
P 558.8 (Bm) Avenging defeat in battle
H 1224 Quest to distant king for military aid

Lanc1-4: Yet Claudas will spare Ban if he surrenders to him as his vassal. Ban refuses and Claudas grants him a forty days’ delay to obtain Arthur’s aid. If Arthur would fail him Ban would have to become Claudas’sliegeman. Ban promises his reply for the next morning and leaves. His steward lingers with Claudas, who promises to leave him Ban’s kingdom if only he would change sides and become his vassal. Claudas would defeat Ban anyway and if the steward refused to consent he would have to pay for it. For Claudas has sworn onto relics that after his victory all captives will be killed or left to perish in prison. Thereupon the steward promises to help Claudas but without betraying his lord. He tells Ban that Claudas would like to make peace and advises him to travel to King Arthur to ask for his help. The steward would faithfully guard Trebe in the meantime. Ban relates the story to the queen and that he does not trust him.

Motif References:

Z 71.12 Formulistic number: forty [Forty days’ limit]
K 449 (Bm) Bribe
P 557.0.3 (Li) Military aid (alliance)
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)
P 614 (Bm) Bribes
H 1224 Quest to distant king for military aid
K 2200 Villains and traitors.
K 2242 Treacherous steward

Lanc1-5: The queen is worried and advises her husband to consent. The king fearing treachery decides to travel to Arthur’s court in the company of his wife and son. He orders her to carry all their treasure and riches, silver and gold vessels with them in a large chest. A faithful squire is to accompany them. Then the king tells the steward about his journey and orders him to keep the castle. Claudas must not learn that Ban has left the castle. He should be told that word has been sent to Arthur and if help failed to come within forty days king Ban will leave the castle to Claudas. The steward gives his promise. At dawn the king and his family secretly leave the castle taking some small path across the marshy area beneath one front of the castle, that is well protected against attack by a mountain and a river flowing through the deep valley. Their precious, the gold and silver vessels, are carried by packhorses. Having crossed the swamp and a forest they come to a beautiful heath, with a lake on the foot of a hill, that offers a wide panorama.

Motif References:

Z 71.12 Formulistic number: forty [Forty days’ limit]
H 1224 Quest to distant king for military aid
K 2242 Treacherous steward

Lanc1-6: (25) The king wanting to get one last look at his castle mounts the hill leaving the queen behind near the lake. The heathens called it the lake of Diana (Dyanen Lak). Diana was a queen of Sicily in the times of the famous poet Virgilius and the infidels regarded her as a goddess. She was very fond of hunting in the large forest of Gaune. Therefore the heathens called her the Goddess of the forest. The forest, called the Forest in the Valley, is the finest one of Brittany. In the meantime the steward however tells Claudas that his lord has left and the fortress would be easy to conquer. Claudas renews his promise and the steward promises to open the gates for him and make truce. On returning to the town after his meeting with Claudas a faithful knight, by the name of Banin, asks him about his errand. The steward pretends to have arranged a truce with the besiegers. Banin however does not trust him and fears treachery, but dares not to accuse the steward for he is a powerful man. The steward proclaims that a truce has been made and the warriors should have a rest.

Motif References:

P 20 Queens
W 34 Loyalty
A 452.1 Goddess of hunting
P 558 (Bm) Truce
K 2242 Treacherous steward
K 2369 Military strategy - miscellaneous

Lanc1-8: Banin secretly mounts a tower to spy on the besiegers and watch the town’s gates. As he perceives the enemies entering the castle he alarms the troops. They arm themselves in a hurry and join Banin in defense. The steward pretends surprise and joins his men. Banin accuses him of treachery. Claudas is outraged that one of his men has burnt the rich houses with all their precious. The town has fallen but one tower still defended furiously by four faithful warriors. After he has besieged the tower for three days Claudas attacks it by a catapult. Yet they still hold on and kill many of the assailants. They suffer from famine. Claudas praises Banin’s faithfulness. He keeps promising him safe conduct to leave with horses, weapons and provisions, or if he would prefer to stay with him he gives his oath to award high prize to him for his faithfulness. Banin refuses.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 361 Faithful servant [vassal]
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege

Lanc1-10: But famine at last forces Banin to surrender to Claudas on condition that he would care for them as their liege lord and defend them against any accusation of treachery. Claudas gives his oath onto relics, and has Banin highly honored for his courage and valiance. Three days later the steward asks for his reward. Banin asks Claudas for a law-court and accuses the steward of treachery and false oath against his lord. At the steward’s denial Banin offers his gauntlet to Claudas and wants to fight in judicial combat to prove his accusation. Claudas is pleased for he despises the traitor himself. Judicial combat is arranged, both giving their gauntlets to Claudas. The victor will be invested with the land of Bonewig and become Claudas’svassal. Banin however having decapitated the steward in judicial combat refuses Claudas’s reward and leaves. Claudas is outraged at having lost such a faithful vassal.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
R 75 Surrendering
M 100 Vows and oaths
H 218 Trial by combat
P 510 Law courts
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]

Lanc1-12: (8) In the meantime King Ban watches his castle and town set afire. He is stricken with grief and has no hope, for he is an old man already, his son still a baby and his wife very young and inexperienced. She descends from David and enjoyed a sheltered youth. King Ban swoons from grief and falls from his horse. When he comes to his senses again he confesses his sins and prays to God to be merciful to his wife Alene and his orphaned son. He beats his breast, deplores his sins, and breaks three blades of grass for the sake of the Trinity. His heart breaks from sorrow and he dies, the hands crossed over his breast, his eyes and head turned toward the east - as a dead man ought to be placed. His horse having come lose alarms the squire who finds the king already dead. The queen hurries to her husband, leaving her child behind, and swoons over her husband’s body. She laments, tears her hair and clothes, and scratches her face.

Motif References:

V 50 Prayer
T 211.9 Excessive grief at husband’s or wife’s death
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
F 1041.1.1.3 Heart breaks from sorrow
F 1041.21.6 Tearing hair and clothes from excessive grief

Lanc1-14: Her great grief make the queen swoon several times. After a while remembering her child she hurries back to the place where she left it. She watches a young lady caress the - remarkably beautiful - boy. The stranger keeps silent to the queen’s plea to leave her the child. As the queen comes toward her the lady jumps into the lake with the child. The queen swoons. When she comes to her senses again she is stricken with grief and would have drowned herself had not the squire rescued her. At that point an abbess in the company of two nuns, a chaplain, a monk and two squires comes along. The chaplain recognizes the queen, who relates the story to them, telling that she ought to be called the Sorrowful Queen, for she just has lost land and husband. Moreover the devil in a young woman’s shape jumped into the lake with her child. She ignores the reason of her husband’s death but the abbess thinks he died out of grief for the destruction of his castle Trebe.

Motif References:

R 10.3.1 (Bm) Noble child abducted
T 211.9 Excessive grief at husband’s or wife’s death
F 212.0.1 Water fairies
F 324.3 Youth [child] abducted by fairy.
F 575.2 Handsome man
N 846 Cleric as helper
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief

Lanc1-15: (26) The queen wants to become a nun. She leaves all her riches (gold, vessels of gold and silver, precious) to the abbess to build a church for the sake of her husband, where a mass should be sung daily for his salvation. The abbess counsels her to bear in mind that a nun’s life is a hard one and would have the queen join them as their mistress in their monastery that was founded by the king’s ancestors. But the queen insists on becoming a nun without delay. Her plaits are cut off and she dresses in a nun’s clothes. The squire joins the queen as a lay brother. The king is buried in the monastery and a church is founded at the place where he has died. Many masses are sung there for his salvation. As soon as the church is built the king’s coffin is carried there, and the queen lives there in the company of two nuns, two chaplains and two monks. Each day after mass the queen prays for her son’s soul at the lake. The church is called the Royal Minster and many noblewomen become nuns there.

Motif References:

P 29.4 Queen becomes nun
V 65 Commemoration of death
V 111 Churches
T 211.5.1 Wife becomes hermit (nun) after husband’s death
V 450 Religious orders
V 470 Clerical vows

Lanc1-16: (29) King Bohort dies from grief for his brother’s death and thus Claudas obtains both kingdoms. Bohort’s two sons Lionel and Bohort still are very young, Lionel is twenty months old and Bohort nine. Claudas besieges queen Evaine in the strong castle of Montlahir, her morning gift. The queen tries to take refuge with her sons in her sister’s monastery. A knight however abducts the princes. That man having been banished by king Bohort for murder joined Claudas and became his favorite. Coming upon the queen and her sons while hunting with his lord in the forest he wants to take the children with him. The queen swoons from grief and the knight pities her. She made her husband spare his life and out of gratitude he promises to escort her to a safe place. Yet he will take the children with him and promises to care well for them. He escorts the queen and has her led to the monastery later on. The knight hides the princes from Claudas. In the meantime the castle of Montlahir has been conquered and Claudas is outraged for the queen and her sons have escaped. He occupies the kingdom for Arthur lacks forces to protect it although he is the overlord. The two queens, both having lost their children, lament their distress and swoon. They relate their stories to each other (Lancelot presumed to have drowned in the lake with the lady). King Bohort’s widow has her hair cut and becomes a nun to escape Claudas.

Motif References:

R 10.3.1 (Bm) Noble child abducted
P 21 Queen intervenes for condemned courtiers
P 29.4 Queen becomes nun
W 34 Loyalty
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
R 53 Captivity as refuge for the captive
R 210 Escapes
Q 211 Murder punished
T 211.5.1 Wife becomes hermit (nun) after husband’s death
P 251.5 Two brothers
P 252.1 Two sisters
P 271 Foster father
P 275 Foster son
R 325.4 (Bm) Nunnery as refuge
P 361 Faithful servant [vassal]
Q 431.9 Banishment for murder
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
F 1041.1.2 Death from grief for death of lover or relative

Lanc1-19: (20) Young Lancelot has been abducted into the lake by a fairy. In those times all ladies knowing about magic and delusive tricks were called fairies, and Britain was the home of many of them. They had extensive knowledge about the land’s history, knew all about the power of words, of stones and herbs, which enabled them to preserve their youth, beauty and wealth. Merlin the prophet was their contemporary. He was a wise man who loved the queens of England and supported them. But he had a dark side as well for he had been engendered by the devil. Yet God cared for the child: The boy was baptized and the Holy Spirit taught him prophesying. All his prophecies came true. People in Britain were afraid of him and held him in awe and called him a holy prophet and a god. The Lady of the Lake had learnt her magic knowledge from Merlin by trickery.

Motif References:

V 81.4 Baptism of infants
F 167.9 Otherworld people [things in otherworld] ever young, ever beautiful
F 200 Fairies
M 301 Prophets
G 303.11.2 The devil’s son
G 303.12.7 Devil’s sexual relations with mortal
D 1273 Magic formula (charm)
D 1711 Magician
D 1711.5 Fairy as magician.
D 1719.5 Magic power of fairy.
D 1738 Magic arts studied
D 1812.1.2 Power of prophecy from God
D 1860 Magic beautification
D 1883 Eternal youth
D 2100 Magic wealth

Lanc1-20: (2) Once there was a pious king in Ireland, married to a noble lady, and they had one son and three daughters. The devil brought about the death of his wife and three of his children. His only daughter left to him was seduced by the devil until she begot a son, Merlin, who was called the Fatherless. Although the devil is still haunting people he never again could achieve such an exploit for God only tolerated it once. In the borderlands of Scotland and Ireland lived a beautiful maiden, a knight’s daughter, by the name of Ninienne. Her father was not wealthy but possessed some domains in Brittany, their favorite residence. Merlin fell in love with her and often came to see her. The clever girl soon got to know that he loved though he never asked her for her love. He had offered any service to her and one day she asked him to teach her magic and incantation. Merlin consented and she wanted to learn how to lock up and unlock doors so that a person could not escape. Though Merlin was well aware of her reasons he taught her everything she wanted to know. She took notes of his teachings and at last had the power to do all she likes by magic. (30) This girl is the Lady of the Lake who abducted Lancelot to her abode in the lake where she lives with a large company of knights and ladies. She raises him according to his rank and lovingly as if she were his mother. The child is reared by a nurse, then by a cleric and learns courtesy. Nobody knows his name and they call him pretty boy, prince or dear beautiful noble orphan. The Lady raises him to his third year and he takes her for his mother. In those three years he grows more than others in seven and he is very beautiful. The Lady’s lake however is nothing but delusion: The lady lives in the forest, where many rich houses have been built at the banks of a brook abounding in fish. Only Merlin however is able to see the place as it really is.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
P 30 Princes
Z 252 Hero at first nameless [unaware of birth]
P 253.0.3 One sister and three (four) brothers
P 272 Foster mother
P 275 Foster son
G 303.9.4 The devil as a tempter
F 311.3 Fairy foster-mother.
T 539.3 Conception from intercourse with demon [dwarf]
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
F 575.2 Handsome man
T 585 Precocious infant
T 615 Supernatural growth
T 640 Illegitimate children
D 1273 Magic formula (charm)
D 1711 Magician
D 1738 Magic arts studied
D 2031 Magic illusion
D 2031.0.2 Fairies cause illusions
D 2088 Locks opened by magic

Lanc1-21: (20) In the meantime the knight, by the name of Phariens, had taken his lord’s sons to his domain he had received from Claudas, and for three years raises them according to their high rank. By helping them to retrieve their father’s kingdom one day he wants to restore his honor. Only his beautiful wife, a noble and eloquent lady, knows the secret. Claudas having fallen in love with her makes her husband his steward and bestows many privileges and rich fiefs upon him. Phariens however detects king Claudas’s love for his wife and spies on them until he surprises the adulterers. He is about to kill Claudas with his sword but the king has a narrow escape. Phariens then asks the king for advice concerning his wife’s adultery - he feigns not to have recognized her paramour - and the king counsels him to kill the adulterer. Thereupon Phariens returns to his castle and confines his wife in a tower but without telling her the reason. Only an old woman provides for the lady’s food.

Motif References:

P 30 Princes
R 41.2 Captivity in tower
T 257.12 (Bm) Jealous husband confines wife to tower
P 271 Foster father
P 275 Foster son
T 381.0.2 Wife imprisoned in tower (house) to preserve chastity
T 481 Adultery
N 839.1.1 (Bm) Faithful steward [marshal] as foster father
K 1550.1 Husband discovers wife’s adultery

Lanc1-22: (18) The wife manages to send word to Claudas, who hunting in the forest of Gaune sends a squire to ask Phariens for hospitality. Phariens has his wife dressed up beautifully and a fine dinner prepared. Claudas talks to his mistress in private and she asks for his help. She tells Claudas that her husband feigned ignorance of her lover’s identity and that he secretly cares for the two princes since three years, whom he wants to take revenge on Claudas one day. After Claudas has returned to his court he relates the story to a knight, an enemy of Phariens, and orders him to accuse Phariens of treachery and to offer judicial combat. Claudas promises him Pharien’s power if he would overcome him. When Phariens has to leave for the king’s court he entrusts his nephew with his domain and obtains his men’s oath on relics to obey his commands.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
K 449 (Bm) Bribe
P 614 (Bm) Bribes
K 2213 Treacherous wife
K 2246.1 Treacherous king

Lanc1-23: (34) Claudas welcomes Phariens very friendly but the next day he is accused of treachery for he has hidden the princes. Phariens at first hesitates but on his nephew’s rebuke and offer to fight himself for his uncle he gives his gauntlet to the king as token of challenge. The nephew declares that his uncle’s oath to king Bohort obliged him to protect the princes, an argument that meets sympathy among the courtiers. Claudas urges the knights to fight. Meanwhile Phariens’s nephew takes the boys to the Royal Minster to their mother. Phariens decapitates his opponent. When Claudas learns of the boys’ escape he pretends friendship: He gives his oath on relics to care for the princes himself, dub them, and return them their land, and if Claudas died Phariens should care for the matter. Claudas pretends that being already an old man he strives for salvation and therefore he regrets usurpation of Ban’s land.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
M 114 Oath taken on sacred object
R 210 Escapes
H 218 Trial by combat
R 325.4 (Bm) Nunnery as refuge
P 510 Law courts
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
K 2246.1 Treacherous king

Lanc1-25: (33) Phariens trusting the king’s oath brings the princess to the court. Their beauty amazes the court. The king celebrates a great feast for their sake. Then he orders Phariens and his nephew to care well for them. After the feast however he has them captured and confined into the tower of Gaule where he has them well provided for. Claudas himself has only one son, by the name of Dorin, who is fifteen years old. the youth is very beautiful, strong and valiant, prudent and noble. He is very generous and so arrogant that his father dares not dub him fearing for his royalty. Claudas is a miser and an avaricious man who only spends goods when war-making forces him. Claudas is a tall and strong man, has a long dark face with black bushy brows and great black eyes, a short crooked nose, a red beard, his hair are between red and black, he has a broad mouth, a long neck, white teeth (with the lower teeth protruding) and a long chin. He has good qualities as well as evil traits of character: He loves poor but brave knights for he thinks only a poor knight can be a good one. He is jealous of his powerful courtiers, and prefers the vassals who live far away from court. Lacking in generosity he never gives alms although he often hears mass. He is not fond of any games (dice, chess etc.), and his only pastime is hunting. Claudas is reluctant in keeping promises. He only has a single illicit love affair in his life, for he prefers to live in safety whereas a knight serving a lady must obtain praise which is dangerous. He would have wanted to become the most valiant knight but did not think himself quite up to it.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
R 41.2 Captivity in tower
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
M 108 Violators of oaths
W 152 Stinginess
P 233 Father and son
F 575.2 Handsome man
P 634 Feasts

Lanc1-27: (10) When he served for love he used to be an excellent knight who captured many a man in combat and tournament. He is fond of falcons, and prefers horses to steeds. Two years later Claudas thinks himself powerful enough to challenge King Arthur whom he wants to become his liegeman. Yet before starting his campaign he wants to inquire about King Arthur. Claudas sends for his wise uncle, whom he makes his regent (Claudas’s son being too spendthrift) while he will travel to Arthur’s court in disguise. He will return within one year, but if he died his son is to succeed him. Claudas wants it to be proclaimed that he leaves on a pilgrimage, making his uncle regent and his son his successor as king of the Waste Land, of Berry and Bourges. Gaune and Bonewig however are to be returned to Bohort’s sons, thus Claudas wants to rescue his soul. Claudas’s uncle, Patrices, gives his oath. He lives in a castle nearby, that Claudas once gave to him. That castle once belonged to a lord named Carrock, who also possessed the castle of Dunsinais. In the times of Patrices’s son Eseus its name was changed into Dunsinais Eseu, which means Eseu’s Dun and today the fortress goes by the name of Isoudun in Berry. As soon as the matter has been confirmed by oaths Claudas leaves with a squire.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
W 131 Profligacy
P 193 (Bm) Guardian [regent]
P 233 Father and son
P 557.0.2 (Li) Spy. Messenger
K 1812 King in disguise
K 1835 Disguise for spying
K 2357.0.1 Disguise to spy on enemy

Lanc1-28: (29) When Claudas arrives at Logres King Arthur is warring against his barons. He has become king not long ago and just has married Genover. The queen is the most beautiful woman that ever was in Britain. Only Alene Ohnegleichen of the castle of Gasevilte, located at the borders of Gaule and Franken, and Elisabeth, surnamed Amide, daughter of the king of Afolerde, equal her in beauty. The latter is the mother of Galaad, the Good Knight, who saw the Grail’s wonders and achieved the adventures of Logres. Arthur’s enemies are: King Yon von Mynren Irlande (Ion von Kleinirland), and his ally King Aguisel von Schotlande (Aguisel von Schottland), the King von Uber den Marcken von Galone (von Hinter den Marken von Galone) and many of his own barons. With God’s help Arthur overcomes all his enemies. For the sake of his exemplary virtuosity many Christian and heathen knights and squires have joined him; infidels receive baptism and stay with Arthur who bestows honors and power upon them. Claudas stays with Arthur until the end of May, posing as a poor mercenary. Spying on Arthur he finds no fault in him, but only munificence, friendliness, wisdom, and beauty. Then Claudas returns to his kingdom and decides to conquer Logres to become the mightiest king that ever was.

Motif References:

W 11.2 Munificent monarch
P 12 Character of kings
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 550.0.1 War
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
K 1812 King in disguise
K 1816 Disguise as menial
K 1835 Disguise for spying

Lanc1-30: When he talks about his plans to his squire the latter warns him that Arthur cannot be overcome for he is such a good king, famous for his nobility, beauty, valiance and power. Moreover numerous excellent knights have joined him, the king is munificent to both his household and his guests, and God protects him. At Claudas’s question the squire declares that despite his faithfulness toward him he would warn King Arthur if Claudas attacked him without reason. Claudas would have him killed as a traitor. The squire promises to return all goods he received from Claudas, formally withdraw his allegiance so that he would not betray his lord. Good King Arthur must be protected from evil and for the sake of chivalry the squire would join him. A lord refusing to listen to his vassal’s faithful and good advice is to blame of the consequences and not the vassal who leaves him.

Lanc1-31: (25) Claudas is pleased by his squire’s faithfulness though he pretends to be angry and that he will accuse him of treachery on return. Thereupon the squire withdraws his service and asks the king for a law-court to decide the matter in judicial combat. Claudas challenges the squire, who takes his sword. But Claudas has left his armor in Wissant to remain unrecognized. They start to fight. Claudas asks the squire to pardon him if he killed him. The squire however wants Arthur’s law-court to decide the matter. Claudas agrees but will not let the squire leave. To end the foolish affair Claudas surrenders and declares he was not serious. He promises to give his oath in church that he is grateful for the squire’s faithfulness and moreover makes him his steward and the following feast of St John he will dub him. Claudas gives his oath on relics in a hermit’s church nearby.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
M 150 Other vows and oaths
J 1675 Clever arguing with a king

Lanc1-33: (21) When they return to Bohorges (Bourges) Claudas’s people are not pleased. Patrices tells him that during Claudas’s absence his son Dorin assaulted villages, robbed people, killed and wounded many a man. Claudas however approves of his son’s actions declaring that a generous man must strive for possessions and compares his son’s robbery to Arthur’s munificence. Then he tells them about the splendor of King Arthur’s court, about the conflict with his squire yet keeping silent about all the foolish trouble that came from it. People ridicule the squire who is much ashamed. On the feast of St. John the king dubs him and makes him the land’s steward. His name is Arcois the Fleminc (Flame).

Motif References:

P 12.2.1 Tyrannical king [lord]
P 53 (Bm) Obtaining knighthood
P 233 Father and son

Lanc1-34: (6) Lancelot is raised by the Lady of the Lake. He is a precocious infant, taller than his age, very wise, skilled and courteous. A tutor cares for his education. Only the lady herself and her confident know his identity and they keep calling him pretty youth, royal child, or noble orphan. At due time he is taught to use bow and arrow, to hunt little birds, then small game in the forest. The Lady gives him a horse, spurs and a sword. Every day he rides out in the company of young lords and noblemen. He is taught chess-game, and other games and tricks and he defeats all partners. The youth is extraordinarily beautiful: with a light-brown skin, a pretty face (white, brown, red, and resplendent), a small red mouth, white even teeth, and grey eyes. If he is angry his eyes glow like fire, his teeth grind, his breath red like blood, he gives trumpet-like shouts and tears anything with teeth and hands. In his rage he forgets everything but the reason of his fury. His brows are blond, his hair that were red as a child turn brown and curly later on. He has a long white neck, and a fine body. The only fault with him is his breast that is a little too strong. Queen Genover however says his breast is in keeping with his heart. His arms and hands are perfect - he almost has a girl’s fingers - as are his legs. He is a fine singer and devotes himself to joy keeping within due bounds.

Motif References:

P 30 Princes
W 185 Violence of temper
Z 252 Hero at first nameless [unaware of birth]
P 272 Foster mother
P 275 Foster son
F 311.3 Fairy foster-mother.
P 340 Teacher and pupil
F 575.2 Handsome man
T 585 Precocious infant
T 615 Supernatural growth

Lanc1-36: Happiness encourages Lancelot to wage any adventure and for this reason he later on achieves many exploits. He is a very noble and munificent youth. But if in a rage it is difficult to soothe him. He is like a grown-up at the age of ten. One day while hunting in the forester the and his tutor ride ahead of their retinue. His teacher’s horse tumbles and breaks its neck. Lancelot just hunting down a deer does not care for the incident. When he returns he meets a pretty boy afoot in poor outfit hurrying along to Claudas’s law-court: He accused a knight of having treacherously murdered his godfather. The knight was his wife’s lover. When the boy had left for the law-court the man ambushed him in the forest, killed his horse, and killed and wounded his companions. A relative then gave him a new horse which now is exhausted. Lancelot gives him his horse in exchange.

Motif References:

W 11 Generosity
P 30 Princes
W 185 Violence of temper
T 481 Adultery
T 585 Precocious infant
T 615 Supernatural growth
K 810.1 (Bm) Ambush
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
K 2116.2 Man falsely accused of murder

Lanc1-37: (35) Soon Lancelot comes upon an old knight and greets him. The knight just gave his daughter in marriage and is hunting to provide for the feast. The youth offers him his kill but refuses his hospitality for the sake of his lost tutor. The knight leaves. Considering the boy’s appearance he soon recognizes him as the son of king Ban. Thereupon he turns round and asks for his identity, telling him that he looks like King Ban and offering him his service together with forty men. Lancelot learns that when Claudas had usurped Ban’s kingdom the king’s beautiful child disappeared. But Lancelot cannot believe that he is of royal descent. Before the knight leaves he gives the youth his two excellent greyhounds. On returning to his tutor Lancelot relates the story to him. The teacher rebukes him for having so easily given away his horse and his kill without his tutor’s and the Lady’s consent. Lancelot declares that he obtained two costly greyhounds to make up for the loss.

Motif References:

H 20 Recognition by resemblance
Z 252 Hero at first nameless [unaware of birth]

Lanc1-40: The teacher is outraged at his insolent reply and hits him on his neck that he falls to the ground. The youth without lamenting still keeps protesting until the tutor out of rage hits a greyhound. Thereupon the youth furiously attacks him with his bow and none of the company manages to separate them. They take to flight. Lancelot leaves with his tutor’s horse and the hounds. In a valley he catches sight of about twenty deer. Yet having ruined his bow on his teacher’s head he cannot hunt any of them. He vows to punish his tutor for it. When he returns to see the Lady of the Lake the tutor already has told her the incident. She pretends to be angry and asks the youth. Lancelot declares that the man should not have punished him for generosity and moreover he hit his costly greyhound. The lady though pleased at this reply still feigns anger. Lancelot leaves outraged. The Lady makes him stop and reproves him. But the boy declares he never will obey an uncourteous master and as a king’s son he may give presents at his liking. He would only have to be reproved if he were generous with goods not his own. The Lady denies that he is a king’s son. Lancelot wants to leave angrily but the Lady kisses him: he acted courteously and will have no master henceforth.

Motif References:

W 11 Generosity
P 30 Princes
W 185 Violence of temper
Z 231 Boyish exploits of hero
P 340 Teacher and pupil

Lanc1-42: (9) Queen Alene and her sister Evaine live in the Royal Minster as nuns. The monastery prospers and has many nuns. Alene uses to visit the place where her husband died and where she lost her son, and prays for their salvation. One day after a mass has been sung for her husband and her son a priest, who once had been a valiant knight, coming along with his squire asks her about her grief. He has founded a monastery where many monks live according to the rules of St. Augustinus. She identifies and tells her story. Her son descended from king David. The priest warns her to grieve too much for her tears achieve nothing. She ought to trust in God to care for her dead husband. Her son however is still alive and well cared for. The queen swoons from joy. When she comes to her senses the priest declares he has met the lady who raises the child but had to give his oath to keep the place secret. Nuns in the queen’s company who recognize the priest reassure her that she can trust him.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
V 118 Monasteries [cloisters, abbeys, nunneries]
N 846.2 Priest as helper
F 1041.25.1 (Bm) Swoon from joy

Lanc1-45: (8) They offer him a meal, but the holy man according to his rule only eats once a day. He is glad to show his gratitude to the queen who once on occasion of a royal court (at Epiphany) had made fine new garments for him so that he was the most elegant knight there. The usurpation of Ban’s kingdom by Claudas grieves him and he blames Arthur of having abandoned his liegeman. He promises to complain about her and her son’s fate at King Arthur’s court. The queen of Gaune overhears his words in her room and on hearing news about her nephew Lancelot she swoons. The queen tells the priest that her sister Elaine has lost her two sons too. The priest reassures her: both are safe and the two queens should console each other. God will care well for them. Then the man leaves for Arthur’s court: he is aware that war kept the king from helping the queens and even getting the news of their distress. His barons war against him to make him leave his throne.

Motif References:

W 11 Generosity
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
V 450 Religious orders
V 462 Asceticism
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
N 846.2 Priest as helper

Lanc1-46: (33) The priest arrives at Arthur’s court in Lundirs (London) the first week of September when the king has just returned from Scotland where he fought his cousin King Aguisel for the third time. Peace had been made and was confirmed by hostages. Arthur has agreed upon a truce with the King of Hinter-den-marken until Easter. The monk arrives when the king and his lords have dinner. He addresses Arthur as the king who would be the best of all but for one thing. At the king’s question the holy man praises the king’s virtues (supporting chivalry, attracting noble knights, generosity) yet he did not avenge one of his vassals. All are surprised at his words and the marshal Bodiers (Bedoiers) orders the monk to wait until the king has finished his meal. Yet the man will not fall silent for the sake of the king’s honor. He blames the marshal of lacking chivalry and courage among those knights he met at Uterpandragon’s court a long time ago: At that time the royal marshals were two excellent knights, Hervius of Rinel and Carrec, who always supported just cause against their lord, and kept trying to improve the men their lord hated.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
P 50.2 Marshall [Court officials: marshall, steward, etc.]
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)

Lanc1-48: (24) Thereupon Hervius has a close look at the stranger and recognizes him: he once was a valiant and virtuous knight, by the name of Adragarys (Adragaris) the Brown, brother of Amadors the younger from the Black Island (des Minren von der Schwarczen Ilen). He was King Urien’s companion and Arthur therefore did much honor to him. Bedoiers is ashamed. The monk relates the story of King Ban, his wife and child to the king and blames Arthur of having abandoned them. Should he be stricken with offense some day it will come upon him for the sake of this fault. For the sake of Claudas the queen Elaine has become a nun, and out of fear from Claudas no one dared to accuse him at the king’s law-court. Arthur declares that although he had got the news of his vassal’s distress his own warfare kept him from helping them. He promises to make up for it as soon as possible. The holy man returns to the queens in the nunnery who are glad to learn the news. Then he takes his leave and returns to his comrades.

Motif References:

P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit

Lanc1-50: When the Lady of the Lake learns that Lionel and Bohort are held captive in the tower of Gaune she is very grieved. She makes up a strategy to free them: by means of her magic she learns that Claudas will hold a diet to celebrate the day of his crowning according to the custom of the times. It is held each year on the day of St Magdalen. She sends a pretty young woman, by the name of Sarayde, who has some magic skills to the court telling her how to rescue the princes. Sarayde is the daughter of the knight who once had accused Claudas at King Arthur’s court. The messenger leaves with her retinue. As soon as king Claudas is served dinner the maiden and two squires, each leading a fine greyhound on a silver chain, ride into town. Dorin has been dubbed the same day. He is a pretty youth, generous, strong and valiant. The king striving to equal King Arthur is more generous than he was before.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
F 186 (Li) Otherworld messenger
N 815 Fairy as helper
D 1711.5 Fairy as magician.
D 1712 Soothsayer (diviner, oracle, etc.)
D 1810.0.4 Magic knowledge of fairies.

Lanc1-51: (8) She enters the hall, greets the king on behalf of her lady and declares that she has been sent out to detect the king’s faults. Her lady is a rich, noble and celibate woman who has been told that Claudas were the most noble and powerful king, beautiful, generous and prudent. But now she, the messenger, found out that he lacks wisdom as well as nobility and generosity: He lacks a noble mind, for he is holding king Bohort’s sons captive and withholds their land from them. He is not wise, for it is evident that he will kill them, which will make him many enemies. He should rather release them and treat them according to their high rank. Claudas on the spot sends for the boys and their tutors to honor them. Lionel has been in a rage all night and day - he is the most intemperate youth except Lancelot. Galahot, the lord of the Fremden Werden once called him “heart without a bridle”, for the day of his dubbing nobody could master him.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
W 185 Violence of temper
F 186 (Li) Otherworld messenger
N 770.0.1 Feast as occasion for the beginning of adventures or the arrival of questers

Lanc1-53: (7) Lionel asking Phariens for the reason of his sorrow learnt that lowborn Claudas has usurped Lionel and Bohort’s kingdom and they are held captives in their own tower. Lionel is outraged, jumps up from the table, his face and eyes become red from anger, then he sits down again to make up some strategy. The tutor fails to appease him but at last gets the answer that Lionel wants to kill Claudas the following morning. Phariens disapproves and advises him to wait and see, moreover he will prevent such an attack. The boy is in a rage all night and next day, and both children refuse to eat. At this point the steward comes to take them to court. Lionel is overjoyed. But Phariens is worried. Before they leave he takes a knife from Lionel, a girl’s gift to make friends with him, but has to promise to return it to him as soon as he asks for it. Phariens fails in making Lionel promise to keep from dishonest or dangerous actions.

Motif References:

P 30 Princes
R 41 Captivity in tower (castle, prison)
W 185 Violence of temper
P 340 Teacher and pupil

Lanc1-56: (15) When Lionel and Bohort arrive at the royal palace the knights weep and pray to God to restore them to their heritage. The princes are very beautiful and courteous. The king sits on his high table, in royal outfit, his crown before him on a silver plate, the precious sword, the crown and the scepter placed beside it. Claudas’s looks like a noble and proud man yet his face betrays his cunning. He pretends to be happy to meet the princes, declares that he will release and honor them henceforth. Claudas gives Lionel a costly cup but the boy only looks at the sword. Thereupon the maiden tells him to drink, crowns Lionel and his brother with a flower garland and applies a precious clasp with many jewels to their clothes. Due to the clasps the boys lose their temper and Lionel attacks and wounds the king with the cup, who nearly chokes on the wine. Then he gets hold of the crown that he tramples with his feet, the scepter breaks on the floor.

Motif References:

P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
P 12 Character of kings
P 13.3 Royal purple (golden diadem) [crown] as sign of royalty
W 185 Violence of temper
Z 231 Boyish exploits of hero
K 2246.1 Treacherous king

Lanc1-58: (4) Tumult arouses in the palace and many knights want to help the princes. Dorin hurries to help his father. Lionel fights with the sword, Bohort with the scepter’s pieces. Dorin pursues them. The maiden from the lake takes the boys with her. Lionel and Bohort maim and slay Dorin. The king pursues the princes, but the maiden according to her orders makes the boys appear as two greyhounds. The king is puzzled for he sees the dogs (that are the boys) but he also sees the greyhounds that came with the maiden escaping through the door. Claudas decides to have the princes killed according to law and therefore has the dogs captured. The king is very grieved about his son’s death.

Motif References:

P 30 Princes
D 141 Transformation: man (boy) to dog
Z 231 Boyish exploits of hero
D 341 Transformation: dog to person
K 525 Escape by use of substituted object
K 629 Escape by deceiving the guard - miscellaneous
K 649 Escape by help of confederate - miscellaneous
K 1840 Deception by substitution
K 1889 Other illusions

Lanc1-59: (27) In the meantime the maiden from the lake has left the palace in the company of the boys whom everybody takes for dogs. People lament Dorin. As soon as she has joined her retinue she removes the charm and presents the princes to them yet without disclosing their identity. Next day they arrive at the lake. Lancelot is overjoyed to meet them - the Lady of the Lake pretends they are her nephews. - King Claudas grieves for his only son. The people of Gaune are in uproar because of Claudas’s enmity toward the righteous princes. Meanwhile Phariens has summoned the knights of Gaune and the people to protect them. The king pretends not to worry but secretly has sent letters to summon his men throughout the Waste Land and Bonewig. At his son’s bier he swoons several times from grief. He praises his son’s great virtues in detail, whose qualities would have reformed his father too.

Motif References:

D 141 Transformation: man (boy) to dog
P 233 Father and son
D 341 Transformation: dog to person
K 525 Escape by use of substituted object
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
K 629 Escape by deceiving the guard - miscellaneous
K 649 Escape by help of confederate - miscellaneous
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief
K 1840 Deception by substitution
K 1889 Other illusions
D 2031 Magic illusion

Lanc1-63: (22) Phariens and his company having learnt that the king is preparing for war decide to attack him first to enforce the princes’ release. They set fire to the royal hall and a furious battle begins. Claudas fights valiantly, with a halberd (his usual weapon in any battle). Phariens’s nephew who hates Claudas runs at him and they wound each other. Claudas’s men try to protect their lord. Claudas quickly recovers and wants to fight Phariens. Claudas is a valiant warrior and Phariens regrets that the king’s valiance goes with faithlessness. The furious battle goes on. At last when Phariens’s nephew is about to pierce the king Phariens rescues Claudas: Such a valiant knight should not be slain, moreover no vassal must kill his liege lord unless he first withdrew his service. Claudas begs for mercy and offers to release the princes. Thereupon the fighting comes to an end. Claudas sends for the boys.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
K 2246.1 Treacherous king

Lanc1-68: (19) Yet the boys that are taken before the king are the maiden’s greyhounds in the shape of the princes. Phariens takes them with him to the tower. His men blame him for having spared Claudas. Meanwhile Claudas’s wounds are bound and he keeps lamenting his son. After a long while he asks for his armor and three steeds but tells nobody about his plans. Phariens and his company is happy. Yet the same moment the maiden from the lake changes the boys’ shape the greyhounds again appear as dogs. Outraged at the betrayal Phariens and his men decide to kill Claudas. Phariens thinks Claudas has killed the princes and deceived him by some trick. He wrings his hands, tears his hair and clothes, scratches his face and neck and shouts in distress. All lament and are very grieved. Claudas is alarmed by the clamor and sends a messenger to the tower who learns him that they accuse the king of murder. Claudas asks for his armor. He regrets to have usurped the kingdoms, which was a sin. Only distress came from it. No conqueror will meet loyalty. He leaves with forty armed knights in his company, carrying with him his son on a horse-bier.

Motif References:

D 141 Transformation: man (boy) to dog
D 341 Transformation: dog to person
F 1041.21.6 Tearing hair and clothes from excessive grief
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief
K 1889 Other illusions
D 2031 Magic illusion

Lanc1-70: (32) Phariens and his knights wait for Claudas at the gate. Phariens still lamenting Lionel’s and Bohort’s presumed death wants to avoid battle for the sake of his nephew Lambegus. Claudas certainly would kill Lambegus in fight which would oblige Phariens to kill his liege lord. Phariens accuses Claudas of having betrayed them. Claudas grasps that the maiden tricked them and took the princes with her. Phariens believes him for Claudas offers any proof asked that he has neither killed nor imprisoned the princes: word of honor, oath on relics, surrender to Phariens until the latter would be convinced of his innocence. Phariens is in conflict: loyalty to his knights, fear that Lambegus would murder Claudas if he got hold of him as his prisoner. Phariens decides to ask his men’s advice.

Motif References:

P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]

Lanc1-73: They want to make Claudas their prisoner and kill him. Phariens wants to protect his liege lord against lynch law and bring suit against him in King Arthur’s law court. Having failed in the attempt he lets them have their way but warns Claudas. Phariens supports Claudas after the latter has given his solemn oath that he did not kill the princes. Lambegus and his knights attack them and many a man is killed in the furious battle. Claudas fights valiantly. Phariens keeps in the background to avoid wounding his nephew. Fighting goes on all night and the town burns. In the morning Lambegus meets Phariens. Once again he protests Claudas’s innocence and warns them that he will take the king to a safe castle where he could wait for reinforcements.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-77: (30) Lambegus and his men in a council vote for accepting Claudas’s offer. Lambegus however disagrees and still wants to kill the king. Graiers, the lord of the castle Aranirs, who is a just and wise man and a relation of king Ban and king Bohort, counsels them to follow Phariens’s advice. As soon as the king would be Phariens’s captive he, Graiers, and Lambegus would murder him. They agree and tell Phariens that they would give their oath on relics. Thereupon Claudas surrenders to Phariens. He weeps when he receives the king’s sword. Phariens has promised to Claudas that he would be treated according to the laws although he, Phariens, is the king’s enemy. Phariens fearing treachery suggests a ruse: Claudas should send a substitute to prison until they have detected the children’s fate. The lords of Saint Cyr (Sant Cyrren) and of Dun are sent with Claudas’s substitute to the rebels.

Motif References:

P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
J 620 Forethought in prevention of other’s plans
K 1840 Deception by substitution
K 2200 Villains and traitors.

Lanc1-80: (14) Phariens and Lambegus agree about the arrangement and the king gives his solemn oath. Claudas returns to his castle, sends for the three knights who give their oath to keep the secret and obey Phariens’s orders. They ride to Phariens, surrender to him by giving their swords and swear to stay in his custody. Phariens makes the lords swear security to the prisoners. Claudas secretly returns to his castle while Phariens in the company of Lambegus and the lords leads his prisoners to the tower of Gaune. At this point Lambegus pierces the false Claudas. Phariens attacks and wounds his nephew. He returns their swords to the captives so that they can defend themselves. All lords but Graiers of Aranirs keep their sworn oath. He attacks Phariens who defeats him but spares his life at his men’s pleading.

Motif References:

R 51.4 Prisoner[s] [hostages, messengers] massacred [killed]
M 150 Other vows and oaths
P 293 Uncle
P 533.1 Hostages

Lanc1-82: (31) Phariens’s wife keeps her husband from killing Lambegus though she hates the man. She wants to prevent kin murder. Graiers has recovered and a fight starts between his men and Phariens. Lambegus hurries to help his uncle and Claudas’s men join the battle. Lambegus’s loyalty impresses their adversaries. Phariens’s friend, the old lord of Lambrions, stops the battle and makes the men leave the tower held by Phariens and his companions. Phariens’s wife cares for the wounded. Phariens amazed at his wife’s faithfulness pardons her and his love is renewed. He pardons his nephew too.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
T 210.1 Faithful wife
P 293 Uncle
T 298 Reconciliation [reunion] of (separated) couple
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-84: Meanwhile Lionel and his brother Bohort grieve for their lost tutors and refuse eating and drinking. Yet they dare not complain when the Lady asks them. One day Lancelot asks them their identity and Lionel tells him what happened at Claudas’s court. Lancelot is happy to learn that Claudas has been wounded. Lionel rejoices that he killed Claudas’s son. Lancelot makes the Lady send for the boys tutors. Lionel sends their belts as tokens with the messengers who are bound to secrecy and ordered only to tell their errand to the tutors. Moreover they will encounter the Lady’s scout on his way back from the court whose news could be useful. The messengers leave. The scout tells them the story about Claudas’s imprisonment and the truce. When they enter the town there is a tumult for people learnt that their captive is Claudas’s substitute and Phariens is besieged in the tower.

Motif References:

H 82 Identifying tokens sent with messenger
P 295 Cousins
P 340 Teacher and pupil

Lanc1-86: (12) The tumult worries the maiden messenger. She spreads the news that King Bohort’s sons are safe and arranges a meeting with the boys’ teachers, Phariens and Lambegus who are overjoyed at recognizing the belts. Having sworn oaths of loyalty Lambegus in the company of a knight is sent to the princes. As soon as he testifies that they are safe and well the siege will be raised. They set out and soon come to the forest of Briosche. The maiden takes Lambegus to the Lady of the Lake, while his companions stay at two castles nearby, Terrache and Brions (the latter gave the forest its name). Lambegus is amazed at the illusion of the lake. The boys welcome their teacher happily, Lionel however is grieved that his tutor Phariens has not come. In a room he comes upon the wounded lady who arranged their escape from Claudas’s court. He promises her his service to compensate her troubles. On learning that Claudas still lives he rejoices for he wants to punish him some day for his treachery. All are amazed at his wise conduct and agree he will become a most valiant man.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
H 82 Identifying tokens sent with messenger
P 340 Teacher and pupil
T 615.3 Precocious wisdom [virtue]
D 2031 Magic illusion

Lanc1-90: (28) Lancelot returns from hunting when Lambegus and the Lady are about to leave for the castle of Terrache. Out of love for the boy it is the lady’s custom not to eat breakfast or dinner before seeing him (days of early hunting excepted), he has to sit near her and is the only to cut bread or pour drink for her. Lancelot uses to wear a garland of roses on his head (Fridays, Vigil and Quatember and the time six weeks before Easter excepted), but he never learnt who brings the garland to him. Since Bohort’s and Lionel’s arrival he makes three garlands of one. Lambegus is amazed at Lancelot’s precocious courtesy. At dinner Lancelot serves his foster-mother. According to her orders Bohort and Lionel serve Lancelot though the latter would have refused their service since he learnt their royal descent. In the morning they leave, Lancelot accompanying them some way. The boy excels in hunting birds and small game.

Motif References:

P 272 Foster mother
P 275 Foster son
P 295 Cousins
F 311.3 Fairy foster-mother.
T 615.3 Precocious wisdom [virtue]

Lanc1-92: (10) Lambegus’s companion, by the name of Leonces of Paerne, is overjoyed to meet the princes and welcomes them under tears. Leonces entreats the Lady to care well for them for they are of most noble origin, their mother being of King David’s kin. A hero descending from this kin is to achieve the adventures of Britain. Regarding the boys’ valiance they certainly will retrieve their heritage. Thereupon Lionel starts to weep out of grief for his lost kingdom which he would like to retrieve without delay. Lancelot counsels him to obtain his heritage by waging war when he has grown-up as is due to a brave hero rather than by means of diplomacy. Thereafter he should be a wise and valiant sovereign to his people, which will win him praise. All are amazed at Lancelot’s precocious wisdom. The Lady wonders how he could identify Lionel as his cousin and she secretly starts to weep. Before Lambegus and his companion leave the Lady reassures them that she will protect the princes (who will retrieve their kingdom one day) against Claudas and sends word to Phariens to join them after he has made peace.

Motif References:

Z 254 Destined hero
T 615.3 Precocious wisdom [virtue]
J 1113 Clever boy [youth, knight]

Lanc1-94: (4) The Lady has a squire accompany her guests to lead them their way. Leonces of Paerne is very impressed by Lancelot and would hardly leave him. The boy looks familiar to him by his looks and manners. The Lady asks Lancelot why he calls Lionel his cousin, but he cannot tell. At her question whom he thinks of higher origin he replies that he ignores his descent; he is convinced that nobility is no matter of descent but of a man’s heart and from this point of view he thinks himself to excel all men. Lancelot is happy that he is Bohort’s and Lionel’s equal. For the sake of his wisdom the Lady loves the boy even more. That the boy will leave her some day to go on adventures grieves her a lot. Therefore she decides to care even more for the young princes Bohort and Lionel who will stay with her after Lancelot’s departure.

Motif References:

H 20 Recognition by resemblance
Z 252 Hero at first nameless [unaware of birth]
P 272 Foster mother
P 275 Foster son
F 311.3 Fairy foster-mother.
T 615.3 Precocious wisdom [virtue]
J 1113 Clever boy [youth, knight]

Lanc1-95: (23) Leonces, curious about Lancelot, asks Lambegus but the latter does not know him either. Leonces is quite certain that the child is Lionel’s cousin and King Ban’s son, having his father’s looks, manners, and way of speaking. Lambegus is amazed. At their return to Gaune all are relieved about the news and the siege is raised. Phariens wants to return the hostages to the king, but many lords fear that thereupon war could be renewed and accuse him of broken oath to force him to stay in the tower. They want to enforce Claudas’s oath to keep peace by threatening to kill the hostages. The lord of Aranirs and his men set watch to the gates. Phariens tries to leave the tower secretly to take the hostages to the king; he fears that Claudas otherwise would war them again. The company however is attacked and has to retreat to the tower.

Motif References:

H 20 Recognition by resemblance
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 533.1 Hostages
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
T 615.3 Precocious wisdom [virtue]
J 1113 Clever boy [youth, knight]

Lanc1-97: (17) Claudas still grieving for his son’s death plots his revenge: With his army he wants to besiege the town within four weeks. News of Claudas plans make some faithful men decide to rescue the hostages for they fear for their honor and possessions. They enter the tower, release Phariens and warn him of Claudas’s imminent assault. To prove their loyalty to him they promise to deliver the treacherous companions of the lord of Aranirs to him. Phariens vows that he would join them in fighting against Claudas if he failed to reconcile them with the king. Meanwhile however the traitors ask Phariens to pardon their disloyalty. When Claudas starts his siege they have well prepared their defense. Phariens leaves town for negotiations with Claudas after he has received his companions’s oath to kill the hostages if Claudas attacked him. Claudas welcomes Phariens. Phariens declares that the king would be welcome in town if he vowed peace and faithfulness. The king and his lords equally insist upon revenge for the death of Claudas’s son.

Motif References:

P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 550 Military affairs
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
K 2200 Villains and traitors.

Lanc1-99: (13) Thereupon Phariens withdraws his allegiance and warns them: The townspeople whom the lords dare not to accuse openly of treachery toward their lord will defend their fortress against Claudas and his army. Phariens once again fails in entreating the king to make peace. Thereupon he withdraws his friendship. He now calls the king for fulfillment of his vow to surrender to him whenever he asked him to. At Claudas’s denial to have given such a promise Phariens offers judicial combat which the king refuses. Claudas declares that according to feudal laws Phariens can only withdraw his allegiance if his liege lord treated him unjustly. Thereupon Phariens warns the king: If Lambegus got hold of him in the fighting he would certainly kill him. Moreover Phariens will kill the hostages and have their heads catapulted into the royal camp. When Phariens returns toward the town Claudas’s men set out in pursuit. Outside the gate Phariens fights the enemies while the townspeople come to his aid. The king rushes out carrying a huge wooden club in his hand and wearing an iron hat attempts to stop the fighting.

Motif References:

P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
M 150 Other vows and oaths
P 558 (Bm) Truce

Lanc1-101: (13) Because of this attack Lambegus blames Claudas of treachery. They fight and wound each other. Claudas’s men come to the king’s aid and Phariens and Lambegus retreat into town. Phariens keeps his nephew from killing the hostages. Claudas sends a squire to arrange a meeting with Phariens and entreats him to join his service. Phariens however refuses. Claudas tries to turn some of Phariens’s men against him: He accuses them of treachery and offers them peace if they swore their innocence of Dorin’s murder onto relics, and would deliver Lambegus to him. The envoys refuse and return into town. Phariens is glad about their faithfulness.

Motif References:

P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 550 Military affairs

Lanc1-105: (14) The sight of Claudas’s huge army discourages Phariens and he laments and weeps: The town cannot stand a siege for their lack of provisions. He would rather wish his nephew to surrender to the king to rescue the town. Lambegus overhears his uncle’s lament and decides to surrender. He obtains his uncle’s and his men’s consent and Leonces is sent to Claudas to negotiate peace after Lambegus has surrendered to him. They agree upon an oath of peace to be sworn on relics next morning. When the oaths are given the hostages are released and peace is made. Phariens makes is nephew confess to the bishop. Townspeople are in distress for the sake of Lambegus. At his arrival in the king’s camp Lambegus gives Claudas his sword, helmet and shield and is disarmed. Claudas pretends to want to kill the man with his sword and his knights start to weep. Lambegus however is not discouraged and his bravery and loyalty make the king spare him. Claudas offers him rich garments, which the youth refuses. Moreover he wants him to join his service. Lambegus however will only be the king’s liegeman if his uncle would serve the king as well. Claudas sends for Phariens.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
M 150 Other vows and oaths
P 293 Uncle
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)

Lanc1-109: (7) Claudas promises to add to his fiefs each year if Phariens consented to join his service once again. Phariens however insists that he must have news of Bohort and Lionel beforehand. Claudas foregoing Phariens’s oath of allegiance bestows his lands upon him and tells him to set out to seek the princes. Moreover he will be regent of Bohort’s land until the princes are grownup and are to be Phariens’s and Claudas’s vassals. Phariens only has to vow never to join a man’s service without informing Claudas. Due to the king’s generosity Phariens has turned Claudas’s friend. After peace has been made Lambegus, Phariens and his family leave the town to set out for the lake.

Motif References:

W 11 Generosity
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 310.5 Defeated enemy turns true friend

Lanc1-110: (21) The Lady of the Lake welcomes Phariens and Lambegus. Bohort is very pleased to see Phariens, Lionel however has fallen in love with the maiden wounded for his sake and blames his teacher to have lingered and only his lady makes him obey to him as his master further on. Phariens angrily reminds the boy of his services, but Lionel accuses him of treachery. On learning the story about the conflict with Claudas the Lady of the Lake is amazed. Lambegus tells them that Leonces thought Lancelot to be the son of king Ban. Phariens watching the youth’s manners, his way of walking and speaking is amazed at his perfection. After Phariens’s death - there is great mourning for him - his wife and children stay at the Lake. His sons, Auguins and Taranis, later on are dubbed by Lionel.

Motif References:

T 10 Falling in love
P 340 Teacher and pupil
T 615.3 Precocious wisdom [virtue]

Lanc1-112: (5) The two widowed queens due to fasting and grief have become weak. The queen of Gaune excels her sister in piety: she wears a hair shirt, goes without shoes summer and winter, has only a single meal a day and some days she fasts, prays a lot, keeps to silence in the monastery. When the chaplains sing she listens to angels’s voices. But despite her asceticism she always keeps her good and wealthy looks. The news of Bohort’s and Lionel’s capture and their rescue however have made their mother, queen Evaine, weak and pale. She falls ill and keeps imploring God in her prayers to tell her about her sons. One day in her prayer her mind falls in trance: She is led a long way up to the edge of a large forest, into a beautiful orchard with many pretty houses in it. She watches three beautiful children, one of them surpassing the others, in the company of their teachers, whom she identifies as Phariens and Lambegus. She recognizes her sons but does not know the third. Then an unknown man leads her back to the monastery. The queen thinks to have dreamed in her sleep. Onto her right hand however the names of Lancelot, Lionel and Bohort have been written. She tells the happy news to her sister. The queen thinks her vision a sign of her imminent death and confesses her sins. After her death she is buried according to her rank. Her sister lives on for a long time in the nunnery and one day even meets her son.

Motif References:

V 316 Efficacy of prayer
V 462 Asceticism
V 510 Religious visions
E 721.2 Body in trance while soul is absent
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 1068 Realistic dream
D 1812.5.0.13 Magic manifestation as omen

Lanc1-113: (33) King Arthur one Easter day, the first of April, holds a great diet. He uses to have diets five time a year: Easter, Ascension Day, Whitsunday, All Saints Day, Christmas. For the sake of Christ’s resurrection however Easter is the most important date. There are other diets as well, like Candlemas (when the candles are consecrated), Assumption Day, and some other days. The most joyful of all is Whitsunday for the Holy Spirit visited the apostles that day. Arthur and many barons and knights from his and foreign countries hold court at Karehais. After breakfast the knights have all sorts of courtly pastimes: chess game, tric-trac and other plays, dancing with the ladies, jousting. Then a Round Table of the young knights from faraway countries is organized. The knights of King Arthur only joust the following day: at first they fight only with lances and shields but without armor, then in armor but without shields. On Easter day only the errant knights joust. Prize is won by the godson of the king of Bonewig, a small and fat knight who is strong and swift. For a long time he had warred against Claudas doing much harm to him. War has made him a wealthy man. In those times a knight only can earn praise if he has stayed some time at Arthur’s court, knows the knights of his Round Table and their devices.

Motif References:

P 19.0.1 (Li) King Arthur as leader of outstanding chivalric society (Round Table)
P 50 Noblemen (knights) [rules of chivalry]
Z 201.9.1 (Bm) Hero’s famous possessions - Arthur’s Round Table
P 561 Tournaments
P 632 Customs concerning recognition of rank
P 634 Feasts

Lanc1-115: (8) It is the king’s custom that each festive day when he holds court and wears his crown in due ceremony the winner of the day’s jousting serves the first dish at the Round Table so that the knights can make his acquaintance. Banin after having served the knights takes a seat vis a vis the king. According to custom the knights sit at the king’s side, whereas day’s winner sits opposite the king. On festive days of court only foreign knights sit at the Round Table, but none of Arthur’s knights. Arthur asks Banin, who is very timid, his identity and where he comes from. On learning that he comes from Bonewig and is Ban’s godson the king becomes sad and absentminded and he weeps. Gawan and Key consider what to do about such an indecent behavior of a king in presence of many a foreign knight. The sound of Key’s horn blow startles the king. Gawan blames Arthur of offending his guests by his neglect. The king tells him that he just remembered how he had been accused of the death of king Ban.

Motif References:

P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
P 12 Character of kings
P 13 Customs connected with kings
P 13.3 Royal purple (golden diadem) [crown] as sign of royalty
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man
P 632 Customs concerning recognition of rank

Lanc1-117: The king again becomes joyful. After the meal Banin at the king’s question tells him that Ban’s widow became a nun but that her son has disappeared and is thought dead. The king gives rich presents (garments, precious, etc.) to him. The queen asks Banin to become her knight. According to customs the winner of the day is asked to join her service, and receives precious and gifts. Those knights are called the knights of the queen. Thus Banin joins the 150 knights, the sentinels. Lancelot stays in the Lake to his eighteenth birthday, when the Lady wants to make him a knight. He is a very handsome youth, prudent and courteous, tall and strong. By having cast lots over him she learnt that he has to be dubbed and will be loved by everybody. On Whitsunday Lancelot hunts down a large stag, and sends his booty to the Lady. When the lad returns to the palace in the evening the Lady instead of welcoming him heartily falls sad and weeps and retires to her quarters. When he asks her about her grief she angrily sends him away but soon runs after him when he is about to ride toward the forest. He would have set out for Arthur’s court to serve the king and be dubbed a knight. He declares that only a noble heart makes a noble man rather than strength, skill etc.

Motif References:

W 11.2 Munificent monarch
P 20 Queens
Z 71.16.11 Formulistic number: fifteen
N 126 Lots cast to determine luck or fate
P 272 Foster mother
P 275 Foster son
F 311.3 Fairy foster-mother.
F 575.2 Handsome man
T 617 Boy reared in ignorance of the world
D 1711.5 Fairy as magician.
D 1712 Soothsayer (diviner, oracle, etc.)
D 1810.0.4 Magic knowledge of fairies.

Lanc1-120: The Lady of the Lake teaches Lancelot the principles of knighthood which is restricted to noblemen. 1) Chivalry has to guarantee justice: Chivalry once has been established to protect the weak against the mighty. 2) Chivalry has to protect the Holy Church and civil order, which is demonstrated by means of the allegorical interpretation of a knight’s armor and weapons (shield, hauberk, helmet, lance, sword). 3) The allegory of the two hearts (wax and diamond) illustrates the judicial office of knighthood. 4) Each knight is bound to his duties by his oath sworn when he was dubbed. 5) Each knight is bound to the shining examples of the Old Testament (Johannes Hyrkanus, Judas Makkabäus, his brother Simon, king David and numerous others) and of the New Testament. Among those heroes is Joseph of Arimathia who took the savior from the cross and buried him. He was the ancestor of King Galaad, the king of Hosselice, that later on was called Gales = Wales, and King Pelles of Listenors and his brother Alain the Great. They all were fine and valiant knights faithful to men and God.

Motif References:

P 50 Noblemen (knights) [rules of chivalry]
Z 100 Symbolism
P 272 Foster mother
P 275 Foster son
F 311.3 Fairy foster-mother.
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations

Lanc1-123: (32) On listening to the Lady Lancelot is all the more eager to become a knight. She tells him that he is of high descent but will tell no more. The best knight, King Arthur, will dub him on the Day of St. John, the man whom his deeds won the greatest prize and Lancelot will likewise surpass all knights. For the moment Lancelot however has to keep their plans secret. The Lady already has made ready a knight’s equipment: a white hauberk, a helmet, a white shield, lance and sword, a white horse, white tabard and garments. On a Tuesday the Lady and her companions, among them Lionel, Bohort and Lambegus, leave early in the morning. All are clad in white. They cross the sea and on Sunday arrive in Britain, where they are told that King Arthur will be in Kamahelot. The Lady is sad that Lancelot will soon leave her.

Motif References:

P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
Z 142 Symbolic color: white
P 272 Foster mother
P 275 Foster son
F 311.3 Fairy foster-mother.

Lanc1-125: (33) King Arthur sets out for a hunt on Friday morning in the company of Gawan, Iwan the Great, son of King Uriens; Key, Tors, son of Ares; the king of Autice, the cupbearer Lucan, the marshal Bodiers, and numerous other knights. Gawan has been wounded three weeks ago by Gosoains of Strangot in a judicial combat: Gosoains had accused Gawan of treachery and faithlessness and the matter had been decided in a trial at the royal court. When Arthur and his hunting company are leaving court they meet a horse bier carrying a handsome and tall knight. Two pieces of lances have pierced his body and half his head has been cut off by a sword. The knight has come to obtain the king’s help: The man who removes the weapons from his body must however give his oath to take revenge on his enemies. He already has decapitated the man who wounded him. Thus the wounded knight puts Arthur’s court to the test of its readiness for help. The king has the stranger led as his guest to the castle and care for him.

Motif References:

M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
H 218 Trial by combat
P 510 Law courts
N 770 Experiences leading to adventures
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]

Lanc1-127: (34) When the king and his company return in the evening they come upon the Lady of the Lake with her train. Two packhorses in the lead carry a most precious tent and a chest with garments and armor of a knight, squires carry white weapons. Lancelot and the Lady ride in the rear. She instructs him how to behave at the court. He ought to become a knight that Sunday otherwise he will have to suffer from it. The king and his retinue are curious about the strangers. The lady wears splendid garments, rides a horse with precious riding gear, the stirrups are made of white ivory with carved figures of knights and ladies. Lancelot is very beautiful. The king greets the Lady who asks him to dub Lancelot. Though according to custom the king bestows chivalric equipment on the new knights the lady insists that Lancelot has to wear the clothes and outfit she gave him.

Motif References:

P 272 Foster mother
P 275 Foster son
F 575.2 Handsome man
F 827 Extraordinary ornaments

Lanc1-129: (27) Before she leaves the Lady gives Lancelot the four horses and four boys to serve him. At the king’s question she identifies as the Lady of the Lake, a name unknown to the king. Then she talks to Lancelot in private and tells him his identity: His father has been a fine knight and his mother a noble and beautiful woman, he will soon learn who they were. As soon as he has been dubbed he should leave to achieve adventures. He only should tell that he was raised by a noble lady. Moreover he learns that Bohort and Lionel are his cousins, whom she will keep at her castle. On leaving she gives Lancelot a ring, which detects any magic or illusion. Lancelot takes his leave of Bohort and Lionel.

Motif References:

H 82.3.1 (Bm) Ring as parting token
Z 252 Hero at first nameless [unaware of birth]
P 272 Foster mother
P 275 Foster son
F 311.3 Fairy foster-mother.
F 340 Gifts from fairies
T 617.2 Hero learns his name at time of first [particular] adventure.
D 810 Magic object a gift
D 1076 Magic ring
D 1317.0.2 (G) Magic ring detects enchantments
D 1380.23 Magic ring protects
D 1385.3.2 (Bm) Magic stone in ring protects against witchcraft.

Lanc1-131: (6) Courtiers and townspeople are amazed at the youth’s beauty which embarrasses him. Arthur has Iwan care for Lancelot and teach him. They arrange the youth’s dubbing the following Sunday. The queen wants to see the beautiful young stranger who came with the Lady and he is taken to court - his beauty causing sensation among people who set eyes on him. Arthur and the queen are amazed by his radiant beauty. The queen’s outstanding beauty makes a deep impression on the youth. The queen asks Iwan about the boy, but the knight can only presume he is from Gaule due to his excellent knowledge of that language. When the queen takes Lancelot’s hand he is startled and from embarrassment fails to listen to her. She asks him who he is and he cannot tell. She grasps that the youth is quite out of his mind and supposes she may have some part in it. Therefore she prefers to leave before any one gets aware of his strange behavior.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
F 575.2 Handsome man

Lanc1-133: (26) In the evening after mass Iwan and Lancelot join the king and the queen in an orchard on the banks of the river. A company of young ladies, knights and squires, who are to be dubbed the next day, meet there. But heading for the orchard Lancelot enters the room of the pierced knight. The stench from his wounds is overwhelming. At Lancelot’s question Iwan relates the story to him and Lancelot wants to remove the pieces from the man’s wounds at once. Iwan reminds him that only a knight might try the adventure. That night Lancelot wakes with Iwan in the church to pray and only goes to sleep at dawn. Next day they hear mass sung in the town’s cathedral according to festive custom. The squires’ armors have been taken there and as soon as the youths have armed themselves in the church, the king dubs them, but the king only girds their swords on them after mass has ended when they leave the church. After the mass Lancelot mounts his horse and hurries to see the pierced knight. The man makes him give his oath spoken in the direction of the church first. Then Lancelot removes the piece of the sword from the man’s head and the two lance pieces from his body.

Motif References:

P 53 (Bm) Obtaining knighthood
P 54 (Bm) Knighting custom
M 110 Taking of vows and oaths
M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
Z 231 Boyish exploits of hero

Lanc1-135: (16) A knight having watched his exploit hurries to where the king is still girding the swords on the young knights and alarms Iwan who is annoyed at the youth’s rashness. A physician is sent for to care for the man and Iwan leads the boy to the king. All are grieved and lament, the king weeps from rage. The queen too is in distress for she thinks the youth achieved the task for the sake of her love. In the tumult they overlook that Lancelot still has not been girded his sword. They sit down to eat. At that point an armed knight enters the palace who has been sent by the lady of Noaus as messenger. The king of Northumberland has waged war against her for the sake of promises she never made. A judicial combat has been arranged and the queen asks King Arthur, who is her liege lord, to send her a champion.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
H 218 Trial by combat
H 218.0.1 Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused
Z 231 Boyish exploits of hero
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
H 1224 Quest to distant king for military aid
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]

Lanc1-137: (13) Lancelot asks the king to be sent as champion. The king would rather keep him from this adventure, but at Gawan’s and Iwan’s pleading gives his consent. Iwan arms the youth. Lancelot sends his squires with his armor and sword ahead and takes his leave of the queen. He gazes at her before timidity makes him again lower his eyes. He asks her to make him her knight and she agrees. Iwan gets aware that Arthur still has not girded Lancelot his sword, and therefore he not yet a knight. Lancelot pretends to fetch his sword so that the ceremony could be completed, yet he does not return, for King Arthur should not knight him. On learning that the youth left Gawan thinks he might have taken offense for the king did not dub him first of all squires.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
P 53 (Bm) Obtaining knighthood

Lanc1-140: (18) Lancelot soon catches up with the messenger and the squires. Riding along absentminded he is surprised on seeing that they have left the road. The knight tells him that they are riding a small but safe path but refuses to tell more. Thereupon Lancelot forces the man to return to the main - dangerous - road. Soon they come upon a fine tent pitched on a clearing near a beautiful fountain beneath a great rock. The messenger warns the youth that a knight, taller than any man, is guarding a beautiful maiden in this tent. Because of his violence no one dares to fight him. But Lancelot insists on meeting the maiden. On opening the tent he catches sight of the large knight sitting on a costly seat with his bare sword in hands and forbidding him entrance. Lancelot insists and the knight orders him to wait until she wakes. He would rather not fight such a young and inexperienced knight. Lancelot takes his promise that he will be able to see the maiden.

Motif References:

P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
F 533 Remarkably tall man
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-142: (8) At a hut nearby Lancelot comes upon two maidens who are amazed at his beauty. Yet one of them blames him of cowardice for he rode away without seeing the maiden who is the most beautiful woman. Thereupon Lancelot returns to the tent, but maiden and knight have disappeared. Moreover the maidens in the hut have left as well. Lancelot again joins his company and relates the story to them. He vows not to stop searching for them until he has set his eyes upon that maiden. He sends the messenger to the lady of Noaus, telling her that they should wait for him. Lancelot leaves with his squire on search for the knight and the maiden. In the evening he meets an armed knight knowing about his errand although Lancelot refuses to tell him. He promises to lead him the way next morning and offers to show the most beautiful lady to him. Lancelot agrees and the stranger tells him that the lady is held captive on an island amid a deep lake, where she rests all alone on a beautiful meadow under a sycamore. In the evening two knights carry her away and bring her back to the island in the morning. She would be released if two knights overcame her guardians. Lancelot agrees to fight at his side and to leave him the maiden as prize.

Motif References:

R 43 Captivity on island
T 68 Princess offered as prize
Q 112.0.5.1 Lady as reward
M 150 Other vows and oaths
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
F 575.2 Handsome man
H 1221 Quest for adventure
H 1385.0.1 Unspelling quest: journey to disenchant (free) captives.

Lanc1-143: (34) At nightfall they arrive at the lake. The two knights are about to take the maiden with them. Lancelot does so well in the battle that the adversaries refuse fighting such a valiant knight and release the maiden. They are certain that he will become an excellent hero. The maiden is given a key to loose the boat and ferry over to the knight who has rescued her. The knights leave and soon four squires arrive with a tent. A meal is made ready and three beds. At night Lancelot wants to sleep with the maiden. She consents if he would insist but thereupon Lancelot refrains from it. In the morning his companion leads him the way as promised on condition that Lancelot will leave him the maiden of the island if he won the maiden of the tent.

Motif References:

T 68 Princess offered as prize
R 111 Rescue of captive maiden.
Q 112.0.5.1 Lady as reward
H 1385.0.1 Unspelling quest: journey to disenchant (free) captives.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-145: (6) They soon arrive at the meadow with the spring and the tent and Lancelot demands fulfillment of the knight’s promise to let him see the maiden. Yet the tall knight insists on fighting but refuses to arm himself: he will overcome him very easily. Lancelot defeats the tall knight and wins the lady of the tent. Lancelot takes the large knight’s vow never to fight a knight unarmed. Lancelot enters the tent and gives the maiden to his companion, who refuses for Lancelot has won her. Lancelot however will not have any of the ladies either. Therefore he tells his companion to take them to King Arthur’s court as the squire’s first booty to the queen. He should ask Genover to send him a sword and make him a knight so that he will be her knight all his life. They agree to meet again at the court of Noaus. The knight escorts the two ladies to Arthur’s court and relates Lancelot’s exploits to them. The queen sends Lancelot a fine sword. The knight hurries to catch up with Lancelot and gives him the sword. According to the queen’s orders Lancelot girds it on at once. From this moment he is a knight and the story will refer to him as the Knight with the White Armor.

Motif References:

W 11.5.14 King [knight] will not arm, since opponent is unarmed [young, inexperienced]
P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
M 166 Other vows about fighting
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
F 833 Extraordinary sword
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-147: (3) The Lady of Noaus rides to welcome her champion. Although she is a beautiful lady Lancelot takes no notice of her looks - he has made his heart resist beauty. She has his wound cared for and he is cured within fourteen days. News come to Arthur’s court that the combat still has not been fought and Key asks the king to be sent to replace that inexperienced person. Arthur consents and Key sets out toward Noaus where he is given a friendly welcome. Though he learns the reason of the delay Key insists on being granted the combat - he is convinced of his unrivaled bravery. Lancelot however wants a combat to decide who should be the lady’s champion. Thereupon the lady orders that both of them should be her champions. Early next morning the king of Northumberland arrives. In due ceremony the suit is brought forth, then the circle of the combat is cleared but for the four champions. Lancelot who soon gets the better of his opponent, offers Key an exchange of adversaries but Key refuses. Out of courtesy not to shame Key he fights on until Key has overcome his adversary. The king of Northumberland having lost the trial swears on relics to give up all his claims and gives surety.

Motif References:

R 75 Surrendering
M 150 Other vows and oaths
H 218 Trial by combat
H 218.0.1 Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused
P 510 Law courts
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc1-149: (34) Key returns to court and tells the story. Lancelot stays with the lady until Monday morning. She offers him her land, people and person whenever he would ask for. His companion is fond of Lancelot and wants to join him. He asks for his pardon for he has provoked his combat for the lady on the island in order to add to Lancelot’s praise. The adventure had been arranged by his mistress, the lady of Noaus, who wanted to put her helper to the test. Moreover Lancelot learns that the tall knight of the tent is Andragais, whom the lady of Noaus had promised her love, if he overcame the helper sent to her. For the sake of his love for the lady the tall knight even dispensed with his armor. In case of victory he would have been her champion. Lancelot pardons the knight and they part.

Motif References:

T 68 Princess offered as prize
Q 112.0.5.1 Lady as reward
H 421 Tests for true lover
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
H 1568 Test of the champion.

Lanc1-150: (35) The white knight (Lancelot) rides on all day, avoiding to be recognized. He leaves his squires at a monastery where they are to wait for him for one month. The monastery shelters the grave of Leucan, nephew of Joseph of Arimathia, whose kin illuminated Britain for they brought the Grail there and converted the land to Christianity. One day Lancelot takes a rest at the banks of a river. Splashes of water from a knight having crossed the ford nearby wake him from his thoughtfulness. Lancelot takes offense and wants to cross the ford. The stranger forbids it for he is guarding that ford for the sake of his lady, the queen, King Arthur’s wife. Lancelot wants to continue his way but the stranger pursues him and demands his horse. Lancelot offers combat but would not fight if the queen had ordered the stranger to take any comer’s horse. They joust and Lancelot unhorses the man. At Lancelot’s refusal to identify the stranger once again challenges him telling him that he is not in the queen’s service. Thereupon Lancelot agrees to fight him.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
V 331 Conversion to Christianity
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
H 1561.2.3 Combats at fords
K 1980 Other impostures

Lanc1-152: (22) They joust. The stranger is called Alibons, and he is the son of the lord of the Ford of the Queen, that got its name because the queen first found the place. She had been Arthur’s wife for two years at that time and her husband was warring against seven kings. After he had defeated them he made camp at the river Humber. The king was in the company of his knights: Gawan, King Urien and his brother Lot, young Iwan and Key, who was promoted to be steward - yet still without duties - as reward for his exploits. The seven defeated kings however detected the king’s camp and attacked them. The queen fled across the river taking that ford. Arthur’s knights overcame the enemies and killed them. This was then called the Adventure of the Ford. - Lancelot overcomes Alibons in combat and forgives him to have splashed him with water but still refuses to tell his name. They part. Alibons rides to Arthur’s court where he is well known. He asks the queen about a knight in white armor riding a white horse and tells her that this man would gladly have left him his horse if only the queen had ordered it. The queen is glad to have good news about the white knight and the king and his courtiers too.

Motif References:

P 50.2 Marshall [Court officials: marshall, steward, etc.]
Q 113.0.1 High honors as reward
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
Z 702 (Hi) Eponymous account of place name
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
K 1831.0.2 (Bm) Disguise by refusal to reveal name

Lanc1-154: (22) Meanwhile Lancelot rides on and lodges at a forester’s house. Next morning he comes upon a lady grieving for her - very beautiful - lover who has been killed in a castle nearby. An evil custom is kept there who has already cost many a knight’s life. Lancelot is led his way and sets out for the castle. It is a splendid stronghold, well protected by rivers. The castle is called Dolorose Garde, for any comer is killed or defeated and taken prisoner. The castle is enclosed by two walls with one gate each. Any comer has to fight ten opponents, one after the other, at each of the gates. On top of the second wall a huge copper knight has been placed above the gate. He wears armor and a halberd. It is a work of magic, which will fall from the walls and sink into the ground when the destined conqueror of the castle sets his eyes upon it. That same moment all illusions of the castle will vanish and the castle will be disenchanted. But the conqueror has to stay there for forty days to complete the enchantment. The small town on the foot of the castle goes by the name of Kanavire. Lancelot is annoyed on finding the gate closed. A pretty young lady, her face hidden, greets him and he asks her about the castle. She warns him of undertaking this adventure. A man addresses Lancelot from top of the gate and warns him too but still the hero insists on entering.

Motif References:

W 32 Bravery
Z 71.12 Formulistic number: forty [Forty days’ limit]
Z 254 Destined hero
D 701 Gradual disenchantment
D 703 Disenchantment made permanent
D 753 Disenchantment by accomplishment of tasks.
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 940 Extraordinary underground (underwater) disappearance
D 1131 Magic castle
D 1268 Magic statue (doll)
D 1620.1 Automatic statue of man

Lanc1-156: (19) The gatekeeper blows his horn and soon an armed knight leaves the castle. Lancelot kills him in a joust. Lancelot defeats one knight after the other - each fight is announced by a horn blow - and forces them to surrender. In amazement a throng watches from the walls. When night falls the gate is closed and the maiden returns telling him that the knights of the castle refuse to fight after nightfall but that the combats will go on next morning. She provides Lancelot and his prisoners with a lodging in town. Three shields have been fastened to the wall of Lancelot’s room: they are white, one has a single red bend, the second one two bends and the third one three. The maiden uncovers her face and Lancelot recognizes the maiden of the Lady of the Lake. Lancelot’s foster-mother has sent her to tell him his name and descent the other day as soon as he has conquered the fortress according to the Lady’s prophecy.

Motif References:

F 186 (Li) Otherworld messenger
Z 254 Destined hero
P 272 Foster mother
P 275 Foster son
M 301.6 Fairies as prophets
F 311.3 Fairy foster-mother.
M 323 Prophecy: victory against great odds
T 617.2 Hero learns his name at time of first [particular] adventure.
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
D 1131 Magic castle
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-159: (25) The shields have been placed there for Lancelot: The first one will double his strength, the second will bestow threefold strength upon him and the third one will make him invincible. He should use them in his combats the following day. She warns him of trusting his youthful strength. Moreover the Lady orders him not to linger at Arthur’s or any other court before he has won wide renown as a fighter. Townspeople pray to God for the disenchantment of the fortress. In the morning after mass the maiden accompanies the knight to the castle. He cannot profit of his exploits the day before and will have to fight twenty knights and defeat them within one day. But the maiden reassures him that his helmet and hauberk protect him from being killed. At a horn blow a knight comes toward Lancelot asking him to release his captives who will not attack him again, for otherwise he would not meet combat at all. The knight would be glad if Lancelot achieved the adventure, though bound as a liegeman to the castle. Lancelot releases the captives. Then he overcomes the knights. The maiden and a squire provide him with the magic shields which renew his strength. The lord of the castle watches Lancelot who rages among his knights. He is distressed but rules forbid him to join the fighting until all of his men have been defeated.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
F 340 Gifts from fairies
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
D 810 Magic object a gift
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
D 1101.1 Magic shield
D 1335 Object gives magic strength
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
D 1830 Magic strength

Lanc1-163: (26) Lancelot having killed or wounded his opponents pursues the last three of them, who surrender to him. With a loud crash the gate opens. The maiden brings Lancelot a new helmet, the third magic shield, and a new lance. Then she orders him to look at the copper knight. Thereupon the statue falls down killing a knight. Lancelot fights on until they are defeated. He makes them his captives and sets out in pursuit of the rest of them. Many ladies and maidens welcome him in the castle telling him that he has achieved the adventure for all the knights have taken to flight. A young lady brings a key to open the gate that gives a loud scream on opening. Lancelot inquires if he has accomplished the disenchantment and learns that he still has to fight the lord. A squire informs him that the lord has escaped.

Motif References:

D 6 Enchanted castle (building)
R 210 Escapes
D 701 Gradual disenchantment
D 703 Disenchantment made permanent
D 753 Disenchantment by accomplishment of tasks.
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 886 Extraordinary key
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1131 Magic castle
D 1176 Magic key
D 1268 Magic statue (doll)
D 1620.1 Automatic statue of man

Lanc1-165: (4) Townspeople are grieved because of the lord’s escape. They lead Lancelot into a strange graveyard located between the two walls. A wall with pinnacles runs around it. Onto some of them the slain knights’ heads and helmets have been impaled over the men’s graves. Each slab is engraved with the hero’s name. The graves still empty display the names of the knights (many Arthurian knights but foreigners as well, the best knights of the era) who will be buried there. In the center a tomb has been placed with a metal sarcophagus preciously decorated with gold and jewels and displaying an inscription as well: Only the castle’s disenchanter, whose name is to be found inside, will be able to lift the coffin’s cover. Many a knight failed in trying to lift it, among them the lord of the castle. Lancelot reads the inscription (the Lady of the Lake has taught him reading) and then lifts the cover up one foot above his head. An inscription in the coffin tells him that this is the grave of Lancelot of the Lake, son of king Ban of Bonewig and his wife Alene. Thus he has learnt his name and descent.

Motif References:

Z 254 Destined hero
M 361 Fated hero
T 617.2 Hero learns his name at time of first [particular] adventure.
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 778.1 (G) Extraordinary grave
F 852 Extraordinary coffin [sarkophag]
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
H 901.1 Heads placed on stakes for failure in performance of task
D 1148 Magic tomb
H 1568 Test of the champion.

Lanc1-166: Lancelot orders the maiden who has seen the name too to keep the secret. The people lead Lancelot into the palace, beautiful but rather small and well provided with everything one could wish for. Thus the white knight has conquered the Dolorose Garde. The maiden cares for his wounds. The townspeople regret that the lord escaped, for they fear that the knight would leave before the forty days limit set for the accomplishment of the disenchantment. The castle is haunted by magic day and night and nobody can eat or drink, wake or sleep in peace. - News of Lancelot’s exploit soon arrive at Arthur’s court. The hero’s white armor and white horse tell them that he is the squire dubbed not long ago.

Motif References:

D 6 Enchanted castle (building)
Z 71.12 Formulistic number: forty [Forty days’ limit]
Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero
D 701 Gradual disenchantment
D 703 Disenchantment made permanent
D 753 Disenchantment by accomplishment of tasks.
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
D 1131 Magic castle

Lanc1-167: (27) All want to leave on the spot to see the marvel but Gawan restricts their number: only ten knights should leave with the king, Gawan, Iwan, Galeguentins of Wales, Galescundes, Tors son of Ares, Caredosbrebras, Iwan Liavoltres, Gosoains of Strangot, Ligais Galentins, and Aiglins of the Valley. They leave without delay and pass the night in a hermitage. The hermit once has been Arthur’s knight. On learning the news about Dolorose Garde he is amazed. Wise people prophesied that this adventure will be achieved by the son of the king that died from grief. Next morning the company rides on. Four days later they come upon a cleric riding a mule who leads them their way to the castle. On arrival they are not admitted at the second gate and the gatekeeper sends them into the town. Then he tells Lancelot that the knights of the Round Table have arrived, whereupon Lancelot orders the gate not to be opened.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
M 195 (Bm) Vow to see particular marvel.
Z 254 Destined hero
M 361 Fated hero

Lanc1-168: (33) Townspeople want King Arthur to accomplish the castle’s disenchantment. Therefore they make sham graves: epitaphs give the names of prisoners that belong to the Round Table and on the pinnacles they put helmets. Early next morning Gawan and his companions return to the castle but once again are sent back. The gatekeeper only has Gawan and a priest enter by a small door and leads them to the graveyard. They read the names and mourn the dead knights, although not all of them already have died. On reading the epitaph of the large tomb the priest starts to weep out of grief for the white knight’s death. Returning toward the gate they pass through some small door that leads them into an orchard, and to galleries around a fine hall. They come upon a weeping pretty damsel who deplores the death of the best knight, the white knight, killed at the castle. They vow not to leave before they discovered the secrets of that castle.

Motif References:

D 6 Enchanted castle (building)
M 161.7 (Bm) Vow not to leave certain place until foe is defeated
D 701 Gradual disenchantment
D 753 Disenchantment by accomplishment of tasks.
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
D 1131 Magic castle
K 1860 Deception by feigned death (sleep)

Lanc1-170: (11) Gawan sends a squire to Arthur to tell him the news. The king weeps out of grief and wants to go there himself with the queen. When they have a rest on the banks of a river, the king cooling his legs in the water for it is a hot day, an armed knight appears. Having learnt that the man sitting there lost in thoughts is the king he crosses the river and is about to pierce him. Four knights take hold of him but the king keeps them from drowning the man and has him released. Saying “It is true” the knight leaves: The man is the lord of the Dolorose Garde in distress about the loss of his stronghold which enabled him to tyrannize over the country. The day before he had vowed to kill Arthur but a knight replied the king never could be slain treacherously nor driven away for he were very valiant. This has been proved. The next morning the king rides on and comes to the Dolorose Garde but cannot enter. The gatekeeper comes to meet the king in the company of a very old man who tells him to send a knight every three hours to the castle the next day until the gate will be opened. Moreover he will get news of his nephew as soon as he has passed the first gate. King Arthur and his company camp in the valley. Next day however the gatekeeper refuses entrance to all knights Arthur sends to the gate.

Motif References:

D 6 Enchanted castle (building)
P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
W 11.5 Generosity toward enemy
P 12 Character of kings
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
D 1131 Magic castle
H 1556 Tests of fidelity [loyalty]
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

Lanc1-172: (17) The presumed death of many a knight grieves Gawan and his companions. On their way back to town a man reassures them: the castle still is not completely disenchanted and many an epitaph in the graveyard is a fake. He leads them to his small yet impregnable castle on a high rock on an island in the Humber. When they approach the gate however Gawan and his friends are attacked by forty armed men and are taken captives. They accuse their guide, just preparing a meal, of treachery but the man declares he only wanted them to learn that many an Arthurian knight is held captive at the fortress.

Motif References:

R 4 Surprise capture
D 6 Enchanted castle (building)
D 701 Gradual disenchantment
K 750 Capture by decoy
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
D 1131 Magic castle
K 1860 Deception by feigned death (sleep)

Lanc1-174: (19) They are imprisoned in the dungeon where they meet many of their companions (Iders, Gewiurez, Lambale, Iwan of Leonel, Kadoans of Kemrusins, Kehedins the Littel, Keus of Straus, Giflet son of Due, Dodines the wild, duke Tallas, Mados of the Gate, Lohot - son of King Arthur from his love affair with the maiden Lisanors before he married the queen). - The white knight ignores that the knights have been captured. One day a damsel lamenting for the lost knights arrives at the castle and tells Lancelot that the lord of the Dolorose Garde has taken nine of Arthur’s knights prisoner. The damsel has been sent by the Lady of the Lake with a message: Lancelot should only take a love that would promote him. Then she leads him the way to the dungeon. As Lancelot watches fifteen armed knights leaving the castle for the Dolorose Garde he takes his shield with the three bands and kills or maims them before they can escape. Brandelis (Beandiz von den Inseln) the captor of Gawan and his friends escapes. Lancelot returns to the Dolorose Garde.

Motif References:

R 41.3 Captivity in dungeon
F 186 (Li) Otherworld messenger
T 640 Illegitimate children
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper

Lanc1-176: (26) King Arthur still has been refused entrance of the Dolorose Garde. When time has come to send the next knight to the gate the king sits absentminded from rage at the banks of the river. Meanwhile Lancelot has left the castle by a small door to spy on the king’s company. He has ordered that the gate be opened. The gatekeeper dares not give a signal but asks the old man to make the king hurry up. The old man alarms the king with a loud voice so that his words “King Arthur your hour passes” resound throughout town and valley. The queen and the knights ride toward the gate while the king is still lost in thoughts. Lancelot welcomes the queen before the gate and orders the gatekeeper to open the gate. But as soon as Lancelot has passed the gate it shuts with a loud scream which wakes the king. The queen complains to Key that the knight has made a game of her. Key blames Lancelot of this offense but the latter has lost his mind and does not listen. The maiden from the Lake who had led him to the Dolorous Prison (Dolorose Kartre) wakes him. On learning Key’s accusation and seeing the queen leave he is in distress. He gives orders that the gate be opened and leaves. King Arthur, Genover and their company (after having been refused entrance three times) finally enter the castle. The second gate however is still closed. When they read the epitaphs in the graveyard they lament in mourning for the knights and the white knight. The king learns that the second gate will be as annoying to pass as the first one. The company leaves for their camp. They mourn all night by fasting.

Motif References:

D 6 Enchanted castle (building)
P 12 Character of kings
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man
P 681 Mourning customs
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 778.1 (G) Extraordinary grave
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1131 Magic castle

Lanc1-179: (13) The white knight, Lancelot, meanwhile has left Dolorose Garde out of grief for having offended the queen whom he loves. Eager to achieve great feats to reconcile with her and rescue his captive comrades he sets out toward the Dolorous Prison (Dolorose Kartre). In the evening he encounters a hermit riding a donkey. The man once has been an excellent and handsome knight, who retired from the world after his twelve sons had lost their lives before his very eyes within one year. Lancelot learns that all prisoners are well except Galeguentins of Wales and Arthur’s son Lohot. Lancelot poses as an errant knight, but cannot deceive the hermit. The man warns him that the lord will attack Arthur’s camp that night, for he fears that Arthur would disenchant the castle. The hermit has overheard their conversation. Lancelot promises to warn the king. The hermitage is a small stronghold, a house on top of a high round hill fortified by trunks. A moat with oak stakes stuck to the ground runs around the hill.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
N 440 Valuable secrets learned
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc1-180: (31) Lancelot leaves the hermit but decides rather to face the enemy all by himself than to warn the king. He lies down in ambush in the forest. As the 150 assailants secretly leave their castle at night Lancelot attacks them by surprise. The clamor arouses Arthur’s camp and the warriors arm themselves. The enemies take to flight, the white knight raging among them. Lancelot forces their lord to surrender. He promises to release his captives and Lancelot takes him to the hermitage. They come upon Arthur and his knights. Grasping that the white knight is the man who offended the queen and identifying the captive as the knight who tried to kill the king Key wants him to deliver his prisoner. They fight and Lancelot wounds Key, who is taken back to the camp.

Motif References:

Z 71.16.11 Formulistic number: fifteen
L 325.1 (Bm) Victory over superior force: one against many
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-183: (36) When they arrive at the hermitage Lancelot takes the lord’s oath to release his prisoners. As soon as they are escorted to the hermitage the lord of the Dolorose Garde releases them and asks them to surrender to Lancelot. According to his promise Lancelot releases the lord of the Dolorose Garde, though the hermit warns him that this will prevent the castle’s disenchantment. Lancelot orders the knights to wait for him in the hermitage and returns to the Dolorose Garde, where he orders the gatekeeper to open the gate only to Key that day. In the meantime Arthur again is sitting at the river lost in thoughts, and only sends a knight to the gate when he is urged to by the townspeople’s shouting. The gatekeeper declares that only Key may enter the castle. In the company of the queen and many a knight Key is carried to the gate on a bier. Lancelot rides toward the queen to escort her to the castle, but once again the gate closes behind absentminded Lancelot and shuts the queen out. The scream of the closing gate once again alarms the king. Wounded Key is carried into the castle.

Motif References:

D 6 Enchanted castle (building)
R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
P 12 Character of kings
T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man
D 701 Gradual disenchantment
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1131 Magic castle

Lanc1-185: (33) The gatekeeper takes the king’s oath of peace and opens the gate to them. Dolorose Garde is a splendid castle, but its inhabitants are stricken with grief. Knights and ladies sitting in the windows weep and keep silent in order to draw the king’s attention to their distress. The hall is deserted. Meanwhile the white knight has returned and welcomes the queen. At that moment all warn the king: “Get hold of him, King Arthur!”. The king greets Lancelot and asks him about that strange outbreak, then wants to ask the knights and ladies, but all of them have left. Lancelot returns to the hermitage. Meanwhile the king has learnt that had he could have forced the knight to reveal the castle’s secrets. The gate is opened and many knights and ladies come to serve the guests a fine meal. All are very sad that the knight escaped once again. Arthur and his company lodges at the castle that night.

Motif References:

F 771.4 Inhabitants of extraordinary castle
D 1131 Magic castle

Lanc1-188: Lancelot releases Gawan and his friends but makes them stay with the hermit until morning. He refuses to identify and leaves. In the meantime King Arthur has woken at the castle. Two damsels from the Lake are locked up in the castle. One of them tells the queen that she could help them but cannot disclose how. The damsel thinks that Lancelot and the queen are in love with each other. Gawan and his companions arrive and relate their story to King Arthur. The damsel entreats the king not to leave her captive. Moreover the secrets of the castle have still not been disclosed to him. She advises him to search for the white knight who is the only person to release her. She tells them that they will get more information about him on occasion of the next three meetings in Logres. Gawan vows not to stay more than one night at a place until he identifies the white knight. Meanwhile the King of Hinter den Marken has waged war against Arthur. King Arthur sends word to his enemy that he will fight him within four weeks. Gawan sets out on quest for the white knight and the king and his company return home.

Motif References:

D 6 Enchanted castle (building)
R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
R 41.1 Captivity in castle
Z 71.12 Formulistic number: forty [Forty days’ limit]
M 151.2.3 (G) Vow not to sleep two nights in the same place until quest’s end
P 550.1.3 (Tu) Declaration of war
D 701 Gradual disenchantment
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
D 1131 Magic castle
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-189: (24) Lancelot joins his squires at the monastery. Though news of Dolorose Garde have come to them they have no inkling that Lancelot has achieved this adventure. Two days later Lancelot comes upon a damsel sent out by Genover to summon noble knights to watch the battle of King Arthur and the king of Hinter-den-Marken that is to take place on the field between Godoasere and Maine. The queen wishes the hero of the Dolorose Garde to join them and the maiden asks Lancelot for news about that man. Lancelot replies that he slept where the hero slept and promises that the man will be present in due time. Some days later Lancelot comes upon a large troop of warriors led by a strong knight in a forest. A man has been fastened by his neck to the tail of the horse of the knight. The prisoner is clad in a shirt, wears no shoes, and his eyes are bound. He is very handsome. A lady’s head is fastened around his neck by the plaits. At Lancelot’s question the prisoner identifies as knight of the queen having been captured by his enemies who are about to kill. As Lancelot blames the strong knight of mistreating a knight of the queen, he learns that the prisoner is accused of having raped his captor’s wife whose head is fastened to his neck, but the captive swears that he is innocent. Lancelot declares that suit should be brought to a law-court and the case decided in judicial combat.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
R 51 Mistreatment of prisoners
Q 244 Punishment for ravisher [rape].
T 471 Rape
Q 473.2 Punishment: tying to horse(’s tail)
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
F 575.2 Handsome man
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
J 1252 Quibbling answers.

Lanc1-191: (14) The knight refuses a law-court. As Lancelot removes the captive’s fetters the knight orders his men to attack him, but fails. Lancelot unhorses the knight and his retinue takes to flight. Lancelot refuses to identify, but later on as the knight tells the queen that a stranger rescued him for her sake and describes his device she recognizes the white knight. - In the evening Lancelot comes to a house enclosed by wooden pinnacles. The song of a maiden resounding from the building troubles Lancelot’s mind once again and he lets his horse have its way. The horse falls into a ditch damaging Lancelot’s shield and his saddle. His squires help him and ask a priest whom they meet praying at a cross in a graveyard (every day he prays for his parents who are buried there) to care for their master’s wounds. The priest makes him promise to keep from riding on a Saturday after None. Lancelot stays at the monastery and within ten days he is cured.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
V 70 Religious feasts and fasts
H 126 Identification by coat of arms
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-193: Lancelot has changed his device: he carries a new red shield with a silver bend. He encounters an armed knight who scorns him as he identifies as knight of King Arthur: The knight who promised to avenge the wounded man that had been carried to the royal court certainly will fail to keep this promise. On learning that the stranger is that man’s enemy they fight and Lancelot kills his opponent. He regrets the death of the valiant man. Lancelot has his squires carry him on a horse bier for he still is bruised and wounded. - In the meantime Gawan continues his quest for the white knight. A damsel advises him to ride to the Dolorose Garde but he refuses. She has been sent out from the maiden held captive there to search for the white knight. Gawan comes to a meadow with many tents and meets Lancelot on his horse bier, but fails to recognize him. Gawan learns that the tents have been pitched for the King with the Hundred Knights who will fight King Arthur assisted by the King Hinter den Marken. The King with the Hundred Knights is the powerful and rich lord of Destragors, who always rides in the company of 100 knights. He is the cousin of Galahot, the son of the Beautiful Giantess.

Motif References:

P 13 Customs connected with kings
Z 71.16.2 Formulistic number: ten
M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
H 195 (Bm) Failure to recognize
H 1385 Quest for lost person.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-195: (5) Gawan watches a dead knight carried out of the forest: he learns that a hero carrying a red shield with a silver bend has killed him because he was a wounded man’s enemy. Gawan thinks this was the knight he met not long ago and the same hero who helped the wounded man at the court by removing the weapons’ fragments from his wounds. Gawan rides on and comes to a splendid tent with numerous spears stuck around it and five shields. Four knights rest in one of the tents and one knight in a second one under a precious coverlet. Gawan recognizes Elies (Elyes) Liblois and they welcome each other happily. A squire alarms them: a large troop of knights comes along escorting a pretty lady. Twenty knights of the King with the 100 Knights urge the lady to join their king but meet refusal. They fight until Gawan and Elies separate them and offer to escort the lady to the king. She identifies as the Lady of Nohaus. Having pardoned the king for his offense she leaves and continues her way to King Arthur.

Motif References:

M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc1-197: In the meantime the white knight having rested at a spring beneath a sycamore in a lovely region takes lodging in a town nearby. He meets a squire searching for a helper to rescue the Lady of Nohaus who has been captured by the King with the 100 Knights. Lancelot promises to help her. Meanwhile Lancelot has been granted hospitality by an old knight in the town of Orkenis. He has prepared a new red shield to avoid recognition. Five days later he leaves on his horse bier and soon arrives at Godoasere. He takes lodging in a monastery. Arthur has made his camp before town. The king’s order that they must not fight the first day annoys his knights. Many a stranger has arrived there to obtain glory or booty.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]
K 1839.17 (Bm) Disguise by changing armor

Lanc1-198: (4) As the King of Hinter Den Marken learns that Arthur will not yet start battle he leaves. The knights joust. King Arthur has brought many valiant knights (Gawan, Elies Liblois, Gwias the handsome, and his brother Libons, Gales Lunais, Tors) as well as his opponent (Malaguis, the king with the 100 knights, Elains the dragon, the duke of Iberge). The queen, many ladies and knights watch the jousting from the walls. The white knight arrives, wearing red armor and carrying a red shield, and joins the party of the queen’s knights. The white knight Lancelot, whom none of them recognizes, excels in fighting. When he jousts against the king both fail to unhorse each other, which annoys the queen. In their second joust both are unhorsed and the king is wounded. They continue fighting on foot with sword and shield, then on horseback again. The white knight swoons from loss of blood and a physician cares for him. Gawan inquires about the stranger but only learns that the wounded man arrived on a horse bier. He asks the knight about the hero who disenchanted the Dolorose Garde but gets no reply. Lancelot leaves in company of the physician.

Motif References:

R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
P 561 Tournaments

Lanc1-200: (32) Next day the tournament continues and King Arthur and his knights win the day. The parties agree upon meeting for a second tournament several weeks later. King Arthur and the queen return home and Gawan continues his quest. A damsel riding a mule hurries toward him inquiring about the knight with the red shield. Gawan reassures her that he will be cured and she swoons from joy. She tells him that this knight is the man Gawan searches for. Gawan joins her. The damsel confesses that she loves that knight but would not have married him for he will choose a lady of much higher rank. Gawan has already met her before: she blamed him for having abandoned a captive damsel at the Dolorose Garde. She complains that she was worried for the hero and even became ill on being reported his death at the tournament. They arrive at a deserted church in a graveyard and meet a recluse. She advises Gawan to beware against a knight, by the name of the Brun the Merciless, who is in love with the damsel and would attack him.

Motif References:

P 426.2 Hermit
P 561 Tournaments
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
N 843 Hermit as helper
F 1041.25.1 (Bm) Swoon from joy
H 1232.2 Directions on quest given by queen (lady)
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-202: (30) Meanwhile Lancelot wanting to keep his incognito travels through very remote regions. When he rests under a tree the Lady of Noaus comes riding along in the company of many knights. She recognizes him and makes him join her. When they ride past the Dolorose Garde the knight refuses to stay there and complains of having lost his ladylove for she was refused entrance to the castle. He is cured at the castle of Nohaus. - Gawan refuses to stop at a beautiful tent whose owner desires to meet the damsel. The lord, Brun, catches up with them and claims the damsel. Gawan unhorses him but returns the horse. Brun promises to give them news about the knight with the red shield within fourteen days. They meet him again in due time and Brun in return for Gawan’s rash boon tells them that the man dwells at the castle of the Lady of Noaus. They set out there.

Motif References:

T 75.2.1 Rejected suitors’ revenge
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-204: (28) When they arrive at the castle the damsel goes to see the knight who veils himself. Thus she fails to see him but getting hold of his hand she swoons from kissing it. She delivers the letter of the damsel captive at the Dolorose Garde complaining of her imprisonment. The knight sends the damsel back with orders to release the captive, gives her a ring as token and makes her promise not to tell his name. The damsel promises Gawan to help him to learn the stranger’s name. They leave the castle where Brun joins them. Three days later they arrive at the Dolorose Garde. The damsel shows Lancelot’s ring as token and the gatekeeper leads her to the captive damsel. Gawan goes to see his tomb in the strange graveyard - the castle’s magic concealed the epitaphs from him and his companions at their first visit. The damsel shows him Lancelot’s tomb. Gawan fails to open the sarcophagus but catches sight of the epitaph within. She asks him to escort her to a place where he would meet that knight. When they leave Brun asks Gawan for fulfillment of the rash boon granted to him: he asks for the damsel. Gawan refuses. As they are about to start fighting the damsel makes them postpone their combat until the next tournament.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
P 14.15.2 Court messenger
T 24.2 Swooning for love
H 82 Identifying tokens sent with messenger
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
F 778.1 (G) Extraordinary grave
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1131 Magic castle

Lanc1-206: (34) When the wounded knight, Lancelot, has recovered he leaves the Lady of Noaus in the company of his physician. He takes a rest at the hermitage of Plaissie, where once Brandelis has been kept prisoner. Gawan, the two damsels and Brun continue their quest for the wounded knight and decide to set out for the tournament in the hope of meeting him there. One evening they catch sight of a tent pitched on the banks of a river, and come upon a knight and his hunters who offers them hospitality. Brun talks to the man in private. Next morning they continue their journey and soon encounter two armed knights who get ready for jousting. Gawan fights them while Brun keeps from combat. Gawan’s horse is killed but he gets the better of his opponents. When the damsel tells them his identity they stop fighting. One of the men is their host who apologizes and leaves Gawan his horse. Brun brought about the trouble because he slandered Gawan. Brun leaves with the two knights but soon returns and wants to join Gawan once again. Gawan blames him of faithlessness and refuses his company.

Motif References:

H 1385 Quest for lost person.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
K 2119 Slanders - miscellaneous
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

Lanc1-209: (3) They come to a bridge with a tower. Two warriors carrying halberds guard the gate. As soon as the company has stepped onto the bridge twenty armed knights come after him. Gawan rages among them and forces them to retreat. Thereupon knights, among them Brun, open the gate and abduct the damsels. One of the abductors who has learnt Gawan’s identity promises him that the damsels would be treated well but for the moment cannot be released due to a given oath. Gawan can leave peacefully. Gawan crosses the river by a ford and takes a small path. He comes upon a lady with a wounded knight in her lap. Those knights who have abducted the damsels wounded her husband too. Leaving the man in his squire’s care she leads Gawan his way. They cross a river. A knight warns Gawan to come ashore unless he wants to fight him for he is guarding the ferry. On learning Gawan’s identity however he forgoes combat and offers to help him fighting the damsels’ abductors in their stronghold nearby. The lady joins them. A custom is kept at the castle: comers have to defeat an equal number of opponents before fighting the forces left in the castle.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc1-210: (32) Lancelot takes leave of his physician after he has left the hermitage. For the sake of his incognito he has disguised his red shield. A squire hurries along and tells them that the queen is held captive at the Dolorose Garde and will only be released at the return of the hero who disenchanted the castle: The queen has been captured on her journey back to the court when she took a night’s lodging at the Dolorose Garde. They have taken her as hostage for the king failed to make the castle’s conqueror stay there. She will be delivered to their former lord, an enemy of Arthur, in exchange for the disenchantment of the castle. Lancelot sends the squire to the queen to reassure her. For her sake he breaks the court’s rules and identifies. As soon as Lancelot arrives at the Dolorose Garde late at night the gate closes behind him. Numerous candles illuminate castle and town. The squire leads him to the palace high up on top of a hollow rock with only one strong iron door. The squire gives him a candle and closes the door behind him. In the morning an old woman promises that he will be released on his vow to achieve the castle’s disenchantment. They have released the queen and taken him, Lancelot, captive in her place.

Motif References:

R 4 Surprise capture
R 41.1 Captivity in castle
R 51.6 (Bm) Captive as hostage
D 701 Gradual disenchantment
D 753 Disenchantment by accomplishment of tasks.
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
K 1839.17 (Bm) Disguise by changing armor

Lanc1-212: (17) Lancelot is released and learns that he either has to stay forty days in the castle or find the magic keys to disenchant the place. Lancelot votes for the keys that are to be obtained in a cave of the graveyard. He crosses himself and enters the dark cave that illuminates as soon as he goes on. As he opens a door loud howls resound. He continues, though ceiling and ground are shaking violently. Two copper knights guard the second door: they defend entrance by constantly striking with their swords. Lancelot protects himself with his sword but is wounded. A black foul swamp (origin of the howls) gapes before the third door. The swamp is guarded by an ugly man with black head, fiery mouth, glowing eyes and teeth, who carries a halberd. Lancelot jumps over the swamp, at the black warrior so that his shield breaks onto the man’s head. Lancelot catches him and throws him into the swamp. The knight catches sight of a beautiful female statue that has the keys in her right hand. He takes hold of them. An inscription on a copper pillar in the centre of the room tells that the large key will open the pillar the small one the small shrine inside it.

Motif References:

D 6 Enchanted castle (building)
R 41.1 Captivity in castle
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
Z 71.12 Formulistic number: forty [Forty days’ limit]
V 86 Sign of the Cross
G 363.1 Ogre with flaming mouth
F 401.7 Fire-breathing spirit
F 541.1 Flashing eyes
F 572.5 Black man
F 576 Extraordinary ugliness
D 701 Gradual disenchantment
D 703 Disenchantment made permanent
D 753 Disenchantment by accomplishment of tasks.
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 774 Extraordinary pillars
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 886 Extraordinary key
D 921 Magic lake (pond [swamp]).
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
F 969.4 Extraordinary earthquake
D 1131 Magic castle
D 1149.3 Magic (house-)pillar
D 1162 Magic light
D 1176 Magic key
H 1199 Other tasks
D 1268 Magic statue (doll)
D 1339.1 Automata as door-keepers
D 1620.1 Automatic statue of man

Lanc1-213: (27) Lancelot unlocks the pillar with the shrine inside. Loud howls resound. He crosses himself and unlocks the shrine: Horrible noise comes from thirty pipes inside. When he removes the top a wind arouses from the evil spirits that blew the pipes. Lancelot swoons. Then he takes the keys. The swamp has vanished. He watches the female statue and the pillar sink through the ground. The doorkeepers have fallen down and shattered. As Lancelot leaves the cave a happy throng of people hurry toward him. The tombs have vanished from the graveyard, there are neither heads nor helmets left. He leaves the keys on the altar in the chapel. People admit the message of the queen’s imprisonment was a fake. Lancelot leaves the castle in the morning. The castle is called the Joieuse Garde (Jovisegarde) ever since.

Motif References:

V 86 Sign of the Cross
G 303.15 Places haunted by the devil
Z 702 (Hi) Eponymous account of place name
D 705.1 Castle disenchanted.
D 753 Disenchantment by accomplishment of tasks.
D 906 Magic wind
F 940 Extraordinary underground (underwater) disappearance
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
F 1041.17.2 (Bm) Swoon from fear
D 1820.3 Other automatic constructions
D 2095 Magic disappearance
D 2188 Magic disappearance

Lanc1-214: (21) Gawan and his companions arrive at a small bridge across a perilous river. Three warriors from a fortress challenge the knight one after the other, Gawan helps him. They overcome their opponents and the castle’s gate is closed. When the knight takes off his helmet Gawan recognizes his brother Keheries. Their captives tell them that the two damsels are held captive in the castle. In the hall they come upon an old man sitting there in the company of the captive damsels. Gawan and Keheries would like to fight three knights for the sake of the three ladies, but the old man refuses and offers them hospitality instead. In the morning they leave with the damsels. The lord promises revenge. In a forest they meet a company of twenty knights whom the lady recognizes as her husband’s enemies. Their leader, Brun, and Gawan accuse each other of faithlessness. Keheries, having learnt the story, challenges him and they fight. When Brun’s companions kill Keheries’s horse, Gawan and the knight join Keheries and rage among the enemies. Brun refuses to fight three knights at a time and they agree that a single combat will be fought at Arthur’s court. The lady takes her leave of them and Gawan delivers his captive to her. She thanks him for having killed her lover’s murderer.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
N 733 Accidental meeting of brothers
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
F 842 Extraordinary bridge
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-216: (29) They come to the tournament in good time, but abstain from fighting the first day. The white knight carrying the silver shield with black bend (Lancelot) excels. At Keheries’s request Gawan wants to avoid battle between his brothers and the white knight: Lancelot agrees but Egravins and Guerehes (Gwerier) refuse. According to the customs in those days the poor knights start jousting, whereas the wealthier and noble knights only joust the second or third day. Lancelot overcomes both Egravins and Guerehes, and he wins the day. Gawan is certain that he has found the knight he was searching for and in the company of the damsel catches up with him in the forest. But he refuses to tell his name. Thereupon the damsel discloses his identity: Lancelot of the Lake, the hero who disenchanted the Dolorose Garde. Lancelot is embarrassed. Gawan takes his leave and the damsel joins Lancelot. Next day Lancelot does not fight in the tournament for he wants to avoid recognition.

Motif References:

R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
P 561 Tournaments

Lanc1-219: (3) King Arthur wins the second day of the tournament. The king Hinter den Marken has lost the tournament. Gawan and his company join Arthur at Carduel. Arthur learns that Lancelot disenchanted the Dolorose Garde and that he fought in the tournament as red knight. For the first time the court learns the hero’s name and descent. Meanwhile Lancelot for the sake of his incognito avoids much traveled roads and disguises his shield. He crosses a river at a ford. When the damsel and the squire in his company have passed the gate of a tower on the other bank it is closed. The gatekeeper refuses to let Lancelot in who has identified as Arthurian knight and moreover he will release neither the damsel nor the squire. But his lady recognizes the stranger’s shield and offers him hospitality. When the lord of the castle returns his wife shows the shield of the best knight to him. Lancelot once again is annoyed at being praised. The lord tells him that Lancelot overcame him at the tournament. The lord is put in charge of watching a bridge nearby to keep Arthur’s knights from crossing the river. Being a relative of the wounded knight’s enemy at the Arthurian court he waits for the hero who promised revenge.

Motif References:

W 46 (Li) Modesty
M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
N 760.1 (Bm) Chance meeting of seeker and sought
F 842 Extraordinary bridge
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-221: Lancelot is annoyed that his host is his enemy but in the morning he takes his arms. Then he makes his host grant a rash boon and asks him to swear that he is more loyal to the wounded knight than to his enemy for the time Lancelot will be his guest. The host swoons. Then he gives his oath but asks Lancelot to leave without delay, and swoons once again. Lancelot and his companions leave. Soon the host catches up with them and challenges Lancelot. Though defeated by Lancelot he still refuses any loyalty to the wounded knight and Lancelot pushes him into the water. Lancelot bursts into tears for the man drowns.

Motif References:

M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
P 320 Hospitality
N 760.1 (Bm) Chance meeting of seeker and sought
F 1041.17.2 (Bm) Swoon from fear
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-222: King Arthur does not leave his castle at Carduel for a rather long time, which annoys his knights who miss adventures. Key blames the king for his idleness and advises him to go to Kamahelot. That night the king has a strange dream (he loses hair and beard), which frightens him a lot so that he refuses to set out. The other night he loses all his fingers but the thumb in his dream. His chaplain however reassures him declaring that dreams are without importance. The queen reassures him as well. But the following night he dreams again: he loses all his toes except the large one. The queen once again reassures him, but the king summons the archbishops and bishops to come to Kamahelot in the company of the wisest clerics within twenty days. After he has visited all his castles and towns the king arrives at Kamahelot.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
P 19.4 Kingly powers (rights) [obligations]
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical

Lanc1-223: Meanwhile the clergy has chosen the ten wisest men among them to interpret the dreams. The king locks them up until his dreams have been interpreted. Nine days later there is still no outcome, and they are granted three times a delay of three days. As they still cannot give an interpretation the king has made a stake ready to burn five of them, and will hang the others. Thereupon they agree to relate their interpretation to him. But first they obtain the king’s promise not to punish them if their interpretation would fail. Then they tell him that the king will lose all his praise and that even his most loyal men will be forced to leave him. Yet he could avoid his downfall by the water lion, the physician without medicine and the flower’s advice - which they think foolish. The king is frightened and grieved. One day he rides hunting with Gawan, Key and other knights.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
M 150 Other vows and oaths
M 302.7 Prophecy through dreams
H 617 Symbolic interpretations of dreams
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical

Lanc1-224: (10) Lancelot learns that the queen has arrived at Kamahelot. The knight approaching the castle catches sight of a lady looking out of the window, and the sight of her makes him lose his mind. A warrior passing by addresses him asking for his strange behavior and promises him to lead him to the queen but at first he has to accept his hospitality. Lancelot stays overnight in the stranger’s house near Kamahelot. - When the king is about to have dinner an old man in arms enters without greeting. Galahot, the son of the Beautiful Giantess, has sent him with a message: Arthur has to leave him his land or become his liegeman. At Arthur’s refusal feud is declared. Galahot has promised to conquer kingdom and queen within four weeks. The messenger is grieved about this outcome. Arthur asks Gawan about Galahot and learns that only Galeguentins of Wales once saw the man. Galahot is larger than any knight, generous, most popular among his people and despite his youth already has conquered many lands.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
Z 71.12 Formulistic number: forty [Forty days’ limit]
F 531 Giant
F 531.5.1.0.1 (Bm) Courteous giant
P 550.1.3 (Tu) Declaration of war

Lanc1-226: (10) Lancelot and the stranger set out for Kamahelot next morning. The damsel and Lancelot’s squire stay behind. On recognizing Kamahelot Lancelot loses his mind once again. The knight rides ahead to the royal palace and talks to the queen looking out of a window: A foolish knight wants to meet her. Lancelot comes along searching for his lost companion; the queen tells him that the man just left. Lancelot recognizes her by her voice. On his way back the absentminded Lancelot lets his horse have its way. The thirsty animal jumps into the river and Lancelot is about to drown without being aware of his trouble. Iwan accidentally late for the king’s hunt leaves the castle and alarmed by the queen rescues Lancelot. He fails to recognize him but leads him to a ford nearby so that he could cross the river. Once again he looks at the queen and loses his mind. Dagenot the fool comes along and asks him a question but Lancelot is unable to concentrate and listen to him. Thereupon Dagenot takes him prisoner. The queen watches the strange scene and sends Iwan to join them. The three of them come to Genover and Iwan has Lancelot released.

Motif References:

R 4 Surprise capture
T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
P 192 Madmen (fools, professional fools)
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man
N 650 Life saved by accident.
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc1-228: (35) Knights and ladies come to watch the adventure. They use to mock at Dagenot, who is a knight but a simpleton. He often sets out for adventure and relates his would-be remarkable exploits to them. Lancelot’s beauty amazes the queen. The queen’s voice once again startles Lancelot and his lance falling out of his hand pierces the queen’s mantle. They think him just a fool and Iwan releases Lancelot unable to utter a reasonable word. He returns his lance to him and leads him the way to the ford to catch up with his companion. Iwan follows him. When Lancelot joins his companion the latter demands his horse and armor. Thereupon Lancelot unhorses him, but returns the horse to him. They continue fighting by sword until his opponent stops and promises to lead him to some adventure not far away. Iwan having watched the scene follows them.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
F 575.2 Handsome man
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
J 1700 Fools
K 1959 Sham prowess

Lanc1-230: (17) The stranger tells Lancelot that two giants, Arthur’s enemies, devastate the land, and that nobody dares to fight them. Lancelot rides toward the first giant, who warns him that he would have to die if he were loyal to Arthur, the queen and their knights. He attacks him with his club, but due to his height misses him, and Lancelot kills him. The second giant slays Lancelot’s horse, attacks the knight with his club, but Lancelot maims the giant so that he falls to the ground. A lady passes by and says: “Iwan, this is the third.” Her words puzzle Iwan. He joins Lancelot and they ride toward Kamahelot. Lancelot leaves. The knights and ladies are amazed at Iwan’s story. Gawan smiles when he learns the damsel’s strange words. The queen asks him about it and he relates the story to her: The damsel captured at the Dolorose Garde told that they would hear three times of Lancelot in the kingdom of Logres. Thereby he is certain that Lancelot was the giants’ slayer. Dagenot claims that he captured the giants’ slayer. The king is pleased by the news when he returns in the evening. The court is amused at Dagenot claiming his exploit.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero
F 531.6.12.6 Giant slain by man
F 531.5.11 Giant in contest [combat] with man
F 531.4.3 Giant with iron club as weapon
H 599 Other enigmatic statements [acts]
F 628.2.3 Strong man kills giant
K 1959 Sham prowess

Lanc1-233: (3) In the evening Lancelot encounters a knight and a squire who have hunted down a stag. The knight offers hospitality. The following day Lancelot and the damsel in his company come to a swamp. It can only be crossed by a causeway which is guarded by a knight. But no Arthurian knight may come past, for the man is an enemy of the wounded knight (who killed his uncle) and moreover the hero who rescued the latter killed the watchman’s relative. Lancelot defeats the knight and at the latter’s refusal to swear loyalty to the wounded knight Lancelot kills him though he is rather grieved for this outcome. The company crosses the swamp and arrives at the gates of a town called Maloaut (Moloant) where forty knights rush at them. Lancelot defends himself valiantly against superior forces. The lady of the castle asks him to surrender, for he has killed her steward’s son. Lancelot surrenders and is imprisoned. The windows of his prison open into the hall. Though he is bound by long chains his prison is quite comfortable. The damsel in his company is not allowed to enter the town and leaves, thinking the knight dead. She dares not return to the Lady of the Lake and enters a monastery.

Motif References:

P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
R 52 (Bm) Benevolent captivity
R 75 Surrendering
R 325.4 (Bm) Nunnery as refuge
V 470 Clerical vows
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-235: (22) Message arrives at the court urging the king to aid the lady of Noaus against Galahot who invaded her land and conquered all her castles but two. Despite his court’s advice to wait for reinforcements the king sets out the following morning. At last his army has 7000 men whereas Galahot has 100.000. King Arthur makes camp outside the town of Noaus. A strange tribe has joined Galahot’s army who uses to fight with poisoned arrows. Moreover Galahot has carried with him a huge iron net to protect his army camp. Having learnt that Arthur only has a small army he decides not to outnumber his adversary. In a council of war he agrees with his kings and barons only to fight Arthur on equal numbers. The king with the 100 knights will be the first to fight King Arthur. Pretending that the adversary has got 10000 men he is granted a troop of equal numbers by Galahot. Meanwhile Gawan has advised the king only to fight Galahot himself. Gawan summons his troops and gives his orders to the battle-formations. Arthur’s army gains victory. Thereupon the king with the 100 knights is granted reinforcements. Despite Gawan’s outstanding exploits his troops are forced to retreat. Many of his warriors have been captured by the enemy. Gawan swoons from exhaustion and wounds and is carried to his quarters, lamented by the queen and the king.

Motif References:

P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 553 Weapons
P 553.1 Poisoned weapons
P 557.4.4 Men’s truth. (fir fer)
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]

Lanc1-238: (9) The town of Maloaut is located near the battlefield. A prudent widow is the town’s mistress, a lady of action, who has children. She keeps Lancelot captive in a prison with strong glass walls. She learns about the outcome of the battle by her men who joined the fighting. They praise Gawan. Lancelot overhears them and sends for the lady’s favorite knight whom he asks for a meeting with the lady. Lancelot poses as a young knight not wealthy and asks to be released on payment of a ransom. The lady however refuses for she wants to have him judged by a law-court. Lancelot asks leave for the second battle of Arthur and Galahot that will be fought within three days. He vows to return to her after the battle. The lady agrees. Lancelot refuses to give his name. - In the meantime reinforcements have come to Arthur. Lancelot equipped with red shield, tabard and coverlet by the lady of Maloaut joins his forces in the company of the lady’s troops.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
R 41.1 Captivity in castle
R 52 (Bm) Benevolent captivity
M 150 Other vows and oaths
R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
K 1831.0.2 (Bm) Disguise by refusal to reveal name

Lanc1-240: (5) King Arthur, the queen and her ladies watch the battle from a platform. The red knight (Lancelot) halts at the ford and does not answer the squires’ signal to start battle when Galahot’s army comes near. They take the stranger for some foolish knight and a squire takes his shield away, whereas his companion throws mud at his face. The noise from the battle however wakes Lancelot and he attacks Galahot after he has retrieved his shield. He unhorses Galahot and takes the lead of Arthur’s men in the furious battle. Lancelot excels in fighting but sneaks away in the evening. Arthur having lost many a warrior remembers his horrible dreams. That evening Galahot decides upon a truce for he does not want to gain victory against so small a number. Arthur will be granted a one year’s truce to summon a larger army. Next morning a holy and wise man arrives at Arthur’s camp, does not return the king’s humble greetings but blames the king for his sins.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man
P 558 (Bm) Truce
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
D 1812.5.1.2 Bad dream as evil omen

Lanc1-242: (7) Being an illegitimate child begot in adultery he ought to remember that all his possessions are bestowed upon him by God. Yet he neglects his duty, supporting the powerful but faithless, oppressing the helpless faithful. God will punish him for it. The king asks the man for advice. The holy man counsels him to summon his priests in the chapel and confess his sins in public. Confession and penance and future righteousness will win him God’s mercy. Moreover he should make his confessor give him the rod. The king obeys. But at the holy man’s question if the king confessed his sin toward the family of king Ban, King Arthur has to confess this sin too. The clergy however cannot agree upon his penance and delay the decision. The holy man tells Arthur that his losses in battle are due to God’s anger warning him that he might take from him the power he once bestowed upon him. His lack of generosity will chase his loyal vassals. The king has given riches and power to faithless vassals oppressing the people who therefore hate King Arthur. In the end those vassals will drive away the king and his people will not come to his aid.

Motif References:

P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
P 12 Character of kings
P 19.4 Kingly powers (rights) [obligations]
V 20 Confession of sins
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
W 152 Stinginess
Q 223 Punishment for neglect of services to gods (God)
Q 520 Penances
Q 553 Divine favor withdrawn as punishment
T 640 Illegitimate children
N 846.2 Priest as helper

Lanc1-245: (5) Arthur asks for his advice, remembering that his dreams gave a similar prophecy to him. The cleric’s advice: visit the towns of the kingdoms to hold law-courts, summon the lords and vassals to bestow honors upon the loyal although they might be lowborn, for often low birth goes with loyalty whereas noble descent with faithlessness. He should have a loyal man counsel him how to bestow honors and goods upon his knights according to their loyalty rather than their rank. This will win him the poor. Then he should befriend his barons in the same way. He should carry horses, fine armor, precious gold and silver vessels and money with him to make presents to loyal poor knights. The rich men should be given garments and fine horses already mounted by the king. He should prove his generosity by offering golden and silver cups, precious, garments and steeds to his kings, dukes, counts, princes and barons, giving pretty objects to the rich, precious ones to the poor. The queen should do likewise. All should be given joyfully and willingly in order to strengthen the king’s rulership for often greedy kings are driven away but seldom munificent ones.

Motif References:

P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
W 11.2 Munificent monarch
P 12.2 Injustice deadliest of monarch’s sins
P 19.4 Kingly powers (rights) [obligations]
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]

Lanc1-247: (17) The king promises to obey his advice and continues to ask the man about his dream, the water lion, the physician lacking medicine and the flower’s advice. He learns that his prophets had no inkling what they told the king, like a man having lost his mind. The lion symbolizes God himself, immerged in water, which means the sinful world. Had they been loyal and virtuous they would have been able to see God in his radiance in the heavens. The water symbolizes the clerics’ own sins whereas the lion would care for Arthur’s kingdom. The physician without medicine symbolizes God who cures a man’s body and soul without medicine. The flower means Christ’s mother, is the symbol of her virginity. This flower will help Arthur to obtain God’s mercy. The king thanks the holy man for his interpretations which reassured him a lot. - At that point two knights come from Galahot, the King with the 100 Knights and the Erst Gewunnen King (who was the first king conquered by Galahot) offering Galahot’s one year’s truce to Arthur. Galahot would like to make the red knight join him to defeat Arthur. King Arthur once again asks the priest for advice: He tells him that the flower already has pleaded for him with the lion and the physician, and that the red knight will join his forces. Galahot’s army leaves and Arthur returns home. Arthur tells Gawan that he would like the red knight to join him, Gawan himself is eager to win the man’s friendship as well.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
Z 150 Other symbols
M 302.7 Prophecy through dreams
P 558 (Bm) Truce
H 617 Symbolic interpretations of dreams
N 817.0.1 God as helper
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical

Lanc1-251: (30) The red knight meanwhile has returned to Maloaut. The lady and her niece are pleased on learning the red knight’s exploits in the battle. Having a close look at Lancelot asleep in his prison the lady of Mahoaut wants to kiss him, but her niece disapproves of such an indecent behavior and talks her out of it. The niece warns her aunt that the knight loves above his rank and the lady of Maloaut is curious whom such a beautiful knight would have chosen as his ladylove. - King Arthur following the holy man’s counsels holds a splendid daily court. Gawan recovers from his wounds. One day the king sitting at the table is lost in thoughts and becomes sad. Gawan reminds him that this could annoy his court. The king is angry for he has disturbed quite pleasant memories about the best knight of the battle and how his knights could make him join them. Gawan promises that the stranger will become the king’s knight. He summons every man to join him on the quest for this knight. This quest is only surpassed by the quest for the Holy Grail. Many a knight joins Gawan. The king however is not pleased and he sends for Gawan: The latter should summon a small company otherwise the court would be quite deserted. Gawan chooses forty knights who take their leave from the king. Each man bound to leave must give his oath onto relics that he will report his adventures on returning to the court (or give his oath when he comes back from his journey) for otherwise he would not have been trusted.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
Z 71.12 Formulistic number: forty [Forty days’ limit]
T 91 Unequals in love
M 114 Oath taken on sacred object
M 150 Other vows and oaths
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-255: (13) The knights join the oath spoken by Gawan: He vows to relate the adventures of the quest to the court and will not return unless he has met him or got news about that knight. This restriction neither pleases the knights nor the king for Gawan ought to have considered the end of the truce. Gawan and his company (their names are given) leave. Yet none of those valiant knights achieves the quest and the king later on blames them for their failure. The quest continues until the second battle of Arthur against Galahot. - In the meantime the lady of Maloaut is very unhappy for she knows nothing about her beloved knight. She sends for him and has him seated close to her. He declares that he will serve her out of gratitude (for she protected him against the steward’s family). She promises to release him if he tells his name and identity, whereas his refusal will make his captivity harder. And she will learn his name anyhow on Arthur’s court. Lancelot refuses. Though she pretends to be angry she loves him all the more. She sends her niece to tell Lancelot that the lady hates him for she wants to keep her love secret.

Motif References:

M 150 Other vows and oaths
M 151.2.2 (Bm) Vow not to return to court [not to sleep two nights in the same place] until missing knight is found
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-257: (15) The Lady of Maloaut leaves, entrusting her niece with lands and goods, and obtaining her promise to treat the captive well. In Logres the lady is welcomed by the king who bestows precious upon her knights, whereas the queen offers presents to her ladies. She asks them for a champion, the red knight if possible, to fight for her niece against an aggressive neighbor assaulting her land. The king tells her that his knights left on search for the man fourteen days ago. The lady smiles on learning about such a vain search and the queen asks her if she knows his whereabouts. The lady denies, she smiled for some other reason, but refuses to choose another champion. Three days later she returns to Maloaus, sends for Lancelot and tells him that she has got news about him at the court and now will fix the ransom.

Motif References:

N 456 Enigmatical smile (laugh) reveals secret knowledge
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]

Lanc1-259: (7) Lancelot would be released if he told his name, or the name of his ladylove, or if he would fight once again in the second battle of Arthur and Galahot. Lancelot weeps, but then he promises to fight that battle. The lady releases him but makes him stay until the second battle. He should keep his release secret. Lancelot asks for a black armor, which the lady makes ready for him as well as a black shield and horse with a black saddle-cloth. - King Arthur keeping to the holy man’s counsel obtains his people’s perfect loyalty, they fortify the land’s borders and join his troops. His knights return from their vain quest ashamed of their failure. Gawan had advised them to return for they should rather break their vow concerning that quest than leave their lord in distress. Galahot and his army have arrived, even more numerous than before. Galahot sends the King with the 100 Knights to start the battle. Gawan advises Arthur to abstain from fighting as long as Galahot does.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)

Lanc1-261: (9) Next morning the king’s army rides into battle. Formations of hundred and two hundred have been made. There are many jousts and furious fighting. In Galahot’s army a man named Escorans the Poor excels, who later on becomes King Arthur’s vassal, he is very valiant and popular. Though they are outnumbered the Arthurians get the better of their enemies, until Galahot’s troops get reinforcements. The knights of Arthur have to retreat. Gawan’s strength frightens the enemies. Iwan too is a valiant fighter and helps Gawan when he is wounded and has lost his horse (he never will become as healthy as before). The battle continues until evening. Many warriors have been killed or wounded. Yet the Arthurian knights suffered not so large losses as Galahot’s troops and have captured many enemies.

Motif References:

L 325 (Bm) Victory over superior force
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 552 Battle formations
F 628.1 Strong man kills many men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-263: (7) The king is concerned about his nephew’s wounds - he swoons in front of Arthur and the queen - and sends for the best physicians to cure him. They fear for his life but reassure the king. The army weeps for Gawan and is worried, yet there are some men who are pleased that he suffers. The knights of the lady of Maloaut relate the story of the battle to her and Gawan’s wounding grieves her. The news quickly spread at the court and Lancelot blames the lady of having deceived him: she did not tell him that the battle already started. She promises to let him go three days later when the battle will continue. Once again the lady sets out for Arthur’s camp and is glad on finding Gawan somewhat recovered. Lancelot leaves for the battlefield. Many ladies (among them the lady of Maloaut) and maidens watch the battle from the platform in the company of wounded Gawan. Lancelot halts at the same place as in the first battle for the sight of the queen has rendered him absentminded. The lady of Maloaut recognizes him at once. Gawan reminds the queen that in the first battle the red knight who later on excelled in battle halted at that same place and was out of his senses. King Arthur’s army consists of four battalions of 15000 men each.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man

Lanc1-265: (12) The leaders of Arthur’s battalions: King Iders, Hervius of Rinel, Aguisel of Scotland, King Ion. Iwan son of Urien leads troops of his own. Galahot has four groups as well led by the steward Malaguis, the Erstgewonnener King, King Valean, Clamadeus, Bandemagus of Gorre, a fine knight and good counselor. Galahot wears no armor, only a short hauberk and an iron hat as if he were a foot-soldier, he has a sword and a baton. All are ready for fighting, but Lancelot still is out of his senses. The lady of Maloaut sends a messenger to the black knight to ask whom he will join (which the queen has refused). The messenger brings him the greetings of the Arthurian ladies except the queen and Gawan’s two lances. Lancelot inquires about Gawan and then engages in battle. His valiance amazes the ladies.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man
P 552 Battle formations
F 628.1 Strong man kills many men

Lanc1-267: (5) Lancelot again halts the same place as before and looks up to the platform. Gawan blames the queen of having offended that knight and the lady of Mahoaut even believes he would leave them. Gawan advises her to send him greetings and entreat him to help King Arthur, which would win him the queen’s friendship and love. Gawan will send him ten lances and three horses with his own saddle-cloth. Gawan sends a maiden to carry the message to Lancelot and his squires with the equipment. Lancelot learns that the queen watches the battle in the company of Gawan and her ladies. He rides into battle and nothing can withstand him. Many Arthurian knights joust for the sake of love reward. On seeing the black knight raging among the enemy they are encouraged and fight even more furiously. The black knight’s praise spreads throughout the armies of Arthur and Galahot. The battle goes on all day and in the evening Key sends word to Hervius of Rinel to help the black knight. The arrival of reinforcements encourages and strengthens the Arthurians.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man
F 628.1 Strong man kills many men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-271: (4) Many a warrior is killed or wounded in the furious battle and nobody cares for shield or helmet as booty. The Arthurian army is fighting so valiantly that they at last discourage Galahot’s men despite their superior numbers. The black knight puts Galahot’s men to flight. Galahot engages in battle and his battle-cry encourages his warriors. The black knight fights on without weariness and rages among the enemy. Lancelot has no horse left, but Galahot seeing this protects him against his own men promising to give him horses so that he can continue fighting. Galahot’s reinforcements join the battle. The black knight encourages the Arthurian fighters. There is great clamor, din of trumpets and horns from Galahot’s troops. Lancelot still is not weary and his unrelenting strength somewhat frightens his opponents. They fight till nightfall. The black knight sneaks away and Galahot follows him.

Motif References:

W 11.5 Generosity toward enemy
W 11.5.9 Warrior gives steed to his enemy
R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
L 325 (Bm) Victory over superior force
P 557 Military customs
F 628.1 Strong man kills many men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-274: (17) He asks his identity but Lancelot would not tell. Galahot offers him hospitality and identifies as the son of the beautiful giantess. The black knight kept him from gaining victory and conquering Logres. Lancelot refuses to be the guest of an enemy of King Arthur. Galahot reminds him of his service during the battle and grants him a rash boon, confirmed by oath for the black knight does not trust him. He asks for his company and at last Lancelot joins Galahot. Gawan has watched the black knight leave and advises Arthur to offer him lands and power in order to win his assistance. But the king and his best knights cannot catch up with the man. Gawan is angry for the king has not shown any gratitude to the knight who might even join the enemy. Meanwhile the black knight has made Galahot send for his most faithful men - the king with the 100 knights and the First Allied King - to repeat his solemn oath to them that he would keep his blind promise. Then he obtains their vow to accompany him wherever he would lead them and to help him as they would Galahot. The king with the 100 knights, who is his relative and his steward, warns Galahot, but the oath is taken. Galahot sends the First Allied King to make his troops welcome the black knight with due ceremony. A great train welcomes Lancelot and Galahot on their arrival. Lancelot as Galahot’s guest sleeps in his tent and keeps moaning in his sleep.

Motif References:

Q 42 Generosity rewarded
M 150 Other vows and oaths
R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
K 1831.0.2 (Bm) Disguise by refusal to reveal name

Lanc1-277: (25) Next morning Lancelot wants to leave but Galahot begs him to stay with him. Lancelot promises not to leave if only he is granted a boon: as soon as Galahot has defeated Arthur he must ask for the king’s mercy and surrender to him. Galahot is happy to grant such a boon that is all but shameful. He asks Lancelot to become his friend. The following morning as the battle goes on Galahot makes Lancelot his (Galahot’s) armor. Despite Arthur’s order that no one must cross the river some young warriors cannot resist jousting on the other bank. Then Arthur’s entire army engages in battle. Gawan catches sight of the knight wearing Galahot’s armor and takes him for the black knight. The Arthurian army fights valiantly but outnumbered by the enemy soon is defeated. The black knight spares them as far as possible. When he has them driven back he keeps his comrades from pursuit. Then he reminds Galahot of his promise. The defeat grieves Arthur deeply. The queen is about to leave with four knights for they have lost all hope. They want to carry Gawan with them but he refuses. He swoons from grief.

Motif References:

R 75 Surrendering
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-280: Galahot begs the king to pardon him and surrenders. Then he orders his army to retreat. Arthur sends word to the queen, and the news please her and Gawan well. Meanwhile the black knight has obtained Galahot’s promise not to tell his whereabouts. Galahot proclaims the conditions of peace to his army and then goes to see Arthur. He is given a friendly welcome by the ladies and knights. Gawan who has heard many stories about his excellence and popularity is glad to meet him. His joy almost cures Gawan. In the evening, Galahot returns to his camp. The black knight obtains his promise not to ask for his name before he will tell it himself. Lancelot inquires about the king, and Galahot’s praise of the queen makes him forget all around him and weep. Galahot politely changes the subject. That night Galahot joins the king once again and stays in his tent overnight. The two kings overhear Lancelot’s moaning and weeping in his sleep and wonder what might trouble him. In the morning they inform Galahot. Lancelot wept when he woke and the garments under his head are soaked. Yet he feigns joyfulness toward Galahot.

Motif References:

P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
T 24 The symptoms of love
R 75 Surrendering
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)
K 1831.0.2 (Bm) Disguise by refusal to reveal name

Lanc1-283: (9) Galahot asks him about his grief. Lancelot starts lamenting and weeping once again and Galahot entreats him to disclose his secret. They go to attend mass and when the priest has made three parts of the host Galahot vows that for the sake of the host he will never offend Lancelot but serve him in every possible way. After mass he asks Lancelot about further arrangements and Lancelot tells him to keep Arthur company. He should tell the news he overhears at the court to none but him. Galahot joins the queen and Gawan, who wants to know who arranged the peace. Galahot tells them that it was a knight, unknown to him. He refuses to tell about the black knight when he is asked about him. The queen presumes that it was this man who arranged the peace but Galahot denies to have met him lately. They talk much about the black knight. Arthur tells Galahot that he would be happy to become that man’s friend. Galahot talks to the queen in private and she asks him to arrange a meeting. Galahot promises to do his best. King Arthur suggests having their tents pitched near each other and Galahot promises to have his tent moved to the bank of the river. Then Galahot returns to his tent and relates the news to Lancelot. He is still grieved and pretends that the fear to be recognized troubles him a lot. When Galahot tells him that the queen wants to meet him Lancelot weeps and declares that such an encounter would mean grief as well as joy. Finally Galahot detects what all this is about. Lancelot advises him to pretend to have sent for him throughout his lands.

Motif References:

T 24 The symptoms of love
P 310 Friendship
P 319.7 Friendship without refusal

Lanc1-287: (20) With a small retinue Galahot returns to Arthur and tells the queen that the black knight has been sent for. Galahot’s camp now has been moved toward the bank of the river. His tent is very costly and the camp is enclosed by iron fences. Galahot tells Lancelot that the queen soon will be ready to meet him. Galahot once again passes the night in the king’s camp. In the morning he tells Lancelot that the queen longs to see him. The knight has recovered, regained his color and is almost as beautiful as before. When Galahot suggests going to see the queen the same day Lancelot weeps. Galahot returns to the queen to arrange a meeting for the following day. The queen keeps asking him if the black knight has already joined him. Before they go to see the queen Lancelot asks his friend for secrecy because he would easily be recognized at the court. Galahot informs the queen of the black knight’s arrival and she too asks for a secret meeting. Galahot suggests that they go for a walk and meet in the evening on a meadow nearby. The queen impatiently passes the day until in the evening she walks toward the river in the company of the lady of Maloaut, the maiden Lore of Carduel and some other maiden. Galahot, his steward, and Lancelot go to meet them. The Lady of Maloaut recognizes him at once, and to keep her incognito she turns away from him. The stewards as well as the black knight are very handsome men and Galahot asks the queen to tell which one might be the black knight.

Motif References:

T 35 Lovers’ rendezvous
F 575.2 Handsome man

Lanc1-290: (19) Meanwhile the black knight stands trembling in front of the queen, with his eyes turned down, he turns pale and is almost unable to utter greetings. The queen identifies him as the black knight by his odd behavior and bids him welcome. Meanwhile Galahot has sent the steward away. The queen asks him who he is, but he declares he ignores his identity. He dares not to meet her eyes. Galahot aware of his timidity leaves them. When the queen praises his exploits in battle Lancelot denies to have achieved any for he is unwilling to praise himself. His modesty adds to the queen’s secret praise for him within. She asks who knighted him and Lancelot replies it was her, who girded the sword on him: he is the boy that was knighted when the wounded knight came to the court. Then they talk about his adventures: he stayed with the lady of Noaus for some time, sent two ladies to the court, met the knight at the ford who pretended to be the queen’s knight. Lancelot asks for pardon that he fought the man, but she declares he never was her knight. At Dolorose Garde Lancelot carried a white shield with a red bend, then a white shield with two bends, and finally a three-bended shield. By these stories the queen identifies Lancelot. He was the knight whom Iwan rescued from drowning in the river, and he overcame a giant. She declares that he must be Lancelot of the Lake. The knight falls silent. She says that Gawan brought the news to them. Then she wants to know how the foolish knight could overwhelm him and Lancelot replies that he had lost his mind and strength at that moment. He declares that he fought in a red armor in last year’s battle and at her question for whom he fought he sighs and admits that it was for her sake. The queen continues asking and he admits that he achieved all his exploits for her sake, for he loved her since he became a knight although he still was not dubbed. The queen questions him about his love.

Motif References:

H 11 Recognition through story-telling.
T 15 Love at first sight
T 24.5 Boy [girl] turns red and white from love
T 24 The symptoms of love
T 35 Lovers’ rendezvous
T 57 Declaration of love
Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero

Lanc1-294: While they sit there talking Lancelot overhears the lady of Maloaut and recognizes her voice. He falls silent from surprise and starts to weep. The queen insists on asking about his love and he replies that he fell in love with her at first sight. He reminds her that she took leave of him as her friend, which he ever kept in mind and being her friend bestowed courage upon him in distress, chased hunger and poverty. The queen insists that her words were not at all special, but normal speech toward knights - none of them ever took them serious nor did she herself. She would rather believe him in love with one the ladies talking to the knights nearby and inquires which of them might be his sweetheart. Yet the queen is only teasing him for she knows for certain that he loves her and his bewilderment amuses her. When he nearly swoons she calls for Galahot who reassures her: he is to be trusted. Then she relates to Galahot Lancelot’s achievements for her sake and Galahot adds that the knight arranged the peace between Arthur and himself. She replies she would grant any of his wishes, but is puzzled that he utters none.

Motif References:

T 15 Love at first sight
T 57 Declaration of love
H 421 Tests for true lover

Lanc1-296: (7) Galahot entreats her to bestow her faithful love upon Lancelot and make him her knight. A kiss should confirm that bargain. Yet with her ladies watching the queen dares not kiss Lancelot. Galahot advises her how to conceal the kiss. Lancelot does not move. The queen’s intense kiss however is watched by the lady of Maloaut. The two knights and the queen vow to keep that love secret. Galahot wants to keep Lancelot as his friend and the queen has them confirm their friendship in solemn promise. Then she tells Galahot that his friend is Lancelot of the Lake. When he hears his name Lancelot is embarrassed. Galahot is happy about the news. In the evening Lancelot and the steward return to Galahot’s tent whereas Galahot tells the king about their walk along the river.

Motif References:

M 246 Covenant of friendship
P 310 Friendship

Lanc1-298: (9) The lady of Maloaut however has watched the rendezvous and listened to their conversation. She declares that the friendship between four people is to be approved of and that the knight is worthy of the queen’s friendship for he loves her since long. Then she relates to the queen the story of Lancelot’s captivity at her castle and offers to become the queen’s confident who would console her when the two knights would leave some day which they certainly would. The queen asks her if she knows the knight’s identity but the lady has no idea. Then she asks her to become her friend and they agree to vow friendship the next day. Then she tells her the knight’s name. The queen makes the lady sleep beside her and they talk about love. The lady only loved once when she longed for Lancelot, but she does not disclose her love to the queen. In the morning the queen and her ladies go to see the king in his tent. He still is lying in his bed. Then they walk to the meadow where the queen met Lancelot the other day and she tells the lady of Maloaut about the declaration of love. Then she praises Galahot for she wants him to become the lady’s lover. When Galahot joins them she asks him to court the lady of Maloaut and the knight agrees. Then the queen obtains the lady’s rash boon and their love is sealed by kiss.

Motif References:

T 53 Matchmakers
P 60 Noble (gentle) ladies

Lanc1-301: (18) They agree to meet again in the evening. The king and his retinue would be in their company for among the throng the lovers could easily hide. In the evening the four friends sit together apart from the company. The king talks to king Ion who has to leave court - word has been sent from his kingdom. The lovers kiss and embrace in silence. Then they join the king again. In a like way their kissing and embracing goes on for several days. One day when Gawan has completely recovered he announces that he will leave. The king only stayed there to keep him and Galahot company. Thereupon Gawan wants Galahot to join them. Yet Galahot only will join them after he has traveled to his kingdom. The four friends agree to meet at the next tournament that is to be held at Logres. Before they part the queen gives a costly golden ring to Lancelot. They take leave of each other. Then the queen asks Arthur to ask the lady of Maloaut to stay at the court as her companion. Next morning Galahot takes his leave of the king.

Motif References:

T 35 Lovers’ rendezvous
T 59.1 (Bm) Rings as love tokens

Lanc1-303: (15) Galahot and Lancelot ride to Galahot’s kingdom of Sorelois, a land he once conquered from King Gloier (Gloyer), a nephew of the king of Northumberland. He was killed in this war, leaving his daughter an orphan (her mother already had died at her birth). Galahot took good care of the girl, for he planned to marry her to one of his relatives who should become king of Sorelois as soon as he would have obtained knighthood. The kingdom is located between Wales and the Strange Islands (Fremde Inseln) at a short distance to Arthur’s kingdom and it is a very fertile land. It is fine hunting territory too and therefore Galahot likes it well. Moreover Sorelois is well protected, being surrounded by the sea and a wide river, that is called the Assirichie, and by many a fortress. As long as the adventures of Logres and the islands nearby exist, one can only enter Sorelois by two passages, narrow stone causeways that are fortified by two high and strong towers on each end. Four strong knights and ten well armed squires with halberd, lance and sword watch each of the towers. Every errant knight has to fight if he insists entering Sorelois. If the man overcomes his opponents his name is registered, so that thereafter he may come and go at his liking. The defeated however have to enter the knight’s service. Every year another knight striving for glory is on duty in the tower.

Motif References:

P 52.0.3 (Bm) Knight demands tribute of all who pass through his domain
Z 72 Formulas based on the year
F 150.2.1 Entrance to otherworld guarded by giant
F 150.3 Challenge at entrance of otherworld.
F 151.1 Perilous [narrow] path to otherworld.
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 550 Military affairs
T 680 Care [and education] of children - miscellaneous motifs
F 707 Extraordinary kingdom

Lanc1-304: (19) The adventures in Logres and the kingdom last for 1690 weeks. King Lohois, Gloier’s father, having foreseen the time of adventures has built the causeways to protect his kingdom. Galahot and his friend rest there, with only the two kings knowing Lancelot’s name. Yet his love grieves Lancelot so that he cannot really enjoy courtly pastimes and hunting expeditions. When four weeks have passed a squire arrives sent by the Lady of the Lake to serve him until he is knighted. The boy is Lancelot’s cousin Lionel, son of Bohort of Gaune, and he is very handsome and valiant. They are happy to meet again. He has been baptized Lionel because of a red mark on his breast similar to a heraldic lion. Therefore he was called “little lion”, that is Lionel. The baby embraced that lion as if it wanted to suffocate the beast which caused great amazement. The lion-mark is to be seen for a long time on him.

Motif References:

T 24 The symptoms of love
M 358 Prophecies connected with journeys
P 550 Military affairs
T 563.3 Child born with figure of serpent [lion] on his body
F 575.2 Handsome man
Z 730 (Bm) Eponymous account of personal name
N 746 Accidental meeting of cousins

Lanc1-305: (20) In the meantime King Arthur has returned home. At his splendid court the munificent king entertains many guests. He cares for his duties more than before and according to his master’s advice constantly travels through his lands. The queen and the lady of Maloaut have a pleasant time together, frequently changing color from love. Gawan has completely recovered but he never will be as strong as he was before. When the king has visited all his lands he returns to Carduel, his favorite residence, to see to the affairs of the kingdom. He generously gives presents and holds law-court with his knights. The queen and the Lady of Maloaut try to arrange a meeting with their lovers. One day the king sits at the table, a meal is served, but he is lost in thoughts and forgets about eating and starts sighing and weeping. Key alarms Gawan and Iwan, Lucan the cupbearer, Segremors Liderreis (the Wild, der Ungestüme) and Giflet, who serve at the royal table. Gawan sends for a young and beautiful lady, Lore of Carduel, daughter of the king of Norway and Arthur’s sister. She has succeeded her father as Cupbearer of the kingdom of Logres. Gawan asks her to question the king.

Motif References:

W 11.2 Munificent monarch
P 12 Character of kings
P 19.4 Kingly powers (rights) [obligations]
T 24 The symptoms of love
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
W 225 Taciturn [pensive] man

Lanc1-306: (29) To attract the king’s attention she draws the tablecloth from under his elbow and tells him her errand. Angrily the king declares that they should leave him in peace and they certainly would if they knew his thoughts. Gawan sends her once again and this time the king is even more angry and declares their great shame keeps troubling him. The knights are alarmed and join the king. Arthur accuses them of having broken their oath and lost their honor for none of them found the red knight or got to know his identity. Gawan stretching out his hand toward a church nearby swears by God and the Saints that he would not to return to court before he has found that knight. Fourteen knights promise to set out in his company. Arthur who would prefer Gawan to stay with him is worried and has a council with the queen. She asks Gawan to grant her a rash boon, but Gawan remembering that such a promise meant trouble once before declares he will leave anyhow. Although she entreats him to stay until the other knights return to court he refuses. She begs him to talk to the king before he leaves.

Motif References:

M 150 Other vows and oaths
M 151.2.2 (Bm) Vow not to return to court [not to sleep two nights in the same place] until missing knight is found

Lanc1-309: The queen sends word of her failure to the king and advises him to make all knights beg Gawan on their knees to stay with them. Their pleading however annoys Gawan and he asks for his helmet. The king entreats him and is about to fall onto his knees. Gawan embraces him and asks his leave for otherwise he would kill himself. Thereupon the queen advises the king to let him go. Arthur gives in though he is certain that he will never see Gawan again. He retires to his quarters and laments. The queen advises Gawan to search for Galahot who would be the only person to know about the Good Knight’s whereabouts. Gawan takes his leave and sets out in the company of nineteen knights (Iwan, Brandelis, Key, Segremors, Lucan, Gosoains, Giflet, Kadoans, etc.). If they succeeded in finding the Good Knight all questers ever should be free from their oath to achieve this quest. Gawan directs the company to a crossroad, located near a mighty rock, called Merlin’s rock, for Merlin once killed a jester there. Gawan orders his companions to continue their quest separately. They arrange to meet at the next tournament held in Logres. To keep their incognito there but enable the companions to recognize each other they should disguise and turn their shields Gawan sets out in the company of Iwan, Key, Segremors, and Giflet, but soon they take leave of each other.

Motif References:

H 80 Identification by token
Z 702 (Hi) Eponymous account of place name
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]

Lanc1-311: (8) Gawan travels on for two days and covers a large distance: The land’s inhabitants speak a strange language and Gawan understands little of their talking. The third day he comes to a plain where he catches sight of four fully armed knights heading toward him. Gawan is ready for jousting but then the knights recognize each other: The strangers are Segremors, Iwan, Key, and Giflet. They ride on together until they come to a valley with a brook flowing from a fountain under a mighty fir tree. On approaching they watch a squire at the fir tree: He leaves many a spear there and a black shield with silver drops. Gawan and his friends retire into the forest to watch the adventure. An armed knight rides to the tree, drinks the fountain, but when he turns to leave he strikes the shield by accident which grieves him a lot and he starts lamenting, then his joy returns. He then laments and laughs alternately. Key wants to ask him about his strange habits. But Segremors - referring to his impetuosity, which has earned him his surname of the Wild (der Ungestüme) - claims the adventure.

Motif References:

W 185 Violence of temper
H 599 Other enigmatic statements [acts]
N 760 Other accidental encounters
F 824.2 Extraordinarily painted shield
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield

Lanc1-313: (18) Segremors hurries to question the knight. Yet the man is all but pleased about the stranger and refuses to answer. Thereupon Segremors challenges him in order to find out about his strange behavior. But the knight refuses a combat for the sake of such a trifle and only will fight if Segremors insists, which he does. The knight leaves his white shield at the tree and, once again weeping and lamenting, takes the black one instead and one of the spears ready there and gallops toward Segremors. The latter is unhorsed and the knight takes his horse. He continues to laugh and lament as before. Defeated Segremors is ashamed and Gawan blames him of rashness. Key, Giflet and Iwan are unhorsed by the knight and lose their horses, of which the knight only takes the riding gear. His comrades’ defeat grieves Gawan and he sets out to joust as well. At that point a broad and hunchback dwarf hurries toward the tree, riding a large and fine horse with a golden saddle. He carries a club as weapon. The dwarf beats the knight onto his head without meeting defense. Then he orders him to mount and leads him away. Gawan swears that he will not rest until he finds out about the knight and the meaning of this adventure.

Motif References:

M 151.2.2 (Bm) Vow not to return to court [not to sleep two nights in the same place] until missing knight is found
M 195 (Bm) Vow to see particular marvel.
F 451.7 Possessions of dwarfs
F 451 Dwarf
F 451.5.2 Malevolent dwarf
F 451.2.1.4 Hunchback dwarf
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
H 599 Other enigmatic statements [acts]
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-315: (28) Before Gawan leaves he recovers Iwan’s lost horse, and Key gives him one of the stranger’s riding gear. Gawan then follows the knight’s track all day until next morning the road takes him out of the forest toward a beautiful river. A tent has been pitched on its banks. Gawan has a look into the tent and perceives a beautiful lady who has her hair combed by a maiden while a second one holds a mirror and a fine garland. Gawan greets the lady and she returns the greeting, which, so she declares, she would refuse if he were one of those mean knights who did not come to a nobleman’s aid when a dwarf mistreated him. Gawan asks about that man and his strange habits. The lady however refuses any information for Gawan just has identified as one of those wretches. Gawan’s horse is wounded by the dwarf who enters the tent. Gawan catches him. The dwarf declares that his mother has foretold him that he would be killed by a dishonorable wretch, now the time has come. Gawan questions him about that knight. The dwarf promises to tell the story if Gawan fights in judicial combat for that knight: He reassures him that he will fight a just cause. Gawan agrees and gives his promise.

Motif References:

M 200 Bargains and promises
H 218 Trial by combat
F 451.5.2 Malevolent dwarf
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc1-317: (6) The dwarf relates the knight’s story to Gawan: He is a very beautiful and valiant man. Then he sends the lady for him. The knight leaves his underground chamber. He is quite bewildered. Gawan will have to fight him in single combat or another man even more valiant. The young lady is the dwarf’s niece - her father was a powerful man and was killed by one of the most excellent Christian knights in war. The dwarf then took good care of the orphaned girl and was entrusted with land and power. The niece and the knight fell in love with each other but as the dwarf got to know about their love he ordered them to obey his commands in order to become rich and obtain her father’s possessions. Otherwise she would lose his support forever. The girl gave her promise. The land’s mistress is in war against a neighbor, a knight by the name of Allwege Sicher, in French Segurates (Sugurates). The lady rejected his wooing for he is not her equal - neither in nobility nor in age. Thereupon the man who was both valiant and rich waged war upon her. Due to his generosity many of her men joined him, and they want her to marry him.

Motif References:

T 75.2.1 Rejected suitors’ revenge
T 91.6.4.4 (Bm) Heroine will not marry knight of lower rank
T 104.1 Rejected suitor wages war
P 271 Foster father
P 293 Uncle
P 298 Niece
F 451.3.12 Dwarfs are intelligent.

Lanc1-318: (7) The liege lord of the orphaned lady is King Arthur. Although she already lost many men in Arthur’s war and in her own she will not give in for she does not love the knight. The suitor devastates her land and besieges her castle. Her people greatly harassed by the war entreats her to marry the suitor otherwise they would leave taking all their goods with them. In a counsel with her barons her uncle suggested that she should give her promise to the suitor to marry him one year later, but within this delay he would have to overcome all her champions. Hopefully the man would be killed, or she herself would die or become a nun thus escaping that marriage. The lady agreed and a truce was arranged for one year. The lady set watches to the roads of her land in order to chase errant knights. When that truce had been made the dwarf was moved to pity by the grief of his niece and her lover who were no more allowed to meet or talk to each other and he promised them marriage within one year’s time. The niece then asked her knight, by the name of Hestor, if he would fight Segurates and he agreed. She made him promise only to fight if she orders him to. Hestor suffering from his love entreats her to let him fight but she refuses for she fears for his life. Therefore she has made him a shield. It is all black, which symbolizes grief, and displays silver drops, which means tears. He had to promise to fight only with that shield if he ever would act against her orders until they would be reconciled.

Motif References:

P 28 Marriage of queen
P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
T 68 Princess offered as prize
T 75.2.1 Rejected suitors’ revenge
T 104.1 Rejected suitor wages war
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
T 151 Year’s respite from unwelcome marriage
H 331.2.1 Suitor contest: success in battle [single combat]
P 558 (Bm) Truce
F 824.2 Extraordinarily painted shield
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
K 1227 Lover put off by deceptive respite

Lanc1-319: (25) One day Hestor had a dream: Fighting in a fierce battle he was looking for Segurates, but just as he was about to confront him a black cloud with tiny stars darkened the sky so that he could no more perceive his opponents. Nevertheless he won the battle. Hestor related his dream to his lady who laughed at him and declared he never could overcome Segurates. Hestor annoyed by her words set out fully armed to the fountain the following morning. The girl alarmed the dwarf who sent a squire with spears and the shield after Hestor for he himself would not miss the mass. He was sure that Hestor would stop to have a look. On catching sight of the spears and the shield on the tree Hestor grasps that he has lost his lady’s love, foreboded by the black cloud he saw in his dream. Out of grief he started to lament but soon was reassured: By killing Segurates he would certainly obtain her love again. He therefore again was joyful. After having heard mass the dwarf hurried to the fir tree to beat disobedient Hestor who dared not defend himself for he feared the dwarf more than anything. The dwarf finishes his story by declaring that such a mean and coward knight as Gawan certainly would prefer not to fight. Gawan still angry because of his horse keeps silent. A meal is served.

Motif References:

H 313 Suitor test: obedience and humility before bride [mistress]
Q 325 Disobedience punished
F 451.5.2 Malevolent dwarf
F 451.5.9 Dwarfs and Christianity
H 599 Other enigmatic statements [acts]
H 1557 Tests of obedience
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical
D 1812.5.1.2 Bad dream as evil omen

Lanc1-320: (37) A maiden messenger gives the dwarf a letter from the land’s mistress. Having read it the dwarf is upset and curses female reason and regimen for he just has received orders to hurry to the Arthurian court to ask for Gawan as her champion for the truce will soon come to an end. The dwarf wonders why she had not considered the matter in due time, for now it is far too late. Moreover Gawan might not be met so easily for most of the time he is searching for adventures. The dwarf decides to send the stranger (Gawan) to his mistress. Gawan keeps silent. The dwarf, Gawan, Hestor and his lady set out for the castle of Rodestock (Rodenstock), the lady’s residence. Hestor once again has to swear to his lady not to fight on his own accord otherwise he would lose her love. They stay overnight at the castle Planie which belongs to the dwarf’s niece. When they approach the border separating the lady’s land and Segurates’s the following day five armed knights ride toward them. The dwarf tells Hestor that he would have to fight for nothing can be expected from the coward in their company. Hestor’s lady allows the combat and the knight overcomes his opponent, whose companions take to flight. Having pursued them some distance he again joins the company. The dwarf praises him and once again offends Gawan who still keeps silent.

Motif References:

P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
M 166 Other vows about fighting
H 421 Tests for true lover
F 451.5.2 Malevolent dwarf
N 760.1 (Bm) Chance meeting of seeker and sought
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
K 1831.0.2 (Bm) Disguise by refusal to reveal name

Lanc1-322: (24) They come to a causeway built between a swamp and a forest. Three of Segurates’s men and several squires guard the passage. The dwarf orders Hestor to fight (offending Gawan once more), his lady consents and the knight defeats them, pursuing the rest of them. After noon they arrive at a small bridge, defended by an armed knight and thirty warriors. The dwarf orders Hestor to fight for the coward in their company would not. Hestor once again asks Gawan to pardon the dwarf for his rudeness that spares no one. He asks Gawan to help him if necessary. Hestor’s lady agrees to the combat and Hestor unhorses the knight who falls into the river. As the warriors attack him Hestor rages among them, killing and wounding many a man until they take to flight. Hestor pursues them and on his return thanks Gawan for having caught his horse whereas the dwarf scorns him for it. They stay overnight in a castle and next day the dwarf sends the maiden-messenger ahead to their mistress to inform them of their coming. In private he orders her to make her lady ask Hestor to be her champion.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
M 402 Satire [satirist]
F 451.5.2 Malevolent dwarf
P 550 Military affairs
F 628.1 Strong man kills many men
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-324: (9) When the maiden enters the castle of Rodestock the steward asks her for news from the dwarf Grohadaim and she tells him that he has brought a wretched knight ever as her champion. The steward accompanies the maiden to their lady whom her sorrow has almost deprived of speech. Then the lady, her retinue and the steward ride to welcome the guests. The dwarf declares it was too late to ask for help at Arthur’s court. The lady asks her niece to grant Hestor combat against her suitor, but meets refusal. Thereupon the dwarf suggests that the stranger in their company should fight as her champion. The lady welcomes Gawan who declares that he cannot tell the outcome of the combat which discourages her a lot. The steward and her followers try to reassure the lady in distress. When they are served a meal a huge black man enters the hall: He has been sent by Segurates to inform the lady that his master is ready to fight her champion of whose arrival he has got news. The truce will come to an end three days later. The steward replies that his lady’s champion will fight three days later. The knight leaves, threatening the steward and the knight.

Motif References:

H 218 Trial by combat
H 218.0.1 Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused

Lanc1-326: (20) Gawan perceives forty lances stuck to one end of the hall. He examines one of them and then his hauberk and armor. Gawan’s noble manners amaze the company. When the day of the battle has come Gawan does his prayer in the church. According to her steward’s advice to offer the champion rich reward the lady sends a maiden for a little shrine out of which she takes a precious belt and a golden clasp with emeralds and sapphires. She gives the precious to Gawan to wear it for her sake and moreover she offers him her riches. As she falls to her knees before him Gawan makes her rise. After mass two knights inform them that Segurates has arrived. Gawan is armed and they accompany him to the meadow. The steward is well aware of Gawan’s valiance. Many people have come to watch the combat. Three knights come riding toward them. One of them is large and strong Segurates clad in a blue and golden tabard. His body is beautiful, his head rather large with black and gray hair, his face handsome but scarred.

Motif References:

Q 111 Riches as reward

Lanc1-328: (13) Segurates renews his agreement with the lady: she will have to fulfill her promise if he defeats her champion. Gawan wants to repeat him the given promise in detail. Segurates refuses and Gawan declares he will keep him from forcing the lady. Gawan and Segurates fight furiously and wound each other. Toward noon they grow weary. Their shields and armor are already pierced. Segurates presses Gawan hard, but as soon as noon has past Gawan’s strength is restored: He always loses strength toward noon but then his strength doubles. Segurates has to retreat and is pressed hard by Gawan. He believes his opponent does so well by magic or is the devil itself. Finally Segurates has to surrender: He asks Gawan to allow him to surrender to the lady and ask for her mercy. The lady however refuses to set eyes on him, but grants him mercy. Thereupon Segurates surrenders to her. Joyfully the throng returns to the castle and Gawan stays behind all alone. He orders the squire to wait for him and leaves.

Motif References:

T 68 Princess offered as prize
R 75 Surrendering
H 218 Trial by combat
D 1830 Magic strength
D 1836 Magic waxing and waning of strength.

Lanc1-332: (3) When he has waited for Gawan for some time the squire follows his trail and mounts a hill. He watches Gawan overcome a knight. Gawan spares the man and sends him as a prisoner to the lady of Rodestock. The squire follows Gawan. Meanwhile Hestor asks the lady about Gawan which makes her notice his absence. Hestor searches for him with great company of knights and squires. The prisoner Gawan sent to her arrives at Rodestock and surrenders to the lady. He is Segurates’s nephew Tanagues (Tanagwecz). Meanwhile the squire has caught up with Gawan. He greets him and offers hospitality at his castle of Tavingies (Tauingijes) so that he could care for his wounds. He leads him through the forest to one of his houses on the banks of the Severn not far away from his castle. Hestor and his companions follow his trail but cannot catch up with him. The lady is distressed that she omitted to thank her champion. The steward blames her of having offended a valiant knight, who for her sake even tolerated the dwarf’s offenses.

Motif References:

Q 11 (Bm) Victory in single combat rewarded
W 154 Ingratitude
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)

Lanc1-334: (6) The lady punishes the dwarf and has him imprisoned. Segurates is enfeoffed with his lands and becomes her vassal. Then she declares that she will go to Arthur’s court to inquire about the champion. Segurates and his physician, Hestor and the steward, her nephew and the dwarf are to accompany her. As a punishment the dwarf will be bound to her horse’s tail. They set out next morning and keep inquiring about the knight. In the meantime Gawan is well cared for at the squire’s house, where his sister who is a skillful healer cares for his wounds. The squire asks Gawan to help him: He has not been knighted yet and often was blamed for it. Twelve years ago he dreamed of a beautiful knight touching his nose. He blamed him of his teasing a child. The knight who identified as Gawan promised to apologize one day by dubbing him a knight. In the morning he related the story to his mother who made him promise to let himself be dubbed only by Gawan. Yet he failed to meet Gawan at Arthur’s court. Now his lady urges him to become a knight and therefore he asks (unknown) Gawan to dub him. Gawan orders the squire to wake all night in the chapel. In the mass next morning Gawan girds the squire with the sword and puts the spurs upon him. The man’s name is Helains Tavingies (Helains von Tavingies). When he learns that his guest is Gawan he is very happy. Though he fails to make him stay he obtains a blind promise and asks for Gawan’s armor in exchange for his (a white shield and a fine helmet). Gawan bestows the belt and the clasp he received from the lady of Rodestock upon Helains’s sister.

Motif References:

P 53 (Bm) Obtaining knighthood
P 54 (Bm) Knighting custom
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
Q 282 Ingratitude punished
M 302.7 Prophecy through dreams
M 391 Fulfillment of prophecy
Q 473.2 Punishment: tying to horse(’s tail)
N 760.1 (Bm) Chance meeting of seeker and sought
H 1385 Quest for lost person.
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams
D 1812.3.3 Future revealed in dream
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical
D 1812.3.3.0.4 (Bm) Interpretation of dream by second party

Lanc1-336: (32) Helains rides with Gawan to show him the road toward Norgales and to Galahot’s land. Then Helains takes his leave. At his return he celebrates his newly achieved knighthood in a splendid feast that lasts two days. In the meantime the lady of Rodestock is joyfully received by King Arthur at Quinpertorrentin (Qwinpertorrentin). She tells them her errand. As she describes the lost knight’s armor and his looks Arthur recognizes his nephew Gawan. The lady is very grieved to have offended so valiant a knight. The dwarf speaks to the queen in private and begs for mercy for he took Gawan for a coward. But he would rather stab himself than be dragged by the lady tied to her horse’s tail like before. He entreats the queen to help him. Next morning the queen asks the lady to be merciful toward the dwarf. The lady declares that she is angry with his niece who kept her lover from combat. The mistreatment of her uncle was meant to make the niece send her lover to search for Gawan. The queen advises the dwarf to urge his niece to send her lover on that errand.

Motif References:

Q 473.2 Punishment: tying to horse(’s tail)
P 634 Feasts
N 837 Queen as helper

Lanc1-338: (33) Despite his pleading, the dwarf’s niece refuses which does not surprise him nor the lady of Rodestock who knows that the maiden is faithless. By trick the queen makes both of them grant her a rash boon and thus forces the lady to pardon the dwarf and the niece to make Hestor set out to search for Gawan. The niece is shocked and falls silent, nevertheless she refuses to obey. The queen declares that her relationship to the dwarf cannot be denied, for she is as refractory and malicious as her uncle. Yet this time she has to give in for otherwise her goods she received from the king or the lady of Rodestock would be confiscated. Hearing this, the lady of Rodestock pretends to be grieved but is pleased with the outcome.

Motif References:

P 20.1 Clever queen
W 167 Stubbornness
Q 595 Loss or destruction of property as punishment

Lanc1-340: (28) The niece leaves weeping. Hestor fails to learn about her grief and questions the dwarf. When he has learnt the story he declares himself ready to leave on that quest even without her consent: He would rather lose her friendship than see her lose all her possessions. Hestor and the dwarf entreat the maiden to give Hestor leave for the quest. The maiden refuses and warns Hestor that he would lose her love if he left on his own accord. The queen is sad to hear the story and sends the lady of Maloaut for the maiden. They manage to make her consider the matter thoroughly. At that point an armed knight and a beautiful lady arrive carrying a split shield. The knight’s arm is broken and from pain he can hardly talk. The knight brings the queen the greetings of a knight whose love for her is greater than her’s for him. Though she could have done better she only served him insufficiently, therefore he will not be her perfect servant either. The queen asks about that knight but only learns that she certainly would recognize him. Then the maiden brings her greetings from the most beautiful and wise woman. She sent her this shield: The queen should take care of it for the sake of the person she loves most. The shield means luck and honor if she cares well for it. The girl discloses that the Lady of the Lake has sent her. The queen happily receives the shield.

Motif References:

P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
F 186 (Li) Otherworld messenger
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
F 824.2 Extraordinarily painted shield
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-342: (27) The shield’s one half displays an armed knight with bare head, the other half a beautiful lady. The two figures are about to kiss each other yet the gap separates them. The queen inquires about the shield’s symbolism. The girl explains that those are the pictures of the best knight and the most beautiful woman, who did nothing but kissing. Should their love be consummated the shield will be mended automatically thus taking away the queen’s grief as well. The queen thinks she knows that knight. The wounded knight sets out again, refusing the queen’s offer to stay, for he still has to deliver a message to the lady of Rodestock. When he learns that the latter is at the court he brings her the message of the knight who overcame Segurates saying that if ever he met her once again when she would be in need of help he would forget to help her as she forgot about him. Then he delivers greetings to the steward and to Hestor, who also receives a sword, and he surrenders to the steward as prisoner. At last he declares that the gifts the lady of Rodestock gave to her champion have been left to a maiden for Gawan did not want to keep an ungrateful person’s gifts.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
Q 282 Ingratitude punished
F 340 Gifts from fairies
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
F 824.2 Extraordinarily painted shield
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
F 1098 Object miraculously mended.

Lanc1-344: (10) The lady of Rodestock swoons. The queen looks after her and well aware that love is grieving her she asks her about her feelings: she fell in love with Gawan after he had left. She entreats the queen to send Hestor search for Gawan. Yet Hestor’s lady still is unwilling to let him go. The queen threatens to take all her possessions and have her imprisoned. At last the dwarf’s niece gives in; she will no more oppose his quest although she would not send him explicitly on this errand. Hestor is glad about the outcome and according to custom gives the queen his oath of the quest, his lady swears as well. Though this meets general derision she insists on accompanying her knight. The queen and the lady of Maloaut manage to talk her out of her silly plan warning her of the dangers to her honor and his life. Hestor arms himself. The relics are brought in and the king takes Hestor’s oath: He will search for the knight for one year, and within that year only return together with the knight or a token from him. When he has achieved his quest he will relate the whole story to them, be it honorable or shameful to his reputation. Such is the oath that each quester in the kingdom of Logres has to swear.

Motif References:

Q 595 Loss or destruction of property as punishment
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
H 1385 Quest for lost person.
J 1700 Fools

Lanc1-345: (25) As Hestor leaves the lady of Mahoaut is confronted with his ladylove’s extreme grief. Hestor takes his leave of king and queen, who promises to make him join the king’s court if he succeeds. And from now on he will be her knight and be part of her retinue. According to custom no knight can become a member of the king’s knights before the queen has declared him worthy or the knights have seen proof of his excellence. An errant stranger for whose worthiness only strangers can testify has to join the queen’s retinue first to prove his qualities. Segremors had undergone such a test. Hestor is glad about the queen’s favor. The messenger tells them that he left the knight who is to be sought for near the Severn, in the forest of Brekeham between the land of the duke of Kambenig and the kingdom of Norgales. Hestor leaves lost in thoughts for his beloved.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
P 632 Customs concerning recognition of rank
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief
H 1385 Quest for lost person.
H 1574 Tests of social position

Lanc1-346: (16) The queen sends for a physician to have the guest’s broken arm cared for and he stays with them until he is cured. She carries the shield to her chamber, where she looks at it each day. Moreover she has it carried with her on her journeys until the day when the shield is mended. The queen tries to console Hestor’s lady but her unfriendly behavior annoys her. Next morning the lady of Maloaut is about to leave. At that moment a squire arrives at court carrying a badly damaged shield that displays a red lion on golden ground. The dwarf recognizes Gawan’s shield. The squire reassures them that Gawan is well; he brings them his greetings and those of Helains of Tavingies to the lady of Rodestock. Helains at last became a knight for Gawan dubbed him. They exchanged their armors, and Gawan was cured at the hands of Helains’s sister who is a good healer. She was given the belt and the clasp and Gawan promised to be her knight. The lady of Rodestock is grieved on hearing this. The king and the queen would like to be given that shield but the squire has sworn an oath on relics to carry it back to Gawan. The squire leaves with the lady of Rodestock promising to punish Helains for he kept silent about Gawan’s identity. She takes the shield - which later on will cause great trouble.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
P 53 (Bm) Obtaining knighthood
Q 114 Gifts as reward
H 126 Identification by coat of arms
W 127 Petulance
Z 150 Other symbols
F 824.2 Extraordinarily painted shield
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield

Lanc1-348: (17) Gawan having ridden all day in the evening arrives at a monastery, called Waldat. The duke Esau of Kambenig (Kambenic) gave rich donations to the monks there so that it is a great monastery of black monks, the first one in Britain. Due to their holy life the monks are called “the abstinents”. Next day Gawan comes to a pretty location: he approaches the castle of Kambenig and the forest of Brekeham that shields it. A river flows through the forest, thus separating Norgales from Kambenig. Gawan overhears a sweet female voice and following the sound comes upon a pretty young woman in the valley. She has a fine sword hung around her neck. He greets her and she declares she would greet him if she could be sure he was worthy of it: Has he already come to the aid of a lady in distress or will he do so? She keeps riding on for she is in hurry to find the best knight in the world - though there is still another one she knows of. Gawan asks about those knights. She tells him to come with her along a small path crossing a forest. They come to a fortress with a high tower, well protected by a high and strong wall. Gawan shall learn what he asked inside that castle. She has been sent to bring the sword to its lord.

Motif References:

V 118 Monasteries [cloisters, abbeys, nunneries]
V 462 Asceticism
H 1221 Quest for adventure
H 1316 Quest for the strongest [best] knight

Lanc1-349: (34) A fully armed knight challenges Gawan as he enters the courtyard but Gawan unhorses him. He heads to the palace, but in the meantime the knight has recovered and attacks him once again killing his horse. Gawan is outraged and fights furiously until he defeats the man. The damsel tells him to meet her in the finest room of the palace if he dared to follow her. As Gawan is about to chop off the knight’s head a pretty damsel from a window begs him to spare the man. Gawan grants her demand and enters the palace. An armed knight, larger than the first one, attacks him with a lance. Gawan overcomes him and he takes to flight. Gawan comes upon the lady who talks to a maiden. She orders him to conquer her. On entering the room two knights rush at him, he wounds one of them. As he wants to join the lady, the second knight attacks him. Gawan absorbed in the charms of the beautiful damsel who waits for him sitting on a precious seat is surprised by the attack. Though the knight wounds him Gawan defeats the man. Then he asks the damsel how she is to be conquered - she replies he has already achieved the task.

Motif References:

H 335.0.2 Girl assigns tasks to her suitors
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-351: (17) Gawan demands that she fulfills her promise given before - the answer to his questions. She still puts him off: he only would learn in the most beautiful room of the castle, which is the only place to conquer her. She leads Gawan to a splendid hall with a fine bed covered by a precious blanket. Ten armed knights guard the bed. The lady stops before the bed. The knights warn Gawan that once he has looked into that bed he would not be allowed to leave without battle. The damsel insists that only if he overcame his opponents in combat he would learn the answer to his question. Gawan removes the blanket. A very beautiful knight rests there who is very sick, his left arm and his right leg severely wounded. The stench from his wounds chases everybody away so that they hurry to put the blanket all over him again. Gawan now has to fight the ten knights. The lady suggests that they should rather take the toll from him they use to take from errant knights: a helmet full of blood. Thereupon Gawan fights the ten knights. At that point the sick knight speaks up blaming the damsel for having returned instead of going to where he sent her. She declares she only returned for she found a valiant knight whom he brought here as was agreed before. They watch the battle.

Motif References:

F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
D 1003 Magic blood - human
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-353: Gawan fights furiously and gets the better of his opponents. Yet the damsel supports his enemies and tries to take Gawan’s sword from him. She catches his hand so that his enemies wound him. Gawan lets his sword go, runs at them and takes one of their swords. The damsel again takes the sword away. He once again conquers another sword and entreats her not to interfere. She laughs at him, saying he is her captive and stops the fighting. Then she leads him into another room and declares that now he has to give his blood as ransom. She tells him the knight’s story: Gawan’s blood is to cure the sick knight who can only be healed by the blood of the best knight but one. His leg will be healed first, the best knight’s blood will heal his arm. The cured knight would then become his liegeman. Gawan says though he cannot think of himself as the best knight he will try to help the sick man. They disarm him and he pierces his leg with his sword. Gawan asks the damsel once again for the promised answers but he will have to wait until she has applied the blood.

Motif References:

R 99 (Bm) Ransom
D 1003 Magic blood - human
D 1500.1.7.3 Magic healing blood
D 2161.2 Magic cure of wound.
K 2246.0.1 Treacherous princess (queen)

Lanc1-354: (27) A handsome young man enters and listening to Gawan’s voice thinks he knows that man. But the room being very dark he is unable to identify him. Therefore he opens the windows. Gawan catches sight of a most splendid room. The damsel cares for Gawan’s wounds. The squire leaves in distress for the sake of Gawan. Back in his room he laments, tears his clothes and his hair. Hearing his laments the sick knight wakes and his leg already cured leaves his bed. He questions the squire and the boy tells him that their brother, Gawan, will die because of this cure. The knight swoons. When he has recovered he tells the damsel that Mordret just informed him that the stranger is his brother Gawan and wants to know who killed him. She reassures him and leads him to Gawan who recognizes his brother Egravins (Egrevaim) rather by his voice than by his looks. They are overjoyed to meet.

Motif References:

N 733 Accidental meeting of brothers
D 1003 Magic blood - human
F 1041.21.6 Tearing hair and clothes from excessive grief
D 1500.1.7.3 Magic healing blood
D 2161.2 Magic cure of wound.

Lanc1-356: Gawan asks him about his illness and Egravins tells his story: Having fallen in love with the damsel he came to this land. A messenger asked him to hurry for her father was about to marry her to an unwelcome suitor. Egravins fought the damsel’s father, king Tadermans of Norgales, and abducted her. One hot day when he was asleep at a fountain under a sycamore tree resting from a hunt in the forest two ladies came riding along. Each of them carried a tiny box. Egravins was in the company of a huntsman and his squire. The ladies placed a pillow under his head that kept him asleep and applied a salve onto his arm and his leg and before leaving, he declared that now revenge was accomplished. Only the blood of the best knight would cure his arm, the blood of the best knight but one his leg. His squire tried to alarm him but Egravins only woke from his sleep when his head hit the ground. His leg and arm had turned lame. They took him home on a horse-bier. A knight coming along removed the pillow they had put under his head. The lady kept entreating him to send word to his brother Gawan, but Egravins thought his brother were not as excellent a knight to heal him. The castle once belonging to the king of Norgales was conquered by the duke of Kambenig, who then left it to Egravins.

Motif References:

R 225 Elopement
M 431.5 Curse: wound not to heal
D 1003 Magic blood - human
D 1154.5 Magic pillow
D 1244 Magic salve (ointment)
H 1316 Quest for the strongest [best] knight
H 1319.1 Quest for only person who can cure certain sickness
D 1364.11 Pillow causes magic sleep
D 1500.1.7.3 Magic healing blood
D 1500.4 Magic object causes disease
D 1960 Magic sleep
D 2064 Magic sickness
D 2161.2 Magic cure of wound.
K 2246.0.1 Treacherous princess (queen)

Lanc1-357: (12) As the damsel laughs out Gawan questions her and learns that her younger sister vowed to remain a virgin until she would meet Gawan. Her father has her guarded well so that no one can see her. Then the maiden fulfills her promise and discloses to Gawan that he is the best knight but one, the best one is the champion of the battle between Arthur and Galahot. She gives him the sword she carried with her on her journey for it is to be Gawan’s. Egravins makes him read its engraving that tells that the sword is destined to improve each day as long as the due owner carries it, but will constantly become weaker in any other man’s hand. The damsel’s sister sent the weapon to Egravins who was meant to give it to Gawan. Gawan decides to leave the sword to the worthy young knight, Lancelot, for whom he is just searching. At his brother’s question about that hero’s whereabouts Gawan declares he has sworn not to disclose the secret. Next morning Gawan asks Egravins about the ladies who brought magic sickness about him. Egravins ignores their identity and he relates his story to Gawan.

Motif References:

T 50.1.2 Girl carefully guarded by father
M 132 Vow of virginity
M 146 Vow to marry a certain woman [man]
F 833 Extraordinary sword
D 1081 Magic sword
D 1266.1 Magic writings (gramerye, runes)
H 1316 Quest for the strongest [best] knight
H 1568 Test of the champion.
D 1654.4.1.1 Sword can only be used by strong hero
D 2066.1 Sword magically dulled

Lanc1-358: (18) Egravins lamed a man’s arm in combat and his lady promised to take revenge within one year. One day on a quest for adventure in the forest of Landebele he came upon a beautiful lady in the company of her knight. Egravins overcame the knight in single combat and abducted the lady. But when he was about to rape her he caught sight of her deformed right leg. Thereupon he let her go, not without insulting her. She promised that within one year he would be happy if he had such a leg like hers. Gawan declares that Egravins’s mischief is due to his perfidy and dissoluteness, for he is a reckless and arrogant man. Gawan leaves his brother and comes to the forest of Brekeham. On a beautiful meadow two poles have been pitched with a mighty lance and a red shield beside each. A knight in red armor rests there with his horse nearby. As a squire blows his horn the knight jumps to his feet and gallops toward Gawan. They joust, a knightly sport the stranger is very fond of. At last Gawan unhorses his opponent who breaks his arm and swoons. Gawan forces him to surrender.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
M 161.2 Vow to revenge (king, friends, father, [husband, queen]) (or die)
Q 288 Punishment for mockery
Q 327 Discourtesy punished
L 430 Arrogance repaid
T 471 Rape
H 1221 Quest for adventure
H 1361.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-360: (10) Gawan sends the knight to King Arthur ordering him to bring to the queen the greetings of the knight to whom she failed in her duty and who now is serving her only reluctantly. Then he should surrender to the steward of Rodestock and deliver his message to the lady of Rodestock: The knight who fought as her champion against Segurates will forget her as she forgot him. Then Gawan girds his brother’s sword around the knight and orders him to give it to Hestor. The stranger is the knight with his arm broken who delivered the message to the queen at Quinpertorrentin in the company of the lady with the split shield. Then Gawan questions him why he guarded those two poles and the knight relates his story to him: He fell in love with a lady when he still was a squire and wanted to enter love-service. But only when he had obtained knighthood she promised to accept his service after he would have proved his valiance. As soon as he had achieved valiant deeds he once again asked for her love. But she ordered him to watch this meadow, a place of many adventures, called the Land of the Seven Roads, for one month. Then the knight leads Gawan the road to Norgales. At the crossroad of the Seven Roads they meet the damsel with the split sword, in whose company the knight sets out to Arthur’s court. Gawan inquires about the shield but she only would tell the story if he came with her to the queen which he refuses.

Motif References:

T 10 Falling in love
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
Q 58 (Bm) Obedience [in love-service] rewarded
T 69 Wooing - miscellaneous motifs
Q 281 Ingratitude punished
H 335.0.2 Girl assigns tasks to her suitors
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
H 1361 Test of valor

Lanc1-361: (25) Hestor hoping to meet Gawan there rides to the heath of Karefoz. Lost in thoughts about his ladylove he approaches a weeping young lady with her wounded lover in her lap sitting under a tree. A squire has a piece of a lance in his hand. Absentminded Hestor almost overrides them and she blames him of rudeness. The squire wakes Hestor and blames him too. Hestor asks the lady’s pardon and offers to help her. She promises to lead him his way toward the heath of Carefrost if he escorts her. They leave and enter the forest of Brekeham. Hestor questions her and she tells him her story: Her lover’s cousin is an evil and dangerous knight. One day her lover came upon the tent of his cousin’s ladylove in the forest and they had a conversation lying at each other’s side. The knight however out of jealousy wounded him without challenge: the lady and his cousin had been slandered of adultery.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
T 257 Jealous husband or wife.
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
K 2112 Woman slandered as adulteress (prostitute) [concubine]
K 2210 Treacherous relatives

Lanc1-363: (7) The company meets a knight who is about to arm himself in front of a tent with a weeping lady sitting inside. Hestor asks the man - the wounded knight’s cousin - about the lady’s distress but meets a rude reply. The knight insults the lady in Hestor’s company of faithlessness and tries to slap her and to tear her hair. Hestor protects the lady and overrides the still unarmed knight. The knight promises not to eat before he has killed Hestor and hanged the lady. Hestor orders him to put on his armor but the man refuses. They fight. Hestor turns his lance to spare his opponent without armor. At last the knight has to retreat into the tent and is forced to surrender. But he obtains Hestor’s promise that he would fight him later on. Then the knight tells his story: He was about to leave his ladylove after he had wounded his cousin. Yet the man had been challenged: his offense has to be taken as a challenge. Though Hestor entreats his opponent to make amends to his cousin and the damsel the knight refuses. They fight once again as soon as the knight has put his armor upon him and Hestor defeats him and wants to chop off his head. The lady in Hector’s company urges him to do so. The stranger begs for mercy and admits that he wounded her lover. The lady urges Hestor to kill the man. In the meantime the lady of the tent laments for her friend and on her knees begs for his life. The knight promises service to Hestor and moreover to apologize to the knight he wounded and to be merciful to his ladylove. In a hermitage nearby he gives his oath onto relics to keep his promises.

Motif References:

W 11.5 Generosity toward enemy
T 257 Jealous husband or wife.
T 298 Reconciliation [reunion] of (separated) couple
P 557.4.4 Men’s truth. (fir fer)
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1361.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-366: (18) The lady leads Hestor the way to Karefoz, the defeated knight giving him his squire as an escort to protect him against the land’s evil inhabitants who use to waylay travelers. The name of the defeated man is Gwinans of Bleckenstein. They take leave of each other. In the evening Hestor and his companions come upon a troop of knights and squires in a valley. The squire knowing them well rides ahead. One of the knights is the lord of Falerne, liegemen of the duke of Kambenig, although most of his people are men of the king of Norgales. When the lord learns about Hestor one of his knights declares that he will challenge the man. They joust and Hestor unhorses him and his friend as well. The lord keeps the troop from interfering. Then he welcomes Hestor and they ride on together. Hestor tells him about his journey but refuses to stay as the lord’s guest. Hestor and the squire stay overnight at the castle of the squire’s father.

Motif References:

H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-369: Next morning they ride on to the heath of Karefoz. The squire leaves and Hestor comes to the meadow with the two poles. At the crossroad he meets a scholar who is taking food and wine to a hermit in the forest - the hermitage is called Karefoz. Hestor inquires about the two poles and learns the story: They once were defended by a knight. But his arm was broken in a combat. The victorious opponent left toward Norgales. Hestor rides on and comes to a pretty valley. He follows the trail of a great retinue toward a fine castle. He watches three knights leading a wailing lady. The men catching sight of him hurry on whereupon the lady lets herself fall from the horse and runs toward him crying for help. The three knights pursue her. Hestor kills two of them, the third takes to flight. The lady begs him to escort her to a safe place. A wounded squire hurries toward them from the castle and Hestor learns that the lady’s husband is fighting twenty knights. The lady entreats Hestor to help him. Hestor has the squire escort her to the castle after having given directions concerning the battle. Hestor kills rages among the enemies and kills their leader. They take to flight. Hestor and the knight return to the castle.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
P 429 Miscellaneous learned professions
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-372: (12) Hestor stays as their guest overnight. He tells them about his journey and identifies as Hestor, knight of the queen. He learns the story of the abducted lady: A great war is going on in the country. His wife’s relatives keep harassing the lord. When her father died he took his daughter’s oath on relics only to marry a noble knight whatever be her relatives’ counsel. Be the suitor rich or poor, if only he were a nobleman. Her relatives then wanted her to marry and chose a suitor, but she refused. She had already fallen in love with a noble knight. Thereupon they waged war against her. One day her relatives devastated the country near the castle. Her fiancé met them by chance and stripped them of their booty. Her knights asked their lady to marry the man to reward his heroism and she did. Her relatives declared war upon her and wanted to kill her husband. But he stood his own well against them.

Motif References:

T 75.2.1 Rejected suitors’ revenge
T 104.1 Rejected suitor wages war
T 108.1 (Bm) Girl (to be) married against her will [without her consent]
T 131.0.1.1 Father promises that girl may wed only man of her choice
P 234 Father and daughter
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War

Lanc1-373: (15) That morning however they ambushed him: They abducted his wife who each day uses to visit a church outside the castle. The knight in a hurry left the castle to help her and fought the enemies furiously until Hestor came to his aid. The knight is called Sinados. The castle, by the name of Windisore, is located above a brook, and there are many vineyards around it, which is rare in Britain. Hestor is joyfully welcomed, the lady tells him he can dispose of all the riches and Hestor promises everlasting service. At dinner the lady tells the story of her rescue. Hestor refuses their offer to stay as their guest.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
K 810.1 (Bm) Ambush
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc1-374: (20) Next morning Hestor leaves. Sinados and his men escort him some way. In the evening Hestor comes to a fine castle. On approaching he finds the town beneath the fortifications burnt. The tower is so strong that only famine could conquer it: It is located on top of a high rock, with a river and a broad swamp protecting it. Only one small path leads up to the gate. As Hestor enters the town people hurry to close their doors. Hestor cannot leave the town for the gate is closed. The castle is deserted. He curses town and castle for nobody wants to open the gate. At last he catches sight of a farmer carrying an axe who takes to flight. Hestor gets hold of him and asks how he could leave the stronghold. The man denies the possibility and tells him that all doors have been closed for fear he might ask hospitality in one of the houses. Errant knights are bound to lodge in the palace. Hestor is about to break the gate with the man’s axe when a squire offers him his lord’s hospitality. Hestor refuses but the squire leads his horse away. The knight keeps on hammering at the gate but is caught by a falling gate behind him.

Motif References:

R 4 Surprise capture
P 320 Hospitality
K 736 Snapping door
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 776.2 Perilous falling gate

Lanc1-376: (8) Hestor enters the palace, where he meets a throng of knights and a beautiful gray lord, who blames him for having damaged his gate. He will have to give reparations. Hestor blames him for the unfriendly welcome. As he identifies as knight of the queen the lord however greets him friendly and grants him pardon. Yet Hestor would have to obey the castle’s custom by staying overnight. He will be given further directions after he has disarmed. At the old lord’s question the knight identifies as Hestor. He learns that the lord is harassed by many an enemy, among them the king Tadermans (Tradelinains) of Norgales, king Malaguis with the 100 knights, and the duke Esau of Kambenig. In a long war he managed to defend castle and town well. Three years ago the king of Norgales declared war upon the duke of Kambenig, which pleases him well for he can live in peace from them for the moment. There is only one enemy left now, Malaguis, who has left to join his nephew Galahot. But his steward, by the name of Margenor, keeps fighting his knights before the gate each day. The old lord is distressed on considering the fate of his town after his death. He only has a daughter who will marry a valiant knight, although he could have made peace by marrying her to an enemy. The lord often has sent word to King Arthur for military aid but the king was mingled in his own affairs. As long as they have provisions they are safe although he already has lost many relatives and warriors.

Motif References:

P 320 Hospitality
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
H 1224 Quest to distant king for military aid

Lanc1-377: (31) The townspeople urged him to give his daughter in marriage otherwise they would leave him and obtained his blind promise: Each errant knight would be obliged to stay overnight and they would only let him go after he swore to fight for the castle Von der Engen Marck. Only relatives of their foe would be allowed to leave unhindered. Hestor declares their custom an evil one, for their war is not the affair of errant knights. The lord as well disapproves of the custom yet is bound by his oath. They were forced into establishing the custom for Arthur failed to help them. They hoped that news of it would reach the king so that they would get help at last, or some errant knight would marry the daughter. Not long ago two Arthurian knights, Iwan and Segremors, were their guests. Segremors refused to give his oath. When the enemy attacked both insisted on fighting the superior forces. The lord obtained their promise to keep within a certain range and to fight only one joust. Yet after winning their first joust they asked for another fight. Segremors went mad and attacked the lord’s men in the castle. Therefore they let them fight the enemies once again. Both knights raged among the enemies yet in their fury advanced too far and were captured.

Motif References:

R 5 Capture on field of battle
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
R 99 (Bm) Ransom
M 166 Other vows about fighting
F 628.1 Strong man kills many men
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 873.0.1 Battle rage

Lanc1-380: (5) Hestor who has only heard tales about those knights but never met one of them, considers how he could rescue them. Next morning Hestor gives his oath and is granted to fight the enemies but has to promise not to advance farther than the bridge. A furious fight starts, many men are captured. The enemies try to make Hestor cross the bridge. Margenor swears that only one knight will fight Hestor but he has already given orders that the bridge be demolished as soon as Hestor has crossed it. He would be caught before the deep swamp. The combat starts but Hestor aware of the danger hurries back over the bridge killing some enemies. They agree upon continuing the combat as soon as Margenor has restored the bridge. Hestor unhorses him and forces him to surrender, but his opponent has swooned. Margenor declares that Hestor has defeated his opponent and orders his man to surrender to Hestor although he would prefer to continue fighting.

Motif References:

R 75 Surrendering
M 166 Other vows about fighting
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
K 2200 Villains and traitors.
K 2350 Military strategy

Lanc1-385: (5) Margenor blames Hestor of having broken the truce by killing his men (who were about to break the bridge). Hestor accuses him of treachery. Margenor challenges him to single combat. The lord of the Engen Marcken advises Hestor not to fight but delay the combat: Margenor should appeal to Arthur’s court. Hestor however will fight without delay. The lord wants him to rest and fight next morning and warns him against treacherous Margenor’s tricks. He should obtain Margenor’s oath to fight alone and have his men disarmed. They should fight on the causeway and the little bridge should be destroyed behind them to prevent any intervention from outside. The conditions are agreed upon. In the combat Hestor overrides his adversary who loses his horse that his men rescue from drowning in the swamp. Hestor dismounts and the combat continues on foot. They fight furiously and wound each other. Hestor gets the better of his opponent who thereupon offers to apologize and stop fighting. He asks for his name. Yet he refuses to surrender and the combat continues. Hestor presses him hard but Margenor still refuses to surrender. Two times Hestor warns him against falling into the swamp. At last Hestor is about to strike Margenor’s head which makes him jump into the swamp. Hestor rescues him. Thereupon Margenor surrenders and both fighters are welcomed at the castle.

Motif References:

W 11.5 Generosity toward enemy
R 75 Surrendering
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
K 2200 Villains and traitors.

Lanc1-389: (32) The heroes are welcomed by the lord’s daughter and her maidens dressed up splendidly. Hestor is a very handsome knight and he pleases her well. His wounds are cared for. Margenor is ordered to send for the two Arthurian knights he captured and he has his marshal release them and 100 knights who also were his prisoners. Iwan and Segremors are surprised to learn that it was not Gawan who rescued them but a youth unknown to them. Hestor identifies. Iwan smiles and Hestor questions him. Iwan tells the story of a knight unhorsing four Arthurian knights near a fountain who later on let himself beat by a dwarf. Hestor declares that he is on a quest for a knight whose device is a red lion on golden ground. Iwan identifies the man as Gawan. The same evening Margenor and the lord of the Engen Marck make peace and Margenor gives his oath never to harass him again and bring about his peace with the king with the 100 knights as well. If he would fail to end the war he would fight together with the lord of the Engen Marck and leave him all the castles the king has given him. The agreement is sealed by oath of Margenor and his men. The townspeople are overjoyed.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
N 456 Enigmatical smile (laugh) reveals secret knowledge
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)
F 575.2 Handsome man
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-391: (28) A squire enters the palace in search of an errant knight by the name of Hestor to whom he delivers the greetings of Sinados of Windisore. Sinados has heard rumors that Hestor be captive at the Engen Marcken and if it were true he would hurry to help him. The lord is pleased to learn that Hestor rescued Sinados and his wife. His praise embarrasses Hestor a lot. The lord’s daughter already has fallen in love with the knight and wants to marry him. Her father gives his consent and asks Hestor. The latter replies that he is not free to decide. Thereupon the girl promises never to marry. The lord fails to change Hestor’s mind. At night the maiden comes to the knight’s bed and asks why he refused her. He tells her that he only can marry after he has achieved his quest. She declares she would wait for him if only he promised not to woo another woman without telling her. He refuses to give such a promise for on his quest he easily could be forced to break it. Thereupon she obtains his promise only to marry the woman he loves best of all even if she were wealthy. The maiden tells the story to her father. She is certain that she will be the knight’s sweetheart within one year.

Motif References:

T 10 Falling in love
T 71 Woman scorned in love
M 135 Vow never to remarry
M 146 Vow to marry a certain woman [man]
M 151.2 Vow not to marry until quest is concluded

Lanc1-393: (24) In the morning the girl bestows a ring upon Hestor: he should look at it daily. The stone of the ring has the power of steadily increasing a man’s love for his sweetheart. Hestor takes his leave of Margenor, the lord and his knights and sets out in the company of Iwan and Segremors who are heading for Norgales. The lord’s escort leads them the road. Soon the companions enter a large forest and come to a clearing. They watch a knight abducting a lady. A knight fights two aggressors nearby and is overcome. He flees in the direction of Hestor and his friends. Segremors prays to God to let them see still another adventure so that there were enough battle for each of them. Great clamor of about 100 men resounds nearby. Segremors helps the knight, whereas Iwan pursues the abductor and the damsel, and Hestor hurries to find out about the clamor. Yet Hestor fails in catching up with the throng. On a clearing in the forest he watches a weeping crowd carrying a bier and follows them. He questions a dwarf riding a wretched horse, but the dwarf who is not at all grieved keeps silent. He keeps entreating the dwarf to tell him the story but gets no reply. Thereupon Hestor is about to hit him which at last makes the dwarf declare that he would have to knock the story out of him. Hestor considers this unchivalric behavior and refuses. The dwarf however reassures him: Beating will be all right, sparing him will bring distress. Hestor questions him further and the dwarf accuses him of murder. The dwarf hits Hestor’s horse two times which makes the knight angry and he gives him a kick. The dwarf threatens Hestor and declares that he should kill him if he wanted to live.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
T 59.1 (Bm) Rings as love tokens
H 82.3 Tokens between lovers
F 451.5.2 Malevolent dwarf
D 1071 Magic jewel (jewels)
D 1076 Magic ring
D 1355.4 Ring produces love
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-395: (20) At last the dwarf relates the story of the dead man to Hestor: The man was a mighty and noble knight who would have caused much grief had he not been killed. Hestor presumes that he himself killed that knight for the sake of Sinados. He leaves the dwarf and when he catches up with the bier nobody returns his greetings. When he passes by the bier the dead man’s wounds bleed again and the dwarf warns them to catch the murderer. One of the knights at the bier recognizes Hestor’s armor and declares that he murdered their lord. They attack Hestor. At this point a knight in the company of a lady comes riding along: Hestor had avenged this knight upon Gwinans of Bleckenstein. The lady recognizes Hestor and makes her friend help him. He ends the tumult but when he learns that Hestor killed his brother he swoons. The fight goes on until the damsel separates them. The knight recovers and the damsel urges him to be faithful to Hestor. Therefore he stops the battle and asks Hestor’s identity. Hestor identifies. The knight releases him yet he has to promise to fight him wherever they would meet again. The dwarf and a squire set out to catch up with Hestor and kill him.

Motif References:

H 218.1.2 (G) Single combat postponed
N 380 Other unlucky accidents
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
D 1318.5.2 Corpse bleeds when murderer touches it
D 1817.0.3 Magic detection of murder

Lanc1-396: (29) The dwarf orders the squire to wait for the knight at a narrow passage and offer to lead him a shortcut toward Norgales. He should then make him drink a hermit’s fountain, feigning it were a fountain of health, then take his horse, helmet and shield, and leave for Mares with him. There Hestor would be captured by Ladomas who has declared feud upon him. Ladomas is the lady’s friend and his dead brother was called Maltrailis. The squire hurries after Hestor and does as he was told. At the fountain however Hestor detects the squire’s treachery and mounted on the man’s horse pursues him up to a castle enclosed by broad swamps, which is called Zu dem Bruch. He chases the squire up to the tower where he comes upon an old knight seated there whom he orders to return his possessions the squire just stole from him.

Motif References:

R 260 Pursuits
K 750 Capture by decoy
K 810.1 (Bm) Ambush
D 1500.1.1 Magic healing fountain
K 2200 Villains and traitors.
K 2277 Treacherous dwarf.

Lanc1-398: (8) At this point the squire returns in the company of fifteen warriors and accuses Hestor of having stolen his horse and murdered Maltrailis, the lord’s son. The lord orders his men to take revenge. Hestor kills the squire, grasps a shield from the wall and defends himself against superior forces. The lord out of pity for Hestor already weakened by his wounds stops the battle. Then he asks Hestor to surrender. The knight demands to be granted a judicial combat to decide about the accusations against him. Meanwhile the dead knight has been brought in and Ladomas has joined them. Hestor’s presence grieves him for he will not be able to help him. He tells his father that Hestor rescued him, his lady starts weeping. At last Hestor surrenders and Ladomas takes him apart to protect him and makes him promise to stay. There is great mourning for the dead knight who is buried the day after. Hestor stays in the room until the lord releases him. He is well cared for.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
N 380 Other unlucky accidents
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-399: (14) In the meantime Lancelot and Galahot enjoy a pleasant time, with only their ladies’ absence troubling them. Their ladies are grieved as well. Lancelot from longing for his love falls ill and can either eat nor drink nor sleep. Galahot sends word with Lionel to the ladies to think about a trick to arrange a rendezvous; for otherwise he and his friend would certainly die. Lionel has to swear secrecy about his errand before he leaves. - After Gawan has left the knight with the broken arm and the lady with the split shield he rides along a river through the forest. In the evening he catches sight of a man clad in white. At first he thinks the man a hermit but then he identifies him as a knight and greets him. Gawan asks for the stranger’s identity and learns that the man is a scholar. He set out from the castle of Loverzep to visit a hermit not far away. There are three hermitages in the forest: the hermitage of Karefoz, the Hidden Hermitage and the hermitage of the Cross, the place of the first cross ever in Britain. Gawan wants to know if there is any lodging nearby: The youth replies there is not, for the land has greatly suffered from the war of the king of Norgales against the duke of Kambenig. The castle of Loverzep is to be attacked next morning. Gawan should rather accompany him to the hermitage. The hermit receives Gawan well and questions him. Gawan identifies as Arthurian knight who has set out from Logres on the quest for the best knight. The hermit says that one of his comrades, who once was a knight too and has not left long ago for the sake of a war, has told him many tales about the valiance of Arthur’s knights.

Motif References:

T 24.1 Love-sickness
T 24 The symptoms of love
T 41 Communication of lovers
P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
P 426.2 Hermit
P 429 Miscellaneous learned professions
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
Z 702 (Hi) Eponymous account of place name
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-402: (6) The story of the pious knight who became a hermit: One day a strong and fearful knight, by the name of Segurates, waged war against his son and had conquered his country except one castle which he was about to besiege. The son asked his father to help him. The hermit-knight then asked the hermit to counsel him, declaring that a man who kills men and robs their goods and land is to be regarded as evil as a heathen. The hermit replied that a Christian attacking his brothers in faith is even worse than any heathen. Any knight fighting the heathens overseas thus obtains penance for his sins for the heathens keep persecuting the Christians and refuse to believe in God. The hermit-knight thereupon left to help his son. This man told the hermit many tales about Arthur’s court. Gawan declares that the man told the truth and identifies as Gawan, nephew of King Arthur. He tells him that he has set out for Galahot’s land to look for Lancelot of the Lake, the best knight. The hermit relates the story of the war going on between the king of Norgales and the duke of Kambenig. The latter is fighting a just cause: Taking advantage of the duke’s absence (he had been captured in Arthur’s service) the king of Norgales built a stronghold in the duchy which he lost however for the duke gave it to a strong knight, who had abducted the king’s daughter. By this story Gawan identifies his brother Egravins and he asks the hermit who has got more troops. The hermit replies that the duke’s forces would outnumber his foe’s had he not just lost one of his sons. Moreover the duke is a righteous and pious knight. Next morning after he has heard mass Gawan leaves the hermitage.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
H 11 Recognition through story-telling.
P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
P 233 Father and son
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 550.1.3 (Tu) Declaration of war
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]
H 1385 Quest for lost person.
K 2200 Villains and traitors.

Lanc1-404: Before he leaves Gawan relates the story of the quest for Lancelot to his host and learns that Lancelot is staying with Galahot at Sorelois, such were the news his niece brought to him. Gawan met her not long ago, she was the maiden with the shield. Then he leads Gawan his way to Sorelois. Lancelot is not easy to be found by errant knights unless they get some directions. Gawan wants to join the duke of Kambenig and the hermit leads him the way. After he has left Norgales he should head for the Assirichie where he should ask his way to Sorelois. Then he will reach a river, that he must cross, a mountain, by the name of Montagne (Montanie), and after he has crossed another river, he should ride up a mountainside. On top of it he will meet a priest, the hermit’s master, who will grant hospitality if as a token he tells him that he was the hermit’s teacher. Gawan should stay with him to please the priest. The scholar joins Gawan to lead him the way to Loverzep. As they approach the castle Gawan sends him away, but the youth secretly hurries on to Loverzep to watch the battle from top of the walls. He advises the duke’s brother that he now could engage the best knight to fight for them: Gawan. The knight makes the boy swear secrecy and goes to meet Gawan who is pleased to fight for them. Giflet, son of Due, has come to Loverzep too. He changed his armor and therefore Gawan failed to recognize him although he met him. When Giflet learns that Gawan has joined the duke’s forces he disbelieves and joins the besiegers. Giflet had been a prisoner since Hestor and his three companions were unhorsed at the fountain.

Motif References:

Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
N 846 Cleric as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest
H 1233.3.1 Ascetic (hermit) gives directions to hero on quest
H 1235 Succession of helpers on quest

Lanc1-406: (11) In the battle Gawan unhorses Giflet whom he fails to recognize. Gawan’s fighting skill and his strength greatly amaze people. Giflet at last recognizes Gawan by his prowess and hurries to help him when he is pressed hard by the enemies. Finally the enemies are forced to retreat and take to flight. Giflet and Gawan set out in pursuit. Giflet and Gawan identify and are very happy to meet. Meanwhile the royal army has forced the duke and his men to retreat. Giflet and Gawan help the duke to drive them back again. The duke kills the king’s nephew to take revenge for the death of his son. The king of Norgales suffers great losses. Without anyone getting aware of it Gawan and Giflet leave the battlefield and come to the edge of a forest. Night has already fallen and the moon lights the scene. Giflet catches sight of two girls sitting in a tree. One of them climbs down and tells him that they have waited for them. They were certain the two of them would come by this tree. The prettier lady accompanies Gawan into the forest, they sit down and Gawan asks for her love. She replies that he certainly would not ask her if he knew that she is not his equal in beauty or wealth. He should rather woo for the love of the most beautiful, noble and rich damsel who is her mistress. But he will not know her identity until he embraces her. The girl knows the knights’ names. Gawan however does not listen to her but embraces and kisses her and when she sees that he would rape her she promises to give him a much more beautiful lady within three days. Thereupon they leave. Meanwhile Giflet has obtained the girl’s love and will accompany her wherever she goes. She orders him to let Gawan and his lady leave.

Motif References:

T 10 Falling in love
H 30 Recognition through personal peculiarities
T 471 Rape
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
N 762 Person accidentally met unexpectedly knows the other’s name
N 767.1 (Bm) Unwitting combat between friends. [Unwitting attack on friend]
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
H 1301 Quest for the most beautiful of women

Lanc1-409: (13) Gawan and the girl catch sight of a large fire in the forest. They meet two armed squires and a maiden who welcome them. Gawan enters a splendid tent with a costly bed. Tables have been set and a fine meal is served. Then the girl goes with Gawan into the forest and he asks for whom the tent has been pitched. She replies it was only pitched for his sake, though nobody knows who he is. Her mistress who is in love with him has sent her after him. She thinks he would only love the most pretty and noble woman - which however is not true. Therefore she must never know that he wanted to rape her. Then she tells him about her companion: For a long time she was the mistress of a knight, who then fell in love with another woman, not her equal in beauty, and gave all her precious and her costly garland away to his new mistress. Angrily she tried to recover her garland but only met scorn. Therefore she menaced to take the garland and her precious by force supported by a champion from Arthur’s court. The knight insulted her and did not take her seriously: He would wait for that champion there for four weeks. She now has obtained Giflet’s aid who will fight as her champion. The day before when riding through the forest they encountered a girl whom they told that they were searching for Gawan and a knight of Arthur. They learnt that Gawan and Giflet would come to the forest that evening. They could identify them by Gawan’s white shield and Giflet’s half golden, half red one.

Motif References:

T 11 Falling in love with person never seen
T 71 Woman scorned in love
Z 71.2 Formulistic number: four
T 89.3 (Bm) Faithless lover
T 92 Rivals in love
H 126 Identification by coat of arms
N 760.1 (Bm) Chance meeting of seeker and sought
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]

Lanc1-411: (15) That night Gawan sleeps in the splendid tent, with the two maidens at his feet. Meanwhile word has been sent to their mistress that they have achieved their quest and will join her within three days. The maiden and Gawan ride all day and in the evening take lodging at the castle of the girl’s aunt. After dinner two squires bring bad news: the duke wants to have the host killed. At Gawan’s question the lady relates the story to him: Her husband was a valiant knight, and his advice was sought for by the duke of Kambenig. He therefore was a powerful man. When the duke’s son was slain in the forest on the knight’s territory, the steward slandered him of treachery telling the duke that he had induced the murder. The knight now would have to prove his innocence. The steward is very strong and mighty warrior whom nobody dares to fight. Time limit comes to an end next morning. If the knight’s champion kills the steward in combat the latter will be killed. But the lady’s husband cannot compete with the steward as a fighter. Gawan offers to be the champion.

Motif References:

H 218 Trial by combat
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
K 914 Murder from ambush
K 2116.2 Man falsely accused of murder
K 2242 Treacherous steward

Lanc1-413: (13) Gawan asks for another shield for he wants to keep his incognito. He receives an old black but strong shield, an old fine spear, and he changes his horse as well. The hostess goes to see the duke to tell him that a champion has been found and the duke promises to release her husband, by the name of Manasses. The ordeal takes place before the town of Cincaverne. The steward knows nothing about the champion’s whereabouts for otherwise the murderer would have killed him. Gawan hears mass and prays to God to help him. As he is about to mount, an arrow wounds his horse though safe conduct has been promised. The duke is outraged and promises to hang the offender. He gives his oath that he knew nothing about it and makes the steward and his friends swear as well on the relics. As some of them accuse the steward’s brother of the treachery the duke has him imprisoned. The duke gives Gawan his best horse. Then the steward has to swear his accusation on relics and Gawan gives his oath too. The champions ride to the field of combat that is closed behind them and moreover enclosed by a deep moat. People watch the combat. Manasses’s wife and her niece pray in the Minster for their knight. Gawan and the steward fight furiously. For the sake of his opponent’s valiance who renders it difficult for Gawan to believe that he is a traitor entreats him to admit his crime. Yet the steward refuses. The fight continues. The people’s sympathy is with Gawan for they love Manasses. News of the combat reaches the ladies in the Minster and the maiden hurries to see for herself. The champions are already exhausted and Gawan is wounded. The maiden swoons.

Motif References:

H 218 Trial by combat
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
P 570 (Bm) Safe conduct
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
K 1839.17 (Bm) Disguise by changing armor
K 2242 Treacherous steward

Lanc1-416: (25) Lionel (Lyonel) on his way to bring Galahot’s message to the queen approaches the town. Having never before watched a judicial combat he hurries to see it. Lionel is fascinated by the fighters and forgetting all around him he rides straight toward the swooned maiden. People caring for her tell him to turn back but he does not listen. Therefore they catch his horse, which alarms Lionel and he questions them. One knight calls him a fool and only the maiden keeps him from attacking the man. Lionel declares he need not watch the combat for he often saw a better knight fighting. Gawan recognizes Lionel by his voice. Though they ask him about that better knight Lionel refuses to tell, but declares that to escape that man they would rather leave him all of Galahot’s riches - Lionel takes him for the most wealthy man on earth. Gawan is happy on hearing that name. The young woman who came with him warns him by calling his name. Lionel cannot believe that Gawan is fighting there, which makes the maiden swoon. The duke too is amazed for he saw Gawan fighting at Loverzep. Gawan overhearing the offenses grows angry and fights with strength renewed.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
H 79.3 Recognition by voice
H 218 Trial by combat
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief

Lanc1-418: (4) At that point a young woman with veiled face approaches Lionel. At her question Lionel replies that he serves a knight. She takes the reigns of his horse and declares him her captive unless he would disclose his lord’s name. As he still refuses to tell she entreats him for the sake of his faithfulness to the damsel who rescued him when he was in danger. Lionel begs her not to make him break his promise. At last he admits that he is serving Lancelot. The maiden promises him punishment, for he failed to prove his love to her. She unveils and Lionel falls silent from shock for he loves her. She blames him of offense. Then the lady tells Gawan that she has met a knight who could give him directions on his quest. Lionel rushes off in distress and the lady leaves as well. She has been sent by the Lady of the Lake. Her name is Sarayde (Syraide) and she once rescued Lionel and his brother. The name of her mistress is Ninienne (Niniene). Seeing both of them rushing away Gawan presses the steward hard, yet the steward refuses to surrender. Gawan decapitates him and takes the head to the duke. Manasse and his family thank Gawan.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
F 186 (Li) Otherworld messenger
H 218 Trial by combat
Q 261 Treachery punished
Q 411.4 Death as punishment for treachery
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1232.2 Directions on quest given by queen (lady)

Lanc1-420: Gawan leaves in a hurry to find the squire (Lionel). The maiden cannot keep up with him and decides to wait for him in town. The duke is overjoyed to see her again. She has brought Gawan’s shield with her which reassures them that he would return soon. Then the steward is hung by his feet at his brother’s side. Gawan hurries to catch up with Lionel. In a forest he catches sight of a man carrying a sword who keeps lamenting that he did not have himself killed - Lionel. As Gawan catches up with him the man flees into the forest. They recognize and Gawan learns that Lionel has lost his horse: an armed knight led it away without Lionel daring to defend himself for a squire is not allowed to fight a knight. Gawan promises to recover the horse. He comes to a clearing and watches a combat of two knights, one of them took Lionel’s horse. Gawan calls the man to account and challenges him. Yet the second knight claims the combat for himself and Gawan declares he would fight the two of them. The second knight identifies Gawan as the champion who defeated the steward Gloadain at Kambenig. The news make the knight return Lionel’s horse. His opponent, rather surprised, wants to know Gawan’s name.

Motif References:

S 182.3 (G) Man hanged by feet to tree
Q 470 Humiliating punishments
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
N 746 Accidental meeting of cousins

Lanc1-422: Gawan at last identifies and the three of them return to Lionel. The knight asks Lionel on his knees to pardon him and Lionel takes his oath that he never again would attack an unarmed man except in case of defense, and to assist any unarmed man to fight an armed opponent. They tell their story to Gawan: Both of them boasted of valiance until one of them declared that the other one would not dare to come with him into this forest. They set out, challenged each other and one of them lost his horse. He therefore took Lionel’s steed. Learning that the knights fought for a trifle Gawan asks them to become friends which they do. Then he leaves with Lionel whom he asks about Galahot. The squire refuses to break his word. Gawan asks him if Galahot is in Sorelois and Lionel replies that he would have to surmount great difficulties: Sorelois only can be entered on two long and narrow causeways that are watched by a knight and ten squires. Gawan leaves Lionel and returns to the town. Gawan has Manasses given back his land and he again becomes the duke’s steward. Next morning Gawan leaves the young lady leading him his way.

Motif References:

P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
W 117 Boastfulness.
M 166 Other vows about fighting
N 387 Feud starts over trifle
L 430 Arrogance repaid
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-424: They take a night’s lodging at the house of the lady’s father. Next noon they come into a wild forest, named Bleve, that belongs to the king of Norgales. The land is infertile and waste and almost deserted by people. They watch a knight fighting bravely against three opponents. The lady recognizes the knights of the king of Norgales whom she would rather avoid. But Gawan insists on helping that knight, Segremors. Gawan unhorses a knight, the rest of the company takes to flight. Gawan and Segremors set out in pursuit. Segremors splits the head of a man which annoys Gawan who would rather leave them. He keeps Segremors from further pursuit. They recognize happily. Segremors has been searching for Gawan. Segremors asks him for news about their friends and Gawan tells him that he met Giflet. Segremors relates the story of Giflet’s captivity to him. Segremors and Iwan were held captive by the king with the 100 knights, but a knight by the name of Hestor rescued them. Gawan asks about Hestor’s quest: he searches for the man who fought for his niece. Gawan then tells Segremors that it was Hestor who unhorsed them at the fountain, and that he searches for him, Gawan.

Motif References:

R 110 Rescue of captive
W 185 Violence of temper
N 760.1 (Bm) Chance meeting of seeker and sought
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
F 873.0.1 Battle rage
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-426: (5) Segremors asks about the lady in Gawan’s company and Gawan tells him that she fell in love with Segremors for the sake of his valiance. She admits to love that man. Segremors wants to see her face, yet she insists that he promises his love to her before. When he refuses to give such a promise before having set his eyes on her she unveils. Segremors is pleased. Then she gives him a close look and sees that he is worthy of her love. They kiss. Gawan tells her that the man is Segremors the Wild and a knight of King Arthur. Segremors is an impetuous man but only achieves great deeds after he has fought on for some time. Then he turns out an excellent knight with whom nobody can keep up. After cooling down the combat leaves him hungry and weak. This moment has come and he thinks he is about to die from hunger. He is so weak that they have to go slowly. In the evening when they cross a little river Segremors is too weak to talk. They enter a splendid castle that is deserted. The maiden serves them to eat and drink which strengthens Segremors again. Then she tells them that this castle belongs to the king of Norgales, the father of her mistress. The king has a close watch onto his daughter. The maiden leads Gawan to her mistress. They pass the stable with twenty black palfreys, a room with twenty hawks and falcons, another one with twenty steeds. Gawan questions her about the animals and learns that they belong to twenty armed knights who guard the fortress each night. The king was sent word that Gawan had set out to see his daughter. The news made him place twenty men to watch her chamber. The maiden shows the rooms to Gawan and leaves.

Motif References:

T 11 Falling in love with person never seen
T 50.1.2 Girl carefully guarded by father
W 185 Violence of temper
F 873.0.1 Battle rage

Lanc1-428: (30) Gawan makes ready for combat. But the warriors are fast asleep and Gawan enters the chamber, closing the door behind him. On a splendid bed he catches sight of a beautiful girl whom he wakes by kisses. He identifies and she makes him lie at her side. They love and talk. At midnight Gawan and the girl fall asleep. The king of Norgales looking through a little window into the chamber is shocked to see his daughter and Gawan in bed. He tells his wife. The king would like to have his revenge without anybody knowing that the knight slept with his daughter. Therefore he bribes two faithful servants to kill Gawan. The men however are moved to pity on seeing the beautiful young persons. Gawan by accident touches their weapon and is alarmed. They miss him. Gawan defends himself. As the warriors are about to enter the room the maiden’s clever strategy enables him to fight one opponent after the other. Gawan then escapes to the stable where Segremors is already waiting for him.

Motif References:

T 50.1.2 Girl carefully guarded by father
T 55 Girl as wooer. Forthputting woman
P 59.5 (Bm) Knight fights naked (without armor) but for sword [spear]
R 210 Escapes
P 234 Father and daughter
T 400 Illicit sexual relations
K 449 (Bm) Bribe
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
P 614 (Bm) Bribes
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
J 1111 Clever girl

Lanc1-431: (23) Gawan (with his sword Eschcaliburg) and Segremors rage among the castle’s warriors. Gawan’s sweetheart warns them they should leave the castle as quick as possible. They do with the king and hundred men pursuing them. The girl cuts the drawbridge as soon as the first warrior has passed it. Finding himself isolated he has to surrender to Segremors who by the order of Gawan sends him as a prisoner to the princess. Segremors’s lady catches up with them reassuring Gawan about his sweetheart’s fate: she has nothing to fear for she is dear to the king and the queen. Moreover they already lost her sister, who left with Egravins. She suggests they should take refuge in her father’s castle before joining Egravins who will protect them. Gawan sets out for Sorelois, a country of many adventures.

Motif References:

P 234 Father and daughter
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
F 628.1 Strong man kills many men
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-434: (10) Hestor still is the prisoner of the lord of Mares, father of Ladomas (who was wounded by Gwinans of Bleckenstein when he found him with his lady) and of Maltrailis killed by Hestor (when he rescued Sinados of Windisore). The lord of the Engen Marck and his daughter who is in love with Hestor learn of his captivity. The girl sends a messenger to Sinados asking him and Margenor, the steward of the king with the 100 knights, to help him. Meanwhile news have come to the niece of the lord of Mares that her uncle captured a strong knight. She wants to obtain his help to release her sister from captivity. Ladomas’s ladylove asks Hestor about it and as soon as he learns that he would not have to fight an Arthurian knight he agrees. But he will only leave if they clear him of any accusation which they do. Hestor and the girl leave. Soon they come upon Sinados and Margenor and their troops who want to rescue Hestor. They welcome each other happily. Hestor and the maiden continue their journey.

Motif References:

R 41.1 Captivity in castle
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]

Lanc1-436: (31) She tells the story of her beautiful sister: A brave knight fell in love with her and married her without consent of his family. The girl was not his equal. One day they went for a walk near a fountain where they met his uncle who blamed the man of having left chivalry for his wife’s sake. She became angry and replied that even if he had lost his knightly skills for her sake she too suffered a loss: men courting her for the praise of her beauty was greater than his praise as a knight. Her husband became furious at her and imprisoned her until the case would be decided. He even promised not to return to his wife if he found a lady excelling her in beauty. She would be released if a knight would excel him in chivalry. For this reason her sister is a prisoner since five years already. Her husband’s family however still failed to find a lady superior in beauty and the knight defeated all opponents turning up. About twenty times she failed in meeting Gawan at Arthur’s court. They come to the castle of the maiden’s sister and Gawan receives a friendly welcome. They continue to the castle of Gasevilte, where the lady is imprisoned. Her name is Alene Ohnegleichen, her husband is called Persides.

Motif References:

P 50 Noblemen (knights) [rules of chivalry]
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
T 91 Unequals in love
W 116 Vanity
T 121 Unequal marriage
T 131.1.3 Marriage against will of parents
T 200 Married life
T 252 The overbearing wife
T 257.12 (Bm) Jealous husband confines wife to tower
Q 433 Punishment: Imprisonment
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
H 1301 Quest for the most beautiful of women
H 1316 Quest for the strongest [best] knight
H 1596 Beauty contest

Lanc1-438: As they ride through the town people curse their lady’s beauty that meant death to many a man. When Alene learns that a champion has arrived she dresses up. Her resplendent beauty amazed Hestor and from shock he turns pale. She has been confined to a tiny room, with only one window and a small door. The knight constantly carries the key with him. Hestor declares that there can never be a knight so valiant as this lady is beautiful. Hestor meets the knight and blames him of fighting for a trifle: his wife’s beauty clearly surpasses his bravery. He ought to earn people’s praise rather than praise himself. They fight and Hestor unhorses him, but still the husband refuses to acknowledge that his wife is the most beautiful woman. The fight continues but the knight only gives in as Hestor is about to chop off his head. Hestor takes the man’s oath that his wife’s beauty surpasses his own bravery and sends them to Arthur’s court to surrender to the queen. The lady is released.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
R 41.2 Captivity in tower
R 75 Surrendering
N 90 Wagers and gambling - miscellaneous
T 257.12 (Bm) Jealous husband confines wife to tower
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
F 574.1 Resplendent beauty
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
J 2080 Foolish bargains

Lanc1-441: (7) Next morning Hestor leaves. The maiden advises him to ride to Norgales. There is a war going on and he might find the knight he searches for among the warriors. In the meantime Lionel has arrived in Logres. The queen and the lady of Maloaut are happy to get news about Lancelot and are pleased about Gawan’s exploit. At this point a messenger arrives: The Saxons with a great army have invaded Scotland, the land is being raided by a king. Many a man has been slain and Azabet is besieged. The king is shocked and summons his army to Carduel. The queen however is pleased: she sends word to Lancelot to join the army so that they could meet at Carduel. She sends a red flag as a token with Lionel. Lancelot should display it on his helmet. He should carry the black shield with the silver chevron as well. She also sends a golden clasp from her dress, a precious comb with one of her hair and her belt with a little bag with Lionel. Moreover she orders Lancelot to do everything Gawan asks him but without disclosing their secret. Yet he should fight in the company of Galahot and Lionel. Lionel returns to Sorelois. Arthur’s counselors advise their king against asking Galahot for military aid, he could think him a coward.

Motif References:

T 41 Communication of lovers
P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
T 59 (Bm) Love tokens
H 82.3 Tokens between lovers
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 550 Military affairs
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
H 1232.2 Directions on quest given by queen (lady)

Lanc1-442: (19) Gawan arrives at the hermitage of the Red Mountain. The hermit recognizes Gawan and tells him that Lionel was his guest after he had left Sorelois. He warns him that the kingdom is well protected. Next morning Gawan leaves after mass and soon reaches the causeway in a wild forest. The river Assirichie has to be crossed at the bridge of Norgales, and on the far end of the causeway there is the bridge of Ireland to be passed, that has a strong tower. Gawan sends the squire away, but the youth stops on top of a hill to watch events. Gawan crosses the bridge and arrives at the causeway. A knight challenges him: He only will be given the key to the tower if he overcomes him and ten warriors. And he must tell them his name. Gawan then would have to have to defend the passage until further notice. Gawan promises. They joust and Gawan unhorses the knight yet the warriors kill his horse. The squire warns them that their opponent is Gawan, the king’s nephew. They take to flight, pursued by Gawan and the squire. One of them gives the key to Gawan and declares defeat. Gawan orders the squire to leave and to keep his name secret to everybody except Genover or a knight of the Round Table. He hopes that Hestor would turn up. Gawan stays in the tower. An engraving on a slab tells of his exploit: Gawan was the first man to enforce the passage since peace was made between Arthur and Galahot. The slab tells that Iders, Dodines and Melians Deliz achieved this adventure as well.

Motif References:

Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero
P 426.2 Hermit
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
F 842 Extraordinary bridge
N 843 Hermit as helper
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc1-445: (22) In the meantime Hestor has left Norgales and having learned that an errant knight is heading for Sorelois he tries to catch up with him until he meets Gawan’s squire. The squire tells him about Gawan for Lionel is an Arthurian knight and for the sake of queen Genover. Lionel stays overnight with the hermit of the Red Mountain. The day after he reaches the causeway. Gawan sends a squire to ask Hestor if he would like to try the adventure. Hestor denies that he is an Arthurian knight and they joust until noon. Gawan recognizes Hestor’s sword and asks for his name. They welcome each other happily. Gawan wants to surrender to Hestor, who refuses. Gawan leads him to the tower and tells the squires that this knight defeated him. Gawan has Hestor’s name written on the slab and both of them stay in the tower. Hestor relates the story of his quest for Gawan to him and thanks him for the sword he sent him.

Motif References:

H 30 Recognition through personal peculiarities
Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-447: (29) Meanwhile Galahot has got the news about the events at the borders of his kingdom. He is outraged but Lancelot rejoices for he hopes for a joust. Galahot strives to make life comfortable for his friend: In order to keep is friend from fighting he takes him to a strong castle located on an isolated island, that is called the Lost Island (Verlorene Insel). Galahot sends a man by the name of Helies of Ragres to defend the causeway. Gawan questions Helies but learns nothing about Lancelot. Gawan sends the knight he defeated, by the name of Elinans from the Islands, to the queen to inform her that he is in the company of Hestor. Elinans later on becomes an Arthurian knight. Gawan and Hestor go to see Galahot in Sorelois.

Motif References:

P 310 Friendship

Lanc1-449: (5) Lancelot suffers from his love: He is absentminded and depressed, neither eats nor drinks, is sleepless and unable to enjoy courtly pastimes. He keeps waiting for his messenger’s return. One day Hestor and Gawan meet a maiden who in return for a rash boon promises to tell them where to find Galahot. They come to the Lost Island. The only entrance to the stronghold is a drawbridge. Lancelot catches sight of them and has Galahot send a squire to them. They declare they have come to see Galahot. According to his orders the squire pretends that Galahot is not there, but Gawan replies that he certainly is and they will take anything that leaves the fortress as their booty until Galahot shows up. Galahot outraged sends two fully armed men toward the strangers. Gawan and Hestor prepare to fight. Gawan declares that his arrogance was meant to provoke the islanders and his plan worked. The drawbridge is lowered. The two warriors offer them a choice: surrender or combat. As Gawan is told that surrender would not bring him into the fortress either Gawan and Lionel fight and soon overcome their opponents. They learn that the best knight stays at the fortress. Galahot furious that his knights have been defeated makes ready for combat.

Motif References:

T 24 The symptoms of love
J 1113 Clever boy [youth, knight]
H 1232.2 Directions on quest given by queen (lady)
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-451: (18) Lancelot leaves in the company of the king with the 100 knights. Gawan recognizes Lancelot. Hestor fights the king who displays a red lion as his device, Gawan fights Lancelot who carries Galahot’s device, blue crowns on golden ground. Lancelot and Gawan, the king and Hestor fight furiously. Galahot leaves the castle to watch the combat. After noon Gawan who already had become weary and breathless as usual regains his strength and breath. Lionel comes and recognizes Gawan by his armor. Lancelot catching sight of Lionel is reminded of his love and fights with renewed strength. Lionel urges Lancelot to stop the joust for his opponent is Gawan whom he must spare according to the queen’s orders. Lancelot is grieved that he fought Gawan and leaves weeping. Gawan joins him asking him for his name. Weeping Lancelot is unable to speak. Gawan rides with him toward the castle. Galahot asks Hestor for his and his companion’s names. Then Galahot welcomes Gawan at his castle. Gawan asks Galahot to pardon him: his arrogance only was a trick to overawe Galahot. Gawan thinks that he has found the knight he sought for.

Motif References:

P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
H 151.10 Combat of unknown brothers [relatives, unrecognized friends] brings about recognition
N 767.1 (Bm) Unwitting combat between friends. [Unwitting attack on friend]
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
D 1830 Magic strength
D 1836 Magic waxing and waning of strength.
K 1839.17 (Bm) Disguise by changing armor

Lanc1-454: (34) Meanwhile Lancelot is distressed for he thinks to have lost the queen’s love because he fought Gawan. Galahot promises to bring about reconciliation. He advises him to ask Gawan to pardon him and become his friend. Gawan pardons him willingly and asks for his name. Lancelot remains silent at first but then Galahot makes him tell his name. Four days later a young lady arrives with message from Egravins: King Arthur has set out toward Scotland to fight the Saxon invaders. Gawan should join the king and relate the story of his quest to him. Gawan, Lancelot and Hestor become friends. Gawan has the four of them bled and sends the maiden to Egravins so that he be cured by the blood. According to the queen’s orders Galahot has made shields for Lancelot and Gawan and asks them to join the war. They decide to change their armor and shields to keep their incognito. On their way to Arthur they meet the young lady who led Gawan the way toward the Lost Island and ask her where to find the king. She obtains their rash boon to ride one mile in her company whenever asked to and tells that they would meet the king in Arestueil in Scotland at the Saxons’ Rock (Sassen Fels).

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 552.6 (Tu) Conscription of troops: summoning allies as preparation for war
D 1003 Magic blood - human
D 1500.1.7.3 Magic healing blood
K 1839.17 (Bm) Disguise by changing armor
D 2161.2 Magic cure of wound.

Lanc1-456: (31) They arrive at Arestueil where the king is besieging the Saxon fortress Saxons’ Rock, a fortress that only can be taken by famine. The stronghold has been built secretly a long time ago when Verthyger married the daughter of Hangus the Saxon. The fortress is at about twelve miles distance from Arestueil and the land in between has been laid waste except one castle belonging to a beautiful Saxon sorceress, by the name of Gartissie (Canille). She is a malicious lady who secretly has fallen in love with King Arthur. According to Gawan’s counsel the knights decide to wait until the king leaves camp for otherwise they would have to disclose Lancelot’s whereabouts. They pitch their tents between the army and Arestueil where no one knows them. Gawan and Hestor ride to the army, where their turned shields cause amazement. Gawan sees that all his companions are with the king except Segremors who would have died had he left his ladylove (he joins the army later on). Gawan tells them that he achieved his quest but will not identify before the army leaves. They should make quarters without attracting attention. Key asks for the knight who unhorsed them at the fountain (Hestor) and Gawan praises him. Then he returns to Galahot, who has pitched a splendid tent.

Motif References:

T 11 Falling in love with person never seen
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
D 1711 Magician

Lanc1-458: (6) Arthur keeps asking the sorceress for her love, but she refuses. She has bound the king by a love-charm and he suffers from love. The next day the battle starts. Lancelot carries the black shield with a silver chevron, Galahot the shield of the king with the 100 knights, Gawan a shield blue with silver, the shield of Galoins of Rones, one of Galahot’s men and a fine knight, and Hestor’s shield is silver with red bend. That day Arthur has armed himself to fight the Saxons and the Irish, for his army is not yet present in full numbers. The king excels in battle for the sake of the sorceress watching from the walls. Gawan and his companions join the fighting. Galahot and Lancelot ride to the queen’s quarters. The queen and the lady of Maloaut watch the battle from a tower. The latter recognizes Lancelot and Hestor by their shields and the token on Lancelot’s helmet. As Lancelot perceives his love the shock nearly unhorses him. The queen sends for Lionel and gives orders that the tournament should be restricted to the field beneath the tower. Lionel informs Lancelot who is so absentminded that he can hardly speak. Lancelot excels in battle and the Saxons have to retreat.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
H 126 Identification by coat of arms
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
F 628.1 Strong man kills many men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
D 1355.3 Love charm
D 1711 Magician

Lanc1-459: (11) He sends Lionel to the queen to obtain further orders for he would have to change sides to obey her. The queen gives her consent. When she wants him to change sides once again she will turn her mantle with the fur inside out. But if the king is in distress he should help him anyhow. Lionel brings the message to Lancelot. Galahot suggests they should change sides for the moment to make Arthur’s party retreat so that they could take mighty prisoners. At this point the Saxons believe to have won the battle. The king is in despair. The queen by her token orders Lancelot to change sides. Lancelot excels and many Irish and Saxons are killed in the water moat, that turns red from blood. Since then the ford is called the Ford of Blood (Blutes Vort). As Lancelot loses his helmet the queen sends a maiden to Lancelot with a new helmet and the order that he should let the enemy flee for she has grown tired of watching that butchery. Lancelot obeys his lady’s orders. Aramont, the brother of the Saxon king Aygelt, is taken prisoner as are many enemies. In that battle Lancelot helped Arthur three times. The Saxons and the Irish are defeated.

Motif References:

T 41 Communication of lovers
P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
H 82.3 Tokens between lovers
Z 702 (Hi) Eponymous account of place name
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-460: (27) After the battle Galahot and Lancelot join the queen and a rendezvous is arranged for the next day. Arthur receives message from the sorceress to meet her. When he comes to see her she tells him she will test his love: He must sleep with her at the castle the same night. He takes her promise that she would tolerate what a knight uses to do with his love. A squire will bring the king to her. Arthur sends word to the queen that he cannot join her for the moment. Thereupon the queen sends word to Galahot and Lancelot to come to see her in the orchard in the evening as soon as Gawan and Hestor are asleep. They should come well armed. That night the king secretly leaves with his nephew Guerehes and the lady’s squire. The sorceress lies with the king until forty armed men break the door and capture the king and Guerehes. Lancelot and Galahot ride to the orchard (their squires have been ordered to take their place in their beds to conceal their absence) to meet their ladies. At midnight the queen has a close look on Lancelot’s shield that the Lady of the Lake has sent her: The shield is mended which proves Lancelot’s true love.

Motif References:

R 4 Surprise capture
T 35 Lovers’ rendezvous
Z 150 Other symbols
H 421 Tests for true lover
T 481 Adultery
K 750 Capture by decoy
F 1098 Object miraculously mended.
H 1556.4 Fidelity in love tested
D 1711 Magician

Lanc1-462: (26) In the morning the lady of Maloaut has a look at the mended shield which she takes as symbol of their lovers’ faithfulness. The queen relates the story of the shield to Lancelot: sent by the Lady of the Lake, mended last night. The lady of Maloaut points out that everything would be perfect now if only Lancelot became the king’s knight. The queen asks Lancelot in private that he should agree when Gawan would want him to become Arthur’s knight. Thus they could meet each day. A great feast is celebrated at the Rock of the Saxons and the shields of their prisoners, Arthur and Guerehes, are displayed at the pinnacles. The king’s men are in distress. The queen sends Lionel after Galahot and Lancelot. Meanwhile the lady has asked the knights to fulfill their promise to escort her. She warns them that Arthur and Guerehes are in danger, but she will advise them how they could be rescued. They set out with her and in the evening she leads them into a cave, feigning that Arthur is to be imprisoned there. The maiden tells them to watch the cave, while she will take orders to their men to be ready for fighting. Hestor, Gawan, Galahot and Lancelot are left behind to keep watch in separate caves. The girl leaves but soon returns in the company of two knights, wearing the armors of Arthur and Guerehes. Lancelot is made captive and taken to the castle as prisoner. In such a manner Galahot, Gawan and Hestor are captured. Only Lancelot refuses to surrender. Lionel tells the queen that the knights left in the company of a lady she knows that they have been tricked. She laments all night.

Motif References:

R 4 Surprise capture
R 41.1 Captivity in castle
H 84 Tokens of exploits
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
H 421 Tests for true lover
P 557 Military customs
P 634 Feasts
K 750 Capture by decoy
K 810.1 (Bm) Ambush
D 810 Magic object a gift
F 340 Gifts from fairies
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
F 1098 Object miraculously mended.
D 1101.1 Magic shield
H 1556.4 Fidelity in love tested
K 2246.0.1 Treacherous princess (queen)

Lanc1-464: (32) Next morning the shields of the captive knights are displayed as well. Iwan tries to reassure the queen who is in despair. She entreats him to protect her and the king’s honor. The battle against the Saxons continues. Arthur’s troops are led by Iwan while Key carries the standard. King Iders excels in fighting, mounted on his favorite horse he has well protected against the enemy. The Saxons are defeated and take to flight. Iders’s horse is killed and he is carried to the queen’s quarters. The Saxons took refuge in their stronghold. The Rock of the Saxons is well protected by a river and swamp. There is a small entrance toward the river that everyone thinks impregnable though it is nothing but a magic barrier. The door is watched permanently by 200 armed men, to prevent the rescue of Arthur and the captives.

Motif References:

R 41.1 Captivity in castle
P 557 Military customs
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
D 1146 Magic door (gate)
D 2031 Magic illusion

Lanc1-466: (24) Lancelot out of grief neither eats nor drinks, then he turns mad and in his rage he hurts anyone he can get hold of. Therefore he has to be isolated. The lady of the castle asks the guardian about the mad knight’s identity, but he cannot tell. The man might be some landless knight. Thereupon the lady has him released: he would perish anyhow. The Saxons escaped into their stronghold through the magic door, their pursuers were unable to pass. Lancelot leaves through it. Galahot is sad that Lancelot has left and out of grief neither eats nor drinks. Meanwhile Lancelot has joined the king’s army again, still in a rage beating and biting everything he can reach. One day he accidentally enters the queen’s quarters and she swoons at his sight. Lancelot attacks the lady of Maloaut and only calms down on hearing the queen’s voice. The queen’s ladies only learn that the man is the bravest knight ever. Only the queen can handle him. Each night he lies in the queen’s bed. Her maidens think she laments out of grief for the king.

Motif References:

N 660 Accidental escapes.
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief
F 1041.8.2 Madness from grief

Lanc1-468: (11) The Saxons once again attack the royal army. Lancelot who has passed eleven nights sleepless finally has fallen asleep. On learning of the furious battle the queen swoons and laments out of grief for Lancelot’s madness. She recalls his exploits as a warrior. Overhearing her speech he jumps to his feet, gets hold of the shield of the Lady of the Lake and a lance and starts fighting against a pillar. Then he swoons. After he has come to his senses again he asks for the king and Gawan. Genover tells him they have been captured. Lancelot recognizes her and madness seems to have left him. Yet as they take the shield from him he turns mad again. The queen swoons. A beautiful lady arrives with her retinue, all clad in white. Lancelot rages in the room. The stranger asks about the knight’s illness and the queen tells her. Then the lady catches Lancelot’s hand, talks to him as she did when he was a child, and puts the shield onto him. She declares that she came for the sake of his unhappiness. Lancelot weeps and wants the shield to be removed which the lady refuses for the moment.

Motif References:

Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero
N 815 Fairy as helper
F 959.1 Madness miraculously cured
F 1041.8.2 Madness from grief
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
J 2010 Uncertainty about own identity.

Lanc1-470: (6) The lady applies a salve onto his head, which makes Lancelot calm down and sleep. She orders them to make a bath ready for him as soon as he wakes up. He will be cured thereafter. He should carry no shield but this one in combat. The queen learns that the lady is Lancelot’s foster mother who raised him after he had lost father and mother, and who took him to court so that he could be knighted by King Arthur. She knows the shield’s secrets. Many wonders still are to come from that weapon. The Lady of the Lake raised the knight for Genover’s sake, but she never told him his identity, for she wanted her lover to believe that the boy is her nephew. Then she foretells that Lancelot will rescue the king and the captives within nine days. Though it is foolish and sinful the love of the best knight and the most beautiful and perfect woman is to be approved of. As she is about to leave Lionel enters and recognizes the Lady of the Lake. He learns good news about his brother Bohort. The queen watches Lancelot’s sleep. When he wakes he has a bath and recovers his beauty and strength. The queen relates the story of his madness and cure by the Lady of the Lake to him. He thought it a dream.

Motif References:

R 169.8 Predestined rescuer
P 272 Foster mother
F 340 Gifts from fairies
M 301.6 Fairies as prophets
F 311.3 Fairy foster-mother.
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
D 810 Magic object a gift
N 815 Fairy as helper
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
F 872 Extraordinary bath
D 1101.1 Magic shield
D 1244 Magic salve (ointment)
D 1500.1.19 Magic healing salve.
D 1508.5 (Bm) Magic ointment cures madness.

Lanc1-472: (13) Nine days later the Saxons once again attack the Arthurian army. Lancelot obtains the queen’s permission to help Iwan’s troops who suffered great losses and sent for help. Lancelot and Lionel carrying the queen’s banner ride into battle. The battle cry of the Arthurian knights is “Clarence”. Clarence is the name of a splendid town at the Welsh border that once belonged to king Tabalais, an ancestor of Uterpandragon. Lancelot fights with the king’s sword, by the name of Secace, which only is used in life and death battle. Lancelot rages among the enemy and kills many a man. His valiance encourages the troops and the enemy is put to flight. Lancelot perceives their leader, Hargadrabant, a huge knight. He is the brother of the sorceress of the castle and captured King Arthur in order to conquer Britain. Lancelot overcomes and wounds him, then leaves in pursuit of the Saxons, while Iwan takes Hargadrabant captive. But the man is so distressed because he has lost a leg that he stabs himself in Iwan’s tent. Lancelot drives the Saxons and Irish into the river beneath the fortress. Lancelot keeps them from reaching the magic gate and the victims’ blood reddens the water. 2000 men swim through the river and perish in the swamp. The others flee with Lancelot pursuing and slaying lots of them. Lancelot is covered with blood altogether so that he can hardly be recognized.

Motif References:

R 70 Behavior of captives
P 253 Sister and brother
R 260 Pursuits
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
P 557 Military customs
F 628.1 Strong man kills many men
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 873.0.1 Battle rage
F 1041.21.8 (Bm) Suicide from grief
F 1084.1 Deep streams of blood flow during battle
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-475: (18) Lionel tries to stop Lancelot’s furious fighting but only succeeds when he orders him to stop for the queen’s sake. Lancelot is outraged. The enemies turn against Iwan but take good care to avoid Lancelot. Iwan fights the Saxons until nightfall. Lancelot enters by the magic gate, guarded by 200 knights. They greet each other. Because of his shield Lancelot detects that the barrier is mere illusion. Lancelot fights his way into the castle. He rushes into the sorceress’s chamber, splits the head of the lady’s lover, a young and strong knight by the name of Gardazelaim, and slays his companions. Some of them escape by jumping out of the window. Then he has himself led to the dungeon in the tower. The king fails to recognize Lancelot. They are overjoyed about their rescue, only Galahot weeps out of grief for lost Lancelot. Lancelot identifies and they kiss. Gawan tells the king that the quest for Lancelot is accomplished. Arthur falls to his knees and thanks him for he saved his life several times.

Motif References:

P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
R 110 Rescue of captive
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
F 873.0.1 Battle rage
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
D 1101.1 Magic shield
D 1317.0.2 (G) Magic ring detects enchantments
D 2031 Magic illusion

Lanc1-478: (7) Outside they find the tower still defended. Therefore Lancelot threatens to chop off the sorceress’s head and forces her to order her men surrender the tower. They only give in after Arthur has granted them safe conduct to leave. Gawan enters the tower, Lancelot leaves the fortress to lead Iwan and his men their way into the castle. The Saxons take to flight. Key comes upon a fettered maiden in a room, Gardazelaim’s former mistress, held captive for three years without his knowledge by the jealous sorceress Gartissie who had ambushed the king and his companions by magic. Key releases the girl. When she learns that the fortress has been conquered she warns him: They should not let the lady escape with her books and her boxes otherwise they would lose the fortress within seven days for she would flood the tower by means of her books of magic. She leads Key into an underground chamber, where the books are stored in a shrine with iron clasps. Key burns all of it. When Gartissie learns that her books and boxes have been destroyed she jumps from the walls and injures herself severely. Arthur whom she bewitched by a love-charm is grieved.

Motif References:

R 41.1 Captivity in castle
T 92 Rivals in love
R 111 Rescue of captive maiden.
T 257 Jealous husband or wife.
F 721.4 Underground treasure chambers
D 866 Magic object destroyed.
F 883.1 Extraordinary book
D 915.6 Magic flood
F 1041.21.8 (Bm) Suicide from grief
D 1266 Magic book
D 1273 Magic formula (charm)
D 1355.3 Love charm
K 2231 Treacherous mistress

Lanc1-479: (20) Arthur and his men occupy the castle. Gawan warns Arthur that he should not let Lancelot leave with his friend Galahot. The king has the gates watched. When Arthur and his knights sit together the king asks them to grant him a rash boon and they promise. Galahot fears to lose his friend and warns Lancelot that the king is about to ask him to become his knight. Lancelot declares he would not agree, and asks Galahot for advice what to do if the queen insisted. Galahot advises him to agree. The king sends for the queen, who kisses Lancelot, pretending she does not know him. She declares that she is grateful for her husband’s rescue and will love Lancelot as her knight. Then she welcomes the company of knights. Only Segremors has not yet joined them and Gawan tells them he would be with ladylove. The queen relates the story of Lancelot’s cure by the Lady of the Lake to them. The king tells her that the knight she just kissed is Lancelot of the Lake who helped him in the battles against Galahot. Iwan praises Lancelot’s exploits, and Arthur praises him for having rescued them from prison. Hestor has accomplished his quest for he brought Gawan and Iwan to the queen. Hestor rescued Iwan and Segremors from captivity. Gawan tells the story of Hestor who unhorsed them at the fountain. Hestor is praised.

Motif References:

M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero
P 310 Friendship

Lanc1-481: (15) The king wants Lancelot to become knight of the Round Table and he entreats the queen to help him asking Galahot to help them. Galahot laments that this will separate him from his friend. Genover is grieved and falls to Lancelot’s feet. Thereupon Lancelot promises to stay with them. Galahot asks to become a member of the Round Table too. All are overjoyed that Galahot and Lancelot have joined the Round Table. On this occasion Arthur holds a diet for seven days until All Saints Day. Hestor joins the Round Table too. The king orders four scribes to record the adventures of his court. The scribes’ names are: Arodion of Köln, Tantamides of Vernaus, Thomas of Toledo, Sapiens of Budas. They write down the adventures of the quests achieved: Gawan’s adventures are told first, then Hestor’s, and at last those of Gawan’s companions. Three days past All Saints Day Arthur leaves the fortress and sets out to Britain. Galahot asks his leave to visit his kingdom in the company of Lancelot, promising that they would be back for Christmas. The king agrees, though reluctantly. Galahot and Lancelot set out for Sorelois. Lancelot would have preferred to stay at court, but he dares not, for he fears his friend more than a child his master.

Motif References:

P 19.0.1 (Li) King Arthur as leader of outstanding chivalric society (Round Table)
P 50 Noblemen (knights) [rules of chivalry]
Z 201.9.1 (Bm) Hero’s famous possessions - Arthur’s Round Table
Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero
P 425 Scribe
P 632 Customs concerning recognition of rank

Lanc1-482: (23) After they have left the court Galahot has a horrible dream: A huge serpent with a golden crown on its head leaves the queen’s quarters in the royal palace and attacks him by its fiery breath. The dream troubles Galahot a lot. The following night he dreams that his body is torn up and he perceives two hearts in his body of like shape and size. One of them leaves his body, becomes as large as a leopard and runs into the forest to join the other beasts. Thereupon the other heart withers and Galahot dies. Despite his worries Galahot feigns joyfulness for the sake of Lancelot. Galahot is a very wise man, the wisest since the age of king Solomon. Lost in his grief he rides on neither laughing nor talking. He drives his horse to exhaustion so that it dies. Galahot hits a stone and swoons. Lancelot out of grief swoons onto him and wounds his forehead on a stone. Galahot comes to his senses, but seeing Lancelot wounded, swoons again. The squires reassure Lancelot about Galahot and the company rides on. Lancelot blames Galahot that his absentmindedness almost killed them both.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
J 191 Wise men
P 310 Friendship
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical
D 1812.5.1.2 Bad dream as evil omen

Lanc1-485: At Lancelot’s question Galahot tells him that he is afraid of losing a true friend, which would be the greatest loss a man can suffer. He is not angry at his friend because he joined the Round Table - he had to - but if he loses him Galahot will have to die. Lancelot weeps. They arrive at a fortified town on the banks of the river Assirichie, by the name of Stolze Garde (Hohfertig Garde). The castle is the best fortress of the kingdom, located on top of a high rock, and well protected by a forest and the river. Galahot tells him the story of his first conquest which will prove the futility of wisdom. Once after Galahot had decided to conquer the whole world he overcame the most powerful king he knew of and built this town and castle. Galahot was certain that having defeated this king and enforced his alliance he would conquer all realms. The castle has 150 pinnacles, the number of kings he had defeated.

Motif References:

Z 71.16.11 Formulistic number: fifteen
W 118 (Bm) Pride
P 310 Friendship
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)

Lanc1-486: (28) Then Galahot decided to become king. He celebrated a diet in this castle that lasted for fifteen days. Each pinnacle held a crown. Galahot’s crown however was to be placed on the table at meal time crowning a human figure of silver. All the other crowns should be placed in front of the kings. After the meal the crowns should be displayed again on the pinnacles, with one strong candle burning on each of them. Galahot’s crown was displayed on top of the tower. Thus he wanted to show his generosity by giving rich presents. After the feast he plans to war for one year in the company of his kings. Then another feast should be celebrated. In this manner he intends to conquer the whole world. Yet as he meets Lancelot all his plans seem void and he renounces to them: his friendship means everything to him. God has sent Lancelot to let Galahot leave pride. He will no longer live if he loses Lancelot. But for the moment he needs to enjoy this castle that always chased his sorrow.

Motif References:

W 11.2 Munificent monarch
P 12 Character of kings
W 47 (Hi) Humility and modesty
Z 71.16.11 Formulistic number: fifteen
H 84 Tokens of exploits
Z 150 Other symbols
P 310 Friendship
L 410.1 Proud king humbled
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 634 Feasts
F 828 Extraordinary crown

Lanc1-487: (22) Lancelot is stricken with grief for the sake of Galahot. When they arrive at Galahot’s favorite castle the tower and the walls collapse before their eyes. Galahot pretends that he did not watch the event. The squires alarm him that his castle just collapsed. Galahot rides on until he comes to the gate, which collapses before them. Galahot remembering his dreams is frightened. The inhabitants are terrified. Galahot hurries away toward the forest. He asks a squire if there were victims but is reassured. He sends his squires ahead to a monastery nearby ordering to keep silent about the catastrophe. Then he orders provisions to be taken to a town nearby, by the name of Keseling, where he will rest. Lancelot tries to reassure Galahot, who now tells him his strange dreams. Lancelot warns him against believing in dreams, an affair of women and cowards. But Galahot insists that such frightful dreams must have a meaning. Lancelot replies that no man is so wise to know his future. Galahot however will make Arthur send him wise masters to interpret his dreams.

Motif References:

F 969.4 Extraordinary earthquake
F 1010 Other extraordinary events
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical
D 1812.5.0.13 Magic manifestation as omen
D 1812.5.1.1 Prodigy as evil omen
D 1812.5.1.2 Bad dream as evil omen

Lanc1-489: (18) Next morning they continue their journey to Sorelois, where they receive a joyful welcome by Galahot’s people. Galahot is very popular in his lands because of his justice. His uncle Engelbant welcomes him. He weeps and Galahot questions him: Engelbant feared that Galahot were dead or wounded, for strange things happened in the kingdom since he left them. There is no single wall of Sorelois’s castles left intact, and many of them are in ruins. Galahot declares that he has nothing lost but goods and his wealth enables him to rebuild the walls. Then he relates to his uncle that he watched the ruin of his favorite fortress. But he will not lament loss of land nor goods. They praise him for his wisdom. When they have arrived in the town of Sorhant Galahot sends messengers with a letter to King Arthur asking him to send wise men to interpret his dreams. He also sends messengers to his barons to summon them to Sorhant two weeks before Christmas. Galahot’s messengers receive a friendly welcome at Arthur’s court although strange events trouble the courtiers.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
J 191 Wise men
F 969.4 Extraordinary earthquake
F 1010 Other extraordinary events
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams
D 1812.5.1.1 Prodigy as evil omen
D 1812.5.0.13 Magic manifestation as omen

Lanc1-491: (5) That same day a young maiden with a splendid train came to Arthur’s court. She was very beautiful and clad in precious garments. She offered her greetings to the king who would be the best king of all but for one thing. Arthur questioned her. The girl opened a box an old gray haired knight handed to her and took a letter with a golden seal out of it. Having obtained the promise that they would not blame her for whatever she said she declared that the most beautiful woman had sent that letter that should be read in public. The king sent for the queen and her ladies and sent messengers into town as well. Many people came to the palace to hear the news. The king ordered his scribe to read the letter. But the man was terrified on seeing the content and fell silent almost in a swoon. Another scribe then read the letter, burst into tears, threw the letter onto the king’s lap and hurried away in distress. They could not make him talk. Arthur sent for his chaplain to read the letter. The man crossed himself several times, and asked the king to have a young deacon read it. But the king forced the man to read the letter himself.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
P 425 Scribe

Lanc1-493: (15) The letter’s content: The queen Genover (Genuvere) of Tamelirde, daughter of king Leodagan, sends her greetings to the court and the courtiers, except to the woman Arthur thinks to be his wife. She proclaims that King Arthur was faithless toward her, the righteous queen, whom he once married according to the law. The king however left her, thus breaking his oath. Moreover he is a murder and traitor, a thief, an infidel and an adulterer - he has committed all seven deadly sins. The archbishop Eugen once married them in the church of St. Stephen in Logres. But she was betrayed in her wedding-night when she was abducted and the second Genover took her place. If the king knew about the treachery she cannot say. Her origin however is more noble than that of the false queen Genover, for the latter is a bastard. Only God’s help rescued her from prison where the false queen confined her. But Bertelac (Berdelac) the Old released her and took her back to her land where she stayed until now. Therefore she asks for justice of the royal law-court. The king must return to her after he has sentenced the false queen who is a murderess and robbed and killed his soul. Arthur should treat her the same way she treated the righteous queen. The messenger sent with the letter is her niece and she would eventually give further explanations. Her knights and squires and Bertelac will testify the truth. The weeping chaplain handed the letter to the king.

Motif References:

K 1911 The false bride (substituted bride)
K 1930 Treacherous impostors
K 2110.1 Calumniated wife
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

Lanc1-494: (29) The king is shocked and he inquires about Bertelac. The man is a gray knight, large and strong, his face and neck are scarred, he has large black eyes and a wide mouth, a long straight nose, strong hands. Because of his age King Arthur would rather think him honest. The messenger tells them that when Arthur still was a young king he was told that king Leodagan of Tamerlinde was a respected and famous man. When he died he left his young daughter an orphan. Once Arthur curious about that king went to see him in Tamelirde and served the king from Christmas to Whitsun. The 150 knights of the Round Table were pleased with him and Arthur earned so much praise that the king gave him his daughter although nobody knew him at that court. The Round Table was her dowry. Arthur then left with his wife and 150 knights and the queen was crowned in Logres. But the first night she was abducted from his bed - an intrigue of the false queen Genover - into the forest. The abductor had orders to chop off her head but pitied the lady and had her imprisoned in the tower of Hangus the Saxon in the Devil’s Lake. Bertelac rescued her. The king now should prove his justice. His lady disputes the knights’ right to the Round Table until the case is decided. There only can be one Round Table and that one her mistress inherited from her father.

Motif References:

P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
P 19.0.1 (Li) King Arthur as leader of outstanding chivalric society (Round Table)
T 52.4 Dowry given at marriage of daughter
Z 71.16.11 Formulistic number: fifteen
Z 201.9.1 (Bm) Hero’s famous possessions - Arthur’s Round Table
K 1911 The false bride (substituted bride)
K 1930 Treacherous impostors
K 2110.1 Calumniated wife
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

Lanc1-496: (32) The king is in distress, he crosses himself several times and questions his wife. She should protest her innocence unless she has betrayed him, though he took her as the most faithful and excellent woman. Gawan angrily declares to be ready to fight for the queen against Tamelirde’s best knight and he would even fight two of them. When the maiden learns his identity she laughs: Were he really as honest a knight as is reported of him he would never swear on the queen’s innocence. His opponent is to be Bertelac. All are amazed that such an old knight should fight. Dodines declares that it would be shameful to fight the old man, therefore they should send for old Kanus of Kaer as champion. The king declares that the law-court is to be held at Candlemas in Bedigran. Bertelac’s queen should come there too. If her cause is not a just one she will be punished, otherwise Genover will be burnt on the stake. Both of them should prepare for the law-court and bring their intercessors. The maiden is granted an escort for her journey and she leaves. People curse her for the sake of the queen. Though the queen is very popular, they fear that she might be guilty for the accusation is very believable and they have no inkling that the story was made up by Bertelac.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
P 510 Law courts
H 218 Trial by combat
Q 414 Punishment: burning alive
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
K 2110.1 Calumniated wife
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

Lanc1-499: The steward of king Leodagan had a daughter who looked like the queen and was of exactly the same age (with only three days difference). After Leodagan had died Arthur married his daughter. The steward and his kin failed in substituting his daughter as Arthur’s wife. Genover intervened for the girl otherwise she would have been killed. After she had been banished Bertelac went to see her and promised to make her queen of Tamelirde. She agreed and he made up the story of the false queen. Due to his age the barons trusted Bertelac and made the lady their queen. Bertelac then dictated the letter and sent it to Arthur. King Arthur sends for the wisest astrologers of his kingdom. He then sends the ten astrologers Galahot asked for to Sorelois. The wisest among them is Helies of Toledo, an old man who knows necromancy. Arthur also informs Galahot of his latest troubles for the sake of the queen and asks him to bring his counselors to the law-court. As soon as the astrologers arrive in Sorelois Galahot tells them his two dreams with only Lancelot listening.

Motif References:

Q 431 Punishment: banishment (exile)
Q 431.2 Banishment for treachery
P 481 Astrologer
F 577 Persons identical in appearance.
N 836 King as helper
N 837 Queen as helper
D 1711 Magician
D 1712.0.1 Astrologer-magician
K 1911 The false bride (substituted bride)
K 1930 Treacherous impostors
K 2242 Treacherous steward
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

Lanc1-500: Helies promises to give the interpretation within nine days: the astrologers have to consult their books. Galahot obtains their oath on relics that ten days later he will learn their interpretation of his dream. They do research for nine days separately. But the strange things they see frighten them a lot and as Galahot questions them in due course they declare to have found no valuable secret. Bonifatius, a wise man from Rome, then gives an interpretation: the snake is the queen, her fiery breath could mean love or hatred, the two hearts symbolize a birth or a stranger’s love. It was very complicated to detect the meaning of the snake’s golden crown by incantations: he watched a mighty dragon with a golden crown on its head flying from the east, and a second one without a crown from the west. Both of those beasts were in the company of many animals, but the western dragon’s troop was more numerous. The two dragons’ armies arrived at the court and fought a furious battle there. Many beasts were killed and stabbed so that their blood swept away the ground. The Westerners won the battle and their opponents retreated. Then a mighty leopard came down from a rock and defeated the victorious army. But the astrologer failed to watch what became of the dragons and the leopard and he refuses to do more incantations anyhow.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
M 302 Means of prophesying
P 481 Astrologer
D 1711 Magician
D 1712 Soothsayer (diviner, oracle, etc.)
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams
D 1712.0.1 Astrologer-magician
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical
D 1812.3 Means of learning future
D 1812.3.3.0.4 (Bm) Interpretation of dream by second party

Lanc1-501: (109) A second astrologer gives his interpretation: Galahot’s dreams refer to events already past. The dragons are Galahot and Arthur, the leopard Lancelot. Galahot surrendered for the sake of the leopard. The one heart that became a leopard symbolizes the knight that left him to join Arthur and his companions. The crowned snake is a queen, perhaps Genover. The fire that came onto him symbolizes that he is in her power. Lancelot is outraged by this interpretation but Galahot reassures him. Then they listen to five more interpretations of the astrologers, but learn nothing new. Yet the eighth, a high priest, by the name of Akarintes of Bulgaria, tells a new story: The leopard kept Galahot from conquering thirty kingdoms and one day he will kill him. Galahot keeps Lancelot from killing the man. The ninth astrologer declares that the dreams foretell Galahot’s death. He himself saw a bridge with 45 planks above a deep river. Galahot was standing on a single plank and could neither advance nor go back for all planks had been removed. Then the crowned snake and the leopard put the planks in front of him. Those planks might symbolize years, months or days he will live.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
M 341.1 Prophecy: death at (before, within) certain time
P 481 Astrologer
D 1712 Soothsayer (diviner, oracle, etc.)
D 1712.0.1 Astrologer-magician
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical
D 1812.3.3.0.4 (Bm) Interpretation of dream by second party
D 1812.0.1 Foreknowledge of hour of death

Lanc1-502: (24) Galahot questions Helies who before answering entreats him not to have driven himself to despair by a bad prophecy. Galahot promises. Helies wants to talk to him in private in the chapel and Lancelot leaves. Lancelot is grieved for he has learnt that Galahot will die because of him. Meanwhile Galahot learns that Lancelot is the leopard: Merlin’s prophecies relate the story that from the king killed by his grief a mighty leopard will be born, more powerful than any other beast in the land of adventures. Lancelot’s father once died out of grief. Galahot declares that Lancelot should however be rather called a lion, a beast surpassing the leopard in excellence. Helies replies that very soon a better knight than Lancelot will be born and he will be that lion. All these prophecies have been found in books. Merlin foretold that a marvelous beast will leave the maimed king’s hall and bring about amazing marvels. That beast has the head and neck of a lion, but its voice will be weak like a virgin’s. It has a camel’s shoulders and back which will render it very strong. His heart will be steadfast, his character chaste and righteous and it will be the strongest animal ever. Due to the lion’s head and neck and the camel’s back it will surpass the leopard in strength. This beast will achieve the sorrowful adventures of the land.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
Z 254 Destined hero
M 302 Means of prophesying
M 302.8 Prophecy from a book
M 306 Enigmatical prophecy.
M 361 Fated hero
F 883.1 Extraordinary book
D 1266 Magic book
D 1711 Magician
D 1712 Soothsayer (diviner, oracle, etc.)
D 1712.0.1 Astrologer-magician
D 1812.3 Means of learning future

Lanc1-505: (10) Galahot wants to know about the knight’s unchastity but the wise man refuses to tell. At Galahot’s question Helies gives a prophecy to him: The books tell that from the beautiful giantess a huge dragon of the Strange Islands will be born. All beasts will be afraid of him and he will conquer all lands to the borders of the land of adventures. He then will enter the land of adventures and put everybody to flight. A leopard however who was raised in the wilderness will chase that dragon that will have thirty large heads. The leopard will join the dragon for the sake of the latter’s friendship. Yet as soon as the crowned snake turns up her love will surpass the dragon’s friendship. Merlin once gave this prophecy that tells about Galahot and the knight who is the queen’s lover. Galahot is surprised for he believed that Lancelot never dared to make love to the queen. Helies declares that God might have brought about the story of the false accusation of the queen as a punishment for her unchastity.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
Q 241 Adultery punished
M 301 Prophets
M 306 Enigmatical prophecy.
T 481 Adultery
Q 559 Other miraculous punishments
D 1711 Magician
D 1712 Soothsayer (diviner, oracle, etc.)

Lanc1-506: (9) Galahot still wants to learn more about his fate. Helies promises to show him his life by the means of a book. With the spells coming from it he has turned the course of rivers and made trees burst out of the ground. The book contains powerful magic and one of his comrades who did not know how to handle it was torn to pieces when they were searching for the interpretation of Galahot’s dream. None of them dared to open the book and therefore it was given to Helies. Galahot is instructed not to be frightened whatever might happen when Helies reads the book for this would kill Galahot. After Helies has blessed both of them he starts to read. Soon he is very hot and wet all over from sweat. He asks Galahot to provide a sacred relic (a fragment of the Holy Cross in a reliquary) to add to the sancticity of the chapel. The chaplain removes the relic from the shrine and gives it to Galahot. The man is horrified for he catches sight of a huge throng of devils haunting the chapel. Helies takes the relic and gives Galahot the vessel with the host so that they would be well protected. After he has ended reading Helies starts to tremble and weep, then suddenly cries out. Darkness falls upon them, the floor trembles and the chapel is about to collapse. A huge thunderbolt frightens the townspeople. Helies has Galahot send for some cold coal. Light returns to the chapel. Galahot gives Helies the coals.

Motif References:

M 301 Prophets
M 302 Means of prophesying
M 302.8 Prophecy from a book
G 303.16.3 Devil’s power avoided by the cross
G 303.16.2.3 Devil’s power avoided by blessing [blessed or sacred writing].
G 303.16.2 Devil’s power over one avoided by prayer [and sign of the cross]
G 303.6.3.1 Devil is followed by a thunderstorm
G 303.6.3 Natural phenomena accompanying the devil’s appearance
F 883.1 Extraordinary book
D 908 Magic darkness.
F 965 Premature darkness.
F 968 Extraordinary thunder and lightning
F 969.4 Extraordinary earthquake
D 1266 Magic book
D 1273 Magic formula (charm)
D 1421.1.3 Magic book summons genie
D 1711 Magician
D 1712 Soothsayer (diviner, oracle, etc.)
D 1812.3 Means of learning future
D 2151.2.1 Direction of river’s flow magically reversed
D 2157.4 Miraculous speedy growth of a tree
D 2198 Magic control of spirits (angels, [gods])

Lanc1-507: (8) Helies promises to show Galahot the time of his death. He draws 45 circles onto the wall with a piece of coal, then three times 45, each series smaller than the last ones. The circles symbolize the years, months, weeks, days to come. Then he continues to read the book holding the cross before him. Again he starts to tremble, light fails and thunder resounds. Helies and Galahot swoon. As they come to their senses a voice resounds like a trumpet. An arm carrying a sharp glowing sword appears. The arm is covered with red velvet whereas the hand is white. Helies protects himself with the cross against the hand attacking him. Then the hand with the sword turns to Galahot who wards it off by means of the host. At last the hand moves toward the wall with the circles and wipes them out except three and a half of the largest ones. Then the hand vanishes through the closed door in the same manner as it entered before. Helies bursts into tears out of grief for he sees that Galahot must die soon. Galahot grasps that he will die within three years and a half. He decides to profit of this respite to do penance for his sins. He asks the magician not to tell the truth but pretend that he still has many years left.

Motif References:

V 86 Sign of the Cross
Z 150 Other symbols
M 301 Prophets
M 302 Means of prophesying
M 302.8 Prophecy from a book
G 303.9.6.1 Devil fights with man
G 303.16.2 Devil’s power over one avoided by prayer [and sign of the cross]
G 303.16.3 Devil’s power avoided by the cross
G 303.6.3 Natural phenomena accompanying the devil’s appearance
G 303.6.3.1 Devil is followed by a thunderstorm
M 306 Enigmatical prophecy.
M 341.1 Prophecy: death at (before, within) certain time
F 883.1 Extraordinary book
D 908 Magic darkness.
F 965 Premature darkness.
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 966 Magic hand
F 968 Extraordinary thunder and lightning
F 969.4 Extraordinary earthquake
F 1036 Hand from heaven writes on wall
D 1266.1 Magic writings (gramerye, runes)
D 1266 Magic book
D 1273 Magic formula (charm)
D 1421.1.3 Magic book summons genie
D 1711 Magician
D 1712 Soothsayer (diviner, oracle, etc.)
D 1812.0.1 Foreknowledge of hour of death
D 1812.3 Means of learning future
D 2095 Magic disappearance
D 2188 Magic disappearance
D 2198 Magic control of spirits (angels, [gods])

Lanc1-508: (18) They leave the chapel. Galahot goes to see Lancelot, reassures him and declares that he just has been foretold that he only will die 45 years later. He pretends that the prophecy of death was already fulfilled for he just got the news of his mother’s death. Moreover he declares that his dreams only meant favorable prophecy to him. When the astrologers leave Galahot bestows rich presents (gold, silver, jewels) upon them. Then he asks Lancelot to advise him as to a diet on occasion of his crowning at Christmas. He offers Lancelot choice of a kingdom or his entire realm. Lancelot should attend Arthur’s diet at Christmas as a crowned king too. Lancelot however prefers to be a liegeman for he thinks he never could be a good ruler. Galahot offers him help to recover the kingdom of Bonewig. Lancelot only wants to obtain a land he has deserved and anyhow he will not conquer his father’s land by war. He rather would become a strong hero who would drive his enemies to flight. For Lancelot’s sake Galahot will not be crowned either. Lancelot fails in making him change his mind. Galahot decides upon a council with his barons to choose a faithful regent for he and Lancelot will stay with Arthur most of the time.

Motif References:

W 11.2 Munificent monarch
W 46 (Li) Modesty
P 310 Friendship

Lanc1-510: (10) Galahot’s counselors fail to agree on choosing a regent. An old and wise duke by the name of Galain of Bones (they use to carry him with them on a horse-bier on important missions) offers advice: They should choose King Bandemagus of Gorre, a fine knight and a just, generous, faithful and experienced man. Galahot agrees. Bandemagus is not pleased but has to agree as well and Galahot has his barons swear faithfulness to him. Then he appoints his nephew and godson Galehodin heir of the Strange Islands, who already possesses Sorelois from his wife’s side. The lands Galahot once conquered beyond that should be returned to their righteous owners. Galahot and his men give their oath on relics upon this matter. Galahot tells them to accompany him to Arthur’s court, only his regent and the old counselor are to stay behind. Bandemagus’s son, Meleagant, a fine knight but a jealous man, envies Lancelot. His father declares he should prove his strength and skill in a joust against Lancelot in due course.

Motif References:

W 11 Generosity
P 12 Character of kings
P 14.15.1 (Old, wise) Counsellors of court [King’s council]
P 16 End of king’s reign
P 17.16 (Bm) Nephew as heir.
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 110.0.1 (Bm) Faithful steward [knight] as regent
M 150 Other vows and oaths
W 195 Envy
P 233 Father and son

Lanc1-512: (7) Galahot and his barons leave for Kamahelot where they receive a friendly welcome. Their happiness however is overshadowed by the accusation against the queen. A great tournament is held after Christmas: Galahot’s knights joust against King Arthur’s knights. They only fight with shield and lance, neither armor nor other weapons are to be used. Lancelot has to join the Arthurian knights. King Arthur, Galahot and other powerful lords refrain from jousting. The queen and the Lady of Maloaut watch the tournament from a tower. Lancelot rejoices on seeing her, and excels in jousting and rages among his opponents. His exploits annoy many a man. Lionel fails to stop his excessive fighting. Lancelot unhorses Meleagant but is wounded. Yet he continues to fight. His friends are anxious about him and at last Arthur stops the tournament. The king according to Lancelot’s wish reassures Galahot who already thought Lancelot dead by telling him that he is not hurt at all. The queen out of grief about Lancelot’s injury has swooned and hurt her forehead in the fall. Arthur asks her to care for Lancelot and she sends for physicians. He takes 21 days to recover in the queen’s quarters without Galahot knowing that he was wounded. Meanwhile Galahot’s barons have left but are to return soon to attend the law-court at Bedigran in Ireland at Candlemas.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
P 561 Tournaments
F 873.0.1 Battle rage
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief

Lanc1-515: (3) Galahot and Lancelot escort the queen to Bedigran where Galahot’s barons have arrived already. Lancelot asks Galahot for advice about the queen’s affair and Galahot reassures him: If Genover would divorce the king which ought to please Lancelot he would bestow the kingdom of Sorelois upon her. If things would go on as before however he would help the lovers to meet frequently. Lancelot is worried for the king swore to kill Genover if she were found guilty. Galahot promises to help him in rescuing the queen. Meanwhile the lady of Tamelirde has arrived with great retinue and in the company of Bertelac. The latter repeats the accusation and declares that he will fight as his lady’s champion. Bandemagus of Gorre defends the queen’s innocence and her readiness to accept the vassals’ decision about trial by combat or Arthur’s verdict. Bertelac reluctantly agrees that he will consult his lady about the matter. He advises her in private that she cannot possibly take the risk of Genover proving her innocence by holding the hot iron or ordeal by fire: She would lose her life. Trial by combat too is out of the question: Her knights are no match for the Arthurian knights who are renowned fighters. Moreover if the knights gave evidence their deception would become known. Therefore he advises her to obtain a delay until next morning so that they could decide upon some alternative. King Arthur agrees to grant the delay and the false Genover leaves.

Motif References:

H 218 Trial by combat
H 221.2 Ordeal by hot iron
P 510 Law courts
K 1930 Treacherous impostors
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

Lanc1-517: The following day however according to Bertelac’s advice the lady obtains another delay. Moreover they send a squire to tell King Arthur that a huge boar has been seen in a forest nearby. This will not fail to make Arthur leave to hunt the beast. Then Bertelac’s knights are to ambush the king in the forest and make him their prisoner. They succeed in capturing the king and mislead his companions so that they wander about the forest all day. Next morning Galahot and the knights search for the king. Bandemagus stays behind to take the king’s place in the law-court. Yet the lady of Tamelirde refuses to have her matter decided by a substitute and leaves. The knights fail to find the king (they only come upon his dead horse) which causes great grief. Only fourteen days later after a vain search throughout the country the queen leaves for Carduel.

Motif References:

P 15 Adventures of kings
P 510 Law courts
K 750 Capture by decoy
K 810.1 (Bm) Ambush
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-518: (31) In the meantime King Arthur is kept prisoner at Tamelirde. The lady’s hatred however soon turns into friendliness and she has him well cared for. She goes to see him frequently and Arthur takes her for the most beautiful woman except his wife. Meanwhile trouble starts at Carduel for some courtiers take advantage of the king’s absence and presumed death for quarreling and feuds. From robbery and pillage the kingdom suffers a lot with no authority to establish law and order. This distress has been brought about by king Aguisel of Scotland, a faithless man and Arthur’s kinsman, and twelve barons: Aguisel declares that they need choose a king to replace Arthur. In order to usurp the throne he bribes many a man. Then he sends word to the queen. Genover is worried and asks Gahalot for advice: According to his counsel the queen summons the barons of Logres to Carduel in order to obtain a delay until Easter to learn if the king is dead or alive. Galahot advises against rashly choosing a successor but Aguisel suggests they should make Gawan or some other powerful lord (Aguisel) their king.

Motif References:

P 11 Choice of kings
P 17 Succession to the throne
P 19 Other motifs connected with kings
R 41.1 Captivity in castle
K 449 (Bm) Bribe
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
P 614 (Bm) Bribes
K 2200 Villains and traitors.
K 2246.1 Treacherous king

Lanc1-520: (23) The barons have a council and agree upon Gawan. Aguisel is quite sure that the knight will refuse. Galahot sees through his strategy and as Gawan starts to lament he suggests that they should have another council. Meanwhile Galahot however entreats Gawan to accept the counsel’s decision and he gives in. The counsel then sends for Galahot to advise them and he declares that they should choose the worthiest lord among them but only confer kingship upon him if Gawan would still refuse to become king. The barons choose Aguisel. Gawan however agrees to become king when asked again to the barons’ great surprise. Gawan proves to be a just regent and brings peace upon Logres. King Arthur is held captive at Tamelirde until Easter. For the sake of the lady of Tamelirde he has almost forgotten his wife and would refuse release unless the lady became his wife and her barons gave their oath upon this marriage’s priority so that he could leave Genover. But he insists on giving his oath only in front of the barons. Therefore the lady summons her barons and takes their oath. King Arthur installs her as his wife by law. Then he sends a messenger with an identifying token to Gawan telling him that he should summon the barons of Logres to Tolezebre before Whitsun.

Motif References:

P 11 Choice of kings
P 14.15.1 (Old, wise) Counsellors of court [King’s council]
P 17 Succession to the throne
R 41.1 Captivity in castle
H 82 Identifying tokens sent with messenger
P 110.0.1 (Bm) Faithful steward [knight] as regent
T 230 Faithlessness in marriage [love]
K 2246.1 Treacherous king

Lanc1-522: (30) The messengers arrive at Carduel. The queen is happy to learn that Arthur still lives but grasps that she has lost his love for he sent her no message. Gawan summons the barons as ordered and Galahot joins him with a large train. In due course the barons of Tamelirde once again swear on relics that their lady is Arthur’s lawful wife. Arthur then asks his barons what should become of the false queen. According to Galahot’s advice they obtain a delay until Whitsun to decide the case. The king however refuses another delay they ask for (to consult wise clerics for the queen is without guilt). The king orders the barons of Tamelirde to judge the queen. Arthur joins their law-court and they sentence Genover to death. Lancelot is anxious about the queen’s fate, but Galahot reassures him: he will fight as the queen’s champion. Lancelot however insists on fighting himself and Galahot agrees.

Motif References:

S 62 Cruel husband
M 114 Oath taken on sacred object
P 510 Law courts
K 2110.1 Calumniated wife

Lanc1-525: Bertelac proclaims the verdict: The queen has been sentenced to death, but for the sake of her marriage to the king she will live. Yet she will be punished by flaying, her head for she usurped the crown, her hands, for consecrated oil was applied to them. Moreover she has to give up all claims to Britain. Key and many a knight declare to be ready to fight as the queen’s champion against any opponent but the king himself. Lancelot is outraged to the point that his face turns all red so that they believe his eyes and mouth are ablaze. He pushes Key away claiming that he ought to leave combat to a superior knight. Then he takes off his mantle. Everybody is amazed at his beauty. He then renounces his membership of the Round Table and his service to the king. The king and Lancelot’s companions fail to change his mind. Lancelot inquires who decreed the judgment and learns that the king settled the matter. The knight accuses the law-court of perjury and declares that he will fight judicial combat against their champion or even three of them. Three knights are ready to fight him. King Arthur is all but pleased about this development but is forced to give in. There is some discussion about the formalities of the ordeal until Galahot decrees that Lancelot has to fight the three of them at a time one after another and has to overcome them within one day. The ordeal will be fought on Whit-Monday.

Motif References:

P 12.2 Injustice deadliest of monarch’s sins
P 29 Queens - miscellaneous
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
S 62 Cruel husband
W 185 Violence of temper
H 218 Trial by combat
S 411 Wife banished
Q 457 Flaying alive as punishment
P 510 Law courts
F 575.2 Handsome man
Q 589 Punishment fitted to crime - miscellaneous
F 873.0.1 Battle rage

Lanc1-527: (16) Before the judicial combat Lancelot attends mass. Galahot and Gawan arm him and Galahot girds Arthur’s sword Eschaliburg on him. The king once again fails to keep Lancelot from fighting. Alarmed by Lancelot’s enmity Arthur and his men arm themselves. Gawan and Galahot are chosen umpires. After a horn signal has been given they start fighting. Lancelot defeats the first champion and chops off his head. Gawan gives another signal: Lancelot overcomes the second champion and splits his head. The third signal is given: The third champion kills Lancelot’s horse but Lancelot unhorses him and they fight furiously until nightfall. Lancelot presses him hard. Galahot trying to save that fine knight’s life asks the king to intervene. Arthur however refuses for any intervention from his side would be useless because of Lancelot’s enmity toward him. Galahot entreats the queen to intervene and she makes Lancelot spare his opponent. Since then the barons of Tamelirde meet scorn wherever they go. The false Genover and King Arthur return to Britain while Gawan stays with Genover.

Motif References:

P 12.2 Injustice deadliest of monarch’s sins
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
H 218 Trial by combat
H 218.1.1 (G) Single combat, joust interrupted by friends of combatants
T 230 Faithlessness in marriage [love]
P 510 Law courts
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
K 1911 The false bride (substituted bride)
K 2246.1 Treacherous king

Lanc1-531: (17) After Arthur has separated from Genover Galahot offers her his kingdom. She only will decide upon his gift after she has asked her husband for advice. Next day she and Gawan go to ask King Arthur. Gawan blames him for having divorced his wife though her innocence has been proved. Moreover Lancelot has left the Round Table for the sake of Arthur. At this point Bertelac declares that the king according to his queen’s wish must banish Genover and the king gives his promise. Therefore Arthur advises Gawan that Genover ought to accept Galahot’s gift of his kingdom for he has to banish her. Arthur gives Genover in Galahot’s care. After dinner the king entreats Lancelot to stay with him and the Round Table. Lancelot declares he only would return after the king stopped offending the queen as he does now. The king is outraged but Galahot soothes him. Galahot and Genover leave, Arthur, Gawan and many a knight escorting them for some distance. The queen refuses Arthur’s request to ask Lancelot to stay with Arthur and join the Round Table as before. The king takes his leave and Galahot escorts Genover to Sorelois where he leaves her his kingdom. The barons pay homage to her.

Motif References:

P 12.2 Injustice deadliest of monarch’s sins
P 29 Queens - miscellaneous
P 210 Husband and wife
S 411 Wife banished
S 413.2 Second wife orders husband to persecute first wife
K 1911 The false bride (substituted bride)

Lanc1-534: (15) One day the queen talks to Galahot, Lancelot and the Lady of Maloaut and declares that she was deprived of her high rank because of her sins. Yet she never will repent of her sinful love for Lancelot: the power of love simply overwhelmed her, as well as Lancelot’s virtues and his beauty. But she is well aware that God has punished her for her sin and she ought to avoid it in future. She will however be his ladylove as before but they will have to lead a chaste life. Lancelot promises to be her knight and obey her in every respect. Genover stays in Sorelois for a long time and the knights of the Round Table visit her frequently. They detest the false queen because of her arrogance. The king is completely under her control. Because of her the knights and ladies of the court avoid the king as far as possible and join Genover. Arthur’s court therefore loses much of its renown. When news of the king’s divorce and remarriage (that until then had lasted for nine months) without the Church’s consent come to Pope Stephen in Rome he sends a letter to King Arthur ordering him to reconcile with his first wife and leave her rival. Arthur refuses. Thereupon the king and his land are excommunicated for 21 months.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
P 12.11 Uxorious king neglects duties
V 84 Excommunication
W 118 (Bm) Pride
Q 241 Adultery punished
T 252 The overbearing wife
V 294 The Pope
T 315 Continence (in marriage)
L 410.1 Proud king humbled
Q 436 Excommunication as punishment
Q 559 Other miraculous punishments
K 1911 The false bride (substituted bride)

Lanc1-535: (30) One night the false queen and her counselor Bertelac are lamed but for their eyes and tongue, and within one week their bodies decompose, so that no one can stand the stench. There is no help for them. Gawan and the lords who would like their king to travel throughout his kingdom as before blame Arthur of his shameful and dishonorable life. Gawan advises him to reconcile with Genover and to reinstall her as his queen. Arthur leaves for Kamahelot without delay but fails to establish a joyful court there. Gawan declares that God has punished him, yet he might recover his honor by reconciling with his wife and striving for his people’s love again. The king gives his promise. Gawan decides to wait until the false queen’s death. Winter has come and one cold day the king hunts down a boar in the forest. When they are served a meal at a monastery the king all of a sudden suffers pains. Fearing death he sends for a hermit to confess his sins. The hermit is pleased that God has granted his prayer. As the king asks for the host, the hermit blames him of his sins: he divorced his wife, remarried a villainous woman and brought about the land’s excommunication. The hermit identifies as brother Amadas who once was Genover’s tutor and came with her from Tamelirde to be the court’s chaplain for 17 years. The king can only hope for mercy if he gives up sinning. Then the excommunication will be suspended. The king gives his vow. After he has confessed his sins, done penance and received the host, the king recovers from illness. He stays with the hermit for three days.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
V 34.1 Host cures disease
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
Q 262 Impostor punished
P 426.2 Hermit
Q 520 Penances
Q 551.6 Magic sickness as punishment
N 843 Hermit as helper
F 950 Marvelous cures
K 1930 Treacherous impostors
D 2061.1.4 Persons magically made to decay and die
D 2064 Magic sickness
D 2072.0.5 Person paralyzed

Lanc1-538: (31) The hermit tells the king to separate from his two wives until he receives further advice from him. He will talk to both of them. The father of queen Genover, King Leodagan, has raised him and so he will be able to recognize the righteous queen by their common knowledge. People in Kamahelot rejoice at the king’s return for they thought him dead. In the meantime the queen has left for Bedigran and sends word to Arthur to join her. According to the hermit’s advice the king leaves in the company of the bishops, archbishops and barons. The following morning Arthur and the hermit go to see the false queen, who now asks them to carry her to Tamelirde, for she has learned that she would be cured there. The king refuses because of her illness and leaves. Bertelac asks him to summon the barons. In the meantime the hermit urges the false queen to confess her sins to obtain salvation. She admits her treachery and the hermit promises her salvation if only she would confess her crimes in public. In the meantime Bertelac has admitted the treachery: he told the king that he is the only person guilty of the crime, for he induced the lady to the crime. He then relates the same story to the hermit. The false queen confesses in front of the barons. The king crosses himself many times.

Motif References:

H 19 Recognition through common knowledge - miscellaneous
K 193 Treacherous impostors
P 426.2 Hermit
P 510 Law courts
N 843 Hermit as helper
K 1911 The false bride (substituted bride)
K 2380 (Hi) Detection of treachery or deceit

Lanc1-540: (23) When queen Genover and the barons of Tamelirde learn the news everybody is very happy. Lancelot however is both happy and sad. The fact that Lancelot soon will leave him grieves Galahot, yet he feigns joyfulness for his friend’s sake. Bertelac and the false queen once again confess their crime in public after all of the lords have arrived. The king gives his oath to the clergy to reconcile with his wife and live according to the rules of the Church. Then King Arthur according to counselors’ advice has the traitors carried to an old hospital before the town where they are left to die. The barons of Tamelirde ride to the queen in Sorelois and clad only in their shirts they fall to her feet to ask for her mercy. She pardons them and they become her vassals. When the hermit and the clergy want to leave with Genover she refuses to join her husband because of his faithlessness. Being a powerful queen she could now choose the most beautiful man as her husband. The priests urge her to reconcile with the king who did penance and finally she gives in. Then she returns the kingdom of Sorelois to Galahot. She has lived there for two years and seven months. In the meantime the false queen and Bertelac have died. Lancelot leaves for Sorelois after Galahot has entreated the queen to let him go. When the king wants Lancelot to join the Round Table again Galahot gives his promise that he and Lancelot would return to court at Easter. Lancelot is grieved that he had to leave the queen.

Motif References:

P 29 Queens - miscellaneous
T 298 Reconciliation [reunion] of (separated) couple
P 310 Friendship
P 510 Law courts

Lanc1-543: (7) The king keeps entreating Genover to make Lancelot again join the Round Table. As soon as Lancelot and Galahot return to the court she asks Lancelot to join the Round Table again but keeps her demand secret from Galahot. On Easter day King Arthur once again asks Galahot and the queen to urge Lancelot to join the Round Table. The queen agrees on conditions that the knights would try as well. As Lancelot refuses the knights’ pleading Genover begs him on her knees. Lancelot gives in, which makes all of them very happy except Galahot. For the sake of Lancelot’s return a festive diet is held and still another great feast is to be celebrated in London (Lundres) on Whitsun for the sake of the queen and Lancelot. Galahot and Lancelot return to Sorelois in order to take Lionel to the court to be knighted. Galahot is very generous, giving rich presents to widows, orphans and the church. He puts an end to unjustified taxes, makes peace with his enemies and returns everything conquered against the law. For the sake of his salvation Galahot founds three monasteries for the gray monks and two nunneries. On Whitsun Galahot and Lancelot come to London. The evening before Whitsunday Lionel and his companions serve at the table. The king and the queen and the Lady of Maloaut bestow rich garments upon Lionel.

Motif References:

W 11.2 Munificent monarch
P 12.2 Injustice deadliest of monarch’s sins
P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
V 118 Monasteries [cloisters, abbeys, nunneries]
P 634 Feasts

Lanc1-545: (6) Many tents have been pitched near the river Thames (Tamise) and town and fields are crowded with the guests attending the festival. All of them are well entertained with plenty of food and enjoy courtly pastimes. Gawan, Lancelot, Iwan, Gales Gachalains, the duke of Clarence (a nephew of the king and Gawan’s cousin) set out to the enchanted forest where no adventure ever was yet achieved. When they have agreed upon returning to examine the adventures later on, a squire rides toward them in silence, looks at them and dashes away. They overhear the neighing of several horses, and soon the squire returns in the company of a fully armed knight. The man is very large and his shield displays a red lion on gold ground. The squire declares: “That man is Gawan, the traitor!” Thereupon the huge knight rides toward Gawan who catches the horse’s bridle but cannot help being abducted by his opponent. His companions hurry after them but are ambushed by 20 armed knights. Iwan keeps Lancelot from risking fight against superior forces and they return. Iwan wants them to arm themselves to pursue the abductor, yet not tell the king about their adventure. As soon as they are fully armed they follow the abductor’s trail up to a crossroad. Each of them takes one of the three roads.

Motif References:

R 10.6 (Bm) Knight abducted
R 260 Pursuits
F 533 Remarkably tall man
P 634 Feasts
K 810.1 (Bm) Ambush
F 812.3 Forest of dangers (wonders)
D 941 Magic forest
H 1221 Quest for adventure
H 1385 Quest for lost person.
K 2110 Slanders

Lanc1-546: (27) At nightfall the duke of Clarence following a narrow path leaves the forest. A horn resounds and the knight comes to a lovely heath, with a fine new castle, that is white as snow. He enters and has to stop at the locked gate of a strong wall enclosing the beautiful tower. He asks the porter for a night’s lodging and is granted hospitality. The knight is led into a fine room illuminated by many candles. As soon as he has changed clothes a very beautiful lady clad in costly garments welcomes him and takes a seat at his side. 100 pretty maidens enter. The lady wants to know his identity and he tells her that he is the son of king Scalanon, and that his brother is Dodinel of Norway. Thereupon the lady kisses him for he is her cousin. He tells her the story of Gawan’s abduction by a huge knight. The lady identifies the man as Caracados of the Terrible Tower (vom Jammervollen Turm), a perilous and strong warrior. No one has fought him yet and lived. The lady regrets that she cannot keep her guest from further pursuing this man and offers him a squire to lead him his way.

Motif References:

F 533 Remarkably tall man
N 746 Accidental meeting of cousins

Lanc1-548: (22) Caracados owns a splendid castle. Its gate is open at all times but any guest has to fight ten knights in life-and-death combat. The lady’s squire will lead him a narrow passage crossing the moat. He then will have to fight a strong knight watching a small door. Having overcome this one he would still have to fight the warrior at a second door and two knights defending a third one. Then he will reach the tower, where he will meet a pretty lady: He should bring her the greetings of the Lady of the White Castle, give her the latter’s ring as a token and ask her to help him. A meal is served and the Lady relates her story to him: Her husband was a pretty young knight, who had built the White Castle, but he left her a widow with a little son only 19 months after their marriage. In the morning the duke leaves with the squire.

Motif References:

P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
H 82 Identifying tokens sent with messenger
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper

Lanc1-549: (16) Iwan rides until nightfall when he watches two squires carrying a horse-bier covered with red velvet. A young lady clad in black clothes mourns the dead. She refuses to uncover the wounded knight to Iwan for all who had a look at him were brought to shame. Iwan however catches a glimpse of the knight placed in the coffin. He crosses himself and questions the lady. The lady tells him that he who wants to see the knight has to swear to avenge him. Nobody yet succeeded in taking the man out of his coffin. Iwan wants to see the knight: he is pierced by a lance, his head is injured and he has been maimed of his shoulder and legs. After Iwan has given his oath he tries to take the man out of the coffin. Iwan fails three times. The lady blames him of having made the wounded man suffer. She declares that she is heading for the Arthurian court. Iwan rides on, angry and grieved because of is failure.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
D 753 Disenchantment by accomplishment of tasks.
F 852 Extraordinary coffin [sarkophag]
H 1199.5 Task: disenchantment
D 1417 Magic object imprisons person
D 2072.0.5 Person paralyzed

Lanc1-550: (20) Lancelot is outraged because of Gawan’s abduction. He overhears a frightful voice, followed by three others and then the terrible clamor of a huge number. He heads for the voices and comes upon the train Iwan just has left. The lady explains the adventure and laments that a knight just failed achievement. Lancelot recognizes Iwan when she describes his looks. Lancelot swears the oath and takes the wounded man out of the coffin onto the grass. The knight is overjoyed about his rescue. He sends word to his father and brothers at their castle with a squire. Then he asks Lancelot to accompany them. Lancelot inquires about the strange voices and the lady tells him not to bother: Many a devil is lurking in the forest to annoy errant knights. They will be safe for they avoided a dangerous road nearby, called the Devil’s road. Lancelot however would like to catch sight of those devils for though he saw many strange beasts already he never met a devil. The wounded knight replies that only magic illusion plays tricks upon adventurers until they meet some accident. Lancelot places the knight on his bier, the coffin is left behind. On approaching the town, the knight’s brothers with great company come toward them. The knight’s father welcomes Lancelot at the castle and thanks him for his son’s rescue. Lancelot is well cared for. The wounded knight has recovered already.

Motif References:

M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
G 303.15 Places haunted by the devil
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
H 1199.5 Task: disenchantment
H 1236 Perilous path traversed on quest.
D 1417 Magic object imprisons person
D 2031 Magic illusion
D 2072.0.5 Person paralyzed

Lanc1-552: (6) The lord of the castle is Trahans the Jai (Trahan der Jai), his wounded son’s name is Melians the Jai (Melian der Jai), that of his brother Drians the Jai. Lancelot identifies and the lord questions him. When he learns that his guest is a knight of the Round Table he asks him about a knight who removed part of a lance from a man’s body and swore on the saints to avenge him upon any knight caring more for his enemies than for the wounded man. The lord thinks Lancelot has that man’s looks and Lancelot replies that this promise already meant much trouble to him. He shows his scars and Lancelot’s bravery meets general amazement. Lancelot relates the story of his quest and his host tells him about the marvels of Caracados’s fortress and the valor of its lord who has warred with them for long. He also inflicted those wounds upon his son and wounded the host too. Caracados’s mother is a skilled enchantress and it was her magic that bound his son to the coffin. She told him that only the best knight could rescue him, but he would not die nor would his wounds heal as long as he was inside. Despite the host’s offer to stay Lancelot insists on leaving next day.

Motif References:

M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
M 411.12 Curse by witch (sorceress)
D 1273 Magic formula (charm)
D 1417 Magic object imprisons person
D 1711 Magician
D 2072.0.5 Person paralyzed

Lanc1-553: (16) Though night has already fallen Iwan keeps riding on. A horn resounds in the forest and he sets out in pursuit taking some old path. The sounds lead him to a tower, its gate wide open. A man above the tower keeps blowing the horn and urges Iwan to help them: Robbers assaulted the fortress, killed many of his men, and he fears that they raped his mother and his beautiful sister. On entering the courtyard Iwan comes upon four robbers who are about to rape the girl. In a furious battle the robbers are killed, only two of them escape. The squire, his mother and sister thank Iwan for their rescue and the squire leads him the way to a good road. Soon Iwan comes to the pretty valley of the Thames that flows into the Yse: therefore the two are then called Thamyse. A fine white tent has been pitched at the river’s banks, with ten turned shields put around it. By her tresses a lady is bound to a tree nearby and her hands are fettered so tightly to a branch that blood flows from her nails. Crying already has exhausted her. A knight stripped of his clothes but a shirt is tied to a pole. His back is covered with blood from heavy blows. Iwan sets out to help them.

Motif References:

R 51 Mistreatment of prisoners
T 471 Rape
P 475 Robber [thief, outlaw, pirate]
P 475.2 Robbers defeated and killed
N 765 Meeting with robber band
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-554: (31) The lady again starts crying when Iwan comes near and he identifies as Iwan, knight of Arthur, to reassure her. The lady tells her story: She and her companion Segremors have suffered this distress for the sake of Gawan. When Iwan is about to untie the lady a knight of the tent attacks him. Iwan defeats his opponent and two of his companions. Then he unties the lady. She asks him to cut off her tresses so that they would be no more danger to her, but he refuses. Iwan fights two knights challenging him and defeats them. When he is about to free Segremors five knights ride toward him. Iwan fights them. One of his opponents however helps him whenever possible for he would have preferred Iwan to escape.

Motif References:

R 110 Rescue of captive
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-555: (33) Lancelot and Melians the Jai encounter the squire whose family was rescued by Iwan. He joins them and soon they come to the meadow where Iwan already is exhausted by battle. Lancelot comes to his aid which encourages Iwan once again. The knights Iwan overcame before have recovered in the meantime but take to flight when they watch Lancelot’s exploits against their companions. Segremors is released. Iwan and Lancelot have defeated their opponents, of whom only two have escaped. Segremors and the lady tell their story: They have been captured by the men of the king of Norgales for the sake of Gawan. The lady once led Gawan to her beautiful lady though twenty knights were watching her. The knight promises to escort Segremors and his lady to London, while Iwan and Lancelot continue their quest for Gawan.

Motif References:

R 4 Surprise capture
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-556: (32) On learning that Lancelot, Iwan and the duke of Clarence have left Lionel is outraged. He has been knighted the same day. Lionel arms himself and leaves in a hurry. Galahot rides after him but Lionel, who has disguised, refuses to talk to him and cuts the bridle Galahot has caught to hold him back. Galahot declares that riding without a bridle fits an unbridled man and a cousin of Lancelot well. He soon catches up with Lionel and puts his arms fast around him so that they tumble from their horses. Lionel admits that he has set out to join Lancelot. Galahot pretends to know about Lancelot’s destination and makes Lionel stay at the court. In the meantime the duke of Clarence has left the White Castle and comes to a plain with a fine brook where a battle has been fought. Two knights have been killed and their horses as well. An injured squire tells him the story: This morning the lady of Bristant, his mistress, left for the court of King Arthur, who is her relative. They came upon four knights who had captured Gawan and were scourging him. The lady ordered her retinue to rescue her relative, yet all of them were captured or killed.

Motif References:

R 10.6 (Bm) Knight abducted
R 51 Mistreatment of prisoners
P 53 (Bm) Obtaining knighthood
W 185 Violence of temper

Lanc1-558: (6) While they still are talking they watch a lady pursued by an armed knight. She falls at the duke’s feet urging to help her: The pursuer cut off her tresses and wants to rape her. The duke sets out in pursuit and forces the man to surrender. If he obtains the lady’s forgiveness he will be spared. The duke removes the man’s helmet, gives his sword to the lady so that she could decapitate the man. Yet she lacks courage although she would like to kill her enemy. The squire who is her brother kills the man. In the meantime the lady of Bristant has taken refuge behind two rocks. She now tells the duke her story and he relates his quest to free Gawan to her. They take leave of each other, the lady riding on to Arthur’s court. When they learn about Gawan’s abduction and the ongoing quest for him the king weeps. However both queen and Galahot are stricken with grief for the sake of Lancelot. The king declares that all should join him to set out next morning. Meanwhile Melians the Jai has arrived at court and promises to lead them to the fortress where Gawan is held captive. In the morning they leave. The queen stays behind for she is sick, and moreover Lancelot has offended her by leaving without her consent. Galahot soothes her anger.

Motif References:

P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
Q 244.1 Punishment for attempted rape
R 260 Pursuits
T 471 Rape
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1385 Quest for lost person.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-559: (17) The duke of Clarence encounters a young lady, on quest for a champion to achieve the Sorrowful Tower (Jammervollen Turm) the place Gawan is imprisoned. The duke declares that he is also searching for Gawan. Thereupon the lady asks him to join her. Though his squire warns him for this woman will bring shame upon him and make him perish, the duke joins the lady. She makes him stay overnight at a castle and next morning after mass she orders the duke to arm himself for he now will learn about the castle’s marvels. The lady leads him into an underground chamber guarded by four fierce warriors carrying strong weapons. If the duke defeats them he will be her champion. The duke overcomes his adversaries. Thereupon the lady has a bell rung that resounds very far to call her people to the castle.

Motif References:

H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]
H 1385.0.1 Unspelling quest: journey to disenchant (free) captives.
H 1385 Quest for lost person.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
H 1568 Test of the champion.

Lanc1-560: (30) The lord of the castle and his companions give the duke a happy welcome and bestow the fortress on him. The duke enfeoffs the man with the castle. Then he learns the story of the four warriors: The lord of the castle had warred against a neighbor who finally captured him. A huge warrior, father of three strong sons, rescued him on condition that he would deliver one child of each district, girl or boy, to him. He raped the girls. The boys had to become his servants. Moreover the lord had to leave him a third of his lands. This could only be stopped if a champion overcame the four villains. The lady was afraid that her niece would be raped too and therefore urged the duke to achieve the adventure. But there is still another one left in this land. The duke wants to learn about it.

Motif References:

Q 111.10 (Bm) Castles as reward
S 262.2 Tribute of youths regularly sent to foreign king.
T 471 Rape
P 531.1.2 (Bm) Tribute of 30 maidens a year.

Lanc1-561: (23) They come to a strange town: inside its black walls it is completely dark. The lady gives the duke a long chain so that he can follow her. On entering the town light returns. The chain reaches to the end of the darkness. They cross a cemetery with a sweet smell and arrive in front of a church. It is very cold and the air smells foul. The duke learns that the champion to achieve the adventure of the Sorrowful Tower has to pass this adventure first: he has to obtain a lamp and open it. Then the darkness will vanish. The duke enters the church. As he gets near the lamp he suffers beating from all sides and the cold as well as the stench give him a bad time. He falls to the ground and crawls out of the church. The lady and the squire carry him to the cemetery first and then to some lodging out of the town. The duke asks about that adventure.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
G 303.15 Places haunted by the devil
G 303.4 The devil’s physical characteristics
G 303.9.6.1 Devil fights with man
G 303.4.8.13 Devil invisible
G 303.4.8.1 Devil has sulphurous odor stench
D 753 Disenchantment by accomplishment of tasks.
F 760 Extraordinary cities
F 778.1 (G) Extraordinary grave
D 908 Magic darkness.
F 965 Premature darkness.
D 1162.1 Magic lamp
D 1184.2 Magic string
H 1568 Test of the champion.

Lanc1-562: (19) The lady tells him the story: Seventeen years ago this town was very powerful. Its lord fell in love with a lady who rejected his wooing. One Holy Thursday he surprised her after evening mass and raped her in the church. The Holy Spirit told a hermit living not far away what had happened and he found both of them dead. Since then the Minster and the town have been dark. The place that once was called the Fair Ascalon, became known as the Dark Ascalon. The cemetery however being a holy place was spared darkness for many saints are buried there. The stench in the church might eventually come from the numerous corpses, for all of the town’s dead vanish without a trace. As to the coldness and the beating no one knows the cause, but it certainly is due to the devil. Meanwhile night has fallen and they are lodged at a knight’s castle. The lord gives them directions for their quest. The Sorrowful Tower can be reached by two roads, one of them easy the other dangerous. The latter leads through the Valley of no Return, the other road is longer and one has to pass by Morge’s chapel. In the morning the squire advises the duke to have some more rest for they have taken the Devil’s road: More adventures than anywhere else in the forest are located there. But the duke insists on continuing his quest. The lady takes her leave.

Motif References:

D 6 Enchanted castle (building)
T 75.2.1 Rejected suitors’ revenge
V 150 Sacred objects - miscellaneous
F 151.1 Perilous [narrow] path to otherworld.
F 169.7 Coldness of otherworld
Q 222 Punishment for desecration of holy places (images etc.)
Q 244 Punishment for ravisher [rape].
G 303.15 Places haunted by the devil
E 410 The unquiet grave
Q 411.7 Death as punishment for ravisher.
Q 552.20.1 Miraculous darkness as punishment
E 755.2.5 Icy hell
F 760 Extraordinary cities
E 800 The Corpse
D 908 Magic darkness.
F 965 Premature darkness.
H 1236 Perilous path traversed on quest.
D 2095 Magic disappearance
D 2188 Magic disappearance

Lanc1-563: (24) Lancelot and Iwan come to a crossroad of three roads, where they meet a damsel, the sister of the lady who led them to the castle of the four villains, that is named Pintadol. They ask her for the way to the Sorrowful Tower. As she learns their identity she doubts that they would be able to rescue Gawan. She then makes Lancelot follow her to test his ability for the adventure. They take a night’s lodging at a hermitage. The hermit is the damsel’s uncle and has left knighthood. In the morning they continue to Pintadol where they learn that the duke of Clarence already has achieved the adventure. Lancelot is annoyed and entreats the damsel to show him some really perilous adventure: She leads him to the Dark Ascalon. By means of the magic chain they reach the cemetery. Iwan as the elder of the two knights is offered choice to try the adventure first. If he would let Lancelot try first this time the next adventure would be his. Iwan declares that he chooses this one. The damsel advises him to fix the sword to his arm and protect himself well with the shield. Very soon however he succumbs to beating, coldness and stench and crawls back outside. The church seems to be crowded with corpses.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
G 303.15 Places haunted by the devil
E 410 The unquiet grave
E 800 The Corpse
D 1184.2 Magic string
H 1568 Test of the champion.

Lanc1-565: (9) Lancelot carries Iwan to the cemetery. The damsel advises him to listen to Iwan’s experiences but Lancelot rushes off into the Minster. Before entering however he bows toward the direction of London and gives himself up to the queen. He blesses himself with his sword and approaches the lamp defending himself against the battering. Howling becomes overwhelming and a mighty blow on his head makes him fall to one knee. But despite stench and coldness he keeps moving for he grasps that the blows just have to be suffered for any defense would be vain. From exhaustion he falls onto his hands but still he crawls on. When he has come to the lamp he opens it. The church is illuminated and daylight returns to the town. Iwan and the damsel hurry to take care of Lancelot who seems almost dead. On recognizing Iwan Lancelot jumps to his feet, kisses the altar, and takes a seat. The townspeople enter the church and fall to his feet. An old man makes him come with him for he has to show him his prize. Lancelot enters a subterranean tomb: as soon as the knight has set his eyes upon the marble coffin of the grave his strength returns. The old man tells him that he has rescued people from death for they were not alive but dead before. They still are weak and pale as if they had lived underground for they had been deprived of sunlight for a very long time. The town now is called again the Fair Ascalon. Iwan too has regained his strength by looking at the grave.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
G 303.15 Places haunted by the devil
G 303.6 Circumstances of the devil’s appearance
G 303.16.2 Devil’s power over one avoided by prayer [and sign of the cross]
E 422 Living corpse.
D 705.1 Castle disenchanted.
F 778.1 (G) Extraordinary grave
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1162.1 Magic lamp
D 1299.2 Magic sepulchre (grave) [sarkophag]
D 1335 Object gives magic strength
H 1410 Fear test: staying in frightful place
D 1782 Sympathetic magic: Magic results obtained by imitating desired action

Lanc1-567: (3) The strong Caracados abducted Gawan to his castle as his prisoner. He stripped him of his clothes but a shirt and kept scourging him until they arrived at their destination. Gawan then was confined to a dungeon full of snakes and vermin that suck his blood from him. The lord’s mother is a sorceress, who owns a box with all sorts of drugs and poison. Pretending that she is going to cure Gawan’s bruised body by a healing balm she makes him swell. Moreover the vermin keeps torturing him. A young lady pities the knight crying constantly from pain and she questions him through a tiny window. Gawan believes that the vermin has caused his swelling. The damsel promises to help him for she will not have killed such a valiant knight as Gawan. But he is ordered to keep the matter secret. Then she bakes a bread out of rye flour, milk, juice from rue, adder root, and three other strong herbs. She puts it into hot milk and throws it into the dungeon. The vermin gulps the food down and as soon as it has turned cold their bodies burst from the powerful herbs and the milk. Gawan almost perishes from their stench. Then the damsel gives him a healing salve that makes his body normal again and the stench vanishes. He is completely cured. The damsel promises to care for him. That night she makes a fire from sulfur, incense and myrrh, that burns the vermin. Gawan is supplied with garments, blankets and straw, food and drink.

Motif References:

R 10.6 (Bm) Knight abducted
R 41.3 Captivity in dungeon
R 51 Mistreatment of prisoners
D 55 Magic change of person’s size
S 180 Wounding or torturing
F 717.2 Poison pool
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 882 Extraordinary fire
F 981.1 Serpent bursts asunder
D 1031.1 Magic bread.
D 1244 Magic salve (ointment)
D 1271 Magic fire
D 1330 Magic object works physical change
D 1500.1.19 Magic healing salve.
D 1515 Magic antidote for poison
D 1711 Magician
K 2010 Hypocrite pretends friendship but attacks
D 2061.1.3 Poisoning by magic
D 2064 Magic sickness

Lanc1-568: (17) The duke of Clarence and the squire arrive at the perilous valley. The two roads part from this place where a chapel has been built. The squire advises him to take the left road, and to avoid the other one leading toward the Valley of No Return. Yet the duke chooses the latter one, ordering the squire to wait for him until evening. The Valley of No Return is enclosed by an invisible air-barrier, and no one can find his way out. This marvel was created thirteen years ago by Morge, the sister of King Arthur. She is a fairy and has learnt magic arts from Merlin. Once she fell in love with a knight, who however was in love with another woman outshining Morge’s beauty. The sorceress spied upon the lovers until she surprised them in that beautiful valley. She enchanted the valley so that the knight could never leave again, as would any knight faithless toward his mistress. Only a knight who never betrayed his love could disenchant the place and rescue the prisoners. Only women and squires are able to find their way out. 353 knights are imprisoned in the valley. Their ladies and squires provide them with food, drink and garment, and Morge herself cares well for her guests: She has built houses and a church so that they can hear mass. Moreover they enjoy all knightly pastimes (game hunting, hunting with falcons and hawks). The valley goes by the name of Valley of No Return or Valley of Faithless Lovers.

Motif References:

D 7 Enchanted valley
T 10 Falling in love
R 40 Places of captivity.
R 50 Conditions of captivity
T 71 Woman scorned in love
T 92 Rivals in love
F 149 Bounds of the otherworlds - miscellaneous
F 151.1.1 Perilous valley.
T 230 Faithlessness in marriage [love]
F 302.3 Fairy woos mortal man
F 361 Fairy’s revenge.
F 375 Mortals as captives in fairyland
H 421 Tests for true lover
F 756 Extraordinary valleys and plains
H 1236 Perilous path traversed on quest.
H 1556.4 Fidelity in love tested
H 1561.9 Prince chooses (shorter but more) dangerous road
D 1711.5 Fairy as magician.
D 1738 Magic arts studied
D 1980 Magic invisibility

Lanc1-569: (19) Having passed the narrow entrance the duke of Clarence rides down into an underground passage, that is white and splendid. Through a glass window he perceives four large dragons chained to the wall, two on each side. He attacks them with his sword but cannot hurt them. He avoids them and continues to a deep and wild river with only a small bridge crossing it. He perceives two knights on the far end. As soon as he has stepped onto the bridge one of them attacks him and he falls into the river. Four strong villains get hold of him and nearly drown him. Then they carry him to the banks, strip him of his sword, shield and helmet and make him join numerous knights. The duke recognizes several companions of the Arthurian court: Keus of Straus, Elies (Elin) Liblois, Aiglins (Aiglin) of the Valley. All of them are Morge’s prisoners.

Motif References:

B 11.11 Fight with dragon
B 11.12.1 Dragon cannot be killed with weapons
F 150.2 Entrance to other world guarded by monsters (or animals)
F 721.1 Underground passages
F 842 Extraordinary bridge
H 1561.13 (G) Test of valor: fight with ferocious animals
D 1840.2 Magic invulnerability of animals.

Lanc1-570: (20) Lancelot after having disenchanted Ascalon leaves with the lady and Iwan. They continue toward a knight’s castle, learn that the duke left not long ago and hurry after him. At Morge’s chapel they encounter the duke’s knight still waiting for his master: he did not join the duke for he was afraid that he would never be able to leave the valley again. The damsel however tells him that squires are safe there to leave. Then she orders Iwan to try the adventure. The squire is happy to learn that Ascalon is disenchanted and decides to go there as soon as the Valley is as well. The damsel leads Iwan into the valley. The dragons let her pass without moving but attack the knight, who escapes. Iwan fails at the bridge and is taken prisoner. The lady weeps and returns to Lancelot. She warns him that any knight who has failed in love never can leave the valley again, and she warns him against the invulnerable dragons. Lancelot trusts in his fine sword, which however cannot harm the beasts. The knight kills a dragon by crushing him. Then he kills another one that breathes fire, and overcomes the rest of them. Having killed the four dragons he overcomes the two warriors at the bridge and crosses the river unharmed. On turning to flight the second knight takes the bridge with him. Lancelot outraged puts off his bracelet. The golden ring he once received from the Lady of the Lake works against any magic or illusion: river, bridge and knights vanish.

Motif References:

D 7 Enchanted valley
B 11.11 Fight with dragon
B 11.12.1 Dragon cannot be killed with weapons
B 11.2.11 Fire-breathing dragon
T 89.3 (Bm) Faithless lover
F 151.1.1 Perilous valley.
T 230 Faithlessness in marriage [love]
F 324.5 Rescue from fairyland
F 340 Gifts from fairies
F 756 Extraordinary valleys and plains
D 810 Magic object a gift
F 842 Extraordinary bridge
D 1317.0.2 (G) Magic ring detects enchantments
D 1380.23 Magic ring protects
D 1385.3.2 (Bm) Magic stone in ring protects against witchcraft.
H 1561.13 (G) Test of valor: fight with ferocious animals
D 1840.2 Magic invulnerability of animals.
D 2031 Magic illusion

Lanc1-572: (27) Lancelot comes to a narrow stair leading to a large hall guarded by a knight carrying a halberd. Lancelot is given his shield by the damsel - she has retrieved it from the river where Lancelot lost it in combat. He overcomes the knight. Lancelot is attacked by another knight and chases him. The damsel brings Lancelot the halberd and he opens the door, defeating the knights who attack him. One of them escapes through an orchard into an illusory lake. The damsel warns Lancelot, but the latter having been raised in such a lake races after the man. He pursues him up to a tent, where the fairy Morge is asleep on a costly bed. The knight trying to take refuge under her bed overthrows it, Morge cries out in alarm and the knight escapes. Lancelot however catches up with him, chops off his right leg and his head which he places before Morge. She is frightened and outraged but the damsel reassures her by telling that the stranger is Lancelot, the best knight. Morge continues to curse him and his ladylove who is not worth his love. A damsel, whose lover he killed, attacks Lancelot from behind, but he breaks her sword upon a rock. A squire brings the news that the valley is open and already 150 captives have escaped. Iwan, the duke and many knights of King Arthur welcome Lancelot thanking him for their rescue. Lancelot makes Morge promise to release all captives next day. That night however when Lancelot is fast asleep Morge and her maiden apply a sleeping-charm upon him, and carry him away on a horse bier. The damsel who came with him detects the treachery and follows them. In the morning she blames Morge of the abduction of Lancelot but the fairy promises that Lancelot will join his companions at the Sorrowful Tower next Friday.

Motif References:

R 10.6 (Bm) Knight abducted
R 110 Rescue of captive
R 210 Escapes
R 260 Pursuits
F 375 Mortals as captives in fairyland
D 705 Place [land] disenchanted
H 1361.2 Single combat to prove valor
D 1364.22 Sleep-charm
D 1960 Magic sleep
D 2031 Magic illusion

Lanc1-575: (2) Morge takes Lancelot to a remote place in the forest. When she wakes him she tells him that he has to stay in her prison for the sake of another woman. If however he gave her his ring he would be released. Morge knows that this ring is Genover’s love token. Lancelot refuses. Morge yet has a ring quite similar to Lancelot’s the queen once bestowed upon her: The jewel displays two tiny figures kissing each other. On Lancelot’s ring they hold a heart in their hands, on the fairy’s ring they hold each other’s hands. Morge since long hates the queen, she knows about their love and the ring is meant to harass the queen. In the meantime all the buildings of the valley have disappeared. The knights are worried what became of Lancelot but decide to continue their quest in the company of Aiglins and his uncle Keus. They ride toward Ronenc. The lord and his wife are playing a game of chess when the squire sent ahead to ask for hospitality. On learning the news the woman swoons. When she learns that Lancelot disenchanted the valley she laments the hero who will certainly perish. The squire tells them that Lancelot has been abducted by Morge, but will be released for he is a true lover. The lady however tells them that much harm will come from it. Aiglins and the knights from the valley arrive. The lord gives them a friendly welcome and tells them about his wife’s fears.

Motif References:

R 10.6 (Bm) Knight abducted
T 59.1 (Bm) Rings as love tokens
H 82.3 Tokens between lovers
T 200 Married life
F 375 Mortals as captives in fairyland
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief

Lanc1-576: (11) Aiglins goes to see his aunt. She is weeping out of grief for the release of faithless knights who now are free to bring sorrow to many a lady and maiden. Their rescuer has done more harm than good by disenchanting them. Aiglins talks to the lord and learns that the man served his wife for six years because he was her equal neither in wealth nor in nobility. When she finally agreed to marry him he had to grant her a rash boon. After their marriage she told him that he only would be allowed to leave the castle after the knights of the valley would be released. This is why she is angry about Lancelot’s exploit whereas the lord is happy about it and will join their quest with many a man. He sends word to his relatives and about 100 men come to join them. Then the damsel arrives telling them that Lancelot will meet them at the Sorrowful Tower.

Motif References:

T 91 Unequals in love
Q 115 Reward: any boon that may be asked
M 150 Other vows and oaths
T 200 Married life
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
T 230 Faithlessness in marriage [love]
H 317 Long term of service imposed on suitor

Lanc1-577: (7) In the meantime Morge still cannot obtain Lancelot’s ring. If she keeps him from joining his companions at the Sorrowful Tower he will no more eat or drink. Therefore she grants him leave for the adventure but he has to promise to return to her as soon as she sends for him. He leaves in the company of a squire and a damsel. The first night the girl annoys him with kisses and tempts him. Next day they come to a river, with a dead knight in armor and a lady lying in the water. Lancelot learns that the hero to achieve the adventure of the Sorrowful Tower has to accomplish this one first: He has to take the bodies out of the water. Then the damsel leads Lancelot to a castle nearby where they rest.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
T 331 Man unsuccessfully tempted by woman
H 1199.5 Task: disenchantment
H 1568 Test of the champion.

Lanc1-579: (3) After they have left the castle the damsel tells him the story of the knight and the lady in the river: A knight lived in the castle they just left, who was married to the lady they found in the river. She was very beautiful and he loved her jealously. Yet she loved another man who loved her too. The husband killed his wife’s lover. The lady prayed to God on her knees to let her find her lover for the sake of her chaste love for him. She then jumped into the water to rest at his side. The bodies could not be taken out of the river. Lancelot declares that this marvel was due to their faithfulness. They ride on and pass the night in the forest. Next morning the girls asks Lancelot to pardon her for tempting him, for those were her orders. At noon they arrive at the Sorrowful Tower and meet Lancelot’s companions. The duke tells them that Caracados has left for he wants to keep Arthur from entering his land. Lancelot leaves in pursuit of Caracados. Keus of Straus and the 150 knights join him, only Iwan and the duke of Clarence stay at the Tower. The duke sends a squire to the maiden of the Tower with his cousin’s ring to obtain her help.

Motif References:

T 81.6 Girl kills herself after lover’s death suicide by drowning
H 82 Identifying tokens sent with messenger
T 257 Jealous husband or wife.
Q 411.0.1.2 Man (fairy) kills wife’s lover
T 481 Adultery
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
F 1041.21.8 (Bm) Suicide from grief
H 1556.4 Fidelity in love tested
D 1654.9.1 Corpse cannot be moved

Lanc1-580: (10) The duke informs Iwan that the castle has got two gates: ten fully armed knights have to be overcome at the castle’s main gate, whereas four knights guard the bridge across a perilous river. Iwan chooses the main entrance, the duke leaves for the bridge. The gatekeeper blows his horn as Iwan approaches and ten knights come to fight him. Iwan is wounded and overcome, and would have been decapitated had not the maiden pleaded for him. They confine him into the dungeon. Meanwhile the duke of Clarence has overcome two knights at the bridge crossing a wild river, yet is defeated by the rest of them. The lady has him spared as well and he joins Iwan in the dungeon.

Motif References:

R 10.6 (Bm) Knight abducted
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-581: (17) Meanwhile Lancelot and his 350 companions try to catch up with Caracados who has left in the company of 700 knights. Caracados already has engaged in battle against King Arthur and his men. Caracados’s men are encircled for Lancelot attacks them from the rear side. Galahot hears Lancelot’s war-cry “Clarence” and is happy that Lancelot is well. Lancelot wounds Caracados and his troops are forced to retreat. Lancelot and Caracados continue fighting, Lancelot pursuing his opponent into the forest until both of them are so exhausted that they are no more able to see where they are heading. Caracados takes refuge in his castle, with Lancelot close behind him. As the ten knights at the gate attack Lancelot, the maiden of the castle makes him escape his enemies through a small door.

Motif References:

R 260 Pursuits
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-583: (25) Lancelot and Caracados continue their fighting pressing each other hard. Lancelot’s sword breaks and the damsel brings in a new one. As Caracados catches sight of Lancelot’s sword he declares that he now will have to die for he once loved another man more than himself: The damsel with the sword betrayed him. This sword is the only weapon to kill him and he had entrusted her with it. He hurries to the passage toward the dungeon in order to kill Gawan, but Lancelot decapitates him and throws the body into the dungeon. Gawan is frightened until he recognizes Lancelot’s voice. They make Gawan leave the dungeon by means of a ladder. Gawan is amazed when Lancelot shows Caracados’s head to him and thanks Lancelot. The damsel provides Gawan with an armor and leaves to obtain the knights’ peace. In the meantime Arthur has pursued his enemies up to the little door the maiden now opens. She declares that all of them would be killed unless they obtained the two knights’ mercy. They agree and become their vassals. Iwan and the duke are overjoyed.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
R 75 Surrendering
H 79.3 Recognition by voice
Z 312 Unique deadly weapon
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc1-585: (16) Lancelot opens the main gate and Arthur receives the castle’s keys. Lancelot on his knees presents Caracados’s head to the king and leaves him the castle as well. The sight of the head frightens the men. Gawan relates his story to them and the duke and Iwan show their wounds. All are overjoyed about Lancelot’s exploit, most of all Galahot and Lionel. Lancelot makes the king give the castle to the damsel as reward. According to Lancelot’s advice Melians the Jai marries her and as morning gift Arthur gives him the land of Caracados who greatly harassed him. The castle is called The Pretty Booty. The same evening however Morge’s messenger orders Lancelot to return to her mistress. He asks Gawan to tell his two lords that he was obliged to leave. He should bring his greetings to the queen. Lancelot leaves and Gawan informs Galahot and Arthur. Everybody is grieved about Lancelot leaving them so soon. Next morning they set out for London.

Motif References:

Q 53 Reward for rescue
H 84 Tokens of exploits
Q 111.10 (Bm) Castles as reward
S 139.2.1.1 Head of murdered man taken along as trophy

Lanc1-586: (22) Morge failing to obtain Lancelot’s ring by menaces or begging one night puts him asleep by a charm and steals his ring. He fails to detect the theft for she puts her own identical one on his finger. She then sends a damsel to the court. After she has been granted safe conduct she brings them Lancelot’s greetings whom they would never see again. Lionel swoons. She further tells them that Lancelot having been wounded at the Sorrowful Tower thought to be near death. As penance for his sins a hermit ordered him to confess his sins in public at the Arthurian court in person or by substitute. After he had died she was sent to ask for the king’s mercy for Lancelot’s adulterous love for the queen. Galahot barely keeps Lionel from attacking the messenger. As an identifying token the damsel tells them about Lancelot last words before he took leave of Gawan. Moreover she brings Lancelot’s ring that he sent to the queen. Genover recognizes her ring that she gave him because he was her knight, and doubts the girl’s story: Lancelot is a valiant knight who never would have slandered in such a way. She declares she loved him as is due for a knight in her service. Yet if love’s power had overwhelmed her she would have granted even an illicit love. Besides no woman would be able to resist Lancelot’s wooing if he had served her as he served Genover. The king declares that the queen is to be believed and that he still trusts her. He could not stop loving Lancelot even if the knight had married the queen. The messenger is very angry on seeing the king not outraged at his wife and asks for escort to leave. The queen leaves.

Motif References:

T 200 Married life
K 331.3 Worthless object (animal) substituted for valuable while owner sleeps
N 340.0.1 (Bm) Erroneous news of death
F 361 Fairy’s revenge.
T 481 Adultery
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
D 1364.22 Sleep-charm
D 1960 Magic sleep
D 1962 Means of inducing magic sleep
K 2112.1 False tokens of woman’s unfaithfulness

Lanc1-589: (6) Galahot takes leave of the king for he will not sleep two nights at a place until he has found Lancelot. He goes to see the queen who is in distress for she thinks Lancelot dead and because he brought shame upon her. Galahot reminds her that only his true fidelity enabled Lancelot to disenchant the Valley of No Return. Galahot, Lionel and Gawan set out to search for him. They soon catch up with Iwan who has escorted the messenger. He joins the quest. The damsel pretends not to know where Lancelot could be found. Lionel declares she would have to accompany them until they know her destination. But when they stay overnight at her relative’s castle she escapes and informs Morge. The knights take leave of each other and continue their quest separately.

Motif References:

M 151.2.3 (G) Vow not to sleep two nights in the same place until quest’s end
H 421 Tests for true lover
H 1385 Quest for lost person.
H 1385.13 (Bm) Quest for lost person
H 1556.4 Fidelity in love tested

Lanc1-590: (12) Galahot rides all day and lodges at a forester’s house. Next morning he reaches a beautiful town, the Fair Ascalon. Before the castle’s gate ladies, maidens and knights dance around a tree with a shield fixed to it. They bow to the shield each time they pass by it. Galahot recognizes Lancelot’s shield. An old knight, the lord of the castle, tells him the story of the place: This shield belonged to the hero who disenchanted the castle from darkness. But they have got news of his death and received the man’s shield the day before. Galahot takes the shield, though the man warns him that they will fight for it, and rides toward the forest. A throng of knights sets out in pursuit and Galahot fights them. The lord of the castle ends the fighting, for the sake of Galahot’s bravery. He cares for his wounds and asks for his name. He declares that Galahot should take the shield, for he was Lancelot’s friend. Moreover he offers him his castle and wants to become his liegeman. Galahot refuses to linger but asks them about the latest news about Lancelot: The lord tells him that they cannot tell if he is dead or alive for contradictory news have come to them. They ignore his whereabouts. Galahot rides on and in the evening meets a cleric heading for a monastery. Galahot is offered hospitality and a monk who once was a knight cares for his wounds and heals him.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero
P 426.2 Hermit
D 705.1 Castle disenchanted.
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-592: (21) Gawan comes to a stone causeway in a swamp. A knight guards the passage. Gawan unhorses him, the knight treacherously asks Gawan to help him mount his horse for he would be too weak and promises to let him pass. Yet when Gawan has helped him the knight gives him a push and flees onto the swamp. Gawan’s horse falls and the stranger overrides him several times. Iwan comes riding along and hurries to help him, the stranger escapes. They ride on until they come upon a monk praying in a cemetery whom they ask to have Gawan’s wounds cared for. In the monastery the priest blames Gawan for riding in armor on a Saturday afternoon. Gawan vows to respect Saturday afternoon ever since unless he had to defend himself.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
V 70 Religious feasts and fasts
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

Lanc1-593: (24) Lancelot still is Morge’s prisoner. The fairy tries hard to make him forget Genover, but she fails. One night she has him drink wine with powerful herbs and he has a strange dream: The queen is asleep in a tent with an errant knight lying with her. Lancelot in his dream takes a sword and is about to kill the man, when the queen stops him claiming that this knight is her lover and she never wants to see him again for he would be killed. In the morning Lancelot wakes on a precious bed in a tent, a sword in his hand. He thinks to have killed the knight. He decides to obtain his release Morge kept offering him if only he broke with Arthur’s court and the Round Table. He tells her that he would give his oath to avoid Arthur’s court until Christmas. At first Morge refuses but then gives in: He declares he would refuse to eat or drink. Morge fearing for his life receives his oath and lets him leave with armor and horse.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
M 150 Other vows and oaths
F 375 Mortals as captives in fairyland
D 1040 Magic drink.
F 1068 Realistic dream
D 2160 (Bm) Dream created by magic

Lanc1-594: (22) After Gawan has recovered he leaves the monastery in Iwan’s company. They come to a river. On the far bank a tournament is going on. A valiant knight excels in fighting and the party he joins gets the better of their opponents. He changes sides several times. Gawan is amazed at his skill. A knight asks them to join the jousting. They join the weaker party. When the stranger gets aware of their strength he angrily leaves toward the forest, throws his shield away and starts to weep. Gawan and Iwan who think the man might be Lancelot hurry to him. They embrace the wailing knight and he finally recognizes them. He asks them to leave him alone for he has sworn not to keep them company. He was grieved for he just lost the tournament, which proves that all his knightly skill and strength are gone. Iwan and Gawan hurry to bring the news to the Arthurian court. The king is angry and the queen stricken with grief.

Motif References:

P 561 Tournaments
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief

Lanc1-596: (17) Lancelot sets out for Sorelois to meet his friend Galahot because his dream makes him think that he has lost Genover’s love forever. Galahot is not home and Lancelot’s grief at last makes him fall ill so that he once again starts to rage. One night having completely lost his senses he jumps out of the window clad only in a shirt and runs away with a sword in his hands. In the meantime Galahot has learned that Lancelot still is alive and he returns to Sorelois. When he is told that Lancelot escaped he has him searched for throughout his lands. He keeps looking at Lancelot’s shield and out of grief he refuses food and drink for nine days and nights. The king and the queen having been told about his suffering hurry to see him. They try to reassure him but his sorrow has made his wound much worse and he dies. Before his death he once again proves his munificence. Galahot is much mourned for especially by the Lady of Maloaut, whom he was about to marry and make her queen of thirty kingdoms.

Motif References:

W 11.2 Munificent monarch
P 310 Friendship
F 1041.1.1 Death from broken heart
F 1041.8.2 Madness from grief
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief
F 1041.21.1 Illness from excessive grief
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc1-598: The joy of the Arthurian court has vanished because of Lancelot’s disappearance. The Lady of the Lake is in distress. She casts lots for his fate and uses all her magic skills to find out about his whereabouts, for she refuses to believe that he is dead. At last by means of her books she learns that he is in Cornwall, running about mad, naked and barefoot. She sets out at once. When she meets Lancelot he has turned wild and disfigured and the Lady only recognizes by his ring she once gave to him. She takes him with her to the lake and cures him so that his beauty returns. As soon as he has recovered however he remembers his great distress for the sake of his love and again falls ill. The Lady knows about his troubles and talks to him thoroughly avoiding the subject of his love and promises to help him. He stays with her until four weeks after Easter, then she orders him to ride to Kamahelot and hide in the forest near the place where she once left him when he was to become a knight. Then his grief will be soothed for the queen will pass in the company of Key and a stranger will abduct the queen after a joust. As soon as Lancelot arrives there the court receives sad news: the Lady of Malaout has died out of grief for Galahot’s death.

Motif References:

T 24.3 Madness from love
T 93.1 Disappointed lover becomes wild man in the woods.
H 94 Identification by ring
N 126 Lots cast to determine luck or fate
M 301 Prophets
N 815 Fairy as helper
F 959.1 Madness miraculously cured
F 1041.1.1 Death from broken heart
F 1041.21.1 Illness from excessive grief
F 1041.9 Extraordinary illness
F 1041.8.2 Madness from grief
D 1266 Magic book
D 1711.5 Fairy as magician.
D 1712 Soothsayer (diviner, oracle, etc.)
D 1810.0.4 Magic knowledge of fairies.

Lanc1-599: (10) Meleagant, son of king Bandemagus of Gorre, arrives to defend himself against the accusation of having treacherously wounded Lancelot and he is ready to fight for the matter. Arthur declares that Lancelot has been absent since long and moreover he should not take the risk to fight such a valiant knight surpassing him by far in fighting skill. Meleagant replies that Arthur’s court has lost its reputation for chivalry for his father has forced many Arthurian knights into his service as his captives without Arthur coming to their aid. Arthur still could rescue them: If a champion defeated Meleagant in single combat the captives would be released, otherwise the queen would be his prize. The king refuses and Meleagant leaves. The court is outraged at the knight’s insolence yet many a man approves of his bravery. Key is annoyed that Meleagant should leave unharmed. Having armed himself he renounces his service to the king for he would prefer to join some other lord. The king questions him if he somehow offended him but Key declares he did not. They entreat him not to leave and at last Key offers to stay if only the king granted him a rash boon. The king agrees and Keye demands that he is granted the combat against Meleagant in order to rescue the captives of Gorre. The queen is to accompany him. Thus the captives at Gorre will be released. Arthur and Genover are in distress. Dodinel asks the king if he would let Meleagant leave with the queen if Key were defeated and Arthur replies that he is bound by his promise. He forbids Dodinel to intervene.

Motif References:

R 40 Places of captivity.
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
T 200 Married life
H 218 Trial by combat
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
P 510 Law courts

Lanc1-601: (22) The queen leaves with the steward. Gawan goes to arm himself to prevent Genover’s abduction if Key were overcome. Meleagant has stopped near the forest, where a troop of 110 men is waiting for him. Lancelot too has hidden in the forest, he carries his red shield with the silver bend. Speaking in a disguised voice Lancelot asks Keye about the lady he is escorting. Genover recognizes his voice but dares not believe the appearances. Key refuses to let him escort the queen, and Lancelot rides after them. As they arrive at the field of combat Meleagant takes the queen captive and then overcomes and wounds Key. Meleagant and his men leave taking the distressed queen with them. Lancelot sets out in pursuit and attacks the company. Watching the stranger in combat makes Genover sure that Lancelot has returned. The clamor from the battle alarms Meleagant who turned back to finish off Key. He recognizes Lancelot. A furious combat starts and Lancelot presses his opponent hard. Lancelot however loses his horse and has to give up pursuit. Meleagant’s troop leaves with the queen and Key.

Motif References:

R 10.5 (Bm) Queen abducted
H 30 Recognition through personal peculiarities
H 79.3 Recognition by voice
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-603: (25) Lancelot comes upon Gawan who fails to recognize him. Gawan gives Lancelot a horse so that he can set out in pursuit of the abductors. Meleagant’s and Lancelot’s fighting is renewed but once again Lancelot loses his horse. This time however he continues pursuit on foot. He comes upon an ugly hunchback dwarf on a small cart driving his jade with a whip. Lancelot greets him but the dwarf only gives a murmur in reply. At the knight’s question the dwarf promises him that he will help him see the queen before next morning if Lancelot got on the cart. In those times any man mounting such a cart lost all his honor, for being carried on it through the town was a means of punishment. There is only one cart in every town. Lancelot declares he would rather follow on foot, but the dwarf insists that he gets on it. Lancelot gives in. They come upon Gawan who asks the dwarf about the queen. The dwarf repeats what he told Lancelot but Gawan refuses to get on the cart. Catching sight of Lancelot on the cart he entreats him to mount a horse instead but the dwarf insists that Lancelot keeps his promise: He must not leave the cart until evening. Lancelot refuses to identify.

Motif References:

R 260 Pursuits
H 421 Tests for true lover
F 451.5.2 Malevolent dwarf
F 451.2.1.4 Hunchback dwarf
F 451.2.0.1 Dwarfs are ugly
Q 470 Humiliating punishments
F 861 Extraordinary wagon (cart, carriage,etc.)
H 1232.7 (G) Directions on quest given by dwarf

Lanc1-605: (12) Gawan rides after the cart until they reach a beautiful castle. People come toward them asking for what crime the knight in the cart is being punished. Lancelot keeps silent and they throw all sort of garbage at him and insult him as if he were a thief on his way to the gallows. The castle is called Lentergalesche, and it is located at the borders of Gorre, which is also known by the name of The Foreign Country (Ußlant). King Arthur’s men as Bandemagus’s captives are not allowed to leave Gorre, that is enclosed by a broad river and a deep swamp. Night falls and Gawan, Lancelot and the dwarf arrive at some small fortress. Two ladies welcome them and when Gawan tells them about the knight on the cart they insult Lancelot who still keeps silent. The dwarf once again gives his promise that Lancelot will see the queen next morning. Lancelot lodges in a fine chamber of the castle. In order to remain incognito he shuts the window shutters and covers his face with a mantle. A lady enters and is disappointed and annoyed that he rests on the bed. A meal is served but Lancelot feigns sickness and stays in his room where he has dinner.

Motif References:

Q 470 Humiliating punishments
P 672.5 (G) Humiliation: throwing rubbish at the hero

Lanc1-606: (19) After the meal the lady leads him into a hall with two beautiful beds. A sweet fragrance fills the air. Lancelot declares he has seen at least one costly bed surpassing these in beauty. The lady tells him that no Arthurian knight would be able to lie in one of the beds. Lancelot lies down to try the perilous bed. The lady alarms her companion and Gawan, and tells the knight that the bed killed every knight. Gawan goes to sleep in the second bed. Squires and knights sleep nearby. Lancelot remembers that the Lady of the Lake once told him that he would rescue the queen from her enemies. He is reassured and falls asleep toward midnight. At this point the room shakes, great din resounds and a storm sweeps through the hall. Then the house is illuminated as if it had burst into flames and a lance with a red and blue head like a flame pierces bed and floor but misses Lancelot. Lancelot angrily removes the weapon, but fails to find an enemy and lies down once again. Gawan asks him but is told not to worry.

Motif References:

F 787 Extraordinary bed
F 846.1 Perilous bed
D 906 Magic wind
D 1086 Magic lance
D 1154.1 Magic bed
D 1162 Magic light
H 1410 Fear test: staying in frightful place
H 1561 Tests of valor

Lanc1-608: (5) In the morning the dwarf wakes Lancelot and through a window has him see the queen down below on a meadow in the company of Meleagant and Key carried on a horse-bier. Lancelot is so intrigued by the sight that he would have fallen out of the window had not Gawan and the ladies rescued him just in time. At this point Gawan recognizes Lancelot, he welcomes him heartily and praises his bravery, but does not tell his name to the ladies. They ask to pardon them for their scorn, give him a fine horse and the company leaves. The lady sends a maiden after them to Carrogen von den Bruggen to inquire about the stranger. The damsel arrives at Carrogen before Lancelot and Gawan and at their question she gives them directions as to their quest: Meleagant has taken the queen to the land from where no one ever returned who came from Britain. Having obtained a boon from them she leads them their way toward the two bridges leading to Gorre: the Sword Bridge and the Underwater Bridge (Verlorene Brücke), that lies under the water. Both of them are watched. Then she leaves on a shortcut between the two roads. Gawan chooses the underwater bridge, Lancelot the sword bridge.

Motif References:

T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
F 152 Bridge to otherworld.
F 152.1.6 Sword bridge to otherworld.
F 152.0.1 Bridge to otherworld guarded by animals [champion].
F 842 Extraordinary bridge
H 1232.2 Directions on quest given by queen (lady)
D 1258 Magic bridge.

Lanc1-609: (26) In the evening Lancelot once again meets the damsel who offers him hospitality in a castle nearby. She leads him into an empty hall illuminated by many candles where the table has been set lavishly. Lancelot is disarmed and clad in a splendid mantle. They have dinner. Enter two squires who carry a silver dish each and a drawn sword. Lancelot makes ready to defend himself, yet the squires leave. Lancelot can only think of the queen and therefore he does not ask any questions. All dishes are served by the squires carrying drawn swords. When the damsel has left Lancelot is alarmed by her cries and hurries to help her: A knight is about to rape her, with two of his companions defending the bed with halberds and two squires the door with swords. Lancelot makes the sign of the cross, gives himself up to the queen, and rushes into the room. He overcomes the warriors and rescues the lady. She leads him into a fine chamber and demands that he now grants her her boon: to sleep with her in that bed. Refusal is out of the question and so the knight lies down at her side but keeps his shirt on. She questions him and he replies that he will not touch her for he hates her. Therefore he is granted leave to sleep in another bed. The damsel presumes the stranger must be Lancelot famous for his chastity.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
T 71 Woman scorned in love
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
T 331 Man unsuccessfully tempted by woman
H 421 Tests for true lover
T 471 Rape
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1556.4 Fidelity in love tested

Lanc1-612: (8) In the morning the damsel asks him to escort her to her uncle for a rejected suitor keeps harassing her. There is the custom that the watchmen at the borders of Gorre are alarmed if an errant knight striving for the prisoners’ rescue has come. Messengers inform them of the strangers’ devices and armors so that they might be recognized at the bridges. The news of Lancelot’s arrival therefore is already widely known in the land, his journey in the cart and the scorn he suffered for it as well. Lancelot and the damsel come to a path, guarded by a huge knight on a strong horse, who refuses passage to a man who has lost his honor on the cart. Toll must be paid. The queen who came this way one day before had to leave him an ivory comb inlaid with gold. But he refuses to show the comb, placed on top of a rock nearby, to Lancelot. As Lancelot heads for the rock the knight beats his horse. They joust and Lancelot forces the knight to surrender. Lancelot is so weary from fighting that he almost falls to the ground. The damsel gives him the comb. After having placed the hair from it onto his bare breast he leaves the comb to the maiden. Then he releases the knight and they ride on.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
T 59 (Bm) Love tokens
T 75.2.1 Rejected suitors’ revenge
H 1236 Perilous path traversed on quest.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-613: (26) Soon they come to a meadow where a tournament of the knights of Gorre is going on, the prisoners are watching. An armed knight rides toward them, whom the lady recognizes by his voice as her unwelcome suitor. The knight greets her very friendly. She declares that Lancelot is protecting her. The stranger scorns Lancelot for having got on that cart and challenges him. The stranger alarms his companions by his war-cry and points the knight of the cart out to them. Thereupon the company stops fighting and a huge knight in precious clothes rides toward them: Meleagant’s father. Bandemagus welcomes Lancelot. His son claims combat against Lancelot for the sake of the lady, which the father refuses. As the son insists on fighting he has him put in bonds. The son promises suicide unless he is given the lady. Thereupon the father gives in: He will fight Lancelot. Lancelot and the maiden ride on till evening and are granted hospitality at a monastery. The damsel’s uncle, a knight who retired from the world, is its prior. Bandemagus and his son are welcomed as guests too. Their ancestors once founded the monastery. In the morning the prior asks Lancelot to achieve an adventure at the monastery: Only the hero who accomplishes this adventure will be able to rescue the prisoners.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
V 118 Monasteries [cloisters, abbeys, nunneries]
P 233 Father and son
Z 254 Destined hero
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
P 561 Tournaments
H 1568 Test of the champion.

Lanc1-615: (13) They are led to the churchyard where many valiant knights have been buried. There are 24 splendid sarcophagi with marble slabs, among them a splendid tomb. The adventure consists in removing its slab from the coffin beneath. Lancelot removes the slab quite easily and holds it high above his head. An armed knight is buried in the coffin, his golden shield with a red cross around his neck. His bare silvery sword, his hauberk and his helmet (that displays a crown) have been placed beside him. According to the customs of those times any knight was buried in full armor in a stone sarcophagus with a beautifully engraved slab. Lancelot reads the characters on the grave telling that this is the tomb of king Galaad, son of Joseph of Arimathia, who won Gales at the times when the Grail was first taken to Britain. For his sake the land, that had been known as Hosselice, was called Gales, that means Wales. When Lancelot finally wants to put the slab back in place it keeps hovering above the coffin. The prior, the knight and his son are amazed at the miracle. They lead Lancelot into the church to thank God.

Motif References:

V 67.1 Ornaments (arms, chariots) buried with hero
V 69 Funeral rites - miscellaneous
V 153 (Hi) Heroes’ grave
Z 702 (Hi) Eponymous account of place name
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 778.1 (G) Extraordinary grave
F 852 Extraordinary coffin [sarkophag]
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 1083.0.1 Object floats in the air
D 1148 Magic tomb
H 1562.2 Test of strength: lifting stone

Lanc1-616: (4) Lancelot peeps through a tiny window and catches sight of a fire in an underground chamber. At his inquiry the monk relates the story to him: It is a frightful adventure. The hero who shall remove the slab from the burning tomb there will be seated on the Perilous Seat of the Round Table and accomplish the adventure of the Holy Grail. Lancelot curious about that coffin is led there. The monk warns him that this adventure is not meant for him, for the monastery’s two adventures cannot be achieved by the same person. The tomb and the chamber are ablaze altogether and Lancelot thinks that this adventure can never be accomplished. On leaving the underground chamber he is stricken with grief. He turns back but as he approaches the coffin a voice orders him to leave for this adventure is not meant for him. Lancelot asks who is talking and the voice promises to tell him everything he asked for, if Lancelot explained first why he lamented. The voice declares to be neither illusion nor the devil himself. Lancelot says that the voice certainly is aware of his reputation as the best knight, yet he just learned that he is not otherwise he would not have been scared by the sight. (29) The voice reassures him that for the time being he is the most excellent knight. But still there is a man to come who will surpass all others in virtue and exploits. This hero is to rescue the person speaking from the burning tomb, for as soon as he will enter fire and heat of the underground chamber are to vanish because his heart never knew unchastity. The destined hero will be of Lancelot’s kin that is the voice’s kin as well. Lancelot would have been fit to achieve all the great adventures destined for the Good Knight were it not for his father’s sin. After his marriage to Lancelot’s mother King Ban sinned with a maiden. As Lancelot was baptized he was given his grandfather’s name, Galaad. Lancelot wants to know the voice’s identity, why he has been confined to that tomb, and if he is dead or alive. The voice identifies as nephew of Joseph of Arimathia, the man who took Jesus down from the cross and brought the Grail to this land. He is called Symeu and suffers pain because of his and his son’s sin. His son was called Mois, and he lies in the perilous hall where many a knight suffered shame and distress.

Motif References:

P 233 Father and son
Z 254 Destined hero
H 41.9 King (noble) recognized by unique ability to occupy certain seat
T 300 Chastity and celibacy
M 301.14 (Summoned) Dead prophesies
T 400 Illicit sexual relations
H 413 Special powers of chaste woman.
E 545 The dead speak
E 755.3 Souls in purgatory.
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 778.1 (G) Extraordinary grave
F 781 Extraordinary rooms
F 882 Extraordinary fire
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1148 Magic tomb
D 1271 Magic fire
H 1410 Fear test: staying in frightful place
H 1568 Test of the champion.
D 1714 Magic power of person without sin

Lanc1-617: (16) Both of them were rescued from hell by the prayers of their uncle Joseph, although after their souls had been rescued by God their bodies will be tormented by fire until the destined hero comes to their rescue which is to happen very soon. His son is burning in the Perilous Hall while he has to suffer in this tomb. Lancelot asks if he could help him. The voice tells him to apply the holy water (the priest after handling the host washes his hands therein) from a stone basin all over him. This blessing will protect him against the blaze. Then Lancelot enters the fire which he passes unharmed but without any further event, which makes him angry and he leaves. The monk reassures him declaring that a person can only achieve one adventure. Many a man already failed there.

Motif References:

V 52 Miraculous power of prayer
Z 254 Destined hero
Q 560 Punishments in hell
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 778.1 (G) Extraordinary grave
F 882 Extraordinary fire
D 1148 Magic tomb
D 1242.1.2 Holy water as magic object
D 1271 Magic fire
D 1380 Magic object protects.
D 1672 Unquenchable fire
D 1841.3 Burning magically evaded

Lanc1-618: In the meantime monks arrive with a horse-bier in order to carry away Galaad’s corpse, for they have learnt that he obtained salvation: Nine months ago a monk saw Galaad one night. He told him that he would be rescued nine days before Whitsun. All are amazed. Lancelot takes the body out of the grave and has the monks take care of it. Then he takes his leave and continues his quest in the company of the damsel. The old knight (Bandemagus) talks to his son: This adventure just gave evidence that it would have been unwise to fight that excellent knight in combat. The maiden asks her leave of Lancelot for she now knows his identity: The voice in the tomb disclosed his name to her. He makes her promise secrecy until he has accomplished his quest. She declares she will only tell the story to her mistress. Lancelot continues his way and comes to a small path leading into a forest. Two knights are keeping watch there after it became known that a challenger had entered the land. Squires fail to make Lancelot leave, mocking him because of the cart. A knight even calls him a thief. Lancelot kills the two knights, takes one of their lances and rides on through the forest.

Motif References:

V 520 Salvation
E 545 The dead speak
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-619: (4) Lancelot encounters an old knight and his son, just returning from a hunt with their hounds. They offer Lancelot hospitality at their castle. When they are served dinner news arrive that a knight on his way to rescue the queen and the captives has opened the tomb of Galaad, but failed at Symeu’s tomb. He then killed the two knights defending entrance to the large forest. The squire recognizes Lancelot’s shield and informs them that they are entertaining that very hero. Lancelot is annoyed for he still is ashamed because of his failure. The host however reassures him: A man cannot achieve the two adventures, yet he has achieved the important one that will bring about the captives’ release as has been foretold by old books. A son of the host, already a knight, will join Lancelot on his quest to the sword bridge and his brother, still a squire, will come with them too. Next morning Lancelot and his companions come to a passage that is known as the Passage of the Rock (von dem Steyn), a dangerous barrier placed between two high rocks, which is guarded by an armed knight, two warriors with halberd and lances. After fierce fighting Lancelot enforces his passage. They meet a squire riding along. His head is shaved, which means that he is a prisoner. The inhabitants have long curls. The prisoners have sent him to welcome their rescuer but he was attacked near the passage of the Small Forest. Moreover he is about to look for helpers. He leads Lancelot to the battlefield where the captives still are fighting. They are clad in black clothes and display black devices.

Motif References:

R 50 Conditions of captivity
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
Z 254 Destined hero
M 302.8 Prophecy from a book
M 361 Fated hero
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
H 1236 Perilous path traversed on quest.
D 1266 Magic book
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-622: (16) Lancelot and his companions rush into the battle. Lancelot dubs the squire a knight with due ceremony (dubbing, girding the sword upon him, prayer). They overcome the enemies who take to flight. Lancelot and his men pursue them until their leaders are dead or wounded. The prisoners who are eager to identify the stranger only learn that he has set out to come to their and the queen’s rescue. Lancelot lodges at the castle an the hospitable knight’s uncle. The captives of Gorre join him. They come upon a messenger sent by the king of Gorre with a letter to proclaim that a rescuer has arrived and that his son Meleagant is about to ambush the hero to murder him. But the king orders that the hero must not be bothered with any harassment but the land’s adventure. The messenger recognizes Lancelot’s shield and welcomes him gladly. At the castle they receive a joyful welcome and a feast is celebrated. The captives of Gorre have a town of their own located on a broad plain where they live with their families. Yet they have not been allowed to fortify the place. When they are having dinner an armed knight enters with a message to that villain of the cart: He certainly will fail at the sword bridge, unless he crosses by ferry but he will have to pay toll for it to him. Lancelot challenges the man. The host tries to put off combat until Lancelot has had some rest but the knight’s scorn outrages Lancelot and he fights the man. Lancelot soon forces the knight to beg for mercy. Lancelot will spare him if he gets on the cart too. The knight refuses.

Motif References:

P 50 Noblemen (knights) [rules of chivalry]
P 53 (Bm) Obtaining knighthood
P 54 (Bm) Knighting custom
P 634 Feasts
N 832 Boy as helper
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc1-626: At this point a maiden falls to Lancelot’s feet asking for his help. She wants the man delivered to her. Though everybody presumes she would rescue him she asks for the man’s head. She accuses him of the utmost faithlessness and treachery. The man is frightened and begs Lancelot not to trust her for her love towards him now has turned to bitter hatred. Lancelot decides to offer the man a choice: Lancelot will kill him on the spot, or he has to fight him once again and if he would be overcome a second time Lancelot would chop off his head. The knight chooses combat and is defeated once again. Lancelot decapitates him. The lady takes the head and promises rich reward. She throws the head into a pond of snakes and vermin. The damsel is Meleagant’s sister. The knight slandered her for she rejected his wooing. He told her brother that he killed her lover when he detected their secret love affair. Moreover he accused her of brewing poison to kill her brother and father. Therefore she was banished to a remote land. The knight however still kept asking for her love every day promising her reconciliation with her family. She had promised her love to him if he overcame the hero arriving to rescue the prisoners. She hoped that he thus would be killed.

Motif References:

T 75.2.1 Rejected suitors’ revenge
S 139.2.2 Other indignities to corpse
S 139.2.1.1 Head of murdered man taken along as trophy
Q 491 Indignity to corpse as punishment
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
K 2112 Woman slandered as adulteress (prostitute) [concubine]
K 2116.1 Innocent woman accused of murder
K 2233 (Bm) Treacherous suitors

Lanc1-627: (18) Lancelot is praised for his bravery. Next morning he sets out with only two companions. The host secretly follows them with the forty knights to help him escape Meleagant’s tricks. In a forest Lancelot and his companions are ambushed by Meleagant’s warriors and the host and his men come to their aid. The host declares it was unwise not to listen to the advice of an inhabitant of the land. They come to the road leading toward Doggohorn, the largest city of Gorre, where Genover is held captive. Bandemagus and the queen watch from the tower and catch sight of Lancelot and his men. News have already come to them that a rescuer has fought his way into the kingdom.

Motif References:

R 41.1 Captivity in castle
K 810.1 (Bm) Ambush
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc1-628: (25) They come to the Sword Bridge crossing a perilous river and the knights weep out of grief for Lancelot. They try their best to protect Lancelot against the blades of the bridge and leave to cross the river by boat. Lancelot bows toward the tower of the queen, makes the sign of the cross, puts the shield on his back, and sits on the sword bridge. By means of his arms and his legs he manages to cross it, but his hands and legs are badly hurt. Looking at the tower strengthens him. As soon as he has reached the bank a huge villain with two roaring lions on a chain challenges him. Lancelot fails in wounding the enemies, who are like air. The ring of the Lady of the Lake reveals the illusion to him: He looks at the ring and suddenly the lions and their master vanish. The queen who has watched his adventure is overjoyed. Bandemagus asks her about the stranger but she denies knowing the man. He asks her if the man is Lancelot and she replies she would be happy if he were. Genover entreats him that the hero only will be treated according to the land’s custom. The king gives his promise.

Motif References:

F 152 Bridge to otherworld.
F 152.1.6 Sword bridge to otherworld.
F 152.0.1 Bridge to otherworld guarded by animals [champion].
F 842 Extraordinary bridge
D 1258 Magic bridge.
D 1317.0.2 (G) Magic ring detects enchantments
D 1380.23 Magic ring protects
D 1385.3.2 (Bm) Magic stone in ring protects against witchcraft.
H 1561.13 (G) Test of valor: fight with ferocious animals
D 2031 Magic illusion

Lanc1-630: (18) Bandemagus orders his son who is about to arm himself to put off the combat until next morning. Fighting a weary knight will not earn him praise. The king welcomes Lancelot and offers hospitality, which Lancelot accepts only reluctantly after the king has given his promise that his incognito would be respected. Bandemagus then advises Meleagant to release the queen and the captives for their imprisonment was against the laws. He would keep him from fighting the stranger if he knew for sure that the man is Lancelot for Meleagant would be defeated. Yet Meleagant insists on fighting next day and the king has to give in. But there will be no help from him. Bandemagus tells the queen that he failed in keeping his son from fighting the stranger but denies knowledge of his identity. The queen however is sure the man is Lancelot. Late that evening Lancelot’s companions arrive and take lodgings in town.

Motif References:

P 233 Father and son

Lanc1-632: (28) Next morning the king once again fails to keep his son from fighting Lancelot. He then asks Lancelot to take off his helmet for the sake of the dearest person in the world. On recognizing Lancelot Bandemagus kisses him. Then the king joins the queen in the tower to watch the combat and they have wounded Key carried there as well. Bandemagus forbids any interference and the combat starts. Lancelot and Meleagant fight fiercely and wound each other. The sight of the queen who unveils her face almost makes Lancelot lose his senses and his sword. All are amazed at his sudden bewilderment and Meleagant starts battering him. At the queen’s question Bandemagus admits that the champion is Lancelot. Key incites absentminded Lancelot who recovers and once again presses his opponent hard. Bandemagus entreats Genover to intervene for the sake of his son. The queen replies that she rather would have avoided that combat. Lancelot overhears her reply and stops fighting. Meleagant batters him. The king hurries down and at last manages to put an end to the fighting. Meleagant declares that he only would stop the combat if Lancelot promised to fight him later on and if he then overcame him the queen would be his once again. Lancelot and the queen give their oaths.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
T 26 Attention distracted by sight of (remembering) beloved [because of love]
R 161.1 Lover rescues his lady from abductor.
H 218 Trial by combat
P 233 Father and son
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat

Lanc1-635: (15) Lancelot is disarmed in the queen’s quarters and well cared for. The king leads him to the queen. Lancelot bows to her and falls onto his knees. Genover however turns away from him declaring that she refuses thanks because he offended her. Yet Lancelot can learn no more. The queen leaves. The king has Lancelot meet Key who praises him. Key too cannot explain the queen’s strange reaction. He tells that he has been well cared for and that Bandemagus had the queen locked up in a tower, otherwise Meleagant would have raped her. He often asked her to become his mistress but she insisted that his father gave her in marriage to him, which Bandemagus refused. Still he kept harassing Genover. Lancelot declares that next day he will set out to search for Gawan who left for the Underwater Bridge. Then he joins Bandemagus. Next morning Lancelot sets out in the company of eight knights toward the bridge. But he and his men are taken captive there and rumors of his death spread throughout the land. Out of grief the queen neither eats nor drinks for two days.

Motif References:

R 41.2 Captivity in tower
P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
P 233 Father and son
T 471 Rape
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief

Lanc1-636: (33) In the meantime Lancelot learns that rumors of the queen’s death have come to the town where he is imprisoned. His companions are grieved on hearing the news but Lancelot is silent. At night twenty warriors guard him. Lancelot is lodged in a splendid room and keeps pondering suicide out of grief for the death of his ladylove. He catches hold of a warrior’s sword and is about to pierce himself but the man catches his arm just in time so that he only can wound himself. He is confined in fetters. As the queen learns that Lancelot is safe she recovers. The king gets the news of Lancelot’s imprisonment and goes to see him. Lancelot is overjoyed to learn that the queen is still alive. Meanwhile the queen has been told that Lancelot tried to kill himself. She is terrified.

Motif References:

N 340.0.1 (Bm) Erroneous news of death
F 1041.21.8 (Bm) Suicide from grief

Lanc1-637: (31) When Bandemagus and Lancelot join Genover she embraces him and they talk. After the king has left Lancelot questions the queen about her unfriendliness. Genover tells him that he offended her by setting out from the court without taking leave of her, and moreover he gave away his ring. Lancelot is shocked for he has no idea that he has lost Genover’s ring. He throws the false ring out of the window. The queen then relates the story of Morge’s treachery to him, who had sent a maiden to the court to slander the queen and tell lies about Lancelot. The knight tells her the story of his captivity at the hands of Morge who wanted to obtain his ring, of his strange dream about the queen, and the oath Morge obtained from him to avoid the Arthurian court for otherwise she would not have released him. The queen pardons Lancelot - they have both equally suffered from Morge’s treachery. They agree upon a rendezvous that night and the queen shows him how to come to her.

Motif References:

T 35 Lovers’ rendezvous
P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
T 298 Reconciliation [reunion] of (separated) couple
F 361 Fairy’s revenge.

Lanc1-638: (33) They join Bandemagus and Key. The king leads Lancelot to the knights. That night Lancelot meets the queen at a window. But because of the grate they fail to embrace and Lancelot removes the grate (hurting his hand without noticing) and enters her room. Neither he nor the queen get aware that his blood stained the bed. Genover tells him that Galahot has died, but he is too happy to be grieved. At dawn he leaves putting the grate back in its place. Meleagant sneaks into the queen’s chamber and catching sight of the blood thinks Key to be the queen’s lover for his bed is bloody too (his wounds keep opening). Meleagant accuses the queen of illicit love, Key is frightened. Bandemagus is shocked about Meleagant’s story. Lancelot who only then gets aware of his injury joins the king and Meleagant shows them the evidence. The queen protests her innocence with Lancelot and Key defending her as well. Yet Meleagant insists upon judicial combat and Bandemagus fails in talking him out of it.

Motif References:

T 35 Lovers’ rendezvous
H 218 Trial by combat
N 380 Other unlucky accidents

Lanc1-640: (25) Lancelot and Meleagant give their oaths onto relics. They fight and Lancelot soon gets the better of his opponent. The king pleads for his son with the queen. She urges Lancelot to stop fighting and he does. Meleagant agrees on condition that he could challenge Lancelot again wherever he chose. Then he goes to see his father: He wants to murder Lancelot when he leaves Gorre and asks his father to give his consent. Bandemagus however gives his oath that if his son killed Lancelot he would be disinherited. He promises safe conduct to all captives. Meleagant secretly leaves the town. Lancelot has set out in the company of thirty knights to search for Gawan. They come upon a dwarf who brings Gawan’s greetings to Lancelot. Gawan would be well and sent a private message to Lancelot. Gawan would have Lancelot follow the dwarf with only small retinue to some place not far away. Lancelot leaves with the dwarf and they enter a forest.

Motif References:

P 52.1 Knight’s duty to perform as lady bids
H 218 Trial by combat
P 233 Father and son
P 570 (Bm) Safe conduct
K 750 Capture by decoy
H 1385.13 (Bm) Quest for lost person
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight
K 2277 Treacherous dwarf.

Matière de Bretagne

Lancelot 1 (>1250) Lancelot. Nach der Heidelberger Pergamenthandschrift Pal. Germ. 147, ed. by Reinhold Kluge, vol. I. (=DTM 42) Berlin 1948.

Lancelot 1 (>1250)
Lancelot. Nach der Heidelberger Pergamenthandschrift Pal. Germ. 147, ed. by Reinhold Kluge, vol. I. (=DTM 42) Berlin 1948.