Lanc3-1: One Whitsunday noon as the knights of the Round Table are having a meal a maiden arrives at Kamahelot (Kamlot) court. She has been sent by King Pellis who wants to meet Lancelot in the forest. Lancelot (Lancelot) and the maiden leave. At a nunnery Lancelot encounters his cousins Bohort and Lyonel (Leonel). They are overjoyed to meet. Three nuns ask Lancelot to dub his son Galaad (Galaadh), a very beautiful child. Lancelot orders Galaad to wake all night in the Minster and in the morning Lancelot and Bohort give him the spurs, then Lancelot girds the sword on him and dubs him. The youth however refuses to accompany his father to Arthur’s court - the nuns promise to send him there later on. Lancelot and his nephews ride back to Kamahelot, where Bohort and Lyonel tell the news about the Fisher King’s grandson. Lancelot keeps silent.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
P 53 (Bm) Obtaining knighthood
P 233 Father and son
F 575.2 Handsome man
N 746 Accidental meeting of cousins

Lanc3-5: An inscription on each seat at the Round Table gives the name of the knight who occupies it. One seat is still empty: the Perilous Seat (Sorglich Seß) which according to the legend written on it will be occupied by a knight on Whitsunday 454 years after Christ’s birth. When the knights look at the seat Lancelot says this day already has come and he orders them to cover the inscription until the king arrives. King Arthur is happy to welcome Lancelot’s cousins. When he is about to sit down at the Round Table to eat Key reminds him of his fasting custom to be held at each festival. At that point a squire enters and tells them that a pillar has flown downstream to the royal palace. They hurry to see the marvel: It is a red marble pillar with a fine sword stuck into it. Golden characters on the ruby hilt say that only the most excellent knight will be able to take that sword. King Arthur wants Lancelot to try it, but he refuses, for the sword is to wound the man failing in this test. Then Lancelot declares that now the adventures of the Holy Grail will begin. Gawan (Gawan) also refuses to try the sword, but at last obeys the king’s order and fails. Lancelot declares Gawan will be wounded by this sword some day. At the king’s request Parceval (Parceval) tries and fails as well. They return to the hall to eat.

Motif References:

P 14 Particular practices of kings
H 41.9 King [noble] recognized by unique ability to occupy certain seat
M 151 Vow not to eat before hearing of adventure
Z 201.9.1 (Bm) Hero’s famous possessions - Arthur’s Round Table
M 302.6 Prophecy inscribed on well [seat]
P 634 Feasts
N 770.0.1 Feast as occasion for the beginning of adventures or the arrival of questers
F 774 Extraordinary pillars
F 786 Extraordinary chair
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1151 Magic seat
D 1554.4.1 Sword can be moved only by right person - sword in stone
H 1568 Test of the champion.

Lanc3-8: (18) All knights of King Arthur have joined him for the festival. The king is seated on his throne and all seats of the Round Table are occupied except the perilous one. All of a sudden all windows and doors of the palace close and it turns dark. An old man with gray hair and clad in white garments appears with a knight wearing red clothes who has neither sword nor shield. They learn that this man is the knight they have been waiting for, a descendant of King David and Joseph of Armathie. He will do marvels in this land and many other countries, and he is to achieve the adventure of the Holy Grail. The old man leads the knight to the perilous seat, and the inscription tells that it is the seat of Galaad. The young knight joyfully sits down and the old man takes his leave promising them that they will learn his identity some day. He rides away with his retinue. All are very happy about the adventure and Lancelot recognizes his son whom he has dubbed.

Motif References:

H 41.9 King [noble] recognized by unique ability to occupy certain seat
Z 254 Destined hero
M 302.6 Prophecy inscribed on well [seat]
M 361.1 Prophecy: certain hero to achieve holy grail.
P 634 Feasts
F 782 Extraordinary doors and windows
F 786 Extraordinary chair
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 908 Magic darkness.
D 1151 Magic seat
D 1601.37 Self-opening door

Lanc3-12: (10) When the queen learns the happy news her ladies rejoice, for this knight is to achieve the adventures of Britain (Grosse Brytanie - Große Britannie) and heal the Maimed King. When the squire tells them that the youth resembles Lancelot the queen wants to meet him. She remembers how Lancelot has begot that child with the Fisher King’s daughter. Had it been his fault she would have been furious at him. After the meal the king removes the covering from the Perilous Seat and perceives the inscription giving Galaad’s name. Arthur declares that according to Lancelot the quest for the Holy Grail now has to be undertaken. Gawan wants the knights to serve Galaad for God has sent him to disenchant the land that since long has been haunted by adventures. The king welcomes Galaad as the destined knight, and the latter launches the quest for the Holy Grail. The king asks him to try the marvelous sword in the strange pillar. When the youth catches sight of the sword he claims the adventure - because of this sword he did not bring his own with him. He removes the weapon from the pillar.

Motif References:

H 41.9 King [noble] recognized by unique ability to occupy certain seat
Z 254 Destined hero
M 302.6 Prophecy inscribed on well [seat]
F 786 Extraordinary chair
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1151 Magic seat
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].
D 1554.4.1 Sword can be moved only by right person - sword in stone
H 1568 Test of the champion.

Lanc3-15: (14) Now that Galaad has obtained a fine sword, he still lacks a shield. The king has no doubt that God will endow a good weapon upon him. At that point a maiden on a black palfrey enters and asks for Lancelot. She blames him for having lost his reputation as the most excellent knight that morning. The hermit Mathias (Mathias der Einsiedel) has sent her with a message: that same day they shall see the Holy Grail that will serve the knights of the Round Table. The maiden leaves without disclosing her identity nor telling whence she came. The king orders a great tournament to be held at Kamahelot, so that he can witness Galaad’s valiance for he knows that he will soon leave them. Galaad excels in jousting and overcomes all knights except Lancelot and Parceval. Worried that the tournament might turn serious the king stops the fighting. The winner of the day, Galaad, is escorted through the streets of Kamahelot. When the queen looks at him his resemblance to Lancelot strikes her: Galaad must be Lancelot’s son and, descending from such a famous kin, will certainly be the best knight.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
H 20 Recognition by resemblance
P 561 Tournaments
H 1561.1 Tests of valor: tournament

Lanc3-18: (18) That evening, after mass has been sung, when the king and his knights are seated at the Round Table to have dinner a great thunder resounds and the palace is marvelously illuminated. All knights fall silent as if the Holy Spirit had come upon them. Then the Holy Grail appears before them covered with white velvet. A sweet smell goes with it. After the Grail has served all of them, one after the other, providing them with the very best food, it disappears without anybody knowing whence it came nor where it goes. Their silence comes to an end and the king and his knights thank God for having sent them this wonder at Whitsunday. Gawan tells them that the Grail at the castle of the Maimed King serves each man the food he longs for. Gawan and the knights give their vow to search for the Castle of the Holy Grail. Their promise worries King Arthur, for it is a long and perilous quest. He blames Gawan that his vow deprives him of his knights, though he cared very well for them. Lancelot fails to reassure the king by telling him that such a quest will add to the court’s praise. The king is angry and weeps and does not listen to Lancelot.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
F 169.9 Pleasant fragrance in otherworld
M 183.3 Vow to find Holy Grail before returning to Round Table.
F 183.1 Automatic service in otherworld: any sort of food desired furnished
F 968 Extraordinary thunder and lightning
F 969.3 Marvelous light
D 1171.6 Magic cup.
D 1472.1.14.1 Magic food-providing cup [grail]

Lanc3-22: (16) The courtiers too are grieved that the best knights will leave the following morning. But most of all the quest annoys the wives and ladies of the knights of the Round Table. As soon as the queen learns that Lancelot will leave her she is very sad and weeps: her husband, otherwise a prudent king, should not allow all of them to leave. After dinner the ladies entreat their knights to let them join their quest. Many a knight would have been persuaded had not an old cleric been sent to them with a message of the hermit Nasiens (Nascius): The questers must not take there ladies with them for it is a holy quest that confines them to chastity. Before they leave they have to confess their sins. The king cares well for the priest and wants to know about him but the man is not very talkative. When the queen asks Galaad where he comes from, he relates his story to her and says that he does not know his father. Aware of the fact that he is the son of Lancelot and the daughter of king Pellis she replies that from his looks he is easily to be identified as the son of Sir Lancelot of the Lake (von dem Lache), who is the most beautiful and popular knight.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
C 100 Sex tabu.
C 111 Tabu: loss of chastity
P 233 Father and son
T 300 Chastity and celibacy
T 360 Chastity and celibacy - miscellaneous
P 426.2 Hermit
C 833 Tabus for journeys
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1232.1 Directions on quest given by herdsmen (peasants) [knight, warrior]
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].

Lanc3-26: In the morning once again King Arthur blames Gawan of depriving him of his knights who guaranteed the court’s praise. He is especially grieved to lose his dearest friends Gawan and Lancelot, and would rather stop the quest, yet all knights are bound by their vows. After mass has been sung the questers give their oath onto the holy relics: Arthur wants Gawan to swear first but at last Galaad is the first to give his oath for he is the best knight among them. They vow not to return to the Round Table before the quest for the Holy Grail is achieved. The queen is in great distress and laments in her chamber. Lancelot annoyed by his lady’s grief goes to see her. At first she is outraged, but finally begs God to protect him on his journey and they part. Galaad still has no shield. The king accompanies his knights to a cross in the forest beneath the Castle Nagares (Nagari). All of them weep when they take leave of the king. The hospitable lord of Nagares castle entertains them as his guests. The knights decide to take separate roads next day.

Motif References:

F 151.0.1 Hospitable host entertains (guides, advises) adventurer on way to otherworld.
M 183.3 Vow to find Holy Grail before returning to Round Table.
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].

Lanc3-33: After having traveled on for some days Galaad is welcomed at a monastery of white monks, where he meets king Bandemagus (Bandirs) and Ywains (Liavoltres) (Ywan), who have come for the sake of a marvelous shield kept there: Every man who carries it will be wounded or killed within two days. Bandemagus decides to try the adventure though Galaad claims it too. Next morning a monk gives them the shield. The monks keep it behind the altar of their church. The shield, which displays a red cross on white ground, is very beautiful and a sweet smell comes from it. Ywains refrains from the test, but Bandemagus will take the risk and asks Galaad to wait for him. He leaves with a squire, who is to take back the shield to the monastery if necessary. Soon they come to a hermitage in a valley where Bandemagus is wounded and unhorsed by a knight carrying a white coat of arms. The stranger rebukes Bandemagus for having taken that shield though only the best knight should have it. Therefore God has sent him to punish him for this sin. The squire is sent to bring the shield to Galaad on whom God has bestowed it. The shield cannot be damaged and will remain intact forever. The knight sends his greetings to Galaad but refuses to identify to a mortal. As the squire inquires about the shield he orders him to bring Galaad there so that they might learn about it.

Motif References:

Z 142 Symbolic color: white
A 165.2.3 Angels as God’s messengers
F 169.9 Pleasant fragrance in otherworld
A 245 Angel punishes mortal
Z 254 Destined hero
Q 330 Overweening punished
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
D 1381.10.2 Magic unpiercable cuirass [shield]
H 1568 Test of the champion.

Lanc3-37: (12) The squire takes Bandemagus back to the monastery where the monks care for his wounds. They declare that he has been punished for foolishly having neglected their warnings. On hearing the white knight’s message Galaad sets out without delay. Ywain is not allowed to join him. The White Knight tells Galaad the story of the shield: After Christ’s death Joseph of Arimathia and his kin left Jerusalem and came to the city of Saras, residence of the heathen king Evalles who was warring against his mighty neighbor, by the name of Thulomeus. Joseph warned the king that he would suffer a shameful defeat unless he became a Christian. Giving him the white shield with the red cross he foretold that for three days and nights he would suffer great distress because of Thulomeus. When the king promised to believe in God and obey his commandments Joseph declared that he will be rescued. Evalles by following Joseph’s advice defeated Thulomeus.

Motif References:

M 323 Prophecy: victory against great odds
V 331 Conversion to Christianity
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield

Lanc3-41: (18) By means of the red cross of the shield Joseph healed a man whose hand had been cut off. At that point the cross vanished from the shield. Evalles and his people received baptism and the king took the name of Mordelas. Thereafter Joseph and his father left for Britain, where an evil king captured them and many a Christian. As soon as king Mordelas got the news of their imprisonment he and his brother-in-law, by the name of Natages, attacked that king, devastated his land and forced the people to convert to Christianity. They definitely left their kingdoms to stay with Joseph. When Joseph was about to die he bestowed the shield upon Mordelas, drawing a cross onto it with his own blood. The cross and the shield will remain intact forever. Nobody must carry this shield until the best knight from the kin of Natigen, by the name of Galaad, will take it. Mordelas was ordered to leave the shield at Natiges’s grave, the monastery where Nascius had been buried. Many a foolish knight already has failed in the adventure of the shield. As soon as he has finished telling the story, the White Knight vanishes.

Motif References:

R 9 Captivity - miscellaneous
Z 150 Other symbols
V 150 Sacred objects - miscellaneous
V 331.2 Conversion to Christianity on pain of death [by force]
V 332 Baptism of heathen
P 557.0.3 (Li) Military aid (alliance)
N 836 King as helper
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
D 1003 Magic blood - human
D 1080 Magic weapons
D 1381.10.2 Magic unpiercable cuirass [shield]
D 1500.1.10 Sacred objects cure disease
D 1518 Magic object restores bodily members
H 1568 Test of the champion.
D 2095 Magic disappearance
D 2188 Magic disappearance
D 2188.2 Person vanishes

Lanc3-45: The squire entreats Galaad to dub him for he wants to join him. Galaad agrees. They return to the monastery curious for an adventure nobody can achieve: The monks tell him that a strange voice comes from a coffin in a grave beneath a tree, and all who hear it swoon at once. They think this might be some devilish trick. A monk tells Galaad that after having opened the coffin he will find characters. On approaching a loud and horrible voice warns Galaad, and as he is about to open the coffin smoke and fire rise from it and an ugly man appears. Galaad protects himself against the devil by the sign of the cross. A voice declares that Galaad together with holy angels has driven the devil from that place. Galaad opens the coffin and finds a well armed knight, whom the monks want to bury here for the corpse must not be taken away. Yet the old priest orders them to take the corpse outside the cemetery for the man was an infidel. Thus the adventure has been achieved and the voice will never be heard again. They return to the cloister and Galaad orders the squire to wake in the church all night so that he can dub him next morning.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
V 60 Funeral rites
G 303.3.1 The devil in human form
G 303.3.0.1 Devil in hideous form
G 303.16.2 Devil’s power over one avoided by prayer [and sign of the cross]
G 303.3.1.4 Devil appears in the form of a man repugnantly ugly
G 303.6.3 Natural phenomena accompanying the devil’s appearance
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
F 1041.17.2 (Bm) Swoon from fear

Lanc3-48: Galaad then learns about the coffin and its peculiarities (heaviness, unholy corpse, devilish voice): The coffin symbolizes the sinfulness of the world, that, according to a prophecy once given to them, will be redeemed by Galaad, the other Christ, who will achieve the adventures of Logres. The corpse symbolizes sinful people, who are blind toward true faith and Christ himself, whom they murdered for the sake of the demon. Therefore Vespasianus punished and exiled them. At last Galaad asks about the voice: It symbolizes Pilatus’ words at Christ’s condemnation. The adventure is a symbol of Christ’s passion. The voice frightened every sinful and unchaste knight and made him swoon. In the morning Galaad dubs the squire. His name is Meliant and he is the son of the king of Denmark.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
Z 150 Other symbols
Z 254 Destined hero
G 303.15 Places haunted by the devil
V 501 (Li) Religious symbolism
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
F 852 Extraordinary coffin [sarkophag]
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness

Lanc3-52: There is a custom that every newly dubbed knight has to be granted a rash boon: Meliant thus obtains Galaad’s promise to let him join his quest and never to leave him for the sake of any other man. They travel on for several weeks until on a Tuesday morning they come to a cross with an inscription: The road to the left is a dangerous one, from which only the righteous will return, whereas the right one is quite easy and one will soon come back. Meliant would choose the left road, yet Galaad takes it first. Meliant rides into a large forest and comes to a meadow. A splendid seat, with a crown lying on it, and many tables, abundantly provided with the very best food, have been placed there. Meliant takes the crown with him. A large knight mounted on a black steed pursues him and orders him to return the crown. They fight and Meliant is unhorsed and severely wounded. The stranger leaves with the crown. Galaad arrives and Meliant asks him to carry him to a monastery for he wants to die a good Christ. The knight of the crown rides up to them and warns Galaad, but the latter unhorses and wounds him. A second knight rides toward him demanding his horse, Galaad however cuts off the man’s hand, the knight escapes.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
N 772 Parting at crossroads to go on adventure.
F 828 Extraordinary crown
F 840 Other extraordinary objects and places
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
H 1236 Perilous path traversed on quest.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness

Lanc3-55: (12) Galaad carries Meliant to a monastery nearby, where the latter confesses his sins and receives communion. Then Galaad after having removed the iron from the wound sends for an old monk, a former knight, to care for Meliant. Three days later he leaves, unwilling to wait until Meliant will be cured, for he cannot linger on his search for the Grail. When the monks learn that the search for the Grail has already started they declare that Meliant’s wound is to be considered as the punishment for his sin. Meliant relates to them what has happened after he was dubbed and learns that all this was due to the Holy Grail: Meliant was dubbed a knight without obtaining absolution and moreover he undertook the search for the Grail in a state of sinfulness, and therefore was wounded by the devil. The right way at the crossroad symbolizes the way of Christ, the left the sorrowful way of sinners, that only can be mastered by the religiously righteous. Meliant failed to understand that message and therefore succumbed to the deadly sin of overbearing. After he had left Galaad Meliant let the devil entice him to sinfulness: steal the crown, whose owner, the devil himself in a knight’s shape, he had to fight thereafter. Only the sign of the cross rescued him, for God sent him the holy knight Galaad and taught him to trust in God instead of his own strength. Galaad as a righteous man however was able to overcome the two knights who symbolize two sins.

Motif References:

W 118 (Bm) Pride
Z 127 Sin personified
Z 150 Other symbols
Q 220 Impiety punished
G 303.9.6.1 Devil fights with man
Q 331 Pride punished
V 501 (Li) Religious symbolism
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness

Lanc3-60: Galaad leaves Meliant at the monastery and takes the road toward the Castle of Maidens (Megedburg). Seven maidens ride up to him and invite him to their castle, then a squire by order of his lord makes him halt or tell his errand. When Galaad declares that he is willing to observe the castle’s custom the squire returns to his master. Thereupon seven knights ride toward him: according to the castle’s custom each knight passing by has to fight them. Galaad as usual does not grow weary in the battle, and soon unhorses his opponents. They take to flight while Galaad rides up to the bridge, where an old priest gives him the keys to the castle, he has obtained by fighting. People in the streets thank him for having rescued them. Yet Galaad is unwilling to linger. The maidens urge him to stay for otherwise those knights would return and the evil custom will go on. They entreat him to take the oath of all the knights in the castle and its tenants in order to put a definite end to that custom. Galaad is escorted to the palace. All liegemen are summoned by an ivory horn that resounds very far.

Motif References:

P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
Q 53 Reward for rescue
Z 71.5 Formulistic number: seven
F 112.2 City [castle] of women
Q 113.1.1 (Bm) Earldom (and castle) as reward
R 150 Rescuers
C 650.1 Customs connected with unique compulsion [”costume”]
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc3-63: (10) Galaad inquires about the castle’s custom and the priest tells him the story: Seven years ago seven brothers were granted hospitality by the castle’s lord, Duke Lyvor, a very pious man. At night however the guests killed their host and one of his sons, raped his daughter and took possession of all the castle’s treasures. They waged war against the duchy and finally conquered it. The lady however cursed them: For the sake of a maiden they did conquer the castle, and therefore every seven years a knight will defeat them for the sake of a maiden. To be safe from her curse they capture each maiden passing the castle until that knight would arrive. Therefore the castle was named the Maiden’s castle. Galaad learns that only that maiden’s sister still lives, who like all the maidens in the castle had a sorrowful life. Galaad bestows the castle and the land onto her and makes all vassals receive their fiefs from her. He takes their oath to abolish the evil custom and release all captive maidens. News arrive next morning that Gawan, his brother Gaheries, and Iwan have killed the seven brothers. Galaad takes his leave and rides on.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
Z 71.5 Formulistic number: seven
S 110 Murders
P 251.6.3 Six or seven brothers
M 400 Curses
Q 456 Burial alive as punishment
M 470 Curses on objects or animals [plants, trees]
T 471 Rape
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
N 846.2 Priest as helper
K 959 Other kinds of treacherous murder
K 2010 Hypocrite pretends friendship but attacks

Lanc3-65: (12) Meanwhile Gawan has learnt about Galaad’s adventure of the white shield as he arrives at the monastery. The monks lead him the road so that he can catch up with Galaad. Gawan comes to the place where wounded Meliant is cared for and learns that Galaad has left in the morning. When Gawan complains that he still could not meet Galaad, a monk praises the latter and calls Gawan an evil and unfaithful knight. Yet he refuses to tell him more: Gawan will receive further information later on. Gawan’s brother Gaheries arrives, they leave next morning and soon meet Iwan. The three of them continue their quest for adventure toward the Maiden Castle. When they come upon the seven knights, they kill them and leave their bodies in the forest. By choosing the road to the right at a crossroad they fail to meet Galaad at the Castle of Maidens. In the evening they take leave of each other.

Motif References:

H 1221 Quest for adventure
H 1385.13 (Bm) Quest for lost person
H 1561.6 Test of valor: fight with giant [warrior, dwarf-hero, dragon etc.]

Lanc3-67: (21) Gawan takes a night’s lodging at a hermitage. The hermit asks his identity and errand and when he recognizes the knight he gives him religious teaching and urges him to confess his sins. When asked about the monk’s accusations the hermit blames Gawan of having offended chivalry by neglecting confession for four years: For it is a knight’s duty to serve God, protect the Holy Church and care for his soul. Gawan however served the devil instead. Rather than to slay those seven brothers he should have forced them to do penance for their sins at the Castle of Maidens. For that reason Galaad had spared their lives. Gawan asks him about that strange adventure and the priest gives an interpretation: The maidens of that castle were imprisoned there like the righteous souls in hell until Christ was sent to their rescue as Galaad was sent to the castle. The seven knights symbolize the seven mortal sins. Gawan ought to do penance in order to obtain God’s mercy. Gawan leaves in the morning, and soon encounters Egravinst and Giflet Lefeld. They travel on together for four days and then take leave of each other.

Motif References:

P 50 Noblemen (knights) [rules of chivalry]
Z 71.5 Formulistic number: seven
Z 127 Sin personified
Z 150 Other symbols
Z 254 Destined hero
V 501 (Li) Religious symbolism
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 843 Hermit as helper

Lanc3-71: After Galaad has left the Castle of Maidens he enters a wild forest where he encounters Lancelot and Parceval who fail to recognize him for they never have seen his device before. Lancelot breaks his spear in a joust against Galaad and unhorses him. Then he cuts Parceval’s helmet with his sword and would have killed him had not the sword failed. Parceval falls to the ground and swoons. A hermit living nearby declares that the knights would not have fought Galaad had they recognized him. Galaad wanting to remain incognito rushes off so that his two companions cannot catch up. They are angry and sad that he has escaped. Although night is falling Lancelot sets out in pursuit whereas Parceval returns to the hermitage to inquire about the knight.

Motif References:

H 195 (Bm) Failure to recognize
P 314 Combat of disguised [unrecognized] friends. [Unwitting attack on friend]
N 731.2 Father-son combat
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc3-73: (7) Lancelot rides on at random in the dark night. At a crossroad he finds a letter fixed to a marble pillar beside a cross, but cannot read it for it is very dark. Leaving his horse and shield outside he enters an old chapel nearby. Unable to go to the rich altar where six candles are burning on a candelabra for it is shut off by bars, Lancelot goes to rest outside at the cross and soon falls asleep. In his sleep he watches two knights carrying a wounded man on a bier, and listens to his words: the man longs to be cured by the holy vessel. Suddenly the candelabra and the Holy Grail are carried out of the chapel by invisible hands toward the pillar. The wounded man prays to God to end his pains so that he could join the quest of his comrades. He crawls toward the pillar and kisses the silver tablet. Then he exclaims that he is healed and falls asleep. The Grail and the candlelights are carried back into the chapel. Because of his sins Lancelot never will learn about the Grail and his quest will bring disgrace upon him. The knight jumps from the bier, kisses the cross and a squire brings him splendid weapons. He is amazed at seeing the stranger fast asleep and the squire declares that he must be a sinful man, whom God refused to witness this wonder. The knight thinks him to be a knight of the Round Table on his search for the Holy Grail.

Motif References:

Q 220 Impiety punished
F 773 Remarkable church (chapel, temple)
F 774 Extraordinary pillars
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 959.3 Miraculous cure of wound
F 969.3 Marvelous light
D 1171.6 Magic cup.
D 1500.1.10 Sacred objects cure disease
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream
D 1980 Magic invisibility

Lanc3-77: (14) The stranger takes Lancelot’s horse and weapons. He recognizes the fine sword. Then he gives his oath toward the chapel never to give up his journey until he learns about the Grail that appears throughout the kingdom of Logirs, and who brought it to England, unless another knight achieves the quest before him. Lancelot awakes and wonders if what he has witnessed was a dream. Once again he enters the chapel yet without finding a trace of the Holy Grail. A voice blames him of daring to approach despite his sinfulness and orders him to leave without delay, for his unchastity already has desecrated the place. Lancelot laments his faults and when he wants to ride on finds neither his horse, nor helmet, sword and shield, which he left at the cross.

Motif References:

C 111 Tabu: loss of chastity
M 183.3 Vow to find Holy Grail before returning to Round Table.
T 300 Chastity and celibacy
T 360 Chastity and celibacy - miscellaneous
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
F 1068 Realistic dream

Lanc3-81: Lancelot comes to a hermitage where the hermit and his pupil are singing mass. The knight prays to God for forgiveness of his sins. After the mass he asks the hermit for advice and confesses his sins. When the holy man gets to know that the man is Lancelot from the Lake, son of King Ban of Benuwig, he wonders why he is so sad, for he ought to be grateful to God and praise him because He bestowed beauty, wisdom and valiance upon him, which made him a famous knight. His talents never should be used to serve the devil. The hermit illustrates this by a parable: God gives five bysant to one man, two to another and one to a third one. When he summons them later on the first has doubled his treasure, the second as well - therefore they may stay in the lord’s house. The third however buried the money in the ground, forgot about his lord and dares not meet him. He is the bad servant, whom therefore the holy spirit avoids. Lancelot should fare in a like manner with his talents. Although the devil keeps enticing men to sinfulness every sinner can reform himself and choose the road of the righteous. The hermit advises Lancelot to confess his sins to escape damnation. At last Lancelot speaks up.

Motif References:

J 80 Wisdom (knowledge) taught by parable
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc3-85: (19) Lancelot confesses his love for King Arthur’s wife. He promises to leave his riches (silver and gold) to poor knights as well as his costly garments the queen bestowed upon him. For her sake he achieved valiant deeds, worldly honor and praise. Then he tells the hermit that he has seen the Grail but that it has avoided him(?). The hermit advises him to repent of his sins, do penance and live in chastity in order to escape damnation. Lancelot asks about the Grail and tells that a strange voice called him stone, gall and aspen-tree. The hermit gives the interpretation: the stone symbolizes his induration from sins. Lancelot should have strived more than any other knight to serve God for he bestowed so many talents upon him. Yet with his talents received from God he served the devil instead. He is harder than any rock, for from him never came sweet water like that flowing for the Israelites at Moses’ prayer.

Motif References:

V 20 Confession of sins
P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
C 100 Sex tabu.
Z 150 Other symbols
V 501 (Li) Religious symbolism
Q 542 Penance: giving all earnings to the poor
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 843 Hermit as helper
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc3-90: (12) Lancelot lacks sweetness like bitter gall, and is even more bare than an aspen-tree: On Palm Sunday evening after Christ had finished preaching at Jerusalem and finding no lodging left the town he came upon a green aspen-tree without fruits, that he cursed - Lancelot however in his sinfulness is bare of leaves and flowers. Lancelot promises chastity, yet need not leave chivalry. After having ordered him to do penance, the hermit gives him his blessing and absolution. Lancelot is granted hospitality at the hermitage and the holy man sends for a horse, a shield and a sword. Lancelot repents of his love for the queen and vows chastity.

Motif References:

M 131 Vow of chastity [fidelity]
Z 150 Other symbols
V 501 (Li) Religious symbolism
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc3-94: (6) After Parceval has left Lancelot he loses his way back to the hermitage to learn about the cross. He comes to the chapel of his aunt, who is happy to welcome him and has her servants care for the guest. In the morning after he has heard mass he asks the recluse about the knight who offended them the day before for he wants to fight him. She advises him to avoid combat so that he would not be killed like his brothers. Numerous knights are searching for the Holy Grail, but only three of them will achieve the quest: two virtuous knights, Parceval and the man he seeks for, and a chaste one, Bohort. Parceval should not fight this knight, for he is a more skillful fighter. Parceval asks the recluse about his family and she identifies as his mother’s sister. Though she used to be the rich queen of the Waste Land (von der Wusten Erden) she prefers her actual poverty to her former life.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
M 361.1 Prophecy: certain hero to achieve holy grail.
P 426.2 Hermit
N 738 Accidental meeting of nephew and uncle
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc3-97: Parceval inquires about his mother and the recluse tells him that his mother died the day after he had left her for King Arthur’s court. He asks her if that knight he wants to meet was the warrior who came to court displaying a red device. She tells him about the three tables that existed after Christ’s birth: Jesus Christ and his apostles had their supper at the first one (body and soul were entertained by food sent from heaven); a second one, the Table of the Grail, was worked to that table’s likeness - Joseph and 4000 of his countrymen brought it from Aramathia. On their journey they lacked food until they met an old woman who sold them twelve breads. A dispute arose about the food, which Joseph was asked to decide. Joseph ordered them to sit in a circle, and when he was about to share it among them the Grail multiplied the bread.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
F 784 Extraordinary table
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest
D 1472.1.14.1 Magic food-providing cup [grail]

Lanc3-99: (13) One seat at the Table of the Grail - corresponding to Christ’s seat on Maundy Thursday, was reserved for Joseph’s son Josephus, whom Christ had designated as their master and priest. Two relatives however, jealous of Joseph, refused to accept him as their master. When one of them claimed the seat and sat down, he was swallowed up. The seat is called the Perilous Seat (der Verforcht Seß). The Table of the Grail was the model of a third one, made according to Merlin’s advice, the Round Table. It symbolizes the earth, the ways of the planets and stars. Christian as well as heathen knights would rather become members of the famous company of the Round Table than to stay at home with their kin. Parceval left his mother for the sake of that table and never returned to her. Merlin once prophesied that one of its members will find out about the Grail, that sent many a token even then. There will be three knights excelling all their companions: two will be chaste and the third continent. And one of them will excel his father as the virtuous lion excels the leopard. The knights of the Round Table have to search for the Grail. According to the knights’ demand Merlin installs the Perilous Seat (Wunderlich Seß) at the Round Table, which will destroy everybody but the Good Knight to come. Many a man died in trying to sit there.

Motif References:

H 41.9 King [noble] recognized by unique ability to occupy certain seat
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
Z 150 Other symbols
Z 201.9.1 (Bm) Hero’s famous possessions - Arthur’s Round Table
Z 254 Destined hero
M 301 Prophets
M 361.1 Prophecy: certain hero to achieve holy grail.
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
F 784 Extraordinary table
F 786 Extraordinary chair
N 843 Hermit as helper
F 942.1 Ground opens and swallows up person
D 1151 Magic seat
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].

Lanc3-103: (2) Parceval learns about the knight with the red emblem: He arrived at Arthur’s court despite all doors closed like the Holy Spirit came to the twelve apostles on Whitsunday. The red color symbolizes the fire of the Holy Spirit. Thus the quest for the Holy Grail was initiated that is to last until the spear’s secrets will be detected. Parceval must not fight the red knight, for he is his relative and comrade from the Round Table and moreover he could not equal him in battle and would be killed. She directs him to a castle where the red knight is supposed to take lodging, a castle called Gott. The maiden he will meet there will lead him his road. If he fails in getting news of the man however he should ride to the castle of Corbenic, home of the maimed king. He will meet him at this castle or get news about him. The recluse praises Parceval for his chastity (he and Galaad are the only chaste men among the questers), that is the only quality that enables to find the Grail. His unchastity will forever keep Lancelot from finding it. Parceval vows chastity.

Motif References:

C 100 Sex tabu.
Z 150 Other symbols
V 222 Miraculous manifestation acclaims saint
T 300 Chastity and celibacy
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 770 Experiences leading to adventures
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc3-106: (12) At Parceval’s inquiry the recluse tells him her story: Her royal husband waged war against king Libram and was killed. Fearing for her life she escaped. Her son Deabias joined the service of their relative, king Pellis, who dubbed him, and keeps attending tournaments throughout Great Britain. Parceval could meet him at Korpanig. Next morning Parceval leaves his aunt and enters a large and deserted forest. Following the sound of a horn he comes to a fortified monastery where he is given a friendly welcome and granted hospitality. In the morning he fails to join a monk about to sing mass behind an iron gate. Behind it he perceives a body covered with sheets on a bier. When the priest rises the host the man on the bier rises and uncovers his face: He is an extremely old (about 400 years) and gray man who wears a golden crown. His body, shoulders, arms and face are covered with wounds, and he implores God to have mercy on his suffering. Then he lies down again and prays. As soon as he has received the host the crown is placed on the altar and the old man lies down again on the bier and is covered with sheets.

Motif References:

F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
F 571.7 Person hundreds of years old
F 773 Remarkable church (chapel, temple)

Lanc3-110: Parceval returns to his chamber and sends for a monk to learn about the strange sights. The monk’s story: Joseph of Aramathia and his companions sent by the Lord to this country were persecuted by the heathens settling there. When their most cruel leader, Krudel, got news that they had brought with them the Holy Grail that provided them with food, he wanted to obtain some proof of this wonder. Therefore he captured Josephus, Joseph’s son, two of his nephews and 100 priests, to see if the Grail would entertain them with food in their dungeon for 40 days. News of their captivity came to king Morderas in Jerusalem in the town of Saras. He had been converted to Christianity by Joseph and in baptism took the name of Evallet. Moreover Joseph had helped him to recover his land conquered by Ptholomeus. He set out with an army and killed Krudel and his men. Evallet fought furiously in that battle and despite his many wounds he survived. Joseph was rescued.

Motif References:

R 110 Rescue of captive
V 301 (Li) Heathens and Christians
V 331 Conversion to Christianity
V 332 Baptism of heathen
V 350 Conflicts between religions
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest
D 1472.1.14.1 Magic food-providing cup [grail]

Lanc3-113: When he and king Morderas went to see the Grail, enthusiastic Morderas neglected a voice warning him to keep his distance. A cloud appeared and Morderas was left blind and weak as punishment for his disobedience to God’s orders. His fervent supplication however to let him live until the man of his own kin will achieve the adventure of the Holy Grail is granted by God and communicated by the marvelous voice. As soon as that man has set eyes on him his eyesight will be restored and he will be cured, but he will die thereafter. The host is to be his only nourishment until that day. Old Symeon too once was granted to live until the Lord would arrive, Evallet likewise is waiting for Galaad. All this happened about 100 years ago, but now the monks have got the news that the rescuer has arrived.

Motif References:

V 30 Sacrament [host]
V 52 Miraculous power of prayer
Q 221.5 Disobedience to God punished
Z 254 Destined hero
M 341.1 Prophecy: death at (before, within) certain time
M 361.1 Prophecy: certain hero to achieve holy grail.
Q 451.7 Blinding as punishment
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
D 901 Magic cloud.
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
F 992 Blindness miraculously cured
D 1030 Magic food
D 2062.2 Blinding by magic.
D 2161.2.1 Blindness magically cured

Lanc3-115: (9) He is happy to learn Parceval’s identity. In a valley Parceval meets 20 armed men carrying a bier with a newly slain knight. When he identifies they attack him. The red knight arrives just in time to rescue him from being killed. The enemies are killed or take to flight. Galaad once again leaves in a hurry which annoys Parceval who moreover has lost his horse. A menial comes along on horseback leading a black horse, but he refuses to leave it to him for the knight who has ordered him to care for the horse would kill him. Parceval is outraged and worried that once again he has lost Galaad, he becomes pale and weak. He would rather be dead and asks the menial to kill him with his sword. The man refuses and leaves. Parceval is very angry and starts lamenting.

Motif References:

R 110 Rescue of captive
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc3-119: (12) A knight rides up leading the horse the menial just refused to leave to Parceval, pursued by the menial, lamenting the loss of the horse. He gives his own horse to Parceval to pursue the robber. Soon he catches sight of the knight and orders him to return the horse. The stranger attacks him, kills his horse and escapes. Parceval is in great distress all day and keeps lamenting until toward midnight he falls asleep. When he wakes a lady asks him what he is doing there and offers him a horse, on condition that he would do her asking. Parceval gladly accepts the offer. The lady however is the devil striving for Parceval’s soul. After he has given his oath she makes him mount a strange black horse. Parceval feels uneasy about it, yet he mounts and the horse dashes off at high speed. Within short time he travels a three days’ ride. When it approaches a great water without ford nor bridge Parceval is frightened and makes the sign of the cross. The horse unable to suffer the holy sign jumps into the water with great clamor and the water turns into flames. Parceval grasps that he just has escaped the devil’s power and thanks God for his rescue. He prays to learn where he has been taken.

Motif References:

V 86 Sign of the Cross
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
G 303.1.12 Devil in form of woman
G 303.3.3.1.3 Devil as horse
G 303.17.2.5 Devil retreats into hell amid thunder and lightning
G 303.16.3.4 Devil made to disappear by making sign of the cross
G 303.9.5.6 Man temporarily abducted by devil
D 2122 Journey with magic speed.

Lanc3-124: (6) After sunrise Parceval finds himself in the wilderness of a mountain enclosed by the sea, a deserted island of wild animals (bears, leopards, dragons). He is frightened but remembering Jonas in the fish belly and Daniel in the lion den reassures him and he trusts in God. He catches sight of a large rock on the island where he would be safe. He watches a dragon mounting the rock with a lion’s cub in his mouth. The lion grieving for its cub comes after him. Parceval hurries to help him. The lion has already started to fight the dragon when Parceval comes to the aid of the nobler animal. The dragon breathes fire and burns his shield and hauberk. But once the dragon’s skin pierced the beast is easy to kill - for his bones are quite weak. The grateful lion kisses Parceval’s head and shows his gratitude in many ways so that Parceval loses all fear. Parceval caresses the animal who follows him and he thinks God has sent it to him as his companion. In the evening the lion takes its cub back to its nest, and Parceval remains all alone on the rock.

Motif References:

B 11.11 Fight with dragon
B 11.2.11 Fire-breathing dragon
B 11 Dragon
B 11.6.8.1 Dragon flies away with lion
B 11.11.11 (Bm) Dragon fights lion [panther]
B 11.11.6 Dragon fight in order to free lion
B 301.8 Faithful lion follows man who saved him.
B 360 Animals grateful for rescue from peril of death

Lanc3-127: Parceval believes in God, though at that time all people of the kingdom of Gayles are heathens, and noblemen use to slay each other even if they are father and son. Parceval keeps watching out for some ship. He trusts in God and prays to be rescued from the devil and all evil. After his prayer the lion returns. He is quite tame and when Parceval calls him the lion comes to lie down at his side until nightfall. Parceval falls asleep and in his dream watches two ladies, an old one riding a dragon and a young and beautiful maiden mounted on a lion. The younger one warns Parceval that next morning he will have to fight a dangerous opponent, and should he be overcome he will be dishonored forever. At his question she tells him that the richest man on earth is her lord. Then the elder lady accuses him of having offended her and her people by killing the dragon that was brought up by her. He escaped and abducted the little lion to the rock. Parceval declares that he had to kill the beast because the lion excels the dragon in nobility, and moreover the lion achieved worthier things than the dragon. She wants him to become her servant to recompense for her loss, but he refuses. Before leaving she warns him that wherever she will find him without protection she will get hold of him, who moreover has been her servant once before. Parceval sleeps until morning. When he wakes he prays to God. The lion and the dragon have vanished.

Motif References:

V 52 Miraculous power of prayer
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
B 301.8 Faithful lion follows man who saved him.
B 557 Unusual animal as riding horse
B 557.5 Person carried by lion [panther]
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical

Lanc3-132: Parceval catches sight of a white ship approaching the shore, led by a priest with a white crown on his head. The name of Christ is written on it. Parceval identifies as knight of King Arthur. Yet he ignores how he came to this place and he would rather continue his search for the Grail. The priest tells him that God will help him, for he has been taken there to test him: a true servant of God must not be frightened by the Lord’s enemies. The priest has been sent to advise and reassure Parceval, whom he addresses by his name. Moreover he knows his life-history. They have a long conversation and the knight is amazed at the man’s wisdom. None of them longs for food or drink. Parceval at last asks him about his strange dream: the old lady with the dragon and the maiden with the lion. The priest’s interpretation: the lion symbolizes the new (Christian) faith, it is the symbol of Christ, of Christian faithfulness, belief, baptism and hope; the maiden: the foundation on which Jesus built his church, she is young for she was born at Christ’s passion and resurrection. She called him her son for she the mother of all Christians. The strong opponent Parceval will have to fight is the devil for whose sake Enoch and Helyas were transported to the heavens whence they will return at Doomsday to war him, and who keeps trying to take the souls to hell. If Parceval is defeated both his body and his soul will enter hell forever.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
V 300 Religious beliefs
G 303.9.6.1 Devil fights with man
B 557.5 Person carried by lion [panther]
N 762 Person accidentally met unexpectedly knows the other’s name
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
N 846.2 Priest as helper
D 1349.1 Magic object produces immunity from hunger and thirst
H 1573 Religious tests
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams

Lanc3-137: (12) Parceval wants to know about the lady on the dragon: She symbolizes the old faith. The dragon: the misinterpretation of the holy writings by heretics and sinners; the devil who was driven from paradise for the sake of his pride; the serpent that talked Adam and Eve into eating the forbidden apple so that they were banished from paradise. The lady riding the dragon was not lamenting the death of her dragon but grieved that Parceval chased the devil by the sign of the cross. Parceval before his baptism had been in her service. Before the priest leaves he advises Parceval to prepare for the battle he will have to fight soon. The wind drives the ship away very quickly and Parceval soon loses sight of it. On returning to the rock the knight again meets his lion and caresses the beast. In the afternoon a ship approaches very swiftly, a black whirlpool ahead of it. Parceval hoping for the priest’s return goes to see it. A very beautiful damsel asks him his errand and tells him he will starve on this island. Parceval trusting in God is not worried. Addressing him by his name the maiden promises to relate to him the adventures of the Good Knight in the wild forest which she has watched, on condition that he obeys her wishes. Parceval gives his promise.

Motif References:

B 11.9 Dragon as power of evil
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
Z 150 Other symbols
V 300 Religious beliefs
B 301.8 Faithful lion follows man who saved him.
G 303.3.1.12 Devil in form of woman
G 303.6.3.2 Devil comes in whirlwind
N 762 Person accidentally met unexpectedly knows the other’s name
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams

Lanc3-142: (4) The damsel’s story: In the wild forest, near the river Marthoße, the Good Knight chased two knights whom he wanted to kill. They escaped across the river. The knight’s horse was drowned, but he left unharmed. If Parceval refuses to obey her and go aboard her ship he will perish on the island. Parceval however declares that he is trusting in God who will help him. When he tells her that he felt neither hunger nor thirst all morning while he was listening to a wise man, she warns him that the stranger was a treacherous magician. She is the only person to help him. Parceval asks for her identity. Her reply: had she not been robbed of her heritage she would be the richest woman. Once she served the most powerful king of all kings and was of outstanding beauty. Her arrogance however made her turn against him and he banished her with her retinue stripping her of her wealth. She was warring against him ever after, and by promising to fulfill all their desires she won many of his men. Being a knight of the Round Table Parceval should remember that he is bound to help a maiden in distress. Thereupon Parceval promises to help her.

Motif References:

G 303.9.4 The devil as a tempter
H 599 Other enigmatic statements [acts]
D 1349.1 Magic object produces immunity from hunger and thirst
H 1573 Religious tests

Lanc3-145: (11) Parceval goes aboard the ship and after his arms have been taken from him he sleeps in a beautiful tent. When he wakes a fine meal and strong wine is served (wine at that time only was drunk by wealthy people, the usual drink in Great Britain were beer and other drinks they made). Both wine and the lady’s beauty make him feel hot. He asks her for her love, which she promises to grant him if he enters her service. A bed is made ready and they lie down. Parceval catches sight of the red cross on his sword and makes the sign of the cross. Suddenly the tent vanishes, smoke and a horrible stench make the frightened knight pray for God’s help. He once again perceives the ship and the maiden. She accuses him of treachery and the ship leaves. A terrible thunderstorm arises and the ship catches fire. Parceval in his grief by accident wounds his foot with his sword. He gets aware that he has lost his weapons and all his clothes, and laments that he almost lost his chastity. He keeps praying to God for pardon and help all night.

Motif References:

V 86 Sign of the Cross
G 303.9.4 The devil as a tempter
G 303.16.3.4 Devil made to disappear by making sign of the cross
G 303.17.2.5 Devil retreats into hell amid thunder and lightning
G 303.12.6 Devil in form of woman woos man
G 303.17.2.8 Devil disappears amid terrible stench

Lanc3-150: (11) In the morning the priest returns on the white ship and Parceval tells him the story asking for its meaning. The knight learns that the damsel was the devil, who once was the most beautiful of all angels but wanting to be as powerful as God himself and was driven out of paradise into hell. He made Eva eat the forbidden apple and give Adam from it too. The devil whom Parceval met in the shape of the damsel and the dragon keeps warring against Jesus. The tent on the ship symbolizes the world: Parceval was supposed to stay there idly without caring for his salvation, until nightfall, death came. The tent made him avoid the sunlight, Christ. The priest once again warns him of the devil’s powerful tricks, he should beware, otherwise he would be doomed. Parceval wonders that since the priest arrived he feels no pain from his wound, and suffers neither hunger nor thirst: the man must be bread from heaven. The priest vanishes and Parceval hears a voice ordering him to go aboard the ship for he has been victorious. He should however not be frightened by any strange sight. Bohort and Galaad will soon join him. Parceval thanks God and is very happy. When he has gone aboard the ship leaves.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
V 236 Fallen angels
V 300 Religious beliefs
G 303.3.1.12 Devil in form of woman
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
H 614 Explanation of enigmatic phenomenon
N 762 Person accidentally met unexpectedly knows the other’s name
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
N 846.2 Priest as helper
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1123 Magic ship
D 1349.1 Magic object produces immunity from hunger and thirst
D 1520.15 Transportation in magic ship
H 1573 Religious tests
D 2188.2 Person vanishes

Lanc3-156: Lancelot’s story: Lancelot staying with the hermit for several days listens to his teachings. The holy man warns him against sin and unchastity. To achieve this quest he must obtain the aid of the Holy Spirit. Only the most excellent and righteous knight will achieve the grail: the man who was seated on the Perilous Seat at Whitsunday. According to Merlin’s prophecy this man is to enter heavenly knighthood. The adventure is only to be achieved by a man having done penance for his sins and trusting in God’s mercy. Any other quester will meet nothing but shame. Lancelot leaves and in a forest comes upon a squire. When he identifies the squire blames him as the most unlucky man for he was refused to see the grail’s wonders like an infidel. He has lost all his praise as the best knight for now people think him the most evil and faithless man. For the sake of a lady who does not love him sincerely he has lost both renown and salvation. The squire keeps scolding him, but Lancelot does not reply. After the squire has left Lancelot prays to God to watch over him and save his soul.

Motif References:

Z 254 Destined hero
M 301 Prophets
M 361.1 Prophecy: certain hero to achieve holy grail.
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc3-160: (6) In the afternoon Lancelot comes upon a hermit in white garments, lamenting in front of his hermitage. The hermit greets him addressing him as an honest man. An old dead man clad in a white shirt with a hairy shirt underneath to his skin is laid out in front of the altar at the chapel. Lancelot learns that the dead man served God faithfully for thirty years until the devil has killed him. The priest takes a book and a surplice and invokes the devil, a terrible creature. Asked about the fate of the dead man’s soul the devil tells him that he has been saved. The priest declares that his only sin might have been to wear linen cloth, which their order forbids them. The devil tells him the man’s story: He once was a powerful lord who became a hermit. One day the count of the valley (von dem Val) declared war against one of his nephews, Egravinst, who thereupon asked his uncle for aid, which he granted. The count was captured and peace made.

Motif References:

P 16.1 King (prince) retires from world (becomes hermit [monk, pilgrim], swineherd [beggar])
P 293 Uncle
G 303.3.1 The devil in human form
G 303.6.2.9 Devil appears to saint (cleric)
G 303.6.1.2 Devil comes when called upon
G 303.3.0.1 Devil in hideous form
Q 523.10.1 (Bm) Penance: wearing sackcloth.

Lanc3-162: (14) The man returned to his hermitage. The count however had him killed by two nephews in revenge for his defeat: They lay in wait for him after mass, but failed to hurt him in any way for God had rendered him invulnerable. Their swords broke when they tried to kill him. Outraged they tried to burn him at the stake. He declares that only God can kill him, and if he chooses him to live on he and even the smallest shirt he has worn will be proof against the fire. They put his words to the test, clad him in a shirt and try to burn him all day at the stake. When the fire dies out in the evening they find the hermit dead but his body as well as the shirt are unharmed by the flames. They are frightened and lay him out in the chapel. The hermit has obtained salvation. Having ended his story the devil leaves breaking down the forest and with great clamor. The priest happy about the news removes the surplice and book and goes to see the corpse.

Motif References:

V 228 Immunities of saints (holy men)
G 303.17.2.3 Devil goes out with great noise
K 914 Murder from ambush
D 1840 Magic invulnerability
D 1841.3 Burning magically evaded
D 1841.3.2 Fire does not injure a saint
D 1846.5 Invulnerability bestowed by saint [God]

Lanc3-165: (13) Lancelot did not see the devil, he only heard his voice telling the story. The devil’s voice was terrifying. Lancelot identifies and tells that he is searching for the Grail. The hermit tells him that Lancelot will not be able to see the Grail on finding it. Yet repentance and doing penance can rescue sinful people. Lancelot used to be a virtuous man before he became a knight, he was humble, patient, just, generous, inspired by the holy spirit. The devil worried that he could not obtain his soul, and therefore he wanted to destroy him through love. Many a man already perished for the sake of love: wise Salomon, strong Sampson, beautiful Absolon, son of David. The devil tempted the queen who lacked in confessing her sins and made her fall in love with Lancelot. As soon as he had become a knight and got aware of her liking the foe aimed at him with his bow and he stumbled. From his unchastity spread many a sin: his overbearing by cherishing the queen’s love above all. Thus Lancelot betrayed God and joined the devil’s service. But God had bestowed upon Lancelot so many virtues that he could not lose them entirely: Thus he achieved exploits in many lands and became famous. He could have even surpassed all his glory had he kept his virtues intact: He could have achieved the quest for the Grail and set his eyes onto the Grail and would only have been surpassed by Galaad.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
V 20 Confession of sins
C 100 Sex tabu.
V 150 Sacred objects - miscellaneous
G 303.9.4 The devil as a tempter
G 303.16.9 Devil is made impotent by confession
G 303.6.2.9 Devil appears to saint (cleric)
V 315.1 Power of repentance
D 1980 Magic invisibility

Lanc3-172: (10) The hermit advises him to leave his quest by telling him a parable: a man clad in bad garments is banished from his lord’s table - the quest for the Grail is reserved to the most virtuous knights = the guests wearing fine garments, whereas those lacking in virtue have to give up the quest. Lancelot weeps and tells the hermit what he already has learnt about his sinfulness. Thereupon the hermit asks him to choose between his past and his present life. Lancelot prefers the holy life he is leading now. The hermit reassures him that sincere penance will bring about God’s mercy. In the morning before they bury the corpse the hermit promises never to leave the hermitage and serve God forever. He makes Lancelot put on the hair shirt, in order to be protected him against deadly sin. Moreover he should keep from eating meat and drinking wine, hear mass each day if possible and confess his sins once a week. Lancelot promises to obey the man’s orders and leaves.

Motif References:

J 80 Wisdom (knowledge) taught by parable
V 462.2 Ascetic fasting
Q 520 Penances
Q 523.10.1 (Bm) Penance: wearing sackcloth.
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc3-176: In the evening Lancelot encounters a maiden on a white horse hurrying along. On learning that he searches for adventure she says he will soon find one. There is no lodging nearby but he will find some next day. Lancelot comes to a crossroad. Two crosses have been placed there and he prays for protection against sins. He lies down on a stone and falls asleep. In his sleep he watches a man with a golden crown on his head, who is covered with stars, arriving in the company of seven kings and two knights. They pray before the cross entreating God to meet them and bestow upon each of them his due reward. Out of the clouds open a man in the company of numerous angels appears, gives them his blessing and tells them that being his faithful servants they will enter heaven. Then he addresses one of the knights, blaming him of having warred against him; he will perish if he does not redeem the treasure he once bestowed upon him. The man leaves. The second young knight ordered to fly leaves as an angel up into the heavens, his wings covering the earth.

Motif References:

F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
V 510 Religious visions
H 599 Other enigmatic statements [acts]
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical

Lanc3-178: (14) Lancelot wakes, reassured that God rescues the faithful and trusting. He rides on and at noon comes upon the knight who took away his weapons some days ago. Lancelot unhorses him and rides on until in the evening he comes to a hermitage. The old man living there grants him hospitality. The man and his pupil sing mass for Lancelot. The knight identifies and tells them that he is searching for the Grail. Then he tells the story of his life and confesses. Lancelot wants to know about his strange dream and the hermit gives his interpretation: Lancelot watched the origin of his family. After Christ’s death Joseph of Arimathia left Jerusalem to do missionary work and came to the town of Saras. Joseph helped king Anales who was warring at the time against his neighbor to overcome his enemy by trusting in God. Thereupon Anales was baptized by Joseph’s son Josephes. His brother-in-law; Seraff, received baptism as well and took the name of Nasiens. As a reward for his virtuosity he was the first man, except Joseph, to be granted to see the Grail. Thereafter the Grail can only be seen in dream.

Motif References:

V 515.1 Allegorical visions - religious
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams

Lanc3-183: (7) King Evalet watched coming from his nephew, the son of Nasiens, a lake, and from it ran nine rivers, eight of them of like breadth and depth. The ninth river surpassed the other ones, was dark at its source but clear and sweet in the estuary. A man descended from the heavens who washed his hand and feet in the water of the lake and the rivers, but only in the ninth river he washed his face and body. Morderas watched all this in his sleep. Nasiens’s son then was sent to chase and kill the heathens. He was a wise man, knowing about the stars and planets as well as Joseph’s son. His kingdom was Scotland - the lake that gives birth to the rivers. Among his nine descendants were seven kings and two knights. The Kings were Narpus, Nasiens, Eluen the Great, Elans, Gavens (who left the land for Galles and married the princess of Dißlande), the ancestor of Lancelot’s grandfather and his father Ban. The latter was a pious king and as a reward God gave him death when he asked for it. The seven rivers Morderas saw in his sleep symbolize these kings.

Motif References:

Q 20 Piety rewarded
Q 149 Miraculous or magic reward - miscellaneous
Z 150 Other symbols
V 515.1 Allegorical visions - religious
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical

Lanc3-186: The symbolism of the two knights in Morderas’s dream: The kings entreated God to admit them to heaven together with their descendant Lancelot, the first knight. The other knight symbolizes Lancelot’s son that he begot with the daughter of the fisher king - Galaad. He surpasses all other knights by his virtues, which is symbolized by his wings. He is the ninth river. Lancelot has to avoid fighting his son, otherwise he would perish. And he must trust in God, for his own son cannot help him. When the hermit has ended his story they have supper and Lancelot goes to sleep on the floor, for leading a holy life he does no more care for any comfort and enjoys hardship. In the morning he leaves, still hoping to join his companions.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
V 515.1 Allegorical visions - religious
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream

Lanc3-190: (9) At noon he comes to a castle on a meadow in the forest. Many a multicolored tent is pitched in front of it, and about hundred knights are jousting. White against black (from the castle). Lancelot joins the knights of the castle, who are wearing black, for they are about to be overthrown. Their opponents are clad in white. Lancelot excels and unhorses many a knight, yet cannot overcome his opponents, for they seem to be made of rotted wood. The white knights keep heaping earth on their adversaries. Lancelot becomes wondrously weary. The black knights are defeated and Lancelot taken captive. Upon his oath of security and promise to serve them he is released: Ashamed of this defeat which he never suffered before in his life he blames his sins to have brought about his weakness so that he was unable to pursue his enemies. In the evening he dismounts at an apple tree and falls asleep.

Motif References:

R 75 Surrendering
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
P 561 Tournaments
H 599 Other enigmatic statements [acts]
D 1837 Magic weakness
D 1840 Magic invulnerability

Lanc3-193: In his dream Lancelot watches a man descending from heaven who blames him of having once again served the devil. He should beware not to perish. Then the man vanishes. In the morning Lancelot comes upon a recluse living nearby - his sins kept him from meeting her the evening before. A priest in the chapel prays and sings mass. The recluse inquires about Lancelot, he identifies and asks about the strange tournament. The recluse’s reply: Elias, son of king Pellis, fought this tournament against Engulustis, the son of king Helen. Elias wore the white device, which means sacred knighthood, Engulustis the black, which means profane knighthood. The black knights were overcome. This tournament of the two chivalric orders started on Whitsunday and in it the sinful knights fought the righteous ones, those who have engaged in the quest for the Grail. The black knights’ eyes and heart are full of earth and their black color is due to sin, whereas the holy knights are white. Lancelot failed in defending the sinners and warring against the good men, among them Galaad he was about to unhorse and Parceval. His own weariness symbolizes his sinfulness which also keeps him from the Grail. But Lancelot was caught by the good knights and received their teaching. The dream itself is to warn him, for one more failure would bring about his damnation. After he has been served a meal at the hermitage Lancelot leaves. Next morning he comes to a deep valley, to a lake named Marthose, located between two mountains. A large black knight riding a black horse jumps out of the lake and attacks Lancelot and kills his horse. He leaves quickly. Lancelot unable to leave the place (water, rock, wilderness) prays for help.

Motif References:

Z 142 Symbolic color: white
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
Z 150 Other symbols
V 510 Religious visions
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream
D 1810.8.3 Warning in dreams

Lanc3-200: (5) Gawan having left his companions rides on for a long time, from Whitsunday to the day of St. Magdalen. He is amazed that he does not come upon any adventure on his quest for the Holy Grail. One day he encounters Hector of Mares to whom he complains about his uneventful quest. Hector however as well as his friends achieved plenty of adventures. Gawan asks him about their companions but Hector has got no news about them. They ride on together in search for adventure leaving the main road for a smaller one. One evening in the wilderness they come to a destroyed chapel near two rocks. After disarming they pray in the chapel. In their sleep they have strange dreams: Gawan sees a blooming meadow, with a manger and 150 bulls bound with willows. All but three of them are very proud, two white ones and the third with some spots. The beasts speak up: “Let us leave for a better meadow!” and they leave. Only few of them return after a long time, thin and weary. One white bull returns and all of them die.

Motif References:

F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
H 599 Other enigmatic statements [acts]
H 1221 Quest for adventure
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream

Lanc3-204: (6) Hector’s dream: He and Lancelot mount their horses and ride on seeking what they cannot find. Lancelot falls from his horse, a man takes off his weapons, clads him with a mantle with grapes and has him mount a donkey. When he arrives at a beautiful fountain and wants to drink it the fountain vanishes. He returns. Hector comes to the house of a rich man who just is celebrating a feast. The man refuses him hospitality. Hector and Gawan wake. Hector is eager to get news about his brother Lancelot. At this point they watch a hand outside the chapel carrying a cup covered with a red cloth, a bridle and a large burning candle, that it puts onto a candelabrum. The hand vanishes. A voice tells them that they lack the three things they have just watched, which makes them fail in the quest for the Holy Grail. Gawan wants to ask some hermit for the meaning of the strange events. Next morning they leave. A squire leads them their way to a hermitage. On their way there they are challenged by a knight. Gawan fights him, they unhorse and wound each other.

Motif References:

F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
F 552 Remarkable hands
H 599 Other enigmatic statements [acts]
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream
D 2095 Magic disappearance
D 2188 Magic disappearance

Lanc3-208: (4) Gawan draws his sword, but his opponent will no more fight but asks to be carried to a monastery nearby, where he confesses his sins and receives the host. He asks Gawan to remove the spear from his body. He is Ywan, son of King Urgin, who is searching for the Grail. Gawan laments and identifies. He removes the spear. Ywan dies and is buried beneath the altar. His name and that of his slayer is engraved on his coffin. Gawan and Hector leave the place in a sad mood. They come to the mountain with the hermitage of Nasiens. Gawan asks him about the strange dreams. Nasiens’s interpretation of Gawan’s dream: the mangle on the meadow means the Round Table, the meadow humility and patience, yet they choose to feed on the manger - all of them are proud and noble. The bulls symbolize the knights of the Round Table, the two white bulls are Parceval and Galaad, Bohort is the white one with the spots for he committed one single unchastity, which has been pardoned. The three are bound for chastity keeps them from raising their heads, which means that they cannot sin. The quest for the better meadow symbolizes the beginning of the quest for the Holy Grail on Whitsunday. But they left taking the field and avoiding the blooming meadow: the knights chose the way of sins, therefore many of them perish. Those who return are weary, for they are grieving for their sins (slaying of friends etc.). Two white bulls - the knights who found the Grail and therefore do not come back. The hermit refuses to give an interpretation of the ending, it could worry Gawan.

Motif References:

V 60 Funeral rites
Z 150 Other symbols
P 426.2 Hermit
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc3-215: (10) The hermit tells the meaning of Hector’s dream: He and Lancelot overbearingly started the quest for the Grail, which they will not find. Lancelot falling from his horse: his humility makes Jesus remove his sins (armor) from him and bestowing his mercy upon him (mantle with the grapes). The donkey, Jesus rode when he entered Jerusalem, is the symbol of foolishness and simplicity. The vanishing fountain is the Grail as well as the teaching of the Holy Bible. But Lancelot will not be able to set his eyes onto the Grail. For two weeks he will not be able to eat nor drink, talk or move. Thereafter he will be able to tell what he watched and ride to Kamahelot. Hector will continue riding his high steed, which means he will continue his sinful life until he comes to the house of the fisherman (where the knights who found the Grail are celebrating a feast), who will send him away and he will return to Kamelot.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

Lanc3-218: (9) Interpretation of the hand with the candle and the bridle: hand = chastity, red cloth = the Holy Spirit, bridle = continence, candle = true belief, Jesus. Hector and his companion lack chastity, sincerity and continence. Therefore the Grail avoids them. Gawan inquires why he encounters no adventures: there are no more adventures except for the sake of the Holy Grail who avoids him. The quest for the Grail is not a chivalric quest but a spiritual one. Before they leave the hermit warns Gawan to care for his soul and Gawan promises to return soon for further teaching.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations

Lanc3-221: (5) After having parted from Gawan Bohort comes upon a cleric riding a donkey. Bohort identifies as knight on quest for the Grail. The priest reminds him that only the chaste and righteous knights may join the quest. Confession of sins is the only protection against the devil, Jesus brings about salvation, the righteous will obtain the holy Grail. Sinful knights however who confess may become knights of Christ. Undertaking this search in an unchaste state keeps the man bound to unchastity and adultery and in the devil’s service. Bohort asks for advice and identifies as Bohort of Gaune, son of king Bohort and nephew of Lancelot. The priest praises Bohort’s parents: his father was an excellent knight, modest and generous, his mother righteous and faithful; good children always descend from good parents. Bohort replies that only the man’s own heart makes him evil or virtuous.

Motif References:

V 20 Confession of sins
C 100 Sex tabu.
G 303.16.9 Devil is made impotent by confession

Lanc3-226: (4) When they come to a hermit’s house they take a night’s lodging. A priest sings mass. They only are served water and bread, for fine food only brings about unchastity and mortal sins. The man asks Bohort for a rash boon which will help him to achieve the Grail, Bohort grants it: He has to promise to live on water and bread until he has achieved the Holy Grail. The man tells him that he will be the third knight of the Round Table to achieve it. In the morning Bohort is given a white shirt as a token of his penance and abstinence, to be worn under his scarlet mantle. He confesses his sins and receives absolution. The priest is amazed by his righteousness and that he only was unchaste when he won Helian the White. When he hears mass Bohort weeps at the sight of the host, the Lord’s flesh and blood. Bohort takes his leave, asking the priest to pray for him.

Motif References:

Z 254 Destined hero
M 301 Prophets
M 361.1 Prophecy: certain hero to achieve holy grail.
V 462.2 Ascetic fasting

Lanc3-229: (8) Bohort comes to an old tree, leaf- and fruitless, in a hilly country. He watches a huge bird approaching and sitting on the top of the tree, that is covered by little dead birds. The large bird opening its breast with its beak by his blood revives the birds and dies. Bohort is amazed at this wonder. He continues his journey, takes lodging at a strong tower, where a lady welcomes him in the hall. A fine meal is served but Bohort only drinks water. When the meal is over they sit at a window talking. A squire brings the news that the lady’s sister has conquered her castle and captured all her men, and moreover she will take all her lands unless she finds a champion until next morning who is to fight Priaden den Schwarczen. The lady laments.

Motif References:

P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
B 751.2 Pelican kills young and revives them with own blood [kills self to give blood to his young].
F 811 Extraordinary tree
D 1016 Magic blood of animal

Lanc3-231: (9) The lady’s story: Once the land belonged to the king Amans who for the sake of his love for a beautiful maiden left her his lands and vassals. But she was a bad and unjust ruler. He then left all of his possessions to the lady speaking. After his death the chased lady warred against her, conquered her land, except this castle, and forced people into her service. Priaden is her paramour and a strong fighter. Bohort offers to be her champion. A fine bed is made ready for him, but once again he lies down on the floor. He has a strange dream: a large bird, the color and size of a swan and a young black bird, a pretty raven, come toward him. The swan promises Bohort to bestow upon him all of the world’s power and make him as beautiful and white as himself if he serves him. Bohort asks who he is, but the bird replies his appearance tells him. Then the black bird addresses the knight: though it is black he should not be worried, his color surpasses the other one’s white feathers, and he should serve him next day. The birds leave.

Motif References:

P 17 Succession to the throne
P 20 Queens
Z 142 Symbolic color: white
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
B 147.2.1.1 Raven as bird of good omen
Z 150 Other symbols
B 211.3 Speaking bird
H 218 Trial by combat
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream
D 1814.2 Advice from dream

Lanc3-233: (19) Bohort has another dream: He comes to a pretty and large chapel, with an old man sitting on a chair. In his left hand he has a foul stick, in his right he has two white lilies. One lily wants to take the whiteness from the other, the man separates them and each lily bears fruit. The man tells him that one should rather fight for the sake of those lilies than for the wretched stick, and he should listen to this advice in his adventure. Bohort is amazed at his strange dreams and is unable to grasp their meaning. He prays until daybreak. In the morning they hear mass. Bohort refuses to eat before the combat has ended. The lady and her knights lead him to a meadow. The lady of the castle accuses her adversary of taking king Amans’s legacy from her, but the other lady insists.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream
D 1814.2 Advice from dream

Lanc3-236: (14) The two knights fight furiously. Bohort presses his opponent hard, forces him to surrender and promise never to harass the lady again. His mistress leaves in a hurry. Bohort makes people promise service to their lady, who refuses is dispossessed and killed. Bohort leaves and soon comes upon two knights. They have captured his brother and torture him. Bohort wants to come to his aid when he is entreated by a maiden abducted by a knight to help her. Bohort hesitates in conflict but finally decides to help the maiden, to rescue her from rape. He begs God to care for his brother. Bohort kills the abductor and escorts the maiden. She tells him that one of her relatives abducted her to the forest and wanted to rape her. Had Bohort not come to her aid the man would have lost salvation and she would have been dishonored.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
R 10.6 (Bm) Knight abducted
R 51 Mistreatment of prisoners
R 111.1 Princess (maiden) rescued from captor
T 471 Rape
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc3-241: When a troop of 12 knights searching for the maiden comes toward them Bohort refuses their hospitality and leaves at once to search for his brother Lyonel. A menial riding a black horse tells him that his brother has been killed and shows him the corpse. Bohort swoons. Then he carries the body with him and led by the menial rides on to a chapel nearby. The body is put onto a bier. There is neither cross nor water nor any Christian token. The man tells Bohort he is a priest and advises him to pass the night at the tower nearby and bury his brother next morning. Bohort asks him about his strange dreams: the dead birds that were revived and the white and the black bird and the foul stick and the lilies.

Motif References:

P 251.5 Two brothers
F 773 Remarkable church (chapel, temple)
N 846.2 Priest as helper
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief

Lanc3-244: The priest’s interpretation: the swan meant a maiden long in love for Bohort who will come to him and ask him to become her paramour. If he refuses she will die from grief. The black bird means great grief he will have to suffer if he refuses her offer for the sake of God. For if he would choose chastity - to obtain the world’s praise for it - this would bring about the death of his nephew Lancelot, for the maiden’s friends would kill him and she would die. Bohort will be the murderer of one of them, as he brought about his brother’s death, for he rather helped the maiden in distress than his own brother. The priest declares that all maiden’s loss of virginity is to be preferred to his death. Bohort replies he rather would prevent Lancelot’s death. The priest makes him enter the tower where he is welcomed by knights, ladies and maidens. A very beautiful maiden in costly garments, who is their mistress, has been in love of him since long. They talk and the maiden asks Bohort for his love. On Bohort’s refusal she insists. Yet Bohort refuses her love that night.

Motif References:

T 55 Girl as wooer. Forthputting woman
T 71 Woman scorned in love
Z 142 Symbolic color: white
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
Z 150 Other symbols
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 846.2 Priest as helper
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams

Lanc3-247: The maiden is very grieved about his refusal. With her maidens she mounts the tower. One of her maidens begs God to fulfill their lady’s wish, for otherwise they all would die. It would be a knight’s utmost faithlessness to let all of them die for such a trifle. Bohort is very grieved but does not give in. All of the ladies commit suicide by jumping from the tower. When Bohort makes the sign of the cross a great clamor arises from the throng of devils around him. The maiden, her retinue and the castle as well as his brother’s corpse have vanished. Bohort thanks God for his rescue and leaves. Coming to a monastery of white monks Bohort asks the abbot about his strange adventure. The abbot promises to tell him next morning.

Motif References:

T 71 Woman scorned in love
F 1041.21.8 (Bm) Suicide from grief
D 2095 Magic disappearance
D 2188 Magic disappearance

Lanc3-250: The monks care well for their guest and offer him a fine meal but Bohort keeps to water and bread. Next morning after mass the abbot comes to see him: Bohort tells him his dreams and the strange adventure. The abbot gives the interpretation: the bird reviving the dead birds was God who created mankind, the leafless tree was the sinful world, the birds the sinful mankind damned to hell; God sent Christ to bring about salvation by his passion. The tree symbolizes the Cross. Then God led him to the lady having her land from King Amans: Amans means Christ, the lady the Church, her rival the old law, the devil warring against Christianity. Thus Bohort has fought for the Holy Church that was angry and sad because of her people’s sinfulness. The black bird meant Christ, whereas the white one the hypocrite, with a beautiful appearance but an evil character. The priest who told him that his brother had been killed was the devil - Bohort’s brother still lives. The devil tempted him to bring about his unchastity and thus banish him from the Grail.

Motif References:

Z 142 Symbolic color: white
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
Z 150 Other symbols
V 300 Religious beliefs
G 303.9.4 The devil as a tempter
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 846.2 Priest as helper
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams

Lanc3-254: The meaning of the foul branch and the lilies: Lyonel is the foul wood, for he keeps his distance to God. The flowers were the maiden and her pursuer. By this dream God wanted him to know that He approved that he chose to help the maiden. Bohort preferred Jesus to his own kin and as a reward his brother’s abductors died, Lyonel could free himself and left to seek his companions. The flowers that got leaves and fruit: An offspring of valiant knights will come from that knight and from the maiden he rescued. Had Bohort not kept him from raping her both of them would have been damned. The abbot begs Bohort to pray for him for he thinks God will listen to him rather than to the abbot. Bohort, ashamed at the abbot’s words, falls silent. Bohort leaves and rides until he comes to a castle named Thunburg located in a valley. He encounters a squire whom he asks for news: He learns that a tournament will be held at that castle. Bohort decides to stay in order to meet some of his companions and get news about his brother.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
P 251.5.4 Two brothers as contrasts
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 846.2 Priest as helper
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams

Lanc3-257: In a hermitage nearby Bohort comes upon Lyonel. Bohort is happy to see his brother and greets him joyfully. Lyonel however blames him of having left him in distress and rather helped the maiden. Bohort falls onto his knees and begs for pardon, but Lyonel wants to kill him and challenges his brother. Bohort in distress to have to fight his own brother falls onto his knees before the other’s horse and begs for mercy. But Lyonel set to fury by the devil refuses to give in. As Bohort refuses to rise his brother pushes him so hard that he swoons from pain. Then he dismounts and is about to chop off his head. The hermit hurries toward them and tries to protect Bohort, yet Lyonel kills the priest and is about to decapitate Bohort when Galogrevant comes along. He tries to keep Lyonel from the murder and they fight.

Motif References:

S 73.1 Fratricide
S 110 Murders
P 251.5 Two brothers
G 303.9.4 The devil as a tempter
P 426.2 Hermit
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc3-261: In the meantime Bohort has recovered. On seeing the combat of his brother and his friend he is in distress. Lyonel gets the better of Galogrevant, who pleads for Bohort’s help. Bohort is in conflict and asks God to care for his soul. Lyonel kills Galogrevant. Once again he attacks his brother who warns him that if they killed each other both of them would die in deadly sin. Then he gets ready for battle. When he raises his sword a voice orders him to spare his brother. A lightning strikes between them and its flame burns their shields. Both fall to the ground and swoon. When Bohort sees his brother unharmed he thanks God in a prayer. Then he hears a voice telling him to rise and leave at once and never to rest until he meets Parceval who is waiting for him. He advises his brother to bury the hermit and leaves. He passes the night at a monastery. In his sleep Bohort hears a voice telling him to get ready and leave, which he does without delay. He rides until he comes to the seashore where he finds a ship covered with white velvet, waiting for him. Leaving his horse behind he goes aboard and the ship leaves. It is very dark, and Bohort prays to God to care for his soul. When he wakes in the morning he catches sight of an armed knight without helmet before him, Parcival. Parcival only recognizes him when Bohort takes off his helmet. They tell their stories to each other.

Motif References:

S 73.1 Fratricide
Z 142 Symbolic color: white
Q 211.0.2 Enormity of kin murder.
P 251.5 Two brothers
G 303.9.4 The devil as a tempter
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
Q 552 Prodigy as punishment
N 760 Other accidental encounters
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
F 968 Extraordinary thunder and lightning
H 1219 Assignment of quests - miscellaneous
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc3-267: Galaad comes upon many adventures in the kingdom of Logres. He turns toward the sea and one day comes to a castle where knights are jousting in a tournament. The besiegers have driven their opponents back toward the castle. On seeing them pressed hard and many of them slain Galaad turns to help them. Gawan and Hector are among the opponents and recognizing the Good Knight by his white shield and red cross avoid him. Galaad wounds Gawan and kills his horse. Hector comes to his aid. Galaad excels in fighting and then leaves. Gawan declares that the prophecy given to them on Whitsunday has become true: he will be wounded by this sword within one year. Meanwhile the knights of the castle have recognized Gawan, they take him to the castle to care for him. The physician they send for promises to cure his wound within one month. Gawan promises him riches as reward. Hector stays with him at the castle.

Motif References:

M 391 Fulfillment of prophecy
P 561 Tournaments

Lanc3-270: (12) Galaad one night takes lodging at a hermitage not far from Corbenic. A maiden arrives and tells him to arm himself, for she will lead him to the highest adventure. At dawn they come to the sea, called Celikle, and ride on all day. In the evening they approach a strong castle located in a valley, well protected by rivers, moats and walls. They eat and sleep but soon the lady tells him to rise and arm himself. The lady takes a splendid box in front of her onto her horse. They leave and ride to the sea. On the shore they meet Bohort and Parceval waiting for them aboard their ship. They are happy to see him and Galaad and the lady go aboard. The splendid ship leaves very quickly. Parceval and Bohort tell him about the ship.

Motif References:

N 760 Other accidental encounters
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper

Lanc3-274: They travel all day and night and come to a wild island, where they catch sight of another ship: The maiden tells them this is where to find adventure. The ship is even more costly and no living soul is to be found. An inscription tells them that only the righteous may enter. The maiden identifies as Parceval’s sister, the daughter of king Pelehen. She warns them to go aboard if they do not completely trust in God for they would perish at once. All four of them go aboard. They enter a room with a curtain, and behind it a fine bed with a crown placed on one end and a sword, half removed from the sheath, on the other end. The sword’s pommel is made of a multicolored jewel. The stone is from a serpent, named Papalides, that lives in Cassidonien. The hilt is worked from two sorts of animals: the linckus protects a man against heat if he only has one rib or leg of it with him; the bones of a fish by the name of Archenons, living in the river Euphrates, that make a man forget his grief and joy for the sake of the reason that made him take the bone. An inscription on the red covering tells that only one man can take that hilt and this man will surpass all others.

Motif References:

B 108.2 Serpent with jewel in head
B 175 Magic fish
N 734 Accidental meeting of brother and sister
F 826 Extraordinary jewels
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1013 Magic bone of animal
D 1365 Object causes magic forgetfulness
H 1568 Test of the champion.
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness
H 1573 Religious tests
D 2000 Magic forgetfulness

Lanc3-278: Parceval and Bohort fail in taking the sword. Galaad perceives red letters engraved to it: Only one man can remove it out of the sheath without dying. The maiden tells them the story of this wonder: The ship was in the kingdom of Luguße when a great war was going on between king Lambral, father of king Mahamen, and the heathen king Ülant. The latter became a Christian and was a very valiant man. One day when King Ulans had lost many men at sea, he found this ship and went aboard, he took the sword and killed King Lambral, the most faithful man, splitting man and horse from head to ground. Such was the first blow from this sword in the kingdom of Logres, that brought about many dead and mischief in both kingdoms. Neither corn nor fruits grow there since then and the rivers are deprived of fish. The land is called the Vertrieben Lant, waste because of this blow.

Motif References:

Z 254 Destined hero
V 301 (Li) Heathens and Christians
V 331 Conversion to Christianity
V 350 Conflicts between religions
F 833 Extraordinary sword
D 1081 Magic sword
D 1408 Magic object devastates country
H 1568 Test of the champion.
D 2081 Land made magically sterile

Lanc3-280: (10) King Ulans died trying to put the sword back. A maiden had to dispose of his corpse in the sea for no man dared to enter the ship. Galaad wants to try the sword but the maiden wants them to have a close look at it before: The sheath apparently is worked out of the skin of a serpent, it is red and has golden and silver letters on it. Its hilt is ugly and wretched. The sheath has letters engraved on it telling that only a man surpassing all others in bravery and virtue is to carry it. The gurt will protect him against unrighteousness; only a maiden of royal descent may remove the gehenck and replace it. Yet if this maiden loses her virginity afterwards she will die a bad death. Only she can give a name to the sword and the sheath. On the other side of the sword letters tell: “He who praises me the most will have to blame me to the same extent, and to whom I should be the best I will prove the worst, which will be proved in great distress.”

Motif References:

T 300 Chastity and celibacy
M 306 Enigmatical prophecy.
M 341.1 Prophecy: death at (before, within) certain time
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1081 Magic sword
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness
D 1714.1 Magic power of chaste women

Lanc3-283: The maiden tells them the story: About forty years after Christ’s passion God had taken Nasiens, brother-in-law of king Morderans, in a cloud to some Western island, named Tornoant. There he found this ship which he entered. He dared not remove the sword out of its sheath, but stayed there for eight days and nights without eating or drinking but very little. Then a wind carried him far away to the east, to an island where he met a very large giant, who menaced him with death. Thereupon the king took the sword, praising it as the most welcome object in his distress. But the sword broke in the attack, whereupon he cursed it, put it back. He killed the giant. The wind carried the ship onto the sea, where Nasiens met king Morderans. Nasiens told him about his adventure and that he put back the sword. Morderans had a close look at the pieces and attributes a meaning to the strange events eventually due to Nasiens’s sins. He mended the sword due to Christ’s wonder and put it back into the sheath. They heard a voice ordering them to leave the ship and go aboard the other one, otherwise they might be tempted and sin would be dangerous on this ship. As Nasiens leaves he is wounded by a sword between his shoulder blades. A voice tells him this is the punishment for he was not meant to remove the sword. This story explains the strange inscription.

Motif References:

A 170 Deeds of the gods
Q 221.5 Disobedience to God punished
F 531.6.12.6 Giant slain by man
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
H 599 Other enigmatic statements [acts]
H 614 Explanation of enigmatic phenomenon
F 628.2.3 Strong man kills giant
F 833 Extraordinary sword
D 901 Magic cloud.
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
H 1023.8 Task: fixing the two pieces of a broken sword together
D 1081 Magic sword
H 1098 Object miraculously broken
H 1098.0.1 Object miraculously mended
D 1520.15 Transportation in magic ship
D 1523.2 Self-propelling (ship) boat
H 1561.6 Test of valor: fight with giant [warrior, dwarf-hero, dragon etc.]
D 2110 Magic transportation
D 2135 Magic air journey
D 2163.1 Broken weapons magically restored.

Lanc3-285: (4) King Barlans, who was called King Mahagine, was a very virtuous king all his life, pious and generous to the poor. One day he was lost when he was hunting in his forest at the sea. He and his companion arrived at the shore of the sea of Iceland and came upon the ship. The king read the letters and went aboard, the knight stayed behind. When the king took the sword out of its sheath a light burst from it piercing his knees, so that he never recovered. This king was Galaad’s ancestor. Thus the sword treats badly the man it should treat well for this king was a worthy man. There are three nails fixed to the bed: white, red, green, but the colors have not been applied by men.

Motif References:

M 391 Fulfillment of prophecy
Q 551.9 Miraculous burning as punishment
Q 552 Prodigy as punishment
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 968 Extraordinary thunder and lightning
D 1081 Magic sword

Lanc3-288: (13) The adventure of the Holy Grail relates that the first sinner, the first woman, was advised by the devil, who for his pride was banished from paradise. He made her take the forbidden fruit and with the apple went a little twig. When they had eaten the fruit death and unchastity came upon them for they were no more mere spirits. God punished Adam, who as the wiser one is to blame for he ought to have resisted Eva’s counsel, and Eva and banished them from paradise. Eva took the twig with her and kept it as a sign of the disaster. Lacking a box she planted it into the ground. When she left paradise she still was a virgin and therefore the twig means happiness. Eva takes it as a sign that they will be redeemed one day. A woman has to care for that twig, though for its importance one would rather have it carried by a man, for she brought about the loss and through a woman, Mary, life lost will be recovered.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
W 200 Traits of character - miscellaneous
V 300 Religious beliefs
G 303.9.4 The devil as a tempter
F 811 Extraordinary tree
A 1331 Paradise lost

Lanc3-292: That twig grew very quickly, its trunk, leaves and twigs were white, which symbolizes chastity and virtue, for at the time when they had to leave paradise Adam and Eva were chaste. Continence and chastity are different: each person can be continent, if he keeps from unchastity. Only after they had planted that twig God ordered Adam to sleep with his wife. Thereafter they never again could rest beneath the tree for their joy into grief in its shade. A voice reassured them: life surpasses death. Therefore they called the tree the tree of life and planted many of it to receive joy from it. One Friday they sat beneath the tree and a voice told them to sleep together - God wants to complete the tenth choir of angels after he had to banish the proud angels. They are ashamed and God pitying them sends a darkness to cover them. Abel the just is conceived.

Motif References:

Z 142 Symbolic color: white
A 182.3 God (angel) speaks to mortal
V 248 Angels and God
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
D 908 Magic darkness.
D 953 Magic twig
F 962.10 Extraordinary mist (darkness)
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1610.2 Magic speaking tree

Lanc3-295: The tree and all trees coming from it are green, while the others remain white. The tree itself bears blossoms and fruits, symbol that Eva is with a child who will be chaste and righteous. The tree remains green until Abel has grown up. Abel only offers sacrifices of value to God whereas his brother Chayn only worthless ones. Thereupon white smoke smelling sweetly rises from Abel’s sacrifice whereas black and foul-smelling smoke sticking to the ground comes from Chayn’s. Chayn begins to hate his brother and wants to kill him. On a hot day Chayn stabs his brother having fallen asleep under the tree. He dies on a Friday the same hour he was conceived. The meaning of this murder at a time death there were only three men living: the death of the true cross, Chayn equals Judas, Abel Christ. David foretold in his Book of Psalms that revenge will be taken. When God asks Chayn about his brother he lied (he had covered up the corpse with leaves). God cursed him, but spared the tree where Abel had been killed and all other trees. The tree of the murder turned red and from it no other tree could be won. But that one became the most beautiful and it was evergreen though it never again bore fruit. People had reproduced and the story of the tree became a narrative tradition. The tree is called the Tree of Life and many people obtain cure there. A twig from it drives away thirst.

Motif References:

V 11.9 Sacrifice to deity
V 19.1 Rising smoke as sign of acceptance of sacrifice
S 73.1 Fratricide
E 90 Tree of life
Z 141 Symbolic color: red
Q 211.0.2 Enormity of kin murder.
P 251.5.4 Two brothers as contrasts
M 301.7.2 David as prophet
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
D 1349.1 Magic object produces immunity from hunger and thirst
D 1500.1.3 Magic tree heals (cures)
D 1810.0.10 Magic knowledge (wisdom) of Solomon [biblical prophet]
D 2033 Thirst magically caused to disappear

Lanc3-300: (18) Later on when the great flood came as a punishment all trees’ fruits lost their sweet taste but the fruits but the Tree of Life. Salomon, David’s son, was a very wise man, knowing about stones, herbs, and stars. Yet all his wisdom could not protect him against a woman’s trick. No one is able to keep a female from obtaining what she desires. When Salomon grasped this fact he consulted his book Parabole: Since he failed in finding a single good wife throughout the world he wants to know why any woman enjoys annoying a man. A voice tells him that such is the character of all women, except one who will be his descendant and bring joy to mankind. Salomon then tried to learn about the future and the end of his family until the Holy Spirit told him that this woman will be the virgin Mary and his kin still will live on. The voice tells him that a chaste man will be the last of his kin, who even will surpass his brother-in-law Joseph. Salomon is happy.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
T 80 Tragic love
E 90 Tree of life
F 645 Marvelously wise man [woman].
D 1810.0.10 Magic knowledge (wisdom) of Solomon [biblical prophet]

Lanc3-303: (2) Salomon having learnt the future wants to bear a message to this chaste knight. His wife gets aware that something keeps worrying him. One evening when he is joyful she asks him for she wants to counsel him. Salomon tells her what he has got to know about that knight to come about 200 years later. She advises him to build a ship that will be safe against foulness, water, fire etc. The next day Salomon summons his carpenters and orders them to build the ship. They search the wood. Salomon’s wife advises her husband to leave an extraordinary sword to that knight to come: The blade should be taken from David’s strong and beautiful sword kept in the temple. Then a new hilt should be provided for it with precious jewels that no one could tell from one another but would take for only one large jewel. A new sheath should be made as well. She herself will make pendants to it. Salomon works the hilt but only of one multicolored jewel.

Motif References:

J 155.4 Wife as adviser
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
D 1081 Magic sword
D 1810.0.10 Magic knowledge (wisdom) of Solomon [biblical prophet]

Lanc3-306: (4) Salomon’s wife works a fine bed with a fine covering and a crown covered with a white sheet. Then she makes a pendant out of tow for she can do no better. Her husband gets very angry on seeing it. She declares that only a chaste virgin will be able to bestow a decent gehenck to that sword. At last they cover the ship with silk. From wood of the Tree of Life she works the nails: She had forced the carpenters to cut wood from it on pain of death. When they cut the wood they swoon and tears of blood come from the tree. Then they take wood from one green and one white tree - its wood is white. From this wood the wife works the nails. Salomon is happy. Only God could teach the knight to come the ship’s peculiar nature and its meaning, and thus he will learn that his ancestor knew about his coming. That night Salomon sleeps near the ship and in his dream he watches a man descending from heaven with a great retinue and entering the ship. An angel applies silver color onto it and inscriptions onto the ship and the sword. After the angel has tried the bed the apparition vanishes. As Salomon wakes he finds the heavenly messages written there and is frightened. The ship leaves on its own accord. Salomon is told by a voice that his last descendant will learn about him when he rests in this bed. Salomon happy about the message wakes his wife and his men to tell them the story.

Motif References:

A 165.2.3 Angels as God’s messengers
A 180 Gods in relation to mortals
Z 254 Destined hero
T 300 Chastity and celibacy
F 811.20 Bleeding tree
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 841.2 Extraordinary equipment of ship
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 969.1 Skies open, revealing heavenly company
F 1068 Realistic dream
D 1081 Magic sword
D 1123 Magic ship
D 1523.2 Self-propelling (ship) boat
D 1714.1 Magic power of chaste women
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream

Lanc3-310: In a bag beneath the crown the knights find a letter telling them the story of the bed and the ship. They all weep as Parceval reads the letter to them. Galaad says that a maiden has to be found to make the hilt. Thereupon Parceval’s sister takes a splendid hilt out of her little box: it has been made of silk, gold and the maiden’s hair, shorn off at a Whitsunday when the knights were dubbed. She replaces the old hilt with the new one. Then she tells them that the sword has to be called the Sword of the Strange Hilt (von dem Fremden Gehenck) and the scabbard the (Andacht von dem Blude), for it was made from wood coming from the Tree of Life and each one setting eyes on it should remember Abel’s death. Then she orders Galaad to gird the sword. He takes the hilt into his hand in due ceremony and it fits him perfectly. When he unsheathes it the sword shines like a mirror. The maiden puts the sword on him, declaring that she has dubbed the most righteous man, for Galaad had still lacked knighthood before he got that sword. They leave the ship.

Motif References:

Z 201.2 (Bm) Hero’s famous sword
T 300 Chastity and celibacy
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1081 Magic sword
D 1714.1 Magic power of chaste women

Lanc3-314: Having boarded their own ship they are carried away by the winds. The next day they approach a castle in Scotland, Kartaloch. The maiden warns them that people in this land are King Arthur’s enemies. Bohort declares they should trust in God. When a squire appears to inquire about them and learns that they are knight’s of Arthur he warns them and returns to his lord. After a horn has been blown a maiden asks them their identity and advises them to leave without delay otherwise townspeople would kill them. The knights refuse. 100 knights fully armed come toward them ordering them to surrender otherwise they would be slain. A battle starts, only the knights from the castle have got horses. Soon the guests have conquered some of their horses, they defeat the enemies and pursue them toward the castle. One there they slaughter men and squires. Galaad excels as mighty fighter slaying numerous men. The defeated try to escape, many injuring or killing themselves by jumping out of the windows. The three knights are grieved by the many dead and think such a murder to be a great sin. Yet Bohort reassures them: God only spares virtuous people, therefore the men they killed must have been villains or infidels. Galaad however declares that they should not have interfered with God’s authority. Therefore he wants to inquire about the enemies.

Motif References:

F 628.2 Strong man kills men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
D 1523.2 Self-propelling (ship) boat

Lanc3-317: (6) A priest, clad in white and carrying a host in a goblet, enters the hall. The sight of the numerous corpses frightens him. Galaad takes off his helmet and tells him that they are Arthurian knights. The priest is reassured. Galaad tells him that they had to kill all of the men for they attacked them. The priest approves of the killing for the lords of the castle were three heathen brothers, villains who strived against God and his Church. Galaad should not be sorry that he killed them. Then he tells him the story of the castle: Count Ernons was its owner. He had three sons, excellent knights, and a beautiful daughter. The three brothers fell in love with the maiden and raped her. When she told her father they killed her. The father tried to banish them but was wounded and taken captive and would have been killed too had not one brother pleaded for him. Then the three villains raged in the country, killing priests and scholars, monks and abbots, and destroying two chapels of the castle. This morning the father, on his deathbed, sent for the priest who then was mistreated by the brothers. When he complained about it the father reassured him: God has sent three faithful men to take revenge. Thus the priest is certain that God approves of the killing. Moreover there will be tokens as a proof of God’s approval.

Motif References:

S 110 Murders
S 110.0.1 (Li) Mass murder
P 251.6.1 Three brothers
P 253.0.3 One sister and three (four) brothers
V 301 (Li) Heathens and Christians
M 302 Means of prophesying
V 350 Conflicts between religions
T 415 Brother-sister incest
T 471 Rape
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
N 846.2 Priest as helper
D 1812.2.4 Dying man’s power of prophecy

Lanc3-320: The priest and Galaad weep. The lord of the castle asks Galaad to embrace him. He tells him that God approves of this revenge, and that he wants Galaad to go to see the king Maghame who will be cured as soon as Galaad arrives. The count dies and is buried in a hermitage. The next morning the three knights and the maiden leave. In the wilderness they catch sight of the white stag with the four lions, the beast Parceval already met once. Parceval would like to learn about the stag and the lions, for he thinks the lions are guarding the stag. Galaad decides they should pursue the animals for the sake of this adventure sent by from God. They enter a valley and come to a hermitage. The animals enter the chapel, where the knights come about an old hermit singing mass.

Motif References:

Z 71.2 Formulistic number: four
Z 142 Symbolic color: white
Z 150 Other symbols
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
A 182.3.2 God rebukes mortal
M 302 Means of prophesying
B 576 Animal as guard.
B 731.7.3 (Bm) Milk-white deer
N 774 Adventure from pursuing enchanted animal (hind, boar, bird)
D 1812.2.4 Dying man’s power of prophecy

Lanc3-322: (7) At Eucharist (stille von der messe) they watch the stag transform into a man seated on top of the altar, while three lions transform into a man, an eagle, and a bull. With the seat in their midst they fly out of a window without breaking its glass. A voice explains the strange sight: This is the way Christ was conceived the holy virgin Mary who remained a virgin. The knights swoon on listening to the loud voice. Meanwhile mass has come to an end and the knights ask the priest about their vision. The priest gives them the interpretation: the three of them will achieve the quest for the Grail; the stag symbolizes Christ and salvation for the stag rejuvenates by changing his horns and his hair, its white color is due to Mary’s virtuosity. The lions symbolize the four evangelists. On hearing this the knights are very happy and start to weep. When they leave the hermitage Parceval takes the sword that was Galaad’s.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
Z 176 Symbolism of the mass
V 292.1 Appearance of the Apostles
P 426.1 Parson (priest)
V 510 Religious visions
V 515.1 Allegorical visions - religious
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
N 846.2 Priest as helper
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)

Lanc3-324: When they approach a strong castle a knight comes riding towards them and when he is told that the girl still is a virgin he orders them to keep the castle’s custom. Ten armed knights come from the castle and a maiden carrying a silver dish. Any virgin passing by has to leave them one dish of her blood - such is the castle’s custom. Parceval and Bohort refuse and a battle starts. The three companions overcome the opponents and kill all of them. An old man with a retinue of sixty knights comes toward them and urges them to keep from slaying such valiant knights. They should rather obey the custom and have the maiden bled. Battle starts again and Galaad kills many a knight. When night falls and the battle comes to an end the old man offers them hospitality.

Motif References:

C 650.1 Customs connected with unique compulsion [”costume”]
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Lanc3-328: (3) They inquire about the strange custom and learn the story of the castle: A maiden is the mistress of land and castle. Two years ago she fell sick with leprosy. A wise physician advised them that she will only be cured by the blood of a chaste maiden, who must be a king’s daughter and Parceval’s sister. Therefore no maiden was allowed to leave without having herself bled. Parceval’s sister offers to cure the maiden although Galaad warns her that she would die. Next morning after mass Parceval’s sister has herself bled and swoons. Then she orders them to carry her corpse onto a ship and let it go where it might. They will find her corpse later on beneath the tower of the town of Saras where they have to go on their quest for the Holy Grail, and should bury her there in the sacred palace. This is the place where all of them will be buried. Parceval weeps and promises to do her asking. Then according to God’s wish she orders them to part next morning on separate roads until they will meet again one day in the castle of king Mahames. After having received communion she dies.

Motif References:

V 61.1 Dead placed on boat
M 302 Means of prophesying
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
D 1500.1.7.3 Magic healing blood
D 1502.4.2.1 Blood of children (innocent maidens) as cure for leprosy
D 1714.1 Magic power of chaste women
D 1812.2.4 Dying man’s power of prophecy

Lanc3-331: (17) The sick maiden is cured, when the blood of the virgin has been applied to her. The companions have Parceval’s sister embalmed, made a fine bed on a boat, which is then left floating onto the sea. Bohort is sorry for they have not left a letter with her telling who about her and her death, but Parceval says he left such a letter with her. They watch the ship leaving and weep. They decide to avoid the castle and ask that their weapons be brought to them. When they are about to leave a sudden darkness falls. They enter a chapel nearby. A thunderstorm arises and hail breaks down the walls. In the evening the storm comes to an end. A wounded knight hurries along and asks for help against a man pursuing him. Galaad wants to help him but Bohort keeps him from it and leaves in pursuit of the two men.

Motif References:

R 260 Pursuits
Z 292.1 (Bm) Hero’s corpse embalmed
P 683 (Bm) Embalming
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 905 Magic storm
D 908 Magic darkness.
F 955.1 Blood (-bath) as cure for leprosy
F 962.10 Extraordinary mist (darkness)
F 965 Premature darkness.
F 968 Extraordinary thunder and lightning
D 1123 Magic ship
D 1500.1.7.3 Magic healing blood
D 1502.4.2.1 Blood of children (innocent maidens) as cure for leprosy
D 1523.2 Self-propelling (ship) boat
D 1714.1 Magic power of chaste women

Lanc3-334: (16) In the morning Galaad and Parceval leave the chapel. They find the castle burnt and ruined. No living soul is left, all knights are lying dead in the palace. God has sent the thunderstorm to kill them. A voice tells them that such is the revenge for the chaste maiden’s death whose blood has cured an evil sinner. On having a close look at the castle they come upon a chapel and a strange old churchyard with numerous broken heads. It has not been damaged by the storm. About forty coffins are standing there of all the evil maiden’s victims and each grave has the name of the victim engraved onto it, among them there are twelve princesses. After leaving the place the two knights part from each other in the wilderness of Ube.

Motif References:

V 65 Commemoration of death
Q 211 Murder punished
Q 411.6 Death as punishment for murder
Q 550.1 Supernatural manifestations at death of wicked person
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
Q 552.14 Storm as punishment
Q 552.1 Death by thunderbolt [thunderstorm] as punishment
Q 552.13.1 Death by fire from heaven as punishment
F 773 Remarkable church (chapel, temple)
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 778.1 (G) Extraordinary grave
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1841.3 Burning magically evaded

Lanc3-337: (5) Lancelot finds himself blocked in the wilderness by two huge rocks and a deep black water, the Marthosse, trusting in God he decides to linger on. In his sleep a voice orders him to rise and go aboard the first ship he sees. On waking he perceives a marvelous light all around the place that vanishes soon, and he crosses himself. A rudderless boat without sails lands with a sweet smell coming from it that gives him joy. He goes aboard and soon falls asleep again. When he wakes in the morning he comes upon a dead maiden, entirely covered except her face, lying on a fine bed. A letter under her head tells him that she is Parceval’s sister, a chaste maiden, who made the hilt of Galaad’s sword. Lancelot learns the story of her life and death (the heavenly voice told her companions how to fare with her corpse). Lancelot is happy that the three companions have met again. He begs God to let him meet his son before the quest comes to an end. The ship lands near a chapel, where an old gray man sitting in front of it greets him.

Motif References:

V 150 Sacred objects - miscellaneous
F 169.9 Pleasant fragrance in otherworld
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 969.3 Marvelous light
D 1123 Magic ship
D 1162 Magic light
D 1523.2 Self-propelling (ship) boat
D 1814.2 Advice from dream

Lanc3-340: Lancelot identifies and relates to him his adventure. The hermit has a close look at the ship and reads the letter. He is sorry that Lancelot due to his lack of virtue had no part in this adventure, yet he is convinced that Lancelot can obtain mercy by doing no more wrong. That he was ordered to go aboard that boat already has to be taken as a proof of God’s mercy and should teach him to remain chaste like the maiden. The hermit declares that he soon will meet Galaad whom he should ask to pray for him. Lancelot travels aboard the ship leaves for about one month without any food, for each morning his prayer satisfies his hunger. One night the boat lands near a forest. A knight comes riding toward the shore and goes aboard. Lancelot welcomes the stranger - he is Galaad. They are very happy to meet and relate their adventures to each other. But only in the morning they can take a close look at each other.

Motif References:

V 52 Miraculous power of prayer
M 301.5 Saints (holy men) [hermits] as prophet
N 731 Unexpected meeting of father and son
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest
D 1349.1 Magic object produces immunity from hunger and thirst
D 1766.1 Magic results produced by prayer

Lanc3-343: (17) Galaad recognizes the dead maiden. Lancelot learns about the story of the sword with the strange hilt and the ship (made by Salomon’s wife; the three spillen - white, green and red - made from the tree Eva had planted). Lancelot and Galaad remain aboard about half a year: On their journey they visit many a strange island, only inhabited by wild beasts. They achieve numerous adventures by means of their own strength and with God’s help. One day in spring they land near a forest and a stone cross. A knight clad in white, leading a white horse, approaches them and orders Galaad to leave his father, mount the horse and ride on quest to the kingdom of Logres to achieve the quest. When a voice tells them that they will not meet again before Doomsday they are grieved and weep. The ship carries Lancelot away while Galaad rides into the forest. Lancelot’s journey lasts one year, he does not sleep much but keeps praying to God to let him learn about the Grail.

Motif References:

V 57 Purpose of prayer
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1123 Magic ship
H 1219 Assignment of quests - miscellaneous
D 1520.15 Transportation in magic ship
D 1523.2 Self-propelling (ship) boat

Lanc3-346: (12) One night Lancelot lands at a castle. A small door opens to the seaside, that is never shut and is guarded by two lions. A voice orders Lancelot to enter the castle. When he is about to attack the lions his sword is knocked out of his hand by a fiery hand and a voice advises him to trust in God only. Lancelot falls to the ground stupefied. He sheathes his sword and, with the sign of the cross, leaves himself to God’s mercy. When he approaches the lions the beasts are quite harmless. The castle is deserted and Lancelot roams about until he comes to a little chamber, that is locked up. When he tries to force it open a voice welcomes in the name of God. Lancelot presuming that the Grail might be kept behind that door falls onto his knees and prays. His prayer unlocks the door to an illuminated room. A voice however forbids Lancelot to enter. He can just perceive the Grail covered with red velvet on a table, and many angels serving the Grail (they carry a silver censer and candles, a cross and the holy utensils). An old priest is sitting before the Grail.

Motif References:

V 52 Miraculous power of prayer
V 86 Sign of the Cross
F 166.1.1 ”Silver bowl”: Grail in otherworld.
V 230.1 Man beholds angel
V 510 Religious visions
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
B 847 Lion placed in city to prevent entrance
F 882 Extraordinary fire
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 996 Magic hand
D 1171.6 Magic cup.
D 1271 Magic fire
H 1573 Religious tests
D 2088 Locks opened by magic

Lanc3-350: Lancelot watches the priest raising the host and gets a glimpse of the Holy Trinity, God and the Holy Spirit putting a child into the priest’s hands who raises it. Lancelot thinking it might fall down would like to help the man. Praying to Jesus he enters the room but when he approaches the silver table a fiery wind carries him back to the door. He swoons but is aware that many hands take him out of the chapel, where he is found by the inhabitants of the castle next morning. Lancelot unable to move or speak is taken to a chamber where he lies for four days. A wise man reassures them that the knight is still alive and must be cared for until God cures him. Lancelot remains in this state for a fortnight. Although many of the men at the castle know Lancelot no one recognizes him. When he at last wakes he complains of having been woken.

Motif References:

A 182.3.1 God rebukes mortal
V 510 Religious visions
Q 552.13 Fire from heaven as punishment
F 882 Extraordinary fire
C 940 Sickness or weakness for breaking tabu.
F 962.2 Fire from heaven
F 1041.9 Extraordinary illness
D 1271 Magic fire

Lanc3-353: (7) Lancelot in his swoon watched great wonders. He remembers that for fourteen years he has been leading a sinful life: his swoon for fourteen days is to be regarded as a fitting penance. He learns that he has come to the castle of Corbenic. A maiden offers him new clothes he sticks to his hair shirt although by no means he will be able to perceive the Grail once again. As soon as Lancelot is recognized King Pellis hurries to welcome the famous knight. He tells him that his daughter died because of Galaad. For five days the Grail supplies their meals. On the fifth day the gates close of their own accord and all are frightened. An armed knight on a large horse asks to be let in. The king replies that no man on horseback may enter the castle of the Holy Grail, but being a servant of the devil he would be denied entrance anyhow. The knight turns round in grief. He identifies as Hector of Mares, Lancelot’s brother. When he learns that his brother is their guest he rushes toward the forest in distress because of his failure. People from the castle scorn him, calling him an evil knight and an infidel. Lancelot weeps on hearing the story.

Motif References:

F 183.1 Automatic service in otherworld: any sort of food desired furnished
V 510 Religious visions
Q 520 Penances
F 782 Extraordinary doors and windows
D 1472.1.14.1 Magic food-providing cup [grail]
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness
D 1601.37 Self-opening door

Lanc3-357: (9) After having left the castle Lancelot lodges at a monastery. In the morning after mass he catches sight of a splendid new grave. The inscription tells that king Brandemer of Gorre has been buried there, who was slain by Gawan. Lancelot is grieved on learning about his friend’s death and would have taken revenge on all knights but Gawan. The day after he leaves the place and soon comes to the graveyard with the swords, where he does not linger but rides on to Arthur’s court. After Galaad has left Lancelot he rides on until he comes to a monastery. The monks are caring for sick king Morderans, who is blind and weak. He welcomes the knight in whose arms he wants to die, for Galaad is the lily of chastity. The lily is the symbol of chastity. He praises Galaad as the rose and flower of all virtues inspired by the Holy Spirit. He already feels much better. When he has thanked Jesus in his prayer for having sent the knight to him he dies in Galaad’s arms. All his wounds are healed. The king is buried. Galaad leaves the monastery and comes upon a boiling fountain in the wilderness. As soon as he has immersed his hand into the water the heat ceases for he never has been heated by unchastity. Thereafter the fountain is called Galaad’s fountain.

Motif References:

Z 150 Other symbols
Z 254 Destined hero
T 300 Chastity and celibacy
H 411.11 Magic spring as chastity test
Z 702 (Hi) Eponymous account of place name
F 716 Extraordinary fountain
D 925 Magic fountain
D 1714 Magic power of person without sin

Lanc3-361: Galaad comes the monastery in Gorre where Lancelot found the grave of king Loßente, the son of Joseph of Arimathia, and failed at the grave of Symeon. A fire is raging in the vault under the Minster: Galaad learns that only the best knight can achieve this adventure. When Galaad approaches the vault the fire is extinguished due to his cold chastity. He opens the grave and finds Symeon’s corpse. A voice speaks out: Symeon praises him and tells him that he is his ancestor who has been suffering in this heat for three hundred and forty-six years because of his sin against Joseph of Arimathia. Galaad has rescued him and brought about his salvation. Galaad takes the corpse out of the coffin and has the monks bury him under the altar. Galaad leaves the monastery and in the company of Parceval continues his journey for five years until he reaches to the castle of king Mahames. The two of them achieve all adventures of Logres without ever being defeated. Thereafter only holy wonders are to be seen.

Motif References:

R 150 Rescuers
V 153 (Hi) Heroes’ grave
V 520 Salvation
E 545 The dead speak
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1271 Magic fire
H 1568 Test of the champion.
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness
D 1672 Unquenchable fire

Lanc3-363: One day they meet Bohort and the three of them are very happy. After having ridden on for a long time they reach the castle of Corbenic. They are given a joyful and emotional welcome for king Pellis and his men last saw Galaad when he was a child. Elyas, the son of Pellis, brings the broken sword. Bohort and Parceval fail to mend the pieces but Galaad succeeds. The sword is given to Bohort. In the evening a sudden darkness falls and a fiery wind sweeps through the castle, burning and singing their hair and making many a man swoon from fright. A voice orders those among them who are not admitted to the Table of Jesus to leave: only the sacred knights are to receive heavenly food. All leave except Pellis, Elyas, the king’s virtuous niece, and the three knights. Nine armed knights enter, and after disarming bow before Galaad. Three of them come from Galle, three from Denmark.

Motif References:

V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
F 882 Extraordinary fire
D 908 Magic darkness.
F 962.2 Fire from heaven
F 962.10 Extraordinary mist (darkness)
F 965 Premature darkness.
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
H 1023.8 Task: fixing the two pieces of a broken sword together
H 1098.0.1 Object miraculously mended
D 1271 Magic fire
D 2163.1 Broken weapons magically restored.

Lanc3-366: (11) A sick crowned man on a wooden bier is carried into the hall by four maidens. He welcomes Galaad, telling him that now he will die as he has been told long ago. A voice orders all but the companions of the Holy Grail to leave. Pellis, Elyas and the maiden leave. In a vision the knights of the Grail watch a bishop carried on a throne by four angels descending from heaven to the Grail. Letters on his forehead identify him as Joseph the first bishop of Christianity who has been consecrated by the Lord himself in the town of Saras. The knights are amazed for Joseph has been dead for about three hundred years. The vision however tells them that the holy man still is serving God as he did while he was living. The bishop kneels before the altar. A door opens and the four angels enter, two of them carry candles, one a red cloth, and the fourth the bleeding lance which he holds upon the holy vessel so that the blood flows into it. Then Joseph raises the lance and covers it with the red cloth.

Motif References:

M 341.1 Prophecy: death at (before, within) certain time
V 510 Religious visions
F 991.1 Bleeding lance.

Lanc3-368: (13) Joseph gets ready to sing mass. The host takes the shape of a bread in his hands when he takes it out of the vessel. On raising the host a little child descends from the heavens whose face is burning like fire and who enters the bread so that it takes the shape of a human being. Joseph puts it back into the vessel. When mass has ended Joseph kisses Galaad and orders him to kiss his brothers which he does. Then he tells them to sit down in order to be served the best meal from the Lord himself. The bishop vanishes. The knights sit down at the table. They are frightened and weep. In the holy vessel they perceive a naked man, whose body, hand and feet are bloody. The man speaks to them: They may learn some of the holy secrets for they have left worldly knighthood for the sake of the spiritual one, and thus they have been admitted to sit at this holy table, where they only have been preceded by Joseph. The man takes the holy vessel and gives the host to Galaad and the knights. They think the meal to bread and the best food they ever tasted. They learn that the vessel is the cup where Jesus was served his meal on Maundy Thursday with his followers. It is called the Holy Grail for it only serves God’s faithful servants.

Motif References:

F 166.1.1 ”Silver bowl”: Grail in otherworld.
Z 176 Symbolism of the mass
A 182.1 God reveals secrets (mysteries) to mortals
F 183.1 Automatic service in otherworld: any sort of food desired furnished
V 510 Religious visions
V 510.1 God speaks in Vision to devotee
V 515.1 Allegorical visions - religious
D 1171.6 Magic cup.
D 1472.1.14.1 Magic food-providing cup [Grail]

Lanc3-371: The man declares that Galaad will learn further details at the holy palace in Saras. He has to leave the same night taking the Grail with him for it must leave the kingdom of Logres forever and with it all adventures will disappear. The Grail leaves Logres for they do not grant it due service and worship and people stick to sinfulness. Galaad, in the company of Parceval and Bohort, must leave by ship the next morning. But before leaving he has to heal the king Mahagine by applying the blood from the spear onto his legs. Galaad wants to know why only Parceval and Bohort may accompany him. Jesus tells him that there have to be twelve knights, Galaad is the thirteenth and thus occupies Christ’s position toward his twelve apostles. Moreover Galaad has to send them to do missionary work like Jesus sent his apostles. All but one of them will die in his service. Then the man vanishes and ascends toward heaven. Galaad takes the blood from the spear and applies it onto the king’s pierced legs and he is cured, living on for a long time. He enters a monastery and for his sake God works many wonders.

Motif References:

Z 71.8 Formulistic number: twelve
A 182.3.2 God rebukes mortal
Q 223 Punishment for neglect of services to gods (God)
M 341 Death prophesied
D 860 Loss of magic object
H 1219 Assignment of quests - miscellaneous
D 1500.1.7.3 Magic healing blood

Lanc3-372: (15) Around midnight while the companions are praying a voice tells them to set out on their journey. In the courtyard they take their weapons and mount their horses. They ask each other their identity: three of are from Galles - among them the son of king Claudas, and the other two are highborn too. They leave. Galaad asks them to take his greetings to Lancelot and the knights of the Round Table when they come to Arthur’s court. After three days they come to the shore. Galaad’s companions leave him. Galaad, Bohort and Parceval go aboard the ship - an inscription tells them that only pious men are allowed there. The silver table and the Grail on it covered with a red cloth already have been carried there. The ship sails out onto the sea driven by the wind and moves on very quickly. Galaad implores God to let him die when he would wish for death and a voice from heaven tells him he will be granted his asking. Parceval having listened to his prayers asks him about it.

Motif References:

V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1123 Magic ship
D 1520.15 Transportation in magic ship
D 1523.2 Self-propelling (ship) boat
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness
D 2122 Journey with magic speed.

Lanc3-375: (14) Galaad tells him that once in a vision he saw the glory of the heavens due to the Holy Grail, which made him so happy that he would have wanted to die that moment. Should such a happiness once again be granted to him he would beg God for his death. - Thus God has removed the Grail from Logres for the sake of their sinfulness. One day the companions ask Galaad to sleep in the bed that has been made ready for him according to the letter. He lies down there and falls asleep. When he wakes they have arrived at Saras. A voice orders them to carry the silver table out of the ship and only put it down in the holy palace, the place where God consecrated Joseph of Arimathia a bishop. The ship of Parceval’s sister arrives.

Motif References:

Q 223 Punishment for neglect of services to gods (God)
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
D 860 Loss of magic object
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)

Lanc3-377: (11) They carry the table up to the gates. Galaad who already is tired asks a lame man at the gate to help them. The man replies that he is too sick. Thereupon Galaad orders him to rise for he is cured. He praises God’s wonder and helps them carry the table into the palace, where they find the seat Jesus made for Joseph. The king and the townspeople learn the marvelous cure of the lame man. The companions carry Parceval’s sister to the palace and bury her. The king asks them their identity and their errand and they tell him. But the king is an infidel not caring for their story and has them captured and imprisoned for one year as traitors. God sends the Grail to provide them with food.

Motif References:

R 4 Surprise capture
R 41.1 Captivity in castle
V 301 (Li) Heathens and Christians
N 817.0.1 God as helper
F 950 Marvelous cures
D 1472.1.14.1 Magic food-providing cup [Grail]
D 1713 Magic power of hermit (saint, yogi)
D 2161.3.7 Lameness magically cured

Lanc3-379: (8) Galaad asks God to let him die, when King Estorant falls sick and sends for the prisoners. He asks them to pardon his injustice and dies. Townspeople have a council whom to choose as their king. A voice instructs them to choose the youngest of the three companions. Thereupon Galaad is crowned king although he is not pleased. But they force him to become their king otherwise they would have killed him. Galaad now has made a silver ship of gold and jewels to keep the holy vessel. Each morning the three knights pray before it. One year after Galaad’s crowning they watch a bishop and numerous angels singing mass before the vessel. The bishop promises to Galaad that he soon will see what he longed for. Galaad perceives the holy vessel, he shivers from that wonder and thanking God asks for his death. The priest gives him the host and identifies as Joseph, son of Joseph of Arimathia. who has been sent to Galaad as his companion. Joseph equals Galaad in chastity and he too saw the Grail’s wonders.

Motif References:

P 11.1 Choice of kings by divine will
P 13.5 Crowning [and making] of kings
P 17 Succession to the throne
V 510 Religious visions
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
F 789 Extraordinary buildings and furnishings - miscellaneous
F 899 Other extraordinary objects
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream

Lanc3-382: (4) After Galaad’s death his soul is carried away by angels. The Grail ascends toward heaven lifted by a heavenly hand. It has vanished forever. Parceval and Bohort mourn Galaad and build a splendid tomb. Parceval leaves town to become a hermit, and Bohort, who does not give up knighthood, keeps him company. One year and two months later Parceval dies. Bohort buries him at the side of his sister and Galaad in the holy palace. Then he travels to Logres to meet the king in Camlot. The court is overjoyed at his return and King Arthur sends for his scribes who keep recording the adventures of his knights. They have to write down the story of the Grail according to Bohort’s tale. The book thereafter is kept in the abbey of Salaberis, and according to it master Latiers composed the book of the Holy Grail translating it from Latin into French for the sake of King Henry.

Motif References:

V 153 (Hi) Heroes’ grave
P 425 Scribe
E 722.2.10 Soul taken away by God (angel)
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
D 863 Magic object mysteriously disappears
F 883.1 Extraordinary book

Lanc3-387: The Book of the adventures of the Holy Grail being finished King Henry wanted Gatiers Map to complete the story he told before. Gatiers/Walther gave to his book the title “The Death of King Arthur” (Des Konig Artus’s Dott). It relates the story of King Arthur’s end who never was seen again among the living after he had been wounded in the battle of Salaberis and had taken his leave from Gyflet. - Bohort brings the news of Galaad’s and Parceval’s death to Arthur’s court. All courtiers are stricken with grief. Arthur sadly declares that in total 31 knights have lost their lives in the adventures and many of them have been killed by Gawan. The latter deplores that due to his sinfulness he has killed 18 companions. The king is grieved on learning that Gawan killed the king Bandomag, an excellent knight. For the sake of the end of the adventures of Logres the king will have a tournament at Guntiestre.

Motif References:

P 561 Tournaments

Lanc3-390: (7) As soon as Lancelot has joined King Arthur’s court he proves to be unable to keep his vow of chastity overwhelmed by his love for Genievre. Moreover he has become careless and soon Gawan’s brother Egravins detects their adulterous love. The queen is widely praised for her beauty and her virtues. When the knights leave for the tournament Lancelot feigns sickness and stays behind for he wants to take part incognito. Agravens warns his uncle King Arthur that Lancelot loves the queen and will join her in his absence, and advises him to spy on them. The king however refuses to believe him. When the king is about to leave for the tournament the queen asks to join him but he tells her to stay behind.

Motif References:

T 481 Adultery
K 1818 Disguise as sick man
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

Lanc3-394: (3) Lancelot tells the queen that he will take part in the tournament incognito. That night he leaves secretly with his squire. He soon catches up with the knights, who have lodged at a castle. The king recognizes Lancelot when he takes off his helmet, and his horse. He is puzzled to see him there but Giflet declares that Lancelot wanted to joust without being recognized. Meanwhile Lancelot takes lodging with a knight in town. Arthur decides to let him have his way and tells Giflet to keep Lancelot’s secret. The two sons of Lancelot host have just been dubbed and therefore carry red shields: in those times a knight only may carry a shield of one color for his first year of knighthood. Lancelot asks the host for one of those shields, leaving his own shield for the device would soon have betrayed his identity. The host gives him the shield of one of his sons, whom sickness keeps from taking part in the jousting. His brother asks to join Lancelot on his way to the tournament, but fails in getting to know the stranger’s name. The host’s pretty daughter having tried to learn the guest’s identity too entreats Lancelot to grant her a boon for the sake of his love. Thus she forces him to carry her sleeve as his emblem in the tournament. Lancelot is worried that the queen would be angry at him if she got to know about it. The maiden gives him her sleeve: he is the first knight she ever chose in her life.

Motif References:

P 50 Noblemen (knights) [rules of chivalry]
P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
T 59.2 (Bm) Sleeve as love token.

Lanc3-400: (5) Lancelot, his squire and the young knight leave in the evening for Gintiestre. Lancelot asks hospitality at the castle nearby that belongs to a relative of his young companion. The lady welcomes them friendly. Next morning Lancelot hears mass at a hermitage nearby. The squire meanwhile has been ordered to inquire about the tournament parties: the Arthurian knights, among them Bohort and Lyonel, will join the townspeople. Among their opponents are: the king of Iceland, the king of Gallen, the knights of Nerglaes and many noblemen. Lancelot and the young knight set out for the tournament. Gawan and his brother Gaheries have decided to not to joust that day to avoid any combat against Lancelot and prevent further hostilities between them. They have joined Arthur to watch the tournament. On arriving at the battlefield Lancelot and his companion, according to chivalric code, choose to join the weaker party.

Motif References:

P 561 Tournaments

Lanc3-404: Lancelot immediately excels in jousting and his companion is doing well too, but soon is unhorsed by Hector. The knights watching the tournament take Lancelot and the youth for the two brothers of Challot. Lancelot angry about his companion’s defeat attacks Hector. The latter also has disguised his device and so they fail to recognize. Gawan however knows about Hector’s disguise and that his skillful opponent cannot be a young knight from Challot. Meanwhile Lancelot has helped his comrade. Bohort attacks Lancelot, whom he does not recognize, but soon is unhorsed by his opponent. Unrecognized Lancelot and Bohort are considered the best fighters of the day. Gawan tells the king that the stranger can only be Lancelot and the king laughs for he is sure he is.

Motif References:

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

Lanc3-407: (7) Lancelot fights furiously, fells many knights and kills their horses. Hector and Bohort excel as well in fighting against him. Despite his wounds Lancelot forces the opponents to retreat into the town. He has won his party the day’s victory. Gawan and Gaheries want to identify the stranger, but Lancelot and his companion have already left. They hurry back to their lodging so that Lancelot can recover from his wound. The youth sends for an old wise man to care for Lancelot’s wound. Within six weeks he will be recovered.

Motif References:

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

Lanc3-410: (9) Gawan and Gaheries pursue the stranger. They come upon two squires lamenting the death of a knight they carry with them (a wild boar has killed him) but can learn nothing about the knights with the red device and the maiden’s sleeve on one’s helmet. Gawan and his brother return to Gintiestre. On learning that they failed in finding the stranger the king he once again laughs. The king declares that a knight’s incognito should be respected. Galeandris tells them that the stranger was wounded whereupon the king warns Bohort that he would regret that man’s death. There is much talking about the valiant stranger that evening but the king keeps the secret until they return to Kamahelot.

Motif References:

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

Lanc3-413: (7) Next morning they leave for another tournament at Thoneburg within four weeks. Thoneburg is a fine stronghold located at the borders of Norgales. The king and his retinue are granted hospitality at the castle of Challot where Gawan stays in the same room as Lancelot before. Gawan who is not quite well that evening stays in his quarters with Gaheries, Morderet and several knights keeping him company. The maiden of the sleeve asks Gawan about the tournament. On hearing that the tournament was won by an incognito knight with a sleeve as device she is overjoyed but tells no one. According to the customs of those times she serves the knights at table for she is their host’s daughter: any nobleman’s daughter serves noble guests which adds to her praise. She is very beautiful and Gawan cannot avoid gazing at her. After the meal the host and his daughter join the knights in the orchard.

Motif References:

R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
P 561 Tournaments
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman

Lanc3-416: (5) Gawan secretly asks the maiden for her love. At her inquiry he identifies. She refuses his love: even if such a highborn man wooed for her love, she could not grant it for she already loves another man, who carries her token. He was the first man she fell in love with. Gawan would fight his rival to prove his love. The maiden however will not have such a battle for they would kill each other. She refuses to tell her lover’s name but agrees to show him his shield which he left behind on leaving for Gintiestre: Gawan can have a look on the shield at the wall above his bed. Gawan recognizes Lancelot’s shield. He regrets to have asked the girl’s love and asks for her pardon. She promises to keep silent about their conversation toward her knight and tells him his actual device.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
T 59.2 (Bm) Sleeve as love token.
H 126 Identification by coat of arms

Lanc3-420: (10) Gawan is amazed that Lancelot chose a love beneath his high rank. On leaving next morning he promises his everlasting service to the maiden. Gawan once again tells the king that he thinks the stranger was Lancelot and the king replies he is sure of it. Arthur warns him of Egravins’s intrigue against Lancelot, whom he accused of feigning illness for the sake of his adulterous love for the queen. The tournament itself however proved the knight’s innocence. Gawan warns Arthur from believing such slanderous lies. Moreover he learnt that Lancelot loves a beautiful maiden, and had a liaison with the daughter of the king with the hundred knights, who gave birth to his son Galaad, the Good Knight, who achieved the quest for the Grail. Gawan declares he would fight against any slanderer. Arthur reassures him: never again will he trust a slanderer. They arrive at Camlot.

Motif References:

K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

Lanc3-424: (7) They keep silent about the winner of the tournament. Gawan tells the queen that a stranger who carried a sleeve as token won the tournament. Lancelot however would only carry her token and therefore she asks if he was there. Gawan cannot tell, whether the brave red knight with the sleeve was Lancelot. The queen declares Lancelot would never carry such a token. Giflet however recognized Lancelot for he saw his face when he secretly left the place. At the queen’s question Gawan has to tell the truth. The queen is grieved, retires to her room and weeps deploring Lancelot’s infidelity, though for his sake she betrayed her virtuous husband. She wants to take revenge on the maiden or on her lover. When Bohort, Lyonel and Hector arrive they are told that Lancelot rode away soon after they had set out for the tournament.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
T 59.2 (Bm) Sleeve as love token.

Lanc3-427: (4) The queen asks Bohort about Lancelot who fought as red knight with the sleeve at the tournament, which alarms Bohort for he wounded him. The queen declares his death would be welcome to her because of his faithlessness. Bohort reassures her: Lancelot is a faithful knight. The queen however refuses to pardon Lancelot unless he were betrayed by ruse or magic and would have him banished from court. For some time the court is without news of Lancelot and due to the queen’s mood there is less joy than usual. One day the king, the queen and Gawan are considering what may have become of Lancelot Gawan laughingly declares that they need not be worried for the man certainly enjoys his love. Taking the king’s promise not to betray the secret Gawan tell them about Lancelot’s liaison with the maiden of Challot, daughter of Bosors of Challot, who for his sake refused to accept his wooing. He even detected Lancelot’s shield (device: two lions with golden crowns) there. The king is amazed that Lancelot would choose a love not his equal, for he thought him to strive only for the love of a lady above his rank. He would rather think that Lancelot is but curing his wounds there. Gawan replies that then he certainly would have sent them news.

Motif References:

T 75 Man scorned by his beloved
T 84 Lovers treacherously separated
T 89.3 (Bm) Faithless lover
T 230 Faithlessness in marriage [love]
N 318 Accidental separation of lovers

Lanc3-431: The news make the queen angry and depressed. She retires to her quarters and sends for Bohort. On learning the story Bohort cannot believe it. The queen refuses ever to forgive Lancelot. Thereupon Bohort and his brothers would leave court to find Lancelot, join the service of some foreign sovereign together with him or return to their own lands. Only for the sake of the queen and their lord, Lancelot, they chose to stay at Arthur’s court. Lancelot only returned to the court because of his faithful love for the queen. On hearing this the queen weeps. On learning about that conversation Lancelot’s relatives curse Lancelot’s love for the queen. They decide to leave the court on search for Lancelot though the king would rather make them stay. The following day they set out for Challot. From Challot where they fail to learn about Lancelot they continue their quest throughout the land. At last they decide to set out for the tournament at Thoneburg in order to meet him there. They are granted hospitality at the castle Theteon near Thoneburg. When the king of Norgales learns that king Ban’s relatives famous for their valiance and chivalry have arrived he wants them to fight with his men in the tournament against King Arthur’s knights. They agree.

Motif References:

T 75 Man scorned by his beloved
P 200 The family
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc3-435: (13) In the meantime Lancelot has been lying sick from his wound for one month. One day the maiden with the sleeve comes to see him, and discloses the stranger’s identity to her brother. She stays with them until Lancelot has recovered and his beauty is fully restored. The girl is in love with him and one day having donned her best garments she asks him if a knight refusing her love would not lack courtesy. Lancelot declares that he would be glad to obtain her love if he were still free to love. The girl is grieved and blames him of having dashed all her hopes so that she will have to die. The maiden tells her brother that Lancelot’s refusal costs her life. He blames her of having wooed above her rank. The maiden of Challot will die for Lancelot’s sake.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
T 71 Woman scorned in love

Lanc3-439: (13) Lancelot gets to know about the tournament at Thonoburg from an errant youth from Northomberlande. Within three days the knights of the Round Table and the men of the kingdom of lpogres will meet there. King Arthur and his queen are to attend the tournament. Lancelot longing for the queen unawares speaks out: he is sorry not to be able to see his lady there due to his wound; he wants to kill the man that wounded him. His grief makes him turn round so that his wound breaks and blood streams from it. He swoons. They send for the physician. Next day despite his weakness he pretends to be well enough to leave and asks the physician to accompany him to Thoneburg.

Motif References:

P 424 Physician

Lanc3-441: (17) The physician convinced that such a ride would be the knight’s death refuses to set out with him. Lancelot has to give in and have himself cured before leaving. He sends the squire to Thoneburg with his greetings to the queen and Gawan on behalf of the knight who won the tournament of Gintiestre. Yet he should keep silent about his whereabouts and his health. At Thoneburg the youth serves at table and suddenly laughs out. Gawan asks him and the squire tells that he just remembered the foolishness of a knight who insisted on setting out for the tournament although he was very sick from his wounds. He did not tell his name but asked him to bring greetings to the knights and the queen on behalf of the winner of the tournament of Gintiestre. Gawan thinks that man must be Lancelot but cannot learn where he is.

Motif References:

Lanc3-446: The sorrowful news of Lancelot greatly worry his friends and brothers and they entreat the squire to tell them where he left him. The boy lies to them about the place and they decide to search for Lancelot after the tournament. The tournament at Thoneburg fought between the three kingdoms and the kingdom of Logres is won by king Ban’s kin, Hector and Bohort excelling in fight. Regretting that Lancelot is still missing King Arthur proclaims a tournament to be held within a month at Chamlot. He entreats Bohort to return to court but the latter insists they will only return after they have found Lancelot. Gawan tells the queen that sickness kept Lancelot from attending the tournament, but she does not trust him and thinks that her knight lingers because of his new love. She hates Lancelot yet regrets that Bohort has left for his sake because he is good company.

Motif References:

M 150 Other vows and oaths
T 257 Jealous husband or wife.
P 561 Tournaments
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc3-448: (8) While he is at Thoneburg the king once again sends for Bohort and his kin but they refuse to come before they have found Lancelot. The king leaves for Kamahelot. Gawan however joins Bohort and his companions on their quest for Lancelot. Mislead by the squire they fail to find him. They decide to ride to Challot, where Gawan shows Bohort Lancelot’s shield. Gawan entreats the host to tell them where to find Lancelot. Having received their promise of friendship toward Lancelot the host at last gives in. Next morning his son (who has recovered from his illness) leads them the way to the castle where Lancelot is being cared for. They are overjoyed to meet.

Motif References:

H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc3-452: (5) Lancelot tells them that he still is suffering from a wound he received at the tournament of Gintiestre, but within eight days will be well again. He ignores who inflicted that wound otherwise he would punish the man. Gawan warns Bohort to make peace with such a valiant man. Lancelot grasps that Bohort was the knight who wounded him. Bohort regrets to have wounded his relative yet he could not possibly have recognized him due to his disguise. How could he have presumed a man who had been a knight for about 25 years to take the device of a knight just dubbed? Lancelot praises Bohort’s and Hector’s exploits in the tournament. He pardons them for having jousted against him. They stay with Lancelot until he is cured. Bohort dares not tell Lancelot that the queen is mad at him for he does not want to grieve him.

Motif References:

N 733.1 Brothers unwittingly fight each other

Lanc3-456: (6) On his way to Camlot King Arthur breaks his journey at the castle Tamrot. In the morning he sends the queen ahead. On leaving three days later he happens to ride into the forest where Morgane had kept Lancelot her prisoner for two winters and one summer in her castle. She is still living there. The king and his company lose their way in the forest. At nightfall they rest and make camp. Alarmed by a horn blow the king sends Segremors to find out about it. He comes upon a stronghold not far away. On learning that a knight of King Arthur has arrived the gatekeeper alarms his lady, Morgane (Morch), who is very happy about the news and invites the king and his company to stay at her castle.

Motif References:

N 300 Unlucky accidents

Lanc3-459: (8) Morgane’s castle is very beautiful and strong, illuminated by numerous candles and every wall is covered with silk. Segremors declares that the castle must have been decorated in the meantime. The king is amazed at the beautiful wall hangings. They dismount and enter the great hall, where they are welcomed by Morche with a retinue of hundred maidens, ladies and knights, all dressed up in precious garments. Arthur is seated on a very precious seat and together with his knights is served a festive meal with precious tableware of silver and gold. The king is amazed about the rich hospitality granted to him. After dinner fine music and sweet song resound from an illuminated room nearby. Two ladies in precious garments with two golden candelabras are sent to lead the king there.

Motif References:

F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)

Lanc3-462: (12) The king enters the chamber decorated by Lancelot during his captivity. He soon falls asleep. Morge wants to betray the queen’s adultery to her husband, yet escape Lancelot’s revenge. In the morning she asks the king for a rash boon in order to reward her service, and asks him to stay for two more days. She identifies as his love and sister Morge, the daughter of queen Igierne and king Uterpandragen. Looking closely at her Arthur recognizes her, whom he thought already dead. He entreats her to join his court and be friends with Genievre. Morge refuses once and for all. She only will leave this place for the island of Fallen: the ladies living there have supreme knowledge of magic. They relate their life-history to each other, Morgane however keeps some episodes of her life secret.

Motif References:

F 112 Journey to land of women
H 194 (Bm) Recognition only through direct revelation of identity
F 213 Fairyland on island.
F 216 Fairies [elves] live in forest
P 253 Sister and brother
F 360 Malevolent or destructive fairies
F 361 Fairy’s revenge.
T 415 Brother-sister incest
N 634 Accidental meeting of brother and sister
F 730 Extraordinary island
D 1711 Magician
D 1711.10 People of certain place as magicians
D 1810 Magic knowledge
K 2212 Treacherous sister.
K 2220 Treacherous rivals

Lanc3-465: (4) The king reads the legend to the pictures in the hall. The letters and the drawings tell him that the painter was Lancelot. His life-history as well as the adventures of the knights of the Round Table are illustrated there. When he has a close look at the paintings and their legends he learns that Lancelot is the queen’s lover. The king asks his sister who was the painter. She only tells him the truth after he has promised to keep it secret - for she fears Lancelot’s revenge. Morge tells him that Lancelot has been in love with the queen since he was dubbed and has achieved all his glory for her sake. When Arthur came to the castle of Dolorosegart only neither he nor his knights were admitted, only Lancelot, the queen’s knight, was allowed to enter. The king still has his doubts.

Motif References:

H 11.1.2 Recognition: life story painted on wall
H 22 Recognition through image
F 360 Malevolent or destructive fairies
F 361 Fairy’s revenge.
F 855 Extraordinary image
K 1550.1 Husband discovers wife’s adultery

Lanc3-468: (6) Morgane relates the story to him: At first Lancelot dared not ask the queen for her love. After he had reconciled Galahot (Galaat), the sun of Jogange, with the king, his love made him refuse eating and he became weak. At last he told Galahot about his love for the queen and the knight made him ask the queen for her love. Lancelot painted the pictures in the hall while he was her captive for more than one and a half year after he had overcome the Arthurian knights in the tournament at Camlot. He only left when he broke the window grate with his hands, which he shows to the king.

Motif References:

T 24.1 Love-sickness
R 211 Escape from prison
F 375 Mortals as captives in fairyland
F 855 Extraordinary image

Lanc3-470: (8) The king regrets that he refused to believe Egravinst’s story about the queen’s lover. But now he will have proof of their adultery and have them punished. Morge declares that never a king must tolerate such a shameful treachery. Arthur gives his oath to take revenge if only he could surprise them in flagranti. Morge hates Lancelot because of his faithful love to the queen and therefore she keeps inciting the king to avenge his dishonor. The king is pleased with his staying at her castle for about one week for it is a fine hunting ground. No one is allowed to enter the hall of the paintings except the king and Morge.

Motif References:

T 92 Rivals in love
M 150 Other vows and oaths
F 360 Malevolent or destructive fairies
F 361 Fairy’s revenge.
K 2220 Treacherous rivals

Lanc3-472: (11) In the meantime Lancelot has recovered from his wound and having offered presents to the lady and the physician leaves with Bohort and Gawan. The two brothers of Challot enter his service. Lancelot bestows land and heritage in the kingdoms of Bennuig or Gannue upon them. The night before they leave the maiden comes to see Lancelot in his chamber. She has fallen in love with him at first sight and can neither eat nor drink nor sleep or rest from unhappiness. Lancelot blames her of foolishness because he told her that she could never obtain his love. Unable to make Lancelot her lover the girl leaves to die.

Motif References:

T 15 Love at first sight
T 24.1 Love-sickness
T 71 Woman scorned in love

Lanc3-476: (4) Next morning they set out for Kamahelot. As soon as the queen catches sight of him she leaves the window and retires to her quarters for she does not want to talk to him. When Gawan tells her that Lancelot has returned she angrily refuses to meet him and feigns to be sick. At night Bohort talks to her and she says that she will avoid entering the hall as long as faithless Lancelot is there. She hates him. Bohort is worried for Lancelot never could handle her hatred that would keep him from bravery and adventures. Had he listened to her speech he would kill himself for he sincerely loves her. The queen however insists that he deserves her hatred. Bohort reminds her that he even suffered humiliation for her sake.

Motif References:

P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
T 75.0.1 Suitors ill-treated

Lanc3-478: (11) Many a Jew and Heathen suffered humiliation and death because of women - many tales tell about it: The beautiful son of king David warred against his father and died. Wise King Salomon renounced God for the sake of a woman who betrayed him. Strong Samson was killed. Hector and Achilles brought death about themselves and many thousand men for the sake of the lady Pariß abducted from Greece. Even now many a man loses his life for the sake of a lady: only five years ago Dristant, the nephew of king Markey, who loved Ylande, was slain. All faithfulness toward women brings about death. And the queen herself is the worst lady of all for her hatred destroys all virtues of her lover, his beauty, valiance, chivalry and honesty. She is chasing the flower of knighthood from the royal court although it was her greatest merit to have made him stay with them. The queen will hear no more and sends him away.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
T 80 Tragic love

Lanc3-481: (8) Bohort alarmed by the queen’s rage warns Lancelot that all members of their family ought to leave but refuses to tell him the reason of the queen’s bad mood. Lancelot tells Gawan that he has to leave and Gawan urges him to return for the tournament. When Bohort and Lancelot have entered the forest of Chamlot Lancelot asks Bohort why the queen is angry: The queen is jealous because he wore the maiden’s sleeve as token at the tournament of Gintiestre. Lancelot deplores the character of love whose only reward is death. Bohort tells him that he tried to reassure her but she did not listen. Lancelot asks Bohort for advice: He will die if he fails to obtain her mercy, yet he dares not speak to her. Bohort counsels him to avoid her for one month - then she certainly would long for him - and have a pleasant time. Lancelot agrees but will set out alone with only one servant. They return to their companions. Lancelot promising to be back to attend the tournament (with a white device) takes his leave and sets out only taking his servant Amgin with him.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
P 200 The family
T 257 Jealous husband or wife.

Lanc3-485: (15) King Arthur meanwhile has left his sister Morge and returns to Kamahelot. When he learns that Lancelot left court without delay he once again doubts the nature of his wife’s relationship to the knight. Were Lancelot in love with the queen he could not leave her so readily. He is angry at his sister having slandered the knight and the queen. But still he is more suspicious of the queen than before. Gawan has got an enemy among the courtiers, by the name of Avalan. This man sends an empoisoned fruit to the queen who as she uses to will give it to Gawan first. The queen however offers the fruit to Garheiß of Tharahen and he dies on eating it. The news that the queen has killed a knight quickly comes to the king. Arthur is outraged at the murder and asks the queen if she knew about the poison. The queen declares that had she been aware of the danger she never would have offered the fruit to the knight.

Motif References:

T 92.1 The triangle plot and its solutions
S 111 Murder by poisoning
T 200 Married life
N 332 Accidental poisoning
K 929.1 Murder by (leaving) poisoned wine
K 1501 Cuckold
K 2116.1 Innocent woman accused of murder
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight
J 2301 Gullible husbands

Lanc3-489: (6) The king leaves grieving for the dead man, the queen with her ladies retires to the garden. She greatly laments what has happened. The knights bury their companion next morning in the entrance of the monastery of St. Stephen in Kamahelot. A stone is put onto the grave with an inscription telling that this is the grave of Gaharies the Wise of Karahe, brother of Madors of the Porczen, who died through poison. Everybody is outraged about the murder.

Motif References:

V 60 Funeral rites
V 65 Commemoration of death
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)

Lanc3-491: After Lancelot has left his companions he rides at random through the wilderness, taking lodging at hermitages. Three days before the tournament of Kamahelot he sends his squire to Kamahelot to bring him a white shield with three red bars and a white covertiure. Thus Bohort will recognize him. On a hot day Lancelot rides through the forest and rests at a fountain and falls asleep. Arthur’s men hunt down a stag at this fountain, one of the hunters’ arrows misses the animal and pierces Lancelot’s leg. Lancelot rushes at the man, Truwant, who takes to flight when he recognizes him. He warns his companions that he accidentally wounded Lancelot. Afraid to have to pay for the offense of such a great knight of mighty kin they flee. Lancelot removes the arrow from the wound, binds it, and rides to a hermitage nearby. Lancelot has to stay at the hermitage for fourteen days to recover and misses the tournament.

Motif References:

H 126 Identification by coat of arms
N 300 Unlucky accidents
F 824.2 Extraordinarily painted shield

Lanc3-495: (7) At Kamahelot many valiant knights meet for the tournament. Bohort wins the day and Arthur invites him to keep them company, but Bohort refuses as long as his cousin is not with them. The king insists, but Bohort still refuses to join him. He will not even tell him what kept Lancelot from attending the tournament. Bohort, Hector and their company take leave. Bohort tells Gawan that Lancelot could only be kept from meeting them by illness or captivity. He sets out for Norgales. Lancelot’s kinsmen curse Lancelot’s love for the queen that still will bring great distress upon them. Gawan returns to Kamahelot and tells the king that sickness must have kept Lancelot from the tournament. The king is greatly worried because of his absence for Lancelot and his kin have largely contributed to the court’s fame.

Motif References:

P 200 The family
P 310 Friendship
P 561 Tournaments

Lanc3-498: (8) When Morderans of the Porczen arrives at court three days later no one dares tell him about his brother’s death. One day however he detects his brother’s grave in the Minster of St. Stephen, and learns the circumstances of his death by the inscription. Morderans is distressed and outraged that the queen empoisoned his brother. A knight from Scotland, member of the Round Table, confirms the story when asked about it. After mass Mador (=Morderans) goes to see the king and asks for justice. Mador who has been his knight and liegeman for fifteen years renounces service and allegiance to the king and returns his fiefs. A law court should deal with his brother’s death and he offers to fight in a judicial combat. None of the courtiers is willing to fight for the queen’s sake for they think her guilty. The king is in distress because of this accusation and sends for the queen. Gawan and Gaheries escort her. Arthur relates the accusation to her and Mador once again accuses the queen of treacherous murder of his brother. He will fight her champion in judicial combat.

Motif References:

P 20 Queens
H 218 Trial by combat
P 251.5 Two brothers
P 510 Law courts
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]

Lanc3-502: (4) The queen quickly grasps that no one will readily fight as her champion. According to the law Arthur offers her a choice: Death sentence on confession of the murder, or forty days delay to find a champion for judicial combat. The queen will have the combat. Mador promises to be back in time and leaves in great grief for his brother. The queen is in distress: only king Ban’s family would readily fight as her champions yet she had them chased away.

Motif References:

Z 71.12 Formulistic number: forty [Forty days’ limit]
H 218 Trial by combat
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]

Lanc3-504: (3) One day a splendid ship covered with rich silk cloth lands near the castle and Gawan and the king go down to look at it. A beautiful maiden who has died shortly has been placed on a bier in it: Gawan recognizes the maiden of Challot who fell in love with Lancelot. A letter tells them that she is the maiden of Challot who greets the lords of the Round Table. She has died because of her love for the best knight, Lancelot, who refused her wooing. The king blames Lancelot for his lack of mercy. He has her buried in the Minster of St. Stephen and her story written down so that it will be remembered forever. Meanwhile the other knights have come to gaze at the ship and the king has taken the bier up to the palace. The king tells the story of the maiden to Gahariet and Ywan and soon the news spread throughout the castle.

Motif References:

H 11 Recognition through story-telling.
T 71 Woman scorned in love
T 81.2 Death from unrequited love
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)

Lanc3-509: Gawan brings the news to the queen, that the maiden of Challot never obtained Lancelot’s love. The story distresses the queen for she has offended her sincere lover and moreover will not be able to escape death. She laments and implores God to tell Lancelot of her distress. Meanwhile the king has buried the maiden in a precious coffin with characters written on it to tell her identity and her story: here lies the maiden of Challot dead for the sake of Lancelot’s love. The characters are made of gold and lasur. In the meantime Lancelot who is quite well again rides out into the forest one afternoon. At a fountain he comes upon a disarmed knight fast asleep. Polite Lancelot avoids disturbing him, but waits until he could ask him who he is. They greet and ask each other’s identity, yet Lancelot unwilling to disclose his identity poses as an errant knight from the kingdom of Gaune. The stranger is a knight of Logres, just coming from Kamahelot where Arthur was in great trouble for the sake of the queen. Lancelot asks him about that story.

Motif References:

H 11 Recognition through story-telling.
N 318 Accidental separation of lovers
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)

Lanc3-512: (8) The knight tells him the story of the poisoning and that Mador obtained a law-court. The queen could not find a champion within forty days. Lancelot wonders why none of the knights of the Round Table offered to fight for her. The knight tells him that all of them thought the queen guilty of the murder for they saw it happen. Lancelot asks about the delay and promises that the queen will have a champion that day. Before leaving the stranger replies that such a man would have to fight against all odds for the queen is guilty. Lancelot comes upon an armed knight riding along with his squire. He is Lancelot’s brother, Hector of Mares, riding to Kamahelot as the queen’s champion. Lancelot will join him.

Motif References:

Z 71.12 Formulistic number: forty [Forty days’ limit]
H 218 Trial by combat
N 733 Accidental meeting of brothers
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]

Lanc3-516: (5) They stay at the hermitage for some days until Lancelot has fully recovered. Then they set out. Lancelot avoids being identified on their journey. They meet Bohort searching for Lancelot. Lyonel has stayed with the king of Norgales. Bohort is happy that the queen will be forced to make her peace with them otherwise she has no champion. Lancelot promises to fight for her yet not as fervently as before for he thinks the queen might be guilty. They pass the night at a castle Orphamm. Lancelot sends Bohort and Hector ahead to learn if the queen will be reconciled, but they should tell no one he is coming. They will recognize him by his device (white with one cross-bar).

Motif References:

H 126 Identification by coat of arms
N 746 Accidental meeting of cousins

Lanc3-518: (7) Bohort and Hector are welcomed at Kamahelot by the king for they are his favorite knights. When the queen gets the news of their arrival she is very happy. Bohort comes to see her and she greets him joyfully. Bohort feigns indifference to her distress - she banished the best knights from court and therefore no knight will help her. And even Bohort himself refuses his help to her for she chased his lord and relative. Bohort leaves pleased to have had his revenge. When the queen considers her situation she cries out in despair. The king is distressed too for he cannot find a champion for his wife: All think her guilty. He implores Gawan to fight for her. The knight agrees on condition that he could be sure of the queen’s innocence. Arthur cannot make any of his knights fight for the queen. Meanwhile all lords and nobles of the kingdom of Logres have arrived to watch the ordeal. The evening before the law-court the king assures the queen of his sincere love for her and advises her to entreat Borhort or Hector to help her. The queen sends for Bohort, and on her knees implores him to help her. Bohort pities her and promises to be her champion unless she found no better aid than him. She presumes Lancelot will come to be her champion. In the morning Mador arrives with a great retinue. The king asks him to postpone the combat until evening for the queen still has found no champion.

Motif References:

P 20 Queens
H 218 Trial by combat
H 1381.8 (Bm) Quest for champion [helper]
K 2116.1 Innocent woman accused of murder

Lanc3-526: (6) Lancelot arrives, fully armed, carrying a white device with one cross-bar. His helmet closed he enters the hall, leaving his shield behind in the courtyard. Nobody recognizes him, not even Bohort and Hector. He declares himself ready to fight as the queen’s champion against the knight accusing her. Mador formally repeats his accusation. Then the king receives the champions’ gauntlets in due ceremony. Gawan declares that the queen is innocent of murder. All of them leave the palace and go to the battlefield. Gawan and Bohort carry Lancelot’s spear and shield. The queen leads her knight into the circle and they start to fight. Lancelot soon gets the better of his opponent, but unwilling to kill the man who once was his companion he asks Mador to surrender, renounce his false accusation which will bring about the queen’s and the king’s pardon. Mador recognizes Lancelot and surrenders by giving him his sword and falling onto his knees. Then he blames the king of having betrayed him by making Lancelot his wife’s champion.

Motif References:

R 75 Surrendering
H 195 (Bm) Failure to recognize
P 510 Law courts
P 523 Bringing suit in law courts
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc3-530: (12) On learning that Lancelot has returned the king hurries to welcome him. Lancelot pardons the queen for her offense toward him. She tells him that she was jealous for she thought he was in love with the maiden of Challot. Lancelot is sad on learning of the maiden’s death. Lancelot loves the queen even more than before and they become quite careless, so that Gawan and his four brothers soon discover their secret. One day when the brothers are discussing the matter, Egravins being outraged about it, the king enters and wants to know what makes him angry. Gawan and Gaheries try to appease the situation but the king insists. Yet even the king’s menaces cannot break their silence. Gawan and Gaheries fearing for the court’s renown if that affair becomes known leave.

Motif References:

T 257 Jealous husband or wife.
T 298 Reconciliation [reunion] of (separated) couple

Lanc3-533: (9) The king has enclosed Egravins, Morderet and Guerehes in a room and asks them once more. They still refuse to speak. When the king draws his sword and menaces to kill Egravins the latter tells him that Lancelot is the queen’s paramour. The king turns pale and falls silent. He is stricken with grief but he wants to surprise the lovers in flagranti. Guerehes warns him of killing Lancelot for he is very strong and valiant and moreover has powerful kinsmen who thereupon certainly would war him. The king however orders them to prove Lancelot’s guilt. The three knights give their oath. That evening Gawan and Gaharies can tell by looking at the king that he knows. They avoid meeting him. While the king is in a rage all the palace is silent. A knight comes with the news that in the tournament at Karahes the kingdom of Saralois and those of the Vertriben Lande have lost against Lancelot. The king cannot but deplore that such a brave knight is a traitor. Then he leaves for his quarters. Although he knows that Lancelot’s death would bring distress and death to the kingdom he prefers such a disaster to shame.

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]
K 1550.1 Husband discovers wife’s adultery

Lanc3-537: (2) Arthur sends for his three nephews. Guerehes and Mordret cannot tell how Lancelot could be trapped, but Egravins advises the king to leave next morning with his knights except Lancelot. Then they will catch him in the queen’s chamber. The king agrees and makes them promise to tell no one. Gawan comes upon that secret council and warns Egravins to keep from accusing Lancelot without reason. The king sends Gawan away: the latter has offended him by withholding the truth. Gawan tells Gahariet that Egravins has told the story to the king. Gahariet advises to let have Egravins his way but not to interfere. In town they meet Lancelot, Bohort, Hector and Lyonel with a great company of knights and squires. They are happy to meet and Gawan asks Lancelot to with Gaheries in his quarters that night. In the evening Lancelot is amazed and sad that the king avoids him.

Motif References:

K 1551 Husband returns home secretly and spies on adulteress and paramour

Lanc3-540: The king asks his knights to join him for a hunt next morning but refuses Lancelot offer to accompany him too. Lancelot asks Bohort about the king’s anger and learns that the king has got to know about his wife’s adultery - through Egravins or Morgane - and that a war will come from it. In the morning Gawan and Gahariet leave for the forest, Lancelot feigning sickness stays behind. As soon as the king has left the queen sends for Lancelot. In disregard of Bohort’s warnings he goes to see her. Bohort advises him to beware and take his sword with him. Egravins and his men however already lie in ambush for him. Lancelot enters the tower and meets the queen.

Motif References:

J 652 Inattention to warnings
K 1551 Husband returns home secretly and spies on adulteress and paramour
K 1818 Disguise as sick man

Lanc3-542: (14) He locks the door and lies with the queen. Egravins and his knights on finding the entrance locked try to break it thus alarming the lovers. Lancelot opens the door, kills a knight and takes his armor, then fights on until they let him leave. He returns to his quarters. Bohort on learning what has happened warns him of the king’s hatred, who even would kill the queen for the sake of Lancelot. Hector advises them to hide in the forest nearby to wait for the queen who certainly will be taken this way after having been sentenced to death. Thus they could rescue her and take her with them to their kingdoms of Bennuit or Ganuen where they need not fear King Arthur. They follow Hector’s advice and leave at once. Lancelot sends a squire to the court to learn about the queen.

Motif References:

R 210 Escapes
K 1550.1 Husband discovers wife’s adultery

Lanc3-548: (11) In the meantime the treacherous knights have taken the queen captive. The news grieve the king. He now will have his revenge on the queen to make an example for all women and orders the king Jons and the other lords to choose how she should die. Jons asks the sentence be delayed until morning. The king out of grief refuses to eat and drink that evening and will not see the queen. In the morning the queen is sentenced to death, no one of the counselors dares to oppose the king’s wish. Gawan warns the king that he will quit his service and return his fiefs if he would allow the queen to be killed. The king however insists and Gawan returns to his quarters.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
Q 241 Adultery punished
Q 411 Death as punishment
P 510 Law courts

Lanc3-552: The king orders a great fire to be made on the meadow before the castle to burn the queen for her infidelity. There is great lament for her in the town of Kamahelot. When the stake is ready they take the queen to the stake - she wears red clothes and is very beautiful. The king pities her so that he avoids setting eyes on her. People in the town lament when they see her carried to the stake: Where are poor people now to find mercy? Soon Arthur will repent his rashness and have the traitors killed. The king orders Egravins to make an escort of forty knights ready to beware against Lancelot. At last about eighty knights accompany him. Gahariet who has been ordered to join them declares he would refuse to fight his lord Lancelot.

Motif References:

W 34.2 Loyal friends refuse to fight against disgraced comrade
P 205 Refusal to fight relatives
Q 414.0.2 Burning as punishment for adultery
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman

Lanc3-554: (5) As soon as Lancelot learns that the queen has been sentenced to death he and the 32 knights in his company hurry to the meadow. When the royal escort catches sight of them they are frightened. Lancelot dashes ahead and kills Egravins, Bohort kills Gneteres. A furious battle starts. Gaharies outraged about the many dead strikes Meland the Black so that he falls into the fire. Lancelot seeing him in his rage splits his head to the shoulders. At last only three manage to escape the slaughter - among them Mordred. The queen asks Lancelot to carry her to a refuge out of the king’s range. Lancelot’s troop only has lost three knights. Lancelot is grieved on learning that he killed Gahariet. His death will keep Arthur and Gawan from making peace with them.

Motif References:

R 161.4 Lover rescues his lady from the gallows [stake]
R 175 Rescue at the stake
N 330 Accidental killing or death
F 628.2 Strong man kills men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc3-558: (7) Lancelot takes the queen to the castle Joijeuse Garde, a fine stronghold situated near the town of Langrevan. There they could wait for reinforcements. When Lancelot once conquered the castle it was called Dollorosegarte. On their way they come to a castle named Chalet, that belongs to Dagnis, a count faithful to Lancelot. He promises to help him against Arthur and gives him an escort of forty knights. Soon they arrive at Joijeuse Garde where they are given a happy welcome. All give their oath to help Lancelot who sends for his liegemen and knights to come to the castle.

Motif References:

R 310 Refuges
P 552.6 (Tu) Conscription of troops: summoning allies as preparation for war

Lanc3-561: (6) The king learns of the disaster before town: Only three knights have survived, among them Mordret, Egravins has burnt, Lancelot has abducted the queen. The king is outraged and has them pursued. Although they search throughout the land they do not find them. King Caradas reminding that king that Lancelot would slay them if they caught up with him advises the king to send messengers to the harbors so that Lancelot would be blocked in the country where they could be found sooner or later. The king follows his advice. The sight of the dead on the meadow makes the king swoon from grief so that he falls from his horse. He puts off Gaheriet’s helmet to kiss his eyes and mouth and has his corpse carried into town. Then he searches the battlefield for Gwherehes, his nephew killed by Bohort. He has him put onto his shield and carried into town. He embraces Gahariet’s corpse, swoons and weeps. When he recovers at last he kisses the bloody face of his beloved nephew. There is great mourning for Gahariet who was very popular.

Motif References:

R 260 Pursuits
P 681 Mourning customs
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief

Lanc3-566: Gawan still has not learnt the sad news and think people are mourning the death of their queen. On learning his brother’s death he swoons. When he recovers he embraces Gahariet and swoons once again. He laments his death in a speech praising his virtues and swears to avenge his death. On perceiving the bodies of Egravins and Guerehes he swoons over their corpses. The lords fear he would die from grief and advise the king to have Gawan cared for in a separate room until his kinsmen are buried. Egravins and Gwerhehes are placed into rich coffins and buried in the Minster of St. Stephen at Kamahelot at the sides of Gaheriet. There is great mourning at his burial which is celebrated with the archbishop and the bishop of the land. Gahariet’s coffin - the most splendid of the three - is placed above the others. An inscription on it tells that this is the grave of Gahariet, the king’s nephew, who was killed by Lancelot. A like inscription is engraved onto Egravins’s and Guerehes’s graves with the names of their slayers. After the funeral the king returns to his palace.

Motif References:

V 60 Funeral rites
V 65 Commemoration of death
P 681 Mourning customs
F 852 Extraordinary coffin [sarkophag]
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief

Lanc3-572: The court is silenced by grief. The king laments his fate in a speech: Lancelot’s pride has brought this disaster upon him. He reminds his knights of their oath as his vassals and liegemen which obliges them to take revenge. The king falls silent and his lords have a counsel. King Jons declares that any king must measure his revenge according to his power and warns the king against waging war against the kin of Bran of Benuick. Great clamor arises and they blame the speaker of cowardice. Morderet accuses him of giving bad advice, the king must war against the enemy. Madors tells them that they will find Lancelot in one of his fortresses, called Rosegart. Mordred remembers that once Lancelot freed him and his companions from captivity. The king summons all his knights and vassals throughout the land to join his campaign against Lancelot. All have to give their oath onto holy relics to support him. Thus the great war starts that will bring disaster upon Arthur and his kin. A squire brings the news to Rosegart that war has been started. On hearing this Lancelot sends messengers throughout the kingdom of Sorolois and the land of Forayne and all who owe him service to ask them for their aid against Arthur. Numerous knights and squires come to Rosegart.

Motif References:

P 14.15.1 (Old, wise) Counsellors of court [King’s council]
P 14.15.2 Court messenger
M 114.4 Swearing on sacred relics
M 150 Other vows and oaths
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 552.6 (Tu) Conscription of troops: summoning allies as preparation for war
P 557.0.1 (Li) Council of war

Lanc3-579: (5) Arthur’s army arrives at the court. Meanwhile Gawan has recovered from his sickness and advises the king to add new members to the Round Table so that again there are 150 knights. Arthur sends for his best knights and orders them to choose the most valiant men without regard to their wealth. They have lost 72 men, who either were killed or left to serve Lancelot. Yet none dares to take the perilous seat. Lancelot’s seat is occupied by Helyans, a prince from Iceland, Bohort’s by Belmot, the son of the king of the Strange Islands (von den Fremden Inselen). On Hector’s place a highborn knight from Scotland, Vadeham the Black, is seated. This man however is an evil and rude man. Gaheriet’s place is taken by the nephew of the king of Norgales, an excellent young knight. When all members of the Round Table are seated a meal is served. Seven kings, who are Arthur’s liegemen, join him at the royal table.

Motif References:

P 19.0.1 (Li) King Arthur as leader of outstanding chivalric society (Round Table)
Z 201.9.1 (Bm) Hero’s famous possessions - Arthur’s Round Table
H 1574 Tests of social position

Lanc3-581: At dawn the king and his army of about 1000 men leave. At night they make camp beneath a castle called Lambort. Next day they come to Rosegart and pitch their tents on the river Hombre. In the meantime the castle has well prepared for the war. For their first night however Lancelot grants peace to the enemy. They have agreed upon their military strategy against the besiegers next day: Hector and Bohort are to lead a strong group of fifty valiant knights to lie in wait in the forest and as soon as they catch sight of a red banner at the castle they are meant to attack the enemy from behind while at the same time a battalion in a sortie will attack them from the other side. The men lie in wait for the signal telling them to engage in battle. The besiegers delude themselves with safety and think Lancelot might not have enough warriors to wage an attack. Lancelot is grieved on seeing beloved King Arthur having turned his worst enemy.

Motif References:

P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
P 558 (Bm) Truce
K 2350 Military strategy

Lanc3-584: (13) Lancelot sends a maiden as messenger to the king to inquire about the reasons for the war: He would be ready to fight in single combat against his two best knights if the war were about the accusation of adultery. If the war were waged for the sake of the slain knights she should remind the king that the victims as well spared no one. But if the king refused Lancelot’s offers she should tell him that Lancelot will wait for the war to start. Lancelot still thinks Arthur his lord and friend who however now is his enemy and for this reason he will not have the king harmed. The maiden secretly leaves the castle and delivers her message. Gawan reminds the king of his oath to destroy Ban’s kin which makes any reconciliation impossible. The king says that Lancelot has carried his offenses too far to be pardoned. He renews his royal vow never to make peace with him and this is to be his message.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
W 34 Loyalty
M 150 Other vows and oaths
P 550 Military affairs

Lanc3-587: (18) The maiden replies that his answer grieves her. She tells him that according to a prophecy he is doomed whereas king Ban’s kin will always overcome its enemies. Gawan despite all his prudence now proves to be the most foolish man for he is preparing his own death. He should remember his vision in the castle of the rich fisher, the lion fighting the leopard, and the interpretation the hermit gave him: Gawan could have avoided that war yet his foolishness makes him start it. The maiden takes her leave and brings the message to her lord. Lancelot is sad and angry at the news for he would have preferred reconciliation. The queen comes to see him and he tells her the king’s message. He reassures her that the besiegers will have to leave for the castle cannot be conquered. Lancelot will fight and spare no one but the king himself.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
M 301.1.1 Prophecy of preeminence of man’s descendants
M 342 Prophecy of downfall of kingdom
M 342.1 Prophecy of downfall of king

Lanc3-590: (13) Toward his knights in the hall Lancelot feigns cheerfulness. He orders that their meal has to be even more splendid as it used to be served at Arthur’s court. After dinner he has a council with his friends who would have preferred to attack the besiegers before they had installed themselves. Lancelot however wants the enemy to delude themselves with safety. He will attack them the following morning. That night all prepare for the battle making their armor and weapons ready. Some of the besiegers think the stronghold will be easy to conquer for there could not be many warriors. But Mador assures them that the castle will be defended by a large troop. At night they have the camp well protected. Next morning the red banner on top of the castle alarms Bohort and Hector, who run at Arthur’s army in surprise out of the forest, while Lancelot in a sortie attacks them too. Bohort kills king Jons’s brother in a joust and his warriors fight furiously destroying the tents and huts and slaying every living soul. Many a man of Arthur arms himself in a hurry and when they are ready they watch the royal tent with the dragon atop destroyed before their eyes as well as the other tents.

Motif References:

P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
K 2350 Military strategy

Lanc3-595: (10) Gawan sees that Bohort and Hector thus have offended the king, he attacks Hector. Bohort comes to his aid and wounds Gawan. The battle now rages in front of the king’s tent. Bohort and his troops would have been slain had not Lancelot and his troop come to their aid. In the furious battle many men are slain or wounded. Gawan and Lancelot are the most excellent fighters. His grief for Gaheriet’s death brings about Gawan’s fury and he slaughters more than thirty men that day and wounds numerous others. They fight all day. In the evening Gawan once again fights Bohort, then he wounds Lyonel. At nightfall the Arthurian knights retreat to their camp and Lancelot’s troop returns into the castle. Arthur has much greater losses than Lancelot. Gawan’s excellence and strength is much praised as well as Lancelot’s and Bohort’s. Lancelot and Gawan have won the day.

Motif References:

F 628.2 Strong man kills men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc3-598: (16) Lancelot praises his fighters’ bravery who have done well against superior forces. When he asks them to choose the strategy of the next day all vote for a sortie. Lancelot chooses the leader of the troops and decides their formation: they have seven battalions not less than 100 knights each. Lancelot will leave the last one in order to intervene when they are pressed hard. Bohort is outraged that Gawan has wounded his brother Lyonel and promises revenge on either Gawan or his brother Morderet. Next dawn they take their arms and leave the stronghold in silence in order to surprise the besiegers once again. But this morning the enemy is vigilant. In the furious battle many a man is killed. Bohort and Gawan wound each other. Lancelot has support from an excellent fighter from the land of Forayne, and the Arthurian troops are defeated. Wounded Bohort is carried to the castle and a physician cares for him. The queen is in distress. The battle lasts from dawn to late evening. King Arthur excels in fighting and had it not been for Lancelot and Hector the king’s army would have won the day.

Motif References:

P 552 Battle formations
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
P 557.0.1 (Li) Council of war
F 628.2 Strong man kills men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc3-604: (5) The king attacks Lancelot, who only protects himself with his shield. Arthur presses him hard and kills Lancelot’s horse. Hector hurries to help him and unhorses the king with a mighty blow. He wants Lancelot to decapitate the king but the latter insists on sparing and even protecting him. Having returned to his men the king tells them of Lancelot’s mercy toward him and regrets that the war has started. Gawan is grieved on hearing this. King Arthur besieges the fortress for about two months. Lancelot already has lost many a warrior, which makes the superior forces of the enemy all the more dangerous.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege

Lanc3-607: (4) At that point the Pope Leo gets the news that King Arthur having lost his wife will kill her if he comes upon her. Yet he was unable to catch the adulterers in flagranti and therefore the Pope has the bishops and archbishops to excommunicate Arthur’s lands unless he reconciles with the queen. Although Arthur is outraged he still loves his wife and would rather have taken her back. But even if he would reconcile he would never make peace with faithless Lancelot. The bishop of Glonetiestre entreats the queen to return to her husband according to the Pope’s order: the king will swear in due ceremony to respect her as his queen and spare her any accusation. The queen asks Lancelot, Bohort, Hector and Lyonel for advice. Lancelot advises her that, despite his great love for her, she should reconcile with the king for the sake of her honor. She should send the king message that she would return the next day. They weep. Lancelot will give her a splendid train when she joins the king.

Motif References:

V 84 Excommunication
T 92.1 The triangle plot and its solutions
P 121 (Bm) Pope
P 122 (Bm) Archbishop and bishop
T 200 Married life
V 294 The Pope
T 298 Reconciliation [reunion] of (separated) couple
Q 436 Excommunication as punishment
N 846.2 Priest as helper

Lanc3-610: Bohort, as well as Hector and Lyonel, doe not approve of this decision for they fear for Lancelot’s life from longing for the queen. But Lancelot insists. The queen sends the bishop with her message to Arthur: she is ready to return as his queen on condition of safe conduct for Lancelot and his men. The message makes Arthur think that Lancelot leaving Ginover so readily cannot be in love with her. He grants safe conduct. The bishop brings the news to the castle. That night the army is cheerful for the war has come to an end. People at the castle however are sad and angry. Next morning Lancelot takes his leave from the queen. They exchange their rings: the queen is to carry his ring he received from her at their first meeting, while he will carry hers. A splendid escort is made ready for the queen with great clamor. The king comes to meet her and Lancelot leads her to her husband. He declares that he protected her against slander and treachery of the court, and if he really were in love with her he would never have let her go. Arthur could never have conquered the fortress, that was well provided for a two years siege.

Motif References:

T 59.1 (Bm) Rings as love tokens
H 82.3.1 (Bm) Ring as parting token
T 92.1 The triangle plot and its solutions
P 122 (Bm) Archbishop and bishop
T 298 Reconciliation [reunion] of (separated) couple
P 570 (Bm) Safe conduct
N 846.2 Priest as helper

Lanc3-615: (11) The king thanks Lancelot. Gawan then asks Lancelot to obey the king’s request: banishment for lifetime. Lancelot wants to know if Gawan could be reconciled one day but Gawan is irreconcilable for the sake of Gahariet’s death. Bohort declares he would fight to prove that Gaheriet was not killed treacherously. Gawan offers his glove to the king and Bohort accepts his challenge. The king however defends the combat and refuses their gloves. He tells Lancelot that he will be warred as soon as he returns to his lands. Lancelot reminds the king of his loyalty towards him (Arthur would have lost his crown in his war against Galehans of the Verren Inseln if Lancelot would not have intervened so that his enemy became the king’s vassal) but declares that he does not care for his threats. Then he reminds Gawan that he rescued him at Rosegart, and killed Karades the Great who had imprisoned him.

Motif References:

Q 431.8 Banishment as punishment for adultery

Lanc3-619: (10) Gawan still is irreconcilable insisting on revenge for the loss of his relatives. Arthur and the queen return to the army. A feast is celebrated. Lancelot prepares his journey. He sends a squire, Canoins, to carry his shield to the Minster of St. Stephen at Kamahelot as a monument of his exploits for the kingdom which he still loves. He sends four packhorses with the squire, carrying means to pay for prayers for him in the church and as present for the monastery. The monks display the sword in the Minster with a chain of silver as if its owner were a holy man. Many are grieved that Lancelot was banished.

Motif References:

Z 230 Extraordinary exploits of hero
P 634 Feasts
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield

Lanc3-622: Lancelot leaves Josegarde giving the castle to one of his knights with the king’s consent. With about 400 knights and their train he crosses the sea to his own land. Leaving Logres grieves Lancelot a lot, he becomes pale, sighs and weeps, and in a prayer asks that the kingdom might enjoy peace and happiness. After they have landed they ride on through a forest and the day after come to the kingdom of Bennuick, where Lancelot is given a joyous welcome by his people. Next morning he obtains a rash boon from Bohort: Bohort is to be crowned king of Bennuick, and Lionel succeed his father as king of Gaullen at All Saints day. The feast is to be celebrated in the town of Bennuick in Gaulle which King Arthur bestowed upon him. Thus nothing he received from the king would be left in Lancelot’s possession. Bohort and Lyonel on their knees receive the lands from him. Many kings and noblemen have arrived to assist the crowning. Lancelot gets the news that for the sake of Gawan Arthur will wage war against him in spring. Lancelot reassures his men: they need not worry about this war. Though he never would harm Arthur, he will fight Gawan with all his power. The messenger declares that only Gawan stirred the king to this war.

Motif References:

P 13.5 Crowning [and making] of kings
P 17 Succession to the throne
Q 431.8 Banishment as punishment for adultery
P 556 Challenge to battle

Lanc3-627: (11) King Arthur travels throughout Logres, receiving hospitality at his vassals’ castles. Gawan keeps inciting him to wage war against Lancelot, until he obtains the king’s promise. Yet this decision does not meet general consent. When Easter has come the king has made the fleet ready. When Gawan asks the king who should stay to care for the queen, his brother Morderet offers to protect her. Arthur agrees, but the queen aware of Morderet’s villainous character is worried. The king leaves him the key to the treasure chamber in order that he could send him money to Gaulle in case of need. The citizens’s oath of obedience to Morderet is taken onto relics. But the king will regret his blind confidence one day. On leaving he reassures his wife worried by a foreboding she might never see him again.

Motif References:

P 19 Other motifs connected with kings
M 114.4 Swearing on sacred relics
P 193 (Bm) Guardian [regent]
P 233 Father and son

Lanc3-630: (13) Arthur’s huge army (about 40000 warriors) crosses the sea and makes camp on the shore. Having had some rest they enter the kingdom of Bennuick. Lancelot has well prepared the defense of his lands and all strongholds have been fortified. Gawan advises they should first attack the main fortress, the town of Gannuen, held by Lancelot, Bohort, Lyonel and Hector. Ywan counsels to start the war by devastating the smaller fortresses before concentrating upon the capital. Gawan insists on besieging Gannuen and the king follows his advice. On their way to Gannuen they meet an old woman, splendidly dressed, riding a white jade who recognizes the king. She warns him that bad counsel will keep him from conquering the fortress - he will suffer a shameful defeat. Gawan however will never return to Logres, for the prophecy he was given in the castle of the Rich Fisher will come true.

Motif References:

M 301.1.1 Prophecy of preeminence of man’s descendants
M 301.2 Old woman as prophet
M 341 Death prophesied
M 356.1.1 Prophecy: loss of battle (combat)
M 391 Fulfillment of prophecy
P 557.0.1 (Li) Council of war
F 873.2 Enormous army (camp)[train]
D 1814.1 Advice from magician (fortune-teller, etc.) [prophet]
K 2350 Military strategy

Lanc3-633: The woman rides on without heeding neither the king nor Gawan. She soon comes to Gannuen and tells the kings and their knights in the hall that Arthur’s army is approaching the castle. Lancelot will let the enemy make camp and start siege before making a sortie. Peace is kept all through the night. The next morning Lancelot draws up his array for battle as does King Arthur. In the furious battle Gawan fights Lancelot, and Ywan Hector. Many men are killed. Bohort and Lyonel excel in fighting. King Arthur’s energy keeps his troops from being defeated. He wounds Lyonel. In the evening the fighting ends and the troops return to their quarters. The battle continues all week and Arthur’s army suffers great losses, they lack such excellent warriors like Lancelot, Bohort, Lyonel and Hector.

Motif References:

P 552 Battle formations
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
F 628.2 Strong man kills men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc3-638: In the meantime Morderet enjoys himself by celebrating many feasts with the lords. Thus he succeeds in winning their sympathy and obedience. Morderet has fallen in love with the queen but dares not tell her. He sends a letter to the queen, passing it off as message of the king by a false seal. The letter tells her that Lancelot has inflicted a deadly wound upon Arthur who moreover has lost all his men. Gawan has been killed too. Morderet should be crowned king of Logres and marry the queen, to prevent Lancelot’s marriage to her. Only the squire carrying the letter to the court knows about the treachery. On hearing the false message Morderet feigns grief and swoon. The queen is very grieved. After the king has been mourned for eight days, Morderet asks the lords to hold a council and decide upon his crowning and marriage. The lords choose him to be their king and the queen’s husband. Mordered sends them to ask the queen for her consent.

Motif References:

T 10 Falling in love
P 14.15.1 (Old, wise) Counsellors of court [King’s council]
W 131 Profligacy
P 193 (Bm) Guardian [regent]
P 236.4 Son deposes father and usurps throne
P 614 (Bm) Bribes
P 634 Feasts
K 1851.2 (Bm) “False” letters with false news of king’s death
K 1864.1 False tidings of another’s death in order to secure his bride [wife, and usurp kingdom]
K 2249.5 (Bm) Treacherous regent

Lanc3-643: The lords’ speaker tells her that only the queen’s husband can be king and therefore they chose the best and most valiant knight to marry her. They will swear fealty to him. The queen however refuses marriage. The speaker insists that for the sake of the kingdom’s safety she has to choose a husband. Yet she replies she would rather leave the country than remarry. Warned that she will be forced into marriage she asks about their choice. When she learns that Morderet is to be king she is grieved but does not show it. She asks for a delay until next morning. Morderet offers her a delay for eight days, on condition of her promises to comply to their wishes afterwards. Ginover gives her promise. She sends for her relative, Sir Labort, to ask him for advice.

Motif References:

P 20 Queens
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc3-646: (8) She laments to him her distress: even if Morderet would not be Arthur’s son she would such a treacherous man as her husband. She asks Labort to summon some faithful men in secret, obtain their oath of secrecy, and make them equip the town’s tower with food, arms and men. They should pretend that a feast would be celebrated there. Labort promises his help and advises her to send word to Lancelot to help her. Should the king still be alive he would also hurry to her aid. Within eight days the tower is made ready. The queen enters, has the drawbridge raised and blames Mordered for his offense by enforcing the marriage. Mordred’s counselors advise him to make an assault.

Motif References:

R 210 Escapes
T 323 Escape from undesired lover by strategy
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

Lanc3-650: (7) Morderet fearing treachery obtains their oath of fidelity even if they had to fight King Arthur himself. They offer him their gloves in a ceremony of enfeoffment. Mordred orders that the tower be assaulted. The queen’s men however fight so bravely that the attack has to be stopped. Thus the queen is besieged in the town of Logres. She sends a messenger to Gaule to inquire about Arthur. Only if he learnt that the king and Gawan are dead the messenger should ask Lancelot to help her. At nightfall the squire leaves posing as one of the besiegers. He leaves the town, crosses the sea and soon learns that the king is still alive and besieges the town of Ganuen.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
M 100.0.1 (Li) Oath of allegiance
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege

Lanc3-654: After a siege of about two month King Arthur has given up hope to conquer the town. He asks Gawan for advice. Gawan sends a messenger into the town to offer Lancelot single combat: If Lancelot overcomes him peace will be made. But if Gawan slays Lancelot the two kings have to become Arthur’s vassals. The squire warns Gawan to risk his life against such a strong knight as Lancelot. Gawan insists that he bears his message and the squire leaves. Lancelot cannot refuse the challenge otherwise he would admit his guilt. The messenger leaves.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
H 217.1 Decision of victory by single combat between army leaders
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege

Lanc3-659: (2) Bohort and Lyonel are not pleased that Gawan is about to fight in judicial combat against Lancelot: he is in the wrong. Lyonel thinks Gawan would rather die than live on. Lancelot declares that if he overcame Gawan he would spare him, for the man is a valiant knight and he loves him almost as much as the king. Bohort wonders that Lancelot could love a man who hates him. Meanwhile the messenger has returned to Gawan. Gawan obtains the king’s rash boon: The king has to leave if Gawan is overcome by Lancelot in single combat. The king fails in dissuading Gawan from fighting Lancelot. Gawan sends word to Lancelot to meet the king. Lancelot will go to see the king in the company of Bohort and Hector.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
P 310 Friendship

Lanc3-664: The king leaves the camp together with Carades and Gawan, Lancelot leaves town in the company of Bohort and Hector. Though the king is their enemy Lancelot makes his companions dismount when they meet him, which does not please Bohort. The king praises to his company their valiance and courtesy and hopes for peace. Then he and his comrades dismount. Lancelot greets the king, who for the sake of Gawan does not reply. Gawan challenges Lancelot to single combat, for the killing of Gawan’s brother. Lancelot by overcoming him would be granted peace and the king’s army would leave without delay. Lancelot replies that he would prefer peace and offers Gawan to become his vassal as would his brother Hector. Moreover he promises a ten year penance on a pilgrimage barefoot. Thereafter they should become friends as before. He gives his oath that he did not kill Gahariet treacherously. The king is amazed on hearing this and, weeping, he begs Gawan to comply to Lancelot’s asking. Gawan however refuses and offers his glove to the king. Lancelot, weeping, gives his glove too. Lancelot asks the king to swear that he would leave after the combat if he overcame Gawan. Hector scorns Gawan for having refused Lancelot’s penance, but Lancelot silences him.

Motif References:

W 155 Hardness of heart
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)

Lanc3-669: (10) The knights return to their quarters. Ywan is in distress for the sake of Gawan for he is in the wrong. Gawan however insists, declaring that his cause is just. The king too regrets that Gawan refused reconciliation. All are very unhappy about that combat: Gawan arrogantly refused a generous offer of peace. Lancelot watches all night in the church and he confesses his sins. At dawn he goes to sleep. In the morning after having got ready for the combat Lancelot leaves with a large train toward the field of the combat. Lancelot is the only armed man among them, and none of them must enter the circle of the combat. Gawan too is armed and escorted to the circle in a like manner. The king himself leads Gawan at his right hand into the circle. Lancelot crosses himself.

Motif References:

H 218 Trial by combat
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat

Lanc3-673: (11) Combat starts. The fighters run onto each other so violently that both are unhorsed. Lancelot then attacks his opponent with his sword, and Gawan takes Escalibort, Arthur’s sword. They press each other hard until both their shields and their helmets are greatly damaged and both are wounded. They only get some rest toward noon. When Bohort watches Lancelot resting he is worried for the knight never became so weary before. Hector thinks the reason is his friendship for Gawan. But noon past Gawan’s strength is renewed and he again challenges Lancelot to continue fighting. Lancelot is greatly amazed that his opponent has completely regained his strength: the man must be a devil or a magician. Yet Gawan’s strength usually grows at noon which often has been proved.

Motif References:

Z 201.2 (Bm) Hero’s famous sword
H 218 Trial by combat
D 1830 Magic strength
D 1836 Magic waxing and waning of strength.

Lanc3-677: (9) Gawan was born in the kingdom of Organie in the town Gelone. His father king Bocher was very happy about this birth, and he had the baby carried into the forest to have him baptized by a hermit. The hermit was a holy man, for whose sake God had worked many miracles: lame people could go, blind were restored their eyesight. The hermit’s name was Gawan, and therefore the child in baptism (at noon) was called Gawan too. One of the knights entreated the hermit to pray for the child so as to make him excel all other knights. The hermit promised to give them his answer the next morning. Next day after mass the hermit tells them that the child will become a valiant knight, who is to earn much praise. Moreover he will never be overcome at noon, the hour when he received holy baptism, when his strength will be completely restored so that no one will be able to kill him at noon. The prophecy came true and opponents avoid fighting him before noon.

Motif References:

V 223 Saints have miraculous knowledge
V 229.2 Sancticity of saints
M 301.5 Saints (holy men) [hermits] as prophet
M 310.1 Prophecy: future greatness and fame
P 426.2 Hermit
N 843 Hermit as helper
F 950 Marvelous cures
F 952 Blindness miraculously cured
D 1713 Magic power of hermit (saint, yogi)
D 1830 Magic strength
D 1836 Magic waxing and waning of strength.
D 2161.3.1 Blindness magically cured
D 2161.3.7 Lameness magically cured

Lanc3-680: Gawan fiercely attacks Lancelot and wounds him. Lancelot tries to obtain some rest by only protecting himself with his shield, and when he has recovered he again attacks his adversary. They fight all day. In the evening Gawan has become weary, while Lancelot still keeps battering at him. Lancelot tells Gawan that according to custom he has won the judicial combat: a man who accuses another of treachery must defeat him before evening. Yet he would rather not kill him. Gawan however refuses to give in. Thereupon Lancelot asks the king to put an end to the combat. Arthur advises him to leave the circle.

Motif References:

H 218 Trial by combat
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat

Lanc3-685: (5) When Lancelot joins his companions Hector blames him of having spared Gawan whom he should have decapitated. Bohort warns him that he will regret his mercy one day. Lancelot and his retinue leave for the town. All are amazed when Lancelot tells them of Gawan’s marvelous recovery, for the latter is 22 years his senior: Gawan is about 66 years of age and Arthur 92. Meanwhile Gawan is carried into the royal tent. They send for a physician who promises that the knight would be cured but he worries about a wound to the head. All are very grieved and wake for his sake. Next morning the king orders to break the camp, he will go to rest at Gaulle and have Gawan cured. They carry Gawan with them in a large bed. The king rests in a town called Meaus. Gawan needs a long time to recover.

Motif References:

Lanc3-690: When the king wants to return to Logres news comes to him that the Romans have assaulted his kingdom after their large army already had devastated Burgundy and killed all inhabitants. The king orders the messenger to keep this secret and asks Gawan’s advice - the knight has recovered, but for his wounded head, which will kill him later. Gawan counsels him to fight the Romans whom he thinks to lack valiance and skill in battle. Gawan will join his campaign. On their way from Burgundy to Campanien they encounter the Roman Emperor, Maxencius, with his large army. The British warriors however exceed them in fighting skills as well as military equipment. The emperor sends word to Arthur who wanted to know the reasons of the assault that it is all his own. He has come to avenge a margrave of Brandenburg once killed by Arthur. Peace could only be obtained if Arthur would become his vassal and promise to give a yearly tribute of 100000 marks. Thereupon Arthur’s messengers declare war and return to the king.

Motif References:

P 531 Taxation and payment of fines and tribute
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 556 Challenge to battle

Lanc3-693: (11) Next morning the knights from Logres arm themselves. Arthur makes ten battle formations. In the furious battle Logres presses the Romans hard, and the battlefield is covered with fallen knights. The Romans are not so well trained fighters as the knights of Logres, and therefore many Romans are slaughtered. The last battalion is led by Arthur who excels in battle and is the most valiant fighter. Gawan, the marshal and Giflet do well too. Gawan kills the emperor’s nephew and is attacked by a throng of Roman fighters. In the battle his old wound breaks and he will die from it. Arthur splits the emperor’s head. Their leader’s death discourages the Romans who take to flight.

Motif References:

P 552 Battle formations
F 628.2 Strong man kills men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc3-696: The knights of Logres pursue the Romans, capturing 500 noblemen and slaying the rest of the army. The captives have to surrender to Arthur. The king has the emperor’s corpse put into a coffin which he sends to Rome with some Roman knights. Such will be his only tribute. Arthur stays at the battlefield. The queen’s messenger arrives telling the king that Mordered has usurped his kingdom, and is besieging the queen in a tower. Arthur himself would be warred on arrival. The queen entreats her husband for Mordred would dishonor her if he got hold of her. The king falls silent from grief.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
S 139.2.2 Other indignities to corpse
P 236.4 Son deposes father and usurps throne
R 260 Pursuits
K 2249.5 (Bm) Treacherous regent

Lanc3-698: (11) The king remembers his vision: a snake coming out of his womb who burnt his lands and warred against him. He now will be forced to kill his own son. His men are amazed on learning that Morderet is the king’s son. The king orders them to be ready to leave next morning. Gawan is to be carried with them on a wagon. In the morning when they arrive at the seashore Gawan laments that he will never return to Logres for he is to die within 14 days. He regrets that he will no more meet Lancelot to ask pardon for his offense for the sake of his soul. The king declares that Gawan’s pride has brought disaster upon them: they lost Lancelot, Gawan, had to suffer Mordred’s treachery. Had Arthur not lost so many knights he could easily defeat any enemy. Gawan advises the king to ask Lancelot for help. Arthur, very grieved that Gawan has to die, dares not send word to Lancelot thinking the latter would never pardon him. They go aboard and travel on to Logres.

Motif References:

N 130 Changing of luck or fate
Z 150 Other symbols
V 515.2 Allegorical visions - political
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream

Lanc3-703: In the meantime Mordered besieges the queen’s tower in London with war-machines. Mordred sends for his liegemen, the lords of Ißlande and Scotland and of other countries, and by bestowing great riches upon them obtains their alliance against Arthur. He spends Arthur’s treasure that has been trusted to him. Many riches are given to him in return for his generous gifts. The news of Arthur’s arrival with a large army frighten Morderet who fears defeat because of his faithlessness and treachery. He asks his counselors for advice. They advise him to ask Arthur to leave the land, for the vassals made him, Mordred, their king. Moreover he has got more and stronger fighters than Arthur, whose men would be exhausted from long warfare. Before Mordret leaves to meet Arthur he summons his lords of Logres, and obtains their consent to fight Arthur. War is declared and the next morning an army of more than 10000 men leaves.

Motif References:

P 14.15.1 (Old, wise) Counsellors of court [King’s council]
P 19 Other motifs connected with kings
W 131 Profligacy
R 210 Escapes
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
P 614 (Bm) Bribes

Lanc3-707: News of the king’s return and the imminent have come to the queen. Glad that help will come to her she nevertheless is grieved and weeps for she fears for her husband’s life. Her nephew asks her about her trouble. The queen thinks that if her husband won the battle he easily could suspect her of adultery with Morderet and would certainly kill her. If however Arthur lost Morderet would kill her. The nephew tries to console her and advises her to trust in the king’s mercy. She should pray to God for Arthur’s victory. The next morning she sets out with a retinue of 2 maidens and 6 squires, carrying two packhorses with gold and silver with her. She takes refuge in a nunnery in the forest, founded by one of her ancestors. Her maidens may leave or stay with her. The queen herself will stay there until she dies, like the lady of Kamelinde who was regarded a holy woman. Her maidens weep and declare they too will become nuns. The abbess welcomes the queen who asks to be made a nun. The abbess refuses to make her a nun as long as the king lives for he would banish them. Moreover the queen could not suffer the hardships of a holy life. The queen however insists: The king would want them to grant her refuge among them. She relates her story to them. The abbess promises to make here a nun so that she could avoid marrying Morderet if he defeated Arthur. If the king overcame Morderet the abbess would reconcile Ginover with her husband. Thus the queen stays at the nunnery.

Motif References:

P 29 Queens - miscellaneous
R 325.4 (Bm) Nunnery as refuge

Lanc3-712: In the meantime the king has arrived at the fortress of Dover where he is welcomed very friendly. They had been very grieved at the false news of his death: The king tells them that Mordret sent false letters throughout the land. Gawan sends for the king for he is sure to die before evening. From weakness he can hardly speak, but warns the king to fight Morderet, who certainly would kill him. Then he asks him to greet the queen on his behalf and entreats the knights to beg Lancelot to pardon him and to visit his grave. Gawan wants to be buried at Camlot at the side of his brother Gahariet. An inscription on the grave should tell that Gahariet and Gawan lie there whom Lancelot killed for the sake of Gawan’s arrogance. The king is very grieved. Gawan dies with his hands formed in a cross above his breast. The king weeps and laments. He swoons several times, tears his hair and gray beard. The king is so grieved that he loses his mind and his men fear for his life. They carry him away from the corpse.

Motif References:

V 65 Commemoration of death
V 153 (Hi) Heroes’ grave
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
F 1041.21.6 Tearing hair and clothes from excessive grief
F 1041.8.2 Madness from grief

Lanc3-716: (10) Gawan is generally mourned. The corpse is wrapped in silk cloth with jewels and gold. Many lights burn that night for his sake. Next morning hundred armed knights escort Gawan on a wagon to Camlot to bury him. People weep and lament, tear their hair and show all signs of grief. The train leaves and in the evening comes to the castle Bielot. The castle belongs to an enemy of Gawan, who envied his excellence in knighthood. They take the bier up to the hall. When the lady of the castle learns the identity of the dead man she kisses the corpse and swoons: They learn that this man was her only love. Her lord enters and outraged on seeing her grieving for the stranger kills her with his sword cutting into Gawan too. Before she dies she asks them to bury her with Gawan so that everybody learns that she died for his sake. The knights take the sword from the knight and kill him. Thereupon the guests are attacked by the lord’s men who however soon have to retreat. The guests eat and drink what they find in the castle and watch at the bier. Then they leave for Kamahelot.

Motif References:

T 11 Falling in love with person never seen
V 60 Funeral rites
S 62 Cruel husband
S 110 Murders
W 181 Jealousy
T 257 Jealous husband or wife.
Q 411.6 Death as punishment for murder
P 681 Mourning customs
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
F 1041.21.6 Tearing hair and clothes from excessive grief

Lanc3-721: (6) At Kamahelot all are grieved on learning Gawan’s death. He is carried into the Minster of St. Stephen and all weep and lament his death. Then he is buried at his brother’s side and an inscription made. The inscription on the lady’s grave tells that the lady of Belot is lying there killed by her husband for the sake of Gawan. In the meantime Arthur has left for battle. When they camp in a forest the king sees Gawan in his dream more beautiful than ever. A throng of poor people tell Arthur that Gawan’s generosity toward them has won them salvation and entreat the king to do likewise. Arthur gives his promise, embraces his nephew and kisses him. Gawan once again warns him against fighting Morderet for he would die. The king however insists for it is his royal duty to punish treachery. Before Gawan leaves him he advises him to send word to Lancelot, the only man to protect him from death. The king refuses and Gawan leaves weeping.

Motif References:

W 11 Generosity
Q 42 Generosity rewarded
V 60 Funeral rites
M 341 Death prophesied
E 366.4 (Bm) Revenant in dream advises king
V 400 Charity
V 410 Charity rewarded
V 520 Salvation
J 652 Inattention to warnings
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1810.8.3 Warning in dreams

Lanc3-724: In the morning when he wakes the king prays to God for victory. Then he hears mass. They leave and ride all day. At night they camp on the meadow of Leucain. The king sleeps in his tent with only his squire as company. Once again he has a dream: A beautiful maiden carries him to the top of a high mountain, has him seated onto a wheel, that has seats on it. The wheel turns round. Sitting on top of the wheel the king enjoys a wide panorama of the entire earth. She asks him where he thinks he is staying - he replies he is sitting on a wheel and has a wide panorama. The maiden tells him that once he was the mightiest king. But such a position is only due to a human’s overbearing and therefore he has to fall. Taking him she throws him down from the wheel so that he swoons. Next morning he hears mass and confesses of sins. He relates his dream to the bishop who entreats him to leave battle, return to Donure, and send for Lancelot for aid. This would be the only way to kill Morderet and his men. If the king however entered battle now he would be doomed. The king refuses and swears by his soul that he will fight without delay.

Motif References:

N 111.3 Fortune’s wheel.
P 122 (Bm) Archbishop and bishop
N 130 Changing of luck or fate
Z 163 (Hi) Wheel symbol of world’s way
Q 331 Pride punished
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
J 652 Inattention to warnings
N 846.2 Priest as helper
D 1712.3 Interpreter of dreams
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream
D 1810.8.3 Warning in dreams
D 1812.3.3.5 Prophetic dream allegorical

Lanc3-727: (11) King Arthur rides on to the field of Salebiers. He is aware of his imminent death which often has been foretold to him by soothsayers, since he was a child. They wait for Morderet on the battlefield. In the evening the king walking with the priest across the field comes upon a stone with characters engraved on it. He has the bishop read them: This is the place of the battle that will deprive the land of Logres of their good king. The kings asks him for an interpretation and the bishop tells him that the stone reveals his fate to him, his imminent death in the war against Mordret. Merlin, the best prophet ever, once made that inscription and all his prophecies came true. The king should care for the numerous warnings and avoid battle. Arthur refuses. The bishop weeps for he failed in rescuing the king. On returning to his tent Arthur receives Morderet’s challenge sent with a squire. Mordret would only make peace if Arthur would leave him the kingdom. Arthur refuses.

Motif References:

M 301 Prophets
M 302.6 Prophecy inscribed on well [seat]
M 341 Death prophesied
M 342 Prophecy of downfall of kingdom
M 342.1 Prophecy of downfall of king
M 356.1.1 Prophecy: loss of battle (combat)
M 391 Fulfillment of prophecy
P 556 Challenge to battle
J 652 Inattention to warnings

Lanc3-730: (10) Arthur sends word to Mordret that his treachery and false oath shall be punished. The messenger leaves. Arthur’s men are worried for the enemy outnumbers them by far, whereas Morderet’s men are even more worried for they are aware of fighting for a traitor. Moreover they lack training in battle. Their hatred however toward Arthur for the sake of offenses makes them fight that battle against him. In the morning after he has heard mass King Arthur makes ten battle formations, led by Ywan, king Jons, king Karodos with the Short Arms, king Tabarentius, king Amgasa, Giflet, king Butteleyer, Gunres of Lampale, a knight of Sorolois. Arthur himself leads the best knights into battle. He entreats his army to fight as best as they could.

Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
P 552 Battle formations

Lanc3-733: (12) Morderet makes twenty battle formations, the last one is commanded by himself. He will wait to fight Arthur who according to Mordret’s scouts will lead the last troop into battle. His leaders are the knights of Sayson and those of Dislande, of Scotland, Gales, Nobelande. Morderet incites his troops to valiance. Then they set out to the field of Salaesbiers where Arthur’s army is already waiting for them under their banners. A furious battle starts and soon the ground is covered with slain or wounded knights, horses run loose. As still happens in many battles the kingdom of Logres is deprived of its good king, many a valiant knight and the land without a lord will be devastated. Ywan excels as the day’s best hero, but is wounded by the king of Senen. Ywan chops off his adversary’s head. On seeing their king dead his men are stricken with grief. Thus the army of Logres easily can defeat them: they slay many a man on pursuit. The furious battle goes on and many warriors lose their lives. Armed horses override the wounded men. Their leaders killed many troops are disencouraged and stricken with grief defeated quite easily.

Motif References:

P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 552 Battle formations
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc3-742: (17) King Karados watching this happen to one of Arthur’s troops comes to their aid and orders them to hide their grief if he would be killed for otherwise the enemy would take advantage of it. Karados and his men kill many enemies and the ground is covered with victims. When Karados is deadly wounded and carried upon his shield to a tree he once again orders them to keep from showing their grief. After the battle they should bury him in the Minster of St. Stephens in Chamlot. He tells them that never since Logres became Christian so many knights died in a battle which will be Arthur’s last one. They hurry back into battle and rage among the enemy. Arthur already has suffered great losses. Arthur’s men are forced to retreat. In the tumult of the furious battle numerous strange tongues are to be heard. At last Arthur joins the battle with his formation. Arthur has a squire spy on the enemy from a mountain. They outnumber him by far. The king regrets not to have sent for Lancelot. Arthur who wears rich clothes and rides an excellent black horse, tells his 72 knights of the Round Table to keep to one another in the battle. Morderet meanwhile has 300 knights lie in ambush. The battle is renewed and Morderet sets out against Arthur, who unhorses him. Mordred’s men come to his aid. Battle goes on and Mordred fights Arthur, who is assisted by his knights.

Motif References:

P 550 Military affairs
J 580 Wisdom of caution
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
F 1084.1.1 (Tu) Heaps of corpses after furious battle

Lanc3-756: On watching Mordret killing Ywan Arthur laments. Segremors replies that thus is the reward for the power and honor he enjoyed in his lifetime. A great clamor arouses behind Mordret’s 300 knights attacking them from their ambush. But the Arthurians bravely defend themselves and kill all but twelve. The battlefield is covered with dead and wounded, the horses only can override dead warriors. Only four knights of the Round Table still live: King Arthur, Lucas der Bukeleyer, Giflet and Segremors. Mordred kills Segremors whom Arthur avenges by inflicting a deep wound onto him. The book tells that a ray of sunshine came from Arthur’s lance when he hit him, which was watched by Giflet. All who saw that wonder thought it to be a sign of God’s rage. When Mordred knows that he is to die he once again strikes the king and wounds him on the head. Both of them fall to the ground and Mordred dies. Thus the father killed the son while the latter inflicted a deadly wound upon his father. The battle goes on and in the evening only Lucas and Giflet are left on the king’s side.

Motif References:

A 102.17.1 Miracle as sign of God’s anger
N 731.2 Father-son combat
F 882 Extraordinary fire
F 1061 Flame as miraculous index
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
F 1084.1.1 (Tu) Heaps of corpses after furious battle

Lanc3-760: (4) They lament the death of so many knights, and the consequences of a war: death that makes orphans and widows. They are amazed on seeing wounded Arthur mounting his horse and leave, although he just told them that he would die soon. They ride on toward the sea. When night falls they come to chapel where each day a hermit living nearby sings mass. The king prays at the altar all night on his knees, for himself and for his slain knights. He shouts his prayer so that those outside can listen. Lucas worrying for the king addresses him and the king embraces him. Yet being still in armor he suffocates his knight without even getting aware of it. Giflet blames the king for Lucas’s death. The king declares that now all his luck has left him. They ride on to the shore. Arthur takes his sword and addresses Escalibort as the best sword except that with the strange hilt. He would want Lancelot to have it.

Motif References:

V 50 Prayer
N 130 Changing of luck or fate
Z 201.2 (Bm) Hero’s famous sword
N 330 Accidental killing or death
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
F 833 Extraordinary sword

Lanc3-764: (10) King Arthur sends Giflet to a lake near a mountain not far away and orders him to throw the sword into the water. Thus no evil man could get hold of it. The king refuses to leave the sword to Giflet asking for it: Giflet does not deserve it and moreover will die soon. Giflet carries the sword to the lake and hides it. When he returns the king asks him what happened when he disposed of the sword and at his reply blames him of disobedience. Giflet is sent once again to the lake. This time he throws the sheath into the water and returns to the king. He is sent back and at last throws the sword into the lake. A hand coming from the lake receives the sword, gives three strikes toward the mountain and immerges with it into the water. When he tells the story to the king the latter says that this is the sign of his imminent death.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
D 878.1 Magic sword returned to lake whence it was received

Lanc3-766: (14) Arthur weeps and orders Giflet to leave him alone to die. Giflet at last gives in. Giflet leaves, but it starts raining and therefore he takes shelter under a tree nearby. He watches a ship with many ladies approaching from the sea. One of them, who is with the king’s sister, asks the king to come aboard. With his armor and his horse the king boards the ship. Giflet hurries back to the shore and recognizes the king’s sister Morge. Giflet is stricken with grief and stays at the place without food and drink. Next morning he leaves and comes to a wood where a hermit lives, whom he tells the story. Then he leaves to see Lucas’s grave in the black chapel. There are two graves: that of Lucas, telling that he was suffocated by King Arthur, and another one of Arthur, who conquered twelve kingdoms. Giflet swoons. When he comes to his senses he kisses the grave.

Motif References:

V 65 Commemoration of death
V 153 (Hi) Heroes’ grave
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1520.15 Transportation in magic ship

Lanc3-769: Giflet learns from the hermit at the chapel that ladies took Arthur to that place. Thereupon Giflet wants to become a hermit. But he dies eight days later. As soon as Mordret’s sons at Gintiestre learn the outcome of the battle and that their father has died they take possession of all the lands. The kingdom lies waste after the great war. When the queen gets to know that the young traitors now rule the land she becomes a nun out of fear. Meanwhile news of the battle and Arthur’s death come to Lancelot at Gaunes. Lancelot is outraged at the kingdom’s usurpation by Mordred’s sons. He takes council with Bohort and Lyonel. Bohort advises him to summon their vassals and campaign against them. Within 15 days they are ready, and with a huge army of about 20000 men Bohort, Lancelot and Lyonel cross the sea to Britain.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
R 325.4 (Bm) Nunnery as refuge
P 557.0.1 (Li) Council of war

Lanc3-772: (10) Morderet’s sons are frightened on getting the news of their arrival for they are afraid of Lancelot. They summon their men at Gintiestre. Lancelot is stricken with grief on learning that the queen has died three days ago. But she was granted a good death begging God for pardon for her sin. When Lancelot rides toward Gentiestre her death makes him very angry. Battle starts before the town of Gentiestre and many a knight is killed. Melian, the elder son of Mordred, wounds Lyonel and is killed by Bohort who thinks his brother dead. Bohort rages among the enemies so that all are amazed. The knights from Gaule meanwhile carry Lyonel from the battlefield to a place under a tree. Though they are grieved at seeing him wounded they beware of showing their sorrow so that the enemy might not get aware of it. Lancelot fights Mordred’s second son and kills him. On seeing their leader’s death his men take to flight, pursued by Lancelot’s troops. The field is covered with corpses. Lancelot having killed an enemy in pursuit loses his way in a forest. In the evening he meets a squire coming from Gintiestre.

Motif References:

T 211.9 Excessive grief at husband’s or wife’s death
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
F 628.2 Strong man kills men
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

Lanc3-778: The squire tells him that Lyonel has died. Lancelot is stricken with grief, he weeps and laments his cousin’s death. He keeps riding on all night and in the morning comes to a rocky mountain. Many hermits are living there. At a small chapel Lancelot is welcomed joyfully by two priests. He recognizes them as the archbishop of Conterbille and his own relative Beobleris. They came to this place the day of the battle at Salebiers, which left only three men living except themselves: Arthur, Lucas, Giflet. They decides to live as hermits until they die. Lancelot decides to join them.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
P 426.2 Hermit

Lanc3-781: (5) After Bohort has buried his brother in the town of Gintiestre he leaves in quest for Lancelot. When he fails in finding him he decides to return to his kingdom. Hector continues searching for Lancelot. In the meantime Lancelot has become a priest, sings mass each day and lives a chaste life. He only feeds on bread, water and some roots. One day Hector comes to the hermitage and the brothers are overjoyed when they recognize. Hector becomes a hermit too. Four years later Hector dies and is buried. Lancelot becomes ill and knows that he will die. He makes Beobleris and the archbishop promise to carry his corpse to Josegarde and bury him in the grave of Galaad from the fernen Inseln. Five days later Lancelot dies alone at night.

Motif References:

P 426.1 Parson (priest)
V 462 Asceticism
N 733 Accidental meeting of brothers
H 1385 Quest for lost person.

Lanc3-783: (11) Bleoberis wakes and watches the archbishop enjoying some dream, praising God who has shown him what he longed to see. Bleoberis is frightened for he does not know whether a devil has entered the bishop and therefore he wakes him. The bishop is angry to see his dream abruptly ended: He watched angels carrying away Lancelot’s soul. But he is happy that penitence and repentance bring about salvation. They carry Lancelot on a bier to Josegarte, where there is great lament for him. His corpse is laid out in the church. King Bohort happens to come to the castle and recognizes his dead lord. He swoons upon the corpse. Lancelot is buried in Galaad’s splendid grave. An inscription tells that there lie Gallat of the far islands and lord Lancelot of the Lake who was the best knight of the kingdom of Logres except for Galaad. A hermit had ordered to Bohort to travel to Josegarde without delay to find Lancelot dead or alive. The bishop tells him about Lancelot’s life as a hermit. Bohort decides to become a hermit himself. Next day he sends word to his people: they are supposed to choose his successor for he will not return. Thus the story of the life of Lancelot that has been told by Master Gacziers Map comes to its end.

Motif References:

P 16.1 King (prince) retires from world (becomes hermit [monk, pilgrim], swineherd [beggar])
P 17 Succession to the throne
V 60 Funeral rites
V 153 (Hi) Heroes’ grave
V 510 Religious visions
V 520 Salvation
E 722.2.10 Soul taken away by God (angel)
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
H 1219 Assignment of quests - miscellaneous
D 1810.8 Magic knowledge from dream

Matière de Bretagne

Lancelot 3 (<1250) Lancelot. Nach der Heidelberger Pergamenthandschrift Pal. Germ. 147, ed. by Reinhold Kluge, vol. III. (=DTM 63) Berlin 1967.

Lancelot 3 (<1250)
Lancelot. Nach der Heidelberger Pergamenthandschrift Pal. Germ. 147, ed. by Reinhold Kluge, vol. III. (=DTM 63) Berlin 1967.