WCRPa-1: Gawan on his quest for the spear angrily rides away until he comes to a river he is unable to cross. He is anxious that he might fail to keep his promise. In the forest he is welcomed at a stronghold that is called Limosches. The king wearing splendid clothes but suffering from illness offers Gawan friendly greetings while he is lying on his bed. Then Gawan watches the Grail’s ceremony: A squire carries the bleeding lance, followed by a maiden carrying a silver cup and two squires with candelabras and a weeping maiden carrying the Grail. At last come four squires who carry a dead man (his broken sword placed at his side) on a bier under a golden baldachin. Then the train turns round and once again passes by the guest. Gawan who thinks this might be the Grail and the lance he has promised to obtain asks the king about the Grail, the lance, the weeping maidens, the bier and the sword. The king replies Gawan is worthy to learn those secrets and sends four squires for the sword. Then he asks Gawan to mend it: if he succeeds the king will answer all his questions. But Gawan fails and the king declares that those secrets are reserved for the best knight. While he is still listening to the king’s story Gawan falls asleep.

Motif References:

V 80 Religious services - miscellaneous
F 166.1.1 ”Silver bowl”: Grail in otherworld.
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
F 184.1 Wounded otherworld king (in Ireland).
Z 254 Destined hero
M 361 Fated hero
C 423.5 Tabu: revealing sacred mysteries.
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 832 Extraordinary lance
F 991.1 Bleeding lance.
H 1023.8 Task: fixing the two pieces of a broken sword together
H 1219.5 Quest assigned [to] prisoner.
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness
D 1960 Magic sleep

WCRPa-8: As Gawan wakes in the morning the castle has disappeared. His armor and weapons have been placed at his side and his horse is tied to a tree. Annoyed that he could not learn about this adventure Gawan mounts and continues his journey. He is worried to be late for the combat he has promised. After traveling through a beautiful land Gawan comes upon a knight and a lady, whom he asks where they are going. As he is given a rude answer Gawan replies that he meant no offense. The knight takes him for a fool and asks his name. Gawan identifies and says that he is the son of King Arthur’s sister. On hearing this the stranger is pleased for he was just searching for Gawan whom he accuses of having killed his father. They fight. When the stranger is about to be defeated he stops fighting claiming that a combat watched by no one is quite useless and he urges Gawan to give security. They agree about continuing the combat wherever they would meet again. At Gawan’s question the knight identifies as Dinasdanres. Gawan continues his journey and hurries toward Kavalun for the trial.

Motif References:

P 233.6 Son avenges father
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
N 760.1 (Bm) Chance meeting of seeker and sought
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-11: (25) Gawan arrives at Kavalun and tells the king that he failed in his quest for the Grail and the Spear that he was assigned to achieve within one year. He now has returned to keep his pledge. Gynganbertil wants to fight him and the king summons his council. At this point a large knight in full armor – Dinasdanres – accompanied by three heavily armed squires enters the courtyard and challenges Gawan. None of the challengers is willing to postpone the combat. The king asks his counselors who declare that Gawan has to fight both of them at the same time. Preparations for the combat are made and many people come to watch the trial.

Motif References:

P 14.15.1 (Old, wise) Counsellors of court [King’s council]
Z 72.0.1 (Bm) Year time limit on quest
M 202 Fulfilling of bargain or promise
H 217 Decision made by contest
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
H 1219.5 Quest assigned [to] prisoner.
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].

WCRPa-14: (46) A squire, who is Gawan’s relative, hurries to bring the news to King Arthur. Keie is the first one to learn the news which make him very angry for it is an unequal fight. King Arthur sets out with his army at once toward Kavalun. Ywan is sent ahead to prevent the combat for the sake of Arthur. The king of Kavalun welcomes King Arthur and they make peace. Arthur marries two nieces, the little Tanete and Clarate, to Gawan’s adversaries. A great wedding festival is celebrated and Arthur invests the king of Kavalun with his kingdom. The two newly married knights become his liegemen. King Arthur is a mighty sovereign who subdues many men. One day he proclaims a great council to be held at his court. Brun of Meilant refuses to join the assembly and leaves.

Motif References:

P 14.15.1 (Old, wise) Counsellors of court [King’s council]
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 50 Noblemen (knights) [rules of chivalry]
M 100.0.1 (Li) Oath of allegiance
T 136.1 Wedding feast
M 201.5 Covenant confirmed by marriage
H 217 Decision made by contest
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
N 836 King as helper

WCRPa-21: Outraged, Arthur vows a campaign against Brun before autumn and to besiege him. Letters are sent throughout his lands to summon his lords to a diet and council of war at Whitsun in Kavalun. Many noble lords come to attend the diet, among them Kandor of Seline, who is devoted to the love of women, and Galaal who achieved the Grail. Brun has an impregnable stronghold at the seaside safe against war-machines and famine. After he has rested some time with his mother and his sisters Arthur sets out on his campaign against Meilant. The journey takes nine days. His knights ride off in a hurry for they are eager to fight. The townspeople catch sight of them and prepare their defense. They are forced to retreat into the city. Arthur makes his camp on the field beneath the town. The country is laid waste and the townspeople suffer from famine. After a seven years’ siege – between Whitsun and autumn – the fortress is finally conquered.

Motif References:

P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 557.0.1 (Li) Council of war
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege

WCRPa-26: While King Arthur is besieging the fortress Gawan and Ywan one day catch sight of two lamenting ladies in a tower of the town’s fortifications: Clore of Meilant and Ismane. They implore the two knights to provide the citizens with some food. At Gawan’s and Ywan’s request the king grants them food for one more year, yet forbids that any more provisions should be sent to them or even asked for them. One year later Ywan once again overhears a lady, Lare, lamenting the citizens’ famine; he falls at his king’s feet kissing his right foot, Arthur promises everything he would ask for. Ywan begs the king to send food to the ladies. Arthur bound by his promise grants his wish, but insists that all but Ywan would have been banished from his kingdom for this demand. Keie, the steward, is ordered to send supplies to the castle. Keie is an overbearing man, but always faithful to his friends. A horse heavily loaded with provisions is sent to the town, so that the besieged have food for two days.

Motif References:

M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

WCRPa-29: (11) One morning Brun leaves the city and attacks the Arthurian knights who are still fast asleep and robs some of their supplies. Gawan though being unarmed pursues him at once and they fight each other. Both of them are wounded, and Gawan takes fourteen weeks to recover from his wounds. The king’s physicians take care of him. When he has almost recovered he mounts his steed Gringalet and secretly leaves the camp. Keie brings the news to the king who is worried and sets out in pursuit. When he has reached him Gawan says he did not really mean to leave them but was only riding out for his pleasure. Arthur urges him to return soon. Gawan is pleased with the beautiful wood, the birdsong, and as he feels strong and sound he decides to leave for adventure.

Motif References:

K 300 Thefts and cheats - general
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
H 1221 Quest for adventure
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-35: Three days later Gawan comes upon a tent pitched in the forest beside a spring. The tent is decorated in a wondrous way with flowers, birds, animals, and on top of it is a golden eagle. Several beautiful leaf-huts decorated with flowers have been set beneath the tent. Gawan dismounts and enters the tent. When he meets a beautiful maiden [Aclervis] he greets her as “my love”. She keeps silent: It was offense that the knight addressed her the way he did. Only when he addresses her properly she greets first Gawan, whom she has never seen, and then her guest. At Gawan’s question about such a strange welcome she declares that she is in love with Gawan, who surpasses all men in excellence. She leads him into a small room that displays Gawan’s portrait on the ceiling. Gawan enjoys the girl’s love and when he leaves he gives his promise to send for her later on.

Motif References:

T 11 Falling in love with person never seen
P 50 Noblemen (knights) [rules of chivalry]
T 55 Girl as wooer. Forthputting woman
T 400 Illicit sexual relations
F 775 Extraordinary tent
F 855 Extraordinary image

WCRPa-37: After Gawan has left the girl’s father comes to see her and greets her addressing her as a virgin. She tells him the truth: she just met Gawan, whom she since long wanted to become her lover. The father in a rage sets out in pursuit of the seducer and challenges him to avenge his daughter’s dishonor. Gawan claims his innocence, for he did neither act against law nor honor, but he will not have himself be called a traitor. They fight and Gawan defeats and wounds the lady’s father. In the meantime Bran of Lis (Brandelis), who is the lady’s brother, greets his sister addressing her as a virgin, whereupon she keeps silent. She only replies his greeting when he addresses her as his sister. Then she tells him about her love affair with Gawan. Without delay Brandelis sets out in pursuit of the knight. Having found his father wounded by Gawan, he catches up with the knight and challenges him. Gawan defends himself, claiming that he did not rape the girl. Gawan’s wounds open, his adversary, stunned by Gawan’s blows, wants to stop fighting, on condition that Gawan would accept his challenge later on. On his way back Brandelis finds his father dead and buries him in an abbey nearby. His sister, whose name is Aclervis, is with child. Gawan returns to the besieged town, where he takes two months to recover from his wounds. As soon as Arthur has conquered Meilant by famine, he has three castles built in front of the city, which he gives as fiefs. Brun surrenders and becomes Arthur’s liegeman. In the meantime Brun’s daughter has fallen in love with Keie.

Motif References:

R 260 Pursuits
T 400 Illicit sexual relations
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat

WCRPa-45: During the siege of Meilant Arthur gives his relative Yseve of Karoes to King Karade of Nantes in marriage. One of Karade’s knights, by the name of Elyafres, however is in love with the lady. He is a magician who knows necromancy: he is able to transform animals and birds, and to chop off and replace one’s head. In the wedding-night he changes a hound into the shape of Yseve and has her lie at the king’s side. The two following nights he enchants a sow and a horse in like way and has them lie with the king. Yseve soon is with child from her lover Elyafres. Their son, by the name of Karadot, is raised at the royal court. When he is five years old he is sent to schools where he is taught the Latin language, and finally to King Arthur’s court for further education. After his victory before Meilant Arthur does not wear his crown for seven years. One day the king is hunting in the company of his knights. Gawan entertains the knights, while Arthur rides by himself lost in his thoughts. Gawan admonishes the king that he should not keep to himself but share the courtiers’ entertainment. Thereupon Arthur replies that the feast to be held at Whitsun is worrying him. Gawan advises him to celebrate the festival at Karidol.

Motif References:

P 10 Kings [King’s famous court]
P 13.3 Royal purple (golden diadem) [crown] as sign of royalty
P 30 Princes
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
L 111.5.1 (Bm) Hero begot illegitimately
T 183 (G) Illusory consummation of marriage
T 245 Husband [wife] unfaithful even in wedding night
Z 255.1 (Li) Unknown origin of hero, prophet
D 300 Transformation: animal to person. [power of transformation]
D 332 Transformation: equine animal (domestic) to person
D 336 Transformation: swine to person
D 341.1 Transformation: bitches to women
T 465 Bestiality. Intercourse of a human being and an animal
T 475 Unknown (clandestine) paramour
T 481 Adultery
T 481.6.1 (Bm) Queen begets son with magician while king is away
T 600 Care (education) of children
T 640 Illegitimate children
D 658.3.2 Transformation of animal to woman to seduce man [deceive husband]
D 683 Transformation by magician
K 1210 Humiliated or baffled lovers
K 1500 Deceptions connected with adultery
D 1711 Magician
D 1810.0.2 Magic knowledge of magician
K 1840 Deception by substitution

WCRPa-50: When Karados is dubbed a knight, Arthur wears his crown for the ceremony. Keie offers water at the table before dinner but Arthur refuses, referring to his fasting custom. Soon a knight (Elyafres) clad in ermine with a chaplet and a golden circlet on his head appears riding a white horse. He rides up to the royal table and asks for a gift, which Arthur grants with pleasure. Thereupon the stranger demands that he would have cut off his head by one of the knights who thereafter should have cut off his by the magician. No one wants to engage in this game and the stranger ridicules the knights. At last Karados chops off the stranger’s head and the magician puts it on again at once. Karados has to give his promise to meet the stranger one year later. The king and his knights are outraged and everybody leaves court. Arthur tells them that they should return when the year has passed.

Motif References:

P 13.3 Royal purple (golden diadem) [crown] as sign of royalty
P 14 Particular practices of kings
Z 72.0.1 (Bm) Year time limit on quest
M 151 Vow not to eat before hearing of adventure
M 221 Beheading bargain.
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
P 556.3 (Bm) Feast interrupted by man offering challenge.
P 634 Feasts
N 770.0.1 Feast as occasion for the beginning of adventures or the arrival of questers
E 783.1 Head cut off and successfully replaced.
H 1400 Fear test

WCRPa-54: One year later at Whitsunday Karados is ready to have his head cut off by Elyafres. King Arthur begs for the youth’s life and offers the magician all his guests’ armor and his entire treasure. Elyafres refuses. As he is about to strike Karados, Arthur swoons. The queen then offers the magician a wife, but he still refuses. As he once again is about to strike the knight many a courtier swoons. But Elyafres spares Karados, takes him aside and identifies as his father. He relates to him the story of the three nights he spent with Karados’s The country is laid waste and the townspeople suffer from famine. After a seven years’ siege – between Whitsun and autumn – the fortress finally is conquered. After a festive meal the guests leave court with rich gifts from the king. Karados travels to Nantes where he brings the news to his father. The king has his wife imprisoned in a tower. Karados leaves and joins King Arthur once again.

Motif References:

R 41.2 Captivity in tower
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
L 111.5.1 (Bm) Hero begot illegitimately
T 183 (G) Illusory consummation of marriage
M 220 Other bargains
M 221 Beheading bargain.
T 230.0.1 (Bm) Faithless wife
P 233 Father and son
Q 241 Adultery punished
Z 255.1 (Li) Unknown origin of hero, prophet
T 257.12 (Bm) Jealous husband confines wife to tower
D 300 Transformation: animal to person. [power of transformation]
T 381.0.2 Wife imprisoned in tower (house) to preserve chastity
Q 433.1 Imprisonment for adultery
T 475 Unknown (clandestine) paramour
T 481 Adultery
T 481.6.1 (Bm) Queen begets son with magician while king is away
P 634 Feasts
T 640 Illegitimate children
D 658.3.2 Transformation of animal to woman to seduce man [deceive husband]
D 683 Transformation by magician
N 731 Unexpected meeting of father and son
N 770.0.1 Feast as occasion for the beginning of adventures or the arrival of questers
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
K 1210 Humiliated or baffled lovers
H 1400 Fear test
K 1510 Adulteress outwits husband
K 1550.1 Husband discovers wife’s adultery
D 1711 Magician
K 1840 Deception by substitution

WCRPa-58: Elyafres however takes the habit of meeting the queen in her tower and they amuse themselves with splendid and noisy feasts. Meanwhile Karados attends Arthur’s Pentecost feast in the company of the king’s vassals. Among the guests is Kador of Cornvale with his beautiful sister Gingenier, who after their father’s death are to be invested with their dominion. Unfortunately they encounter Alardin of the Lake, who once has been rejected as the lady’s suitor. Alardin fights Kador to obtain the maiden and defeats him. Alardin will no more marry Gingenier but give her away in revenge. Her laments alarm Karados passing by. The lady implores him for help and he begs the knight to release her. They fight and Alardin surrenders and gives security. Karados orders him to surrender to Gingenier, but the latter will only pardon him if her brother lives. They carry him to Alardin’s tent to dress his wounds.

Motif References:

R 41.2 Captivity in tower
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
R 74 Defeated warriors [adversaries] go into [are forced to join] the conqueror’s service
T 75.2.1 Rejected suitors’ revenge
T 99.4 (Bm) Defeated warring suitor at lady’s mercy is forgiven
R 111.1.9 Princess rescued from undesired suitor
T 151.4 (Bm) Girl saved from forced marriage at last minute
H 217 Decision made by contest
T 230.0.1 (Bm) Faithless wife
P 253 Sister and brother
T 450 Prostitution and concubinage
T 475 Unknown (clandestine) paramour
T 481 Adultery
N 710 Accidental meeting of hero and heroine
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
D 1275.1 Magic music
K 1510 Adulteress outwits husband
D 1711 Magician
D 2088 Locks opened by magic
K 2233 (Bm) Treacherous suitors

WCRPa-67: Alardin’s tent is a masterpiece of art: On all sides it is decorated with golden knobs with eagles, lifelike as if they were flying and shouting, animated by the air. Their eyes are made of carbuncle. The tent poles illustrate all tales ever heard. The tent is pitched on a beautiful meadow and in front of it maidens and youths dance. The entrance is guarded by two automatic statues: an archer, who shoots any uncourtly person, and a harpist whose music drives away hunger, thirst and grief. The harpist tests maidens as well: The harp will stay intact if a virgin passes otherwise one string will break and detect a false virgin. The harpist only plays music that pleases its lord and it alarms the retinue when the lord returns to his tent so that his servants can welcome him decently.

Motif References:

H 411.12 Magic harp as chastity test. Plays out of tune [string breaks] at approach of unchaste girl
F 775 Extraordinary tent
F 855.2 Statues animated by water or wind
D 1138 Magic tent.
D 1231 Magic harp
D 1268 Magic statue (doll)
D 1275.1 Magic music
D 1349.1 Magic object produces immunity from hunger and thirst
D 1359.3 Magic object causes joy
D 1402.19 Magic statue kills
D 1514.1 Magic music relieves pain
H 1574.1 Test for noble blood
D 1615 Magic singing object.
D 1620.2 Automatic statue of animal
D 1620.1.5 Magic statue of archer
D 1639.1 Automata as door-keepers
D 1645.1 Incandescent jewel

WCRPa-70: Alardin’s sister, the Lady from the Tent (die von dem Pavelune) welcomes her brother and Gingenier. Herbs bring sweet smell to the tent that smoothens Kador’s pains and finally cures him. Alardin has his sister care for his guests. Within eight days the herbs with which the lady has treated their injuries have completely cured the knights. Kador, Alardin and Karados vow friendship to each other and Alardin promises Gingenier never to offend her again. They set out for King Arthur’s court. Karados falls in love with Gingenier. Love demands service, but luck as well. Karados does not dare to look at Gingenier; yet he will succeed in obtaining her love. At Karliun King Arthur’s court has gathered. On Easter Day a tournament has been proclaimed by King Kadoalans of Ireland (von Yrlande) against Ris of Brescheliand.

Motif References:

P 561 Tournaments
F 775 Extraordinary tent
F 950 Marvelous cures
D 1138 Magic tent.
D 1342 Magic object gives health
D 2161.2 Magic cure of wound.

WCRPa-73: Three days after the tournament has started the three companions arrive at court and they are annoyed to be late. They make camp in a beautiful wood, arm themselves and get their steeds ready. Onto their spears they fix yellow, grey and brown flags. Karados’s shield is golden with a blue rim, and displays two sable lions. Alardin’s shield is red and shows a golden flying eagle. Kador’s shield: sable with golden ornaments and a baldachin. The tournament takes place in front of the castle that is surrounded by woods and a beautiful valley with a river. Before Alardin sets out for the first joust he catches sight of a lady in a tower (Gingenor) who without giving him a closer look wishes him good luck and gives him a sleeve. He should use this sleeve for a flag, and he should carry it as a token of her love: She would rather love him than two unwelcome suitors wooing her, King Ris and King Kadoalans.

Motif References:

T 55 Girl as wooer. Forthputting woman
T 59.2 (Bm) Sleeve as love token.
P 91 (Li) Heraldic figures and symbols - coat-of-arms
T 92 Rivals in love
Z 150 Other symbols

WCRPa-77: Her forthputting attitude somewhat puzzles the girl herself as she addresses the stranger as her sweetheart (liep), which however is justified by his virtues. Neither of her unwelcome suitors cares for her love and they only woo her out of ambition. The lady is the prize of this tournament and King Arthur will marry her to the winner of the tournament. Yet she will marry no one except the man who defeats both of her suitors. Alardin asks for her name and she replies she is Gingenor, Gawan’s sister and relative of King Arthur. Her parents are Gramaflan and Ytonie who once was also won as a prize in a tournament.

Motif References:

T 55 Girl as wooer. Forthputting woman
T 59.2 (Bm) Sleeve as love token.
T 68.7 (Bm) Princess [maiden] as prize in tournament [single combat]
T 92 Rivals in love
H 331.2 Suitor contest: tournament
P 561 Tournaments
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-79: Alardin fights against Ris and 19 of his companions. The knights of the Round Table then join the tournament and choose their parties: Gawan, Ywen, Keye, the best of them, support King Kadoalans. King Ris’s troops however outnumber them by far, and that is why virtuous Gawan joins the minority. Kador comes to Alardin’s aid when he has been wounded by Ris. The ladies watch the fighting from the tower. Yden, Kahedin’s sister and niece of Gawan, praises Kador, who is unknown to her. Yden and Gingenor talk about the jousting but keep silent about their love. Keie and Parzifal fight at the sides of Kadoalans. Kador brings a horse he won from Alardin to Gingenors as a token of his love and she declares her love for him. With her gift (des speres stab) he once again joins the tournament.

Motif References:

T 59 (Bm) Love tokens
P 561 Tournaments

WCRPa-90: Alardin defeats Kadoalans, the Rich Mercenary (Richen Soldener) and the Handsome Good (Schönen Guoten) and sends them to Gingenor as prisoners. King Ris takes to flight. Karados joins the tournament and chooses the smaller party of King Ris. First he comes upon Keie, a valiant fighter, but a malevolent man. Often he has got himself into trouble because of his impudence. Karados unhorses him and he breaks his hand. Karados reminds him of an old dispute, when Keie once ridiculed him at court. Keie offers security and has to surrender to Gingenier.

Motif References:

W 110 Unfavorable traits of character - personal
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)

WCRPa-94: The wild Segremors is made captive by Kador. Gingenier asks Keie about the tournament and he tells her that Karados has overcome him. He is an excellent knight still undefeated. Gingenier and two maidens go to watch the tournament. Lucas sent by Karados surrenders to Gingenier. Meanwhile Parzifal has fallen in love with the Lady of the Tent. Karados unhorses Ywan and fights against superior forces. Kador and Alardin excel in fighting and send prisoners to their ladies. They catch sight of the tumult around Karados, whom they do not recognize because he has changed his shield and horse, and set out in pursuit. Karados unhorses Kador. In a tournament adversaries who recognize each other as friends still continue fighting. Karados is the best fighter and King Ris’s party wins the tournament. Gawan and Karados identify to each other – they are relatives. As the tournament has come to an end, King Arthur gives Gingenor to Alardin in marriage, Yden to Kador, the Lady of the Tent to some other knight. The guests leave.

Motif References:

P 314 Combat of disguised [unrecognized] friends. [Unwitting attack on friend]
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
P 561 Tournaments
N 746 Accidental meeting of cousins

WCRPa-109: (38) The story turns again to Yseve, Karados’s mother, and the author apologizes that he now has to accuse women. Yet most of them are faultless, like the virtuous Gingenier. Yseve is imprisoned in a tower in Nantes, but Elyafres often comes to see her and by magic he makes many splendid festivities with all sorts of pastimes and dancing. The noisy feasts alarm people nearby who send word to the king. Thereupon the king has the tower, that is called Büffoy (hochfart), guarded. Failing to catch the adulterers he sends word to his son at Arthur’s court in England. Karados asks leave from the king and sets out for Nantes in the company of Alardin and Kador without delay. Arthur opens his treasury for them. Gawan and Ywan travel with them for some distance, then Alardin and Kador and their wives return to their kingdoms whereas Karados embarks for his father’s kingdom. Kador and Yden and his sister Gingenier ride to Cornwall, for Karados does not want to grieve his wife with his mother’s adultery.

Motif References:

R 41.2 Captivity in tower
T 230.0.1 (Bm) Faithless wife
Q 433.1 Imprisonment for adultery
T 475 Unknown (clandestine) paramour
T 481 Adultery
Z 702 (Hi) Eponymous account of place name
K 1271 Amorous intrigue observed and exposed
D 1275.1 Magic music
K 1510 Adulteress outwits husband
K 1550.1 Husband discovers wife’s adultery
D 1711 Magician

WCRPa-113: (31) As soon as Karados has arrived in Nantes he keeps the tower under close watch until he catches the magician and his mother. The king punishes Elyafres by making him lie with a hound, a sow and a horse, and then has him banished from his kingdom. Only for the sake of Elyafres’s son Karados the king does not have him flayed. Before the magician leaves he brings the news of his shameful punishment to the queen. She laments his shame but will no more love him if he does not take his revenge on Karados. Elyafres reminds her that he can not take revenge on his own son for this would be a sin. Thereupon the queen calls him a coward and reminds him of Karados’s disloyalty. The magician would have to choose between his son and herself. Although Elyafres still is unwilling to kill his son he agrees to take his revenge on him with the queen’s help.

Motif References:

S 12.1.1 Treacherous mother and paramour plan son’s death
P 231.15 (G) Mother revenges herself on her son
P 233 Father and son
Q 241 Adultery punished
Q 431.8 Banishment as punishment for adultery
T 465 Bestiality. Intercourse of a human being and an animal
Q 470 Humiliating punishments
Q 499.9 (G) Humiliating penances: sexual intercourse with animals
K 1550 Husband outwits adulteress and paramour

WCRPa-115: Elyafres catches a snake and puts it into a locker. As soon as Karados comes to see his mother she sends him for a golden comb out of that locker, the snake winds around his arm and cannot be removed. The queen pretends to be distressed, she weeps, cries and beats herself. She tells Karados that he ought to admit his offense against his father and herself. Karados is quite aware of her hypocrisy. The king comes in a hurry, the queen locks herself in her chamber to escape death. The king swoons and regrets that he spared the magician’s life. In his rage and grief he tears his hair and beard and vows to kill Elyafres whenever he gets hold of him. Karados is taken to a chamber and the king sends for physicians throughout the lands. He promises to give gold, silver and goods to the person who heals Karados. The queen however is happy about the outcome and secretly rejoices for forty days. Nobody wants to relate this to the king, for he would have banished her at once, which would have been the only means to punish her because she is King Arthur’s niece: Banishing his wife forever or even burning her are out of the question.

Motif References:

S 11.4 Father plans child’s (son’s) death [injury]
S 12.1.1 Treacherous mother and paramour plan son’s death
B 176.1 Magic serpent
P 231.15 (G) Mother revenges herself on her son
P 233 Father and son
S 400 Cruel persecutions
Q 411 Death as punishment
Q 453 Punishment: being bitten by animal
Q 501 Unremitting torture as punishment
K 953.2 Murder by wrapping snake around man
D 1711 Magician
K 2210 Treacherous relatives

WCRPa-119: (29) When Arthur gets the news he swoons and regrets that he allowed Karados to set out by himself without Gawan and Ywan. He vows not to stay in any place longer than one day until Karados is disenchanted. He sets out with his knights to sea to embark for Britain. As Kador and his sister Gingenier, who truly loves Karados, learn the news, the lady swoons and when she comes to her senses she is pale, cries and weeps. She accuses God of having taken her lover from her and implores Him to rescue the knight. She tears her hair, wrings her hands, tears her dress and swoons once again. Death is accused of letting the evil live and kill the virtuous. If Karados would die, Gingenier would die as well. The person who loves as it should be will always be rewarded and therefore God later on will grant them to share their death. After she has swooned once again, shown all signs of grief after recovering (beating, scratching self, changing color, crying) she entreats her brother to take her to the knight. Kador laments. Finally they embark for Britain and arrive at Nantes at the same time as King Arthur.

Motif References:

M 151.2.3 (G) Vow not to sleep two nights in the same place until quest’s end
T 210.1 Faithful wife
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
F 1041.21.6 Tearing hair and clothes from excessive grief

WCRPa-123: Ashamed of his wretched state Karados fears that his lady would avoid him and considers flight. Love however makes him stay: her reaction to his suffering will test her love. The king and a messenger come to see him. The messenger brings him the news of Kador’s and Gingenier’s visit and praises the lady’s love and faithfulness. Karados regrets that he is unable to ride to welcome them. Pain has robbed him of color, he swoons and suffers from love as well. He longs to see his lady and at the same time fears the meeting. At last he makes up his mind to escape. Pretending to long for some rest he has a squire take him to a hermit living in a chapel in the forest. He will bring riches to him and the holy man will pray for him. They leave secretly, passing through the orchard, pierce the garden’s wall and make their way through the forest to the hermitage. When they come to the chapel Karados is exhausted. The hermit asks him who he is and where he comes from and Karados tells him that he will do penance for having offended his parents. Due to his true repentance the hermit gives him absolution. Karados makes the hermit promise to keep secret about his whereabouts. The knight stays in the forest and the hermit entertains him with meals better than his own – for the knight would not have been able to live on the hermit’s diet. The hermitage is far away from Nantes and any settlements.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
R 220 Flights
R 312 Forest as refuge
V 462.2 Ascetic fasting

WCRPa-130: Meanwhile King Arthur sends a message to Nantes, telling Karados’s father that he will come to see him. The king welcomes Arthur who is his liege lord, the sovereign of all kingdoms on both sides of the sea. When Gingenier comes to see her beloved she finds his chamber empty and laments his escape. The author reflects about the laws of love. Gingenier and Karados are one heart although they now happen to be separated. Arthur gets the news of Karados’s escape and there is a vain search for him throughout Normandy, in German lands, on the islands and in England. Yet no one recognizes Karados in a hermit’s clothes. Having searched for Karados for about two years they give up and Arthur returns to Karadigan. Kador however takes his sister home and continues to search for Karados through many lands for two more years.

Motif References:

H 195 (Bm) Failure to recognize
R 220 Flights
H 1385 Quest for lost person.
K 1826 Disguise as churchman (hermit)

WCRPa-138: (35) In the forest Karados lives on a diet of vegetables and fruit and does penance. He has become very thin. Finally he settles in a forest where only one monk lives with several comrades. They sing mass in a little church built above a spring. A brook runs through the valley. Karados lives there on roots and barley bread and hears mass each day. He shows the snake to the hermit. One day by chance Kador comes to this place and learns that Karados lives there. He waits for him before the chapel and greets him, Karados however keeps silent. Kador accuses him of having deserted Gingenier in her grief. As Karados hears her name he gives a sigh and then tells his brother-in-law that he fled out of fear that his lady would rebuke him. They lament and weep, but Kador fails to talk him into returning home. He begs the monks to care well for the knight – he promises them rich reward. Then he leaves for Nantes.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
R 312 Forest as refuge
V 462.2 Ascetic fasting
Q 535.4 Lone fasting as penance
N 843 Hermit as helper
H 1385.13 (Bm) Quest for lost person
K 1826.1 Disguise as monk

WCRPa-143: Kador brings the news to the king that Karados is alive and lives in a hermitage in the forest. Then he goes to see the queen in her tower: He tells her that she is considered guilty of her son’s distress. For the sake of her reputation and to obtain salvation she ought to help him. The queen talks to Elyafres who still comes to see her each night and learns that there is a means to rescue Karados: If a maiden his equal in age and beauty would sit in a tub of milk and Karados in a tub of vinegar, one could lure the snake from the vinegar into the milk. And at this point the snake could be killed. Elyafres tells her that otherwise Karados would die within two months. Kador brings the news to Karados, and promises that Gingenier will rescue him. Once again he promises reward to the monks.

Motif References:

P 231 Mother and son
P 310 Friendship
H 413 Special powers of chaste woman.
D 765.1 Disenchantment by removing cause of enchantment
D 766.1 Disenchantment by bathing (immersing).
D 1445.1 Revelation of magic secret permits animal to be killed
D 1711 Magician
D 2156 Magic control over animals

WCRPa-146: (29) Kador brings the news to Gingenier who is ready to help Karados. They embark for Brittany. Gingenier is praised for her faithfulness and love. Karados and Gingenier meet. Karados is very pale, thin, his garments are filthy, he wears bad shoes, a monk’s cape, he is hoarse, has long hair and beard and is hunchbacked. The snake has driven his life from him, made his arm black and foul. Despite his ugliness Gingenier kisses him and promises that he will be rescued. She would rather perish with him than live on all alone. Kador urges him to accept the lady’s help and discloses the means to him.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
F 576 Extraordinary ugliness
D 1445.1 Revelation of magic secret permits animal to be killed
H 1556.4 Fidelity in love tested

WCRPa-151: (6) The two tubs are made ready, and Karados and Gingenier enter their baths. Then Gingenier charms the snake to leave the vinegar for the sweet milk, while monks sing a mass and carry crosses walking in a circle around them. As the snake is on its way Kador cuts off the animal’s head cutting off of his sister’s pap too. Karados hurries to his weeping lady, Kador helps her to leave the tub and puts rich dresses onto her. Karados is dressed quickly as well. Both of them are cared for. Karados is bathed, his hair is cut so that he turns handsome again. Due to the snake his arm is smaller, therefore his name is Karados Briebras, Karados Little Arm, but he is as strong as he was before. As soon as the story spreads the king comes to see Karados and there is a throng of people who want to see that wonder. Annoyed by the throng of curious persons Karados one day secretly sneaks away and goes to see his mother in Nantes. He asks her for forgiveness and makes the king release her. Thereafter she has no more lovers. Then Karados goes to see Arthur. He marries Gingenier and becomes a renowned hero who accomplishes many valiant deeds.

Motif References:

T 96 Lovers reunited after many adventures
R 161.0.1 Hero rescued by his lady
R 169.5 Hero rescued by friend
B 176.1 Magic serpent
B 192 Magic animal killed
H 413 Special powers of chaste woman.
D 753 Disenchantment by accomplishment of tasks.
B 765.4.1 Snake attaches itself to a woman’s breast and draws away her milk
D 766.4 Disenchantment by bathing in milk
F 981 Extraordinary death of animal
D 1273 Magic formula (charm)
D 1714.1 Magic power of chaste women

WCRPa-157: King Karade wants to leave his kingdom to Karados and when he is near death Karados and Arthur hurry to see him. Karados at first is unwilling to succeed his father for he is an illegitimate son, but Arthur talks him into accepting the land as a fief from him. The king dies and is buried. On Easter day Karados and Gingenier are crowned. Karados becomes a good king, he is valiant, generous, courteous and pious. One day he rides out hunting in the company of his knights. In a heavy thunderstorm they take refuge under a tree. Karados thinks of his queen who has lost her pap. Suddenly he sees a light drawing near and hears birdsong. Then he catches sight of a large knight with his lady riding toward him, in the company of many birds. Karados greets them, but they pass in silence. Karados pursues them through rain and storm. They leave the forest and enter a beautiful valley, with a lake and a castle. The castle is built on top of a fortified hill, it is very large, and has an orchard with many strange trees. It is a place of abundance. The drawbridge has silver chains and is well protected by fortifications.

Motif References:

F 163.1 Castle in otherworld
F 252.5 (Bm) Fairy knight.
N 771 King (prince) (lost) on hunt has adventures
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 790 Extraordinary sky and weather phenomena
D 905 Magic storm
D 2141.1 Storm magically stilled
D 2145 Magic control of seasons

WCRPa-160: Karados follows the knight up to the bridge. When the knight greets him Karados calls him to account for his unfriendly behavior. The stranger replies that he meant to lure him into his castle and identifies as Alardin of the Lake. Karados is welcomed at the castle and talks to a lady about Gingenier. A meal is served. When Karados is about to leave the following morning Alardin offers him rich gifts: a precious shield (golden and lazur) with two straps of blue silk and a golden shield-clasp. This gold is so smooth that it could replace a person’s lost nose. Karados returns to his retinue. He forms a golden pap for his wife. Nobody except Karados must know about it. The special pap is meant to betray her eventual faithlessness as well for her secret could only become known if she committed adultery. The queen is happy about the golden pap and her husband’s jealousy that proves his love.

Motif References:

R 260 Pursuits
C 423 Tabu: revealing the marvelous
H 492 Test of faithfulness of husband and wife.
D 813 Magic object received from fairy
F 950 Marvelous cures
D 1252.3 Magic gold
D 1518 Magic object restores bodily members
H 1556.4 Fidelity in love tested
D 2161 Magic healing power

WCRPa-164: (21) At Whitsun Karados and his queen attend Arthur’s feast at Karliun. Before the meal Keie wants to offer water but Arthur refuses for he has not yet seen an adventure. At that point a knight clad all in red arrives, wearing no mantle and carrying only a sword and an ivory horn. The horn is called Bonet and the stranger offers it as a gift to the king. Filled with water it will supply wine for everyone. Besides no man with a faithless love or wife will be able to drink it without spilling.

Motif References:

P 14 Particular practices of kings
V 70.2 Whitsuntide
M 151 Vow not to eat before hearing of adventure
T 210.1 Faithful wife
T 230 Faithlessness in marriage [love]
H 411.4.0.1 (G) Magic drinking horn: unchaste woman’s husband cannot drink from horn
D 477.1 Transformation: water becomes wine
F 527.1.1 Red knight
P 556.3 (Bm) Feast interrupted by man offering challenge.
P 634 Feasts
N 770.0.1 Feast as occasion for the beginning of adventures or the arrival of questers
F 866.6 Extraordinarily costly drinking horn
D 1040.1 Drink supplied by magic
D 1171.6.3 Magic drinking horn
D 1316 Magic object reveals truth
D 1472.1.24.1 Magic drinking horn supplies drink
D 1652.17 Inexhaustible horn
D 1793 Magic results from eating or drinking

WCRPa-166: Arthur has the magic horn filled with water, the queen fails in dissuading him from this test and prays to God that her husband himself may spill some wine which he does. Keie, Gawan and Ywan spill some wine as well. Karados is alarmed when it is his turn to drink, but Gingenier reassures him and he spills nothing. This brings about many person’s hatred against Karados and his wife. When the feast has ended the guests leave with rich gifts. Karados sends his wife home to protect her against Gynofere who hates her while he remains at the court for adventure. One day in springtime Arthur and his companions go out hunting. Arthur is a generous king and very fond of courtly pastimes. This time however the king is absent-minded and when they ride back in the evening he sighs. Gawan teasingly admonishes him to be joyous and Arthur asks for his advice how he could reward his knights for their valiant deeds for his sake at the festival on Pentecost which he intends to be more splendid than ever. Gawan counsels him that the festival should take place at Karnant. Without delay the king sends messengers throughout the lands to summon his guests to the festival.

Motif References:

P 20 Queens
T 230 Faithlessness in marriage [love]
H 411.4.0.1 (G) Magic drinking horn: unchaste woman’s husband cannot drink from horn
P 634 Feasts
D 1171.6.3 Magic drinking horn
D 1316 Magic object reveals truth
D 1793 Magic results from eating or drinking

WCRPa-172: (11) No king ever had such a splendid diet. On Whitsunday the king wears his crown when they hear mass and in a splendid train knights and ladies accompany him to the palace. Keie has trumpets blown to tell that water is to be served for the meal. The king sits at his high table – higher than the other tables so that he can look at his guests. 400 knights have their seats at the king’s Round Table, thirty lords on another table and there are many other tables too. Ordinary people are seated on the floor. Keie serves the royal table. Before the king starts eating he notices an empty seat at his table and weeps. Then he cuts himself with the knife of Ywonet (who is the son of king Ydiers and cuts the king’s meal), binds the wound with the tablecloth and sits there absentminded. Gawan once again aware of the king’s troubles admonishes him to be joyous – the king’s mood annoys the guests. Arthur then accuses Gawan and the knights of the Round Table of unfaithfulness – this is the reason of his troubles. The knights are amazed and angry.

Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
P 634 Feasts
F 1041.21.6.1 Wounding self because of excessive grief
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief

WCRPa-175: Arthur relates to them the story of the Castle Orgalus, fortress of his enemies. His courtiers kept him from going there, although many of his knights were defeated or captured there. One of them, Giflet, son of king Dos, was captured three years ago and is confined in the dungeon. None of his companions came to his aid and therefore the king calls them traitors. Besides any king who leaves one of his knights without help would deserve death. Arthur swears not to stay at any place longer than overnight until he knows for certain what became of Giflet. All knights agree with Arthur and condemn faithlessness. They will leave in search of Giflet next morning. Gawan warns them that the road is very dangerous, and they will have to fight each day. After dinner they have a council who should join the campaign and who has to stay behind to take care of the land. King Vriens advises them to choose a small but excellent group of the very best knights, Ydiers und Gawan approve of this advice. Arthur promises to send a little flag to the warriors who are to join his campaign. Next morning they are ready to leave.

Motif References:

R 41.1 Captivity in castle
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
R 110 Rescue of captive
M 151.2.2 (Bm) Vow not to return to court [not to sleep two nights in the same place] until missing knight is found
H 1385.0.1 Unspelling quest: journey to disenchant (free) captives.
H 1385.13 (Bm) Quest for lost person

WCRPa-179: Fifteen knights have been chosen for the journey: Gawan, Idirs, Keie, Lucas, Tor, Segremors, Mabungren, Ywan, Lanselet, Ydiers, the Ugly Brave, Doun of Aglen, Galagantis of Galeis, Karados Briebras, Talas of Rotenberg. They take leave of the queen and the courtiers. Soon they enter a hot waste land where they have to halt for the king is already weakened from fasting. Keie asks an old woman living in a hut in a valley where to obtain provisions. She sends him to a castle nearby that belongs to the King of Meilant, who has the custom of hunting in this forest. Keie rides up to the castle and finds it deserted except for a dwarf who is about to roast a peacock and keeps silent as Keie addresses him. Thereupon Keie calls him names and tries to get hold of the peacock. When the dwarf defends himself Keie kicks him so that the dwarf cries out. A very handsome young knight enters the courtyard and calls Keie to account. Then he attacks him with the roasted peacock and burns him. The dogs eat the rests of the peacock. Keie is chased away.

Motif References:

P 15 Adventures of kings
P 320 Hospitality
Q 327 Discourtesy punished
L 430 Arrogance repaid
F 451.5.1.7 Dwarfs serve mortals
F 451.5.2 Malevolent dwarf
F 451 Dwarf
F 771.4.3 Abandoned castle
N 825.3 Old woman helper

WCRPa-184: Keie returns to Arthur and declares that he has failed in obtaining provisions: The overbearing lord of the land would refuse hospitality to them. Thereupon Arthur sends Gawan to the castle. Gawan politely tells his errand and the knight offers hospitality at once. The king and his retinue are cared for decently. Everybody ridicules Keie’s shame that has been related by the dwarf. The king asks for his host’s name: he is the beautiful Ydiers. After they have left the castle they travel on without food for two days until they come upon some hermits, who entertain them with food. 100 hermits live near an extraordinary graveyard (the author will tell its story later on). The company stays with them for two days.

Motif References:

P 15 Adventures of kings
Q 21 Politeness rewarded
P 320 Hospitality
Q 327 Discourtesy punished
P 426.2 Hermit
L 430 Arrogance repaid
F 778.1 (G) Extraordinary grave
N 843 Hermit as helper
J 1089 (Bm) Courteous knight obtains food rude knight was denied

WCRPa-187: They travel through a beautiful land with meadows untouched by hoofs and then find the tracks of a train of about 100 knights. Gawan pursues them in order to find a night’s lodging. As he leaves the forest he catches sight of 100 jousting knights, and of a splendid castle on a riverside. Beneath a spring he meets two maidens, fetching some water for the valiant lord of the castle. Gawan rides on into the town, which is very rich and splendid. The castle is abandoned yet he finds the tables all set with everything one can wish for. He turns back to bring the news to King Arthur. The company sets out to the castle, which is called Lis and belongs to Brandelis.

Motif References:

F 165.4 Table always set in otherworld dwelling
R 260 Pursuits
F 760.0.1 (Bm) Extraordinarily beautiful town
F 771.4.3 Abandoned castle

WCRPa-191: Arthur and his companions are about to have dinner as Gawan perceives a shield with part of a spear hanging on the wall in a separate room. It has a flag fixed to it. Gawan is alarmed, he hurries to get armed and returns to the company. They think he is out of his mind due to fasting or heat. Arthur asks Gawan about his strange behavior and the latter begins to tell his story, although he would rather have urged them to leave the place as soon as possible. Gawan relates his adventure after he had ridden out from Meilant besieged by King Arthur and his encounter with the beautiful maiden asleep in a tent. He tells them that he raped her.

Motif References:

T 471 Rape
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
N 711.1 King, prince finds maiden in the woods and marries her
F 775 Extraordinary tent

WCRPa-199: When the maiden’s brother returned he challenged him. Gawan identified himself, but the knight did not believe him. The knight refused to fight Gawan, who had left unarmed, for this would be dishonorable. Gawan offered to marry the lady, nevertheless her brother wanted to kill him. In the following combat Gawan killed the brother, Melian of Lis. He then came upon Melian’s father Ydier of Lis, who lamented his son’s death and challenged Gawan. Gawan killed him and the lady swooned. The lady’s brother (Bran of Lis) arrived, lamenting his father and his brother, and thought his sister dead. Out of grief Gawan swooned for the first time in his life. Then he told the knight what had happened, promised to do penance by founding a monastery and by marriage. The knight who would gladly have given his sister to Gawan had the latter not killed his relatives challenged him.

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit
V 118.4 (Bm) Abbey and convent founded (given) in penitence
P 233.6 Son avenges father
P 234.5 (Bm) Single combat to avenge daughter’s dishonor
Q 244.1 Punishment for attempted rape
P 253.5.1 (Bm) Single combat to avenge sister’s dishonor
P 525.3 He nearest to blood of slain man must avenge his death [Blood-revenge]

WCRPa-205: The knight was Bran of Lis/Brandelis, brother of Melian of Lis and son of Ydier of Lis. Gawan claimed that at this point it would be unwise to fight with nobody watching the combat: if Brandelis would kill him nobody would believe that he defeated unconquered Gawan. Therefore they should postpone their combat. Brandelis agreed. Now Gawan has just identified Brandelis’s shield hanging in a room of this castle. He urges Arthur to leave in a hurry for his sake. At this point a little dog with a white leash and a golden necklace comes running along and barks at the strangers. Keie wants to catch it and pursues the dog throughout the palace up to the orchard. A knight is about to disarm there beneath an olive tree with many courtiers in his company. The knight asks Keie about Arthur and Gawan.

Motif References:

H 125 Identification by weapons
M 201 Making of bargains and promises
N 760.1 (Bm) Chance meeting of seeker and sought

WCRPa-209: Brandelis hurries to greet his guests, and offers his welcome to all but one, Gawan. Brandelis tells them that now before Arthur there has to be a decisive combat between them. The king begins to weep which annoys Brandelis: nothing has happened yet to grieve anybody. When Gawan and Brandelis are fighting furiously a pretty maiden enters. Meanwhile Gawan has lost his helmet and has to protect himself with his shield. On seeing his trouble the maiden leaves in a hurry and soon returns with a little boy that she sends to Brandelis to beg him for his father’s life. Brandelis brutally pushes the child and hurts the boy. Arthur hurries to protect the child who has swooned. Then he reprimands Brandelis for his brutality. In the meantime Gawan has some time to rest. Midnight draws near, the time when Gawan’s strength doubles, as it does around noon as well. The combat still goes on. At last the lady separates the fighters and makes her son beg his father for her brother’s life. Putting her son between the combatants the lady declares they should rather kill him than that she would permit further battle. Thus she puts an end to the combat for neither Brandelis nor Gawan would hurt the boy [Dodineas].

Motif References:

T 96 Lovers reunited after many adventures
H 217 Decision made by contest
J 218 Enemies make peace rather than slay each other [pursue each other by law]
P 253.5.1 (Bm) Single combat to avenge sister’s dishonor
T 640 Illegitimate children
N 731 Unexpected meeting of father and son
N 737.1 (Bm) Accidental encounter leads to eventual reuniting of lovers
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
D 1836 Magic waxing and waning of strength.

WCRPa-220: The king orders Brandelis to accept Gawan’s penance and offers his service, but Brandelis wants to serve Arthur instead. Peace and friendship are sworn and they agree upon the penance: alms to give to the church, release of serfs. Gawan according to custom begs on his knees for forgiveness which is granted by Brandelis. Then physicians care for their wounds. The company stays with Brandelis for two weeks. Brandelis leaves in their company and joins their campaign against Orgelus. Gawan is happy for he has found his wife and his son and would have preferred to stay longer. They set out. When they have traveled on for seven days they come to Orgelus and make camp. A bell up at the castle informs the host of the arrival of strangers – a custom Brandelis knows well. The townspeople prepare their defense and numerous horsemen enter the castle.

Motif References:

R 74.1 Defeated enemy turns conqueror’s best friend
P 310.5 Defeated enemy turns true friend
P 311 Sworn brethren
H 1232.6 Directions on quest given by knight

WCRPa-224: Lucas the cupbearer makes Arthur grant him the first joust, and everybody prepares for fighting. In the morning they hear mass at a chapel where all slain, be they strangers or countrymen, are buried. The battlefield is located between four olive-trees. Lucas unhorses his adversary but does not take him captive. Brandelis tells him that he would have rescued the captives had he caught that knight. Lucas continues fighting, but is wounded and taken captive. Brandelis asks for the first joust next morning. Meanwhile Lucas has been taken to Giflet and brought news to him about the knights of the Round Table who lately have been killed, captured or wounded. Early next morning Arthur hears mass and has breakfast. Everybody arms and then Brandelis fights a knight mounted on a red horse. He defeats him and takes him as his captive to Arthur.

Motif References:

P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War

WCRPa-231: The captive is lodged in a hut decked with leaves. The knights enjoy courtly pastimes (music and story telling) in the evening. As Keie asks for the next joust they mock him. He and his adversary unhorse each other, and Keie’s opponent carries his horse away. Arthur and the knights ridicule him. Keie enjoys ridiculing other people rather than suffer mockery himself. Ywan will be the next to joust. When they hear the bell ring up at the castle Brandelis tells them that from Saturday midday to Monday morning townspeople are about to celebrate a great festival for the sake of Holy Mary. Brandelis says they should pass the time hunting.

Motif References:

V 70 Religious feasts and fasts
W 110 Unfavorable traits of character - personal
M 402 Satire [satirist]

WCRPa-235: The following morning they leave for hunting. Gawan pursues two hounds and hunts down a stag. Following a hawk’s cries he comes to a stronghold in the forest beyond a river and a draw-bridge. On the edge of the forest a pensive knight is sitting beneath a tree. He does not reply to Gawan’s greetings. The knight is very large and beautiful. As Gawan draws near the knight jumps to his feet and attacks him with his fists, saying he should leave him to die. Then he again lies down. Gawan leaves and soon comes upon a lady in a hurry. He stops her and she tells him that a knight is about to die for her sake because she is late for their rendezvous. Gawan reassures her: that knight still was alive when he left him. She hurries on. Gawan is quite curious about the knight’s story. He turns back to his companions and tells them the news. Brandelis knows the knight, he is the Rich Mercenary (richer Soldener) who loves his lady to the extent that he will perish unless he obtains her love.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
T 24 The symptoms of love
N 774.3 Adventures from pursuing animal (not magic)

WCRPa-239: They watch the citizens leave the town and return again. Brandelis tells them that they just have welcomed their lord’s lady love. The festival is celebrated for her sake and many squires will be dubbed knights on this occasion. In the morning Arthur grants Ywan a joust and he overcomes Wis, the son of Count Brangelis of Ireland, dubbed a knight the evening before. The Rich Mercenary will fight the following day. There is a custom that the first lady to meet the lord in the morning will arm him. The Lady of the castle has invited all ladies and maidens to watch the fighting from the walls the next day. When he hears this Gawan asks for the fight.

Motif References:

P 53 (Bm) Obtaining knighthood
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
P 634 Feasts

WCRPa-242: As Gawan is ready for the combat horn signals from the castle announce that the lord is about to arm (the horn-blow is repeated: as he puts on his spurs, as he arms his legs, puts on his cuirass, his helmet and mounts his steed). Gawan and the lord fight. It is a very hot day. Due to the fact that Gawan’s courage and strength double from midday to midnight the combat is equal until midday, but afterwards the Mercenary is overcome. Mindless from exhaustion he puzzles Gawan with his odd replies when the latter urges him to surrender and vow security. Gawan does not intend to kill his opponent who meanwhile has lost conscience for this would be cowardice. Yet he hesitates to help him recover out of fear he might escape. Therefore Gawan takes his opponent’s helmet and sits down at his side. When the knight comes to his senses again Gawan identifies himself and asks him to give security before Arthur. The knight entreats him to come with him to the castle, for he wants to make his love believe that he has defeated Gawan, otherwise she would die from shame. Gawan agrees and the knight vows faithfulness. They ride up into the town which puzzles Arthur and the knights. The Mercenary’s lady meanwhile has swooned from grief. As soon as Gawan has surrendered to her she leaves for the castle Bufiers: The lord sends her away, to keep her from learning the truth. He releases his captives and they ride to Arthur’s tent.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
T 24 The symptoms of love
R 74 Defeated warriors [adversaries] go into [are forced to join] the conqueror’s service
M 201 Making of bargains and promises
F 533 Remarkably tall man
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
D 1836 Magic waxing and waning of strength.
K 1953 Sham brave man

WCRPa-250: Arthur becomes sovereign of the land, and after resting at Orgelus for fourteen days he returns to Britain. When they come to the castle Lis they learn that Gawan’s son [Dodineas] has been abducted while he was playing in front of the town. Many people have swooned from grief. The child is searched for throughout the land. The knights join the search. They reassure the boy’s mother for no one would ever injure such a beautiful child. Gawan rides with his wife and Giflet leaves for the Arthurian court. Gynofere is sent word to make everything ready for a great diet within one month. They come to the castle Ormias, where Gawan’s wife, the beautiful Gylorette, is received in a friendly way. Meanwhile Gynofere has made everything ready for the festival. The tent of the king has been pitched and while they are waiting for the king’s return they enjoy themselves.

Motif References:

R 10.3 Children abducted
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
H 1385.16 (Bm) Quest for abducted [lost] foster son.

WCRPa-255: (42) The queen plays a game of dice with Vriens when an armed knight rides past them without greeting. Gynofere sends Keie after him, the knight however refuses to follow him to the queen for he is in a hurry but he promises to come later. They fight and Keie is unhorsed and loses his steed. Keie returns to the queen and tells her that the stranger offended her. Gawan accuses him of lying – no knight would ever dare to slander the queen. Gynofere sends Gawan after the knight. He soon catches up with him and stops him by giving his promise to make the stranger’s errand his own. At this point the knight is killed in an ambush. Before dying he asks Gawan to take his steed which knows the road and accomplish his quest. None of the courtiers knows the stranger. Keie has a narrow escape from Gawan’s rage. Gawan then leaves to avenge the stranger’s death. In a stormy night the horse carries Gawan to a chapel on a crossroad in the forest. The chapel is empty, except for one single candle burning. Gawan wants to take shelter inside the chapel when he catches sight of a black hand that puts out the candle. The chapel resounds from a wailing voice. The frightened steed rushes out of the chapel. Meanwhile the storm has ended and Gawan continues on the road. The strange sight is part of the Grail’s secrets, of which nobody must tell before time has come, otherwise he will meet great misfortune.

Motif References:

Q 41 Politeness rewarded
S 110 Murders
B 151.1.1 Horses determine road to be taken
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
Q 327 Discourtesy punished
C 423.5 Tabu: revealing sacred mysteries.
B 563 Animals direct man on journey.
F 773 Remarkable church (chapel, temple)
H 939.5 (G) Task assigned by dying man
K 950 Various kinds of treacherous murder
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
F 969.3 Marvelous light
H 982 Animals help man perform task
D 996 Magic hand
J 1089.1 (G) Courteous knight obtains what rude knight was denied
D 1162 Magic light
H 1229.1 Quest undertaken by hero to fulfill promises.
H 1382 Quest for unknown objects or places
K 2100 False accusation
K 2243 Treacherous seneschal

WCRPa-264: Gawan rides through a large forest and comes to the seaside. The steed heads for a great light and follows a road beneath trees. They enter a castle, where Gawan is welcomed by many people who disappear when they see that he is a stranger. Gawan fearing danger comes upon a bier in the hall, that is covered with red velvet, and placed between four precious candelabras and vessels. A dead man lies on the bier with part of a sword on top of him. A cortege of monks enters the hall, led by a priest who carries a precious cross. They walk around the bier, bewailing the dead and burn incense. Then they leave the hall and the townspeople return. Gawan is puzzled. A white tablecloth is put onto the table and a handsome, grayish but still middle-aged knight enters, who carries a scepter and a crown. He has Gawan sit at his side. The Grail serves all of them, moving automatically from one to the other. Then Gawan is left alone. He prays to God to protect him against grief and enchantment. He catches sight of a shining spear stuck into the wall, with two candles lighted in front of it.

Motif References:

F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
E 492 Mass, church service of the dead. (Held at midnight)
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 832 Extraordinary lance
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 969.3 Marvelous light
F 990 Inanimate objects act as if living
D 1081 Magic sword
D 1171.6 Magic cup.
D 1472 Food and drink from magic object [Grail]
D 1600 Automatic object
D 1652.5 Inexhaustible vessel

WCRPa-269: (19) Drops of blood flow from the spear into a vessel, and disappear through a pipe out of gold and emerald. Gawan is amazed. The lord with the sword of the unknown knight enters and leads Gawan to the bier. He laments the enormous grief which was caused by this sword. Then he asks Gawan to mend the pieces, a task reserved for the most excellent knight. Gawan fails and the lord leads him into a chamber reassuring him that he could try again later on. Only the hero who mends that sword can accomplish the adventure. Anything he asks for of the land’s riches will be bestowed upon Gawan and all of his questions will be answered. Although he is very sleepy Gawan begins to ask.

Motif References:

Q 111 Riches as reward
Q 190 Rewards - miscellaneous
M 306 Enigmatical prophecy.
M 361.1 Prophecy: certain hero to achieve holy grail.
F 832 Extraordinary lance
F 991.1 Bleeding lance.
H 1023.8 Task: fixing the two pieces of a broken sword together

WCRPa-272: First Gawan wants to learn about the bleeding lance, then about the knight on the bier, the broken sword and who is to avenge the dead man. He is told that the spear is Longinus’ lance which once wounded Christ. Longinus later on obtained salvation, but the lance is to be kept in the castle until Doomsday. The sight of the bleeding lance will frighten the men who once crucified Christ. Christ’s blood however meant salvation and joy to mankind. One sword’s blow turned the kingdom of Logres into a waste land. The king weeps and continues his story about the knight on the bier and how he was murdered but Gawan cannot help but fall asleep. He only wakes next morning at the seashore, with his armor and steed nearby. The castle has vanished. Gawan would rather not have fallen asleep and decides to ask further questions about the Grail later on. He vows to return to Britain only after many knightly deeds. He journeys through a rich green country with many rivers: His question about the bleeding lance has turned the land fertile and therefore people praise him. Yet they still have not obtained complete happiness because Gawan fell asleep and did not ask whom the Grail serves. Gawan travels through many lands, fights and accomplishes many knightly deeds. Then the story tells of Gawan’s son [Dodineas] who has been abducted by a maiden.

Motif References:

R 10.3 Children abducted
Q 85 Reward for asking proper questions.
Q 140 Miraculous or magic rewards.
M 151.9 Vow not to see friends until quest is completed
M 155 Vow to perform act of prowess
M 183.3 Vow to find Holy Grail before returning to Round Table.
C 420 Tabu: uttering secrets
D 701 Gradual disenchantment
D 791.3 Disenchantment fails because conditions are not fulfilled
C 934.2 Land made sterile because of broken tabu
D 1960 Magic sleep
D 1976.1 Transportation during magic sleep
D 2157.1 Land made magically fertile
D 2188 Magic disappearance

WCRPa-276: On their journey Gawan’s son and the maiden in his company encounter a knight. The maiden sends the youth ahead to ask his name, ordering him to challenge the stranger if he would refuse to identify. The youth kills the stranger but thinks the dead man asleep for he never before saw a dead man. He is sad because his pretty shield has been pierced, for the man who gave it to him told him to take care of it. The maiden laughs at his odd speech and promises to give him a new one. Soon they come upon a knight mounted on a horse from Gasconie. The maiden sends the youth to bring the knight to her. Leaving his shield behind he confronts the stranger, who wounds and unhorses him. His wounds are bound by the lady who then tells him never to set out without his shield. The young knight’s shield was made out of gold and ermine and it once was taken from the treasure chamber (hord) at the wedding of king Tamberfal. Only the strongest knight was to carry that shield. The youth broke the king’s arm when he jousted against him. The youth is a valiant knight who achieved many exploits: he chased everybody from a hall, escaped death when his enemies wanted to kill him in an arbor, chased his opponents onto a bridge, proved his courage on a stair when he lost his weapons; he then fled into a chamber as if he were a wild man; he is called the beautiful Dodineas, which means “little fool”.

Motif References:

P 19 Other motifs connected with kings
L 122 Unsophisticated hero
L 160 Success of the unpromising hero (heroine)
K 300 Thefts and cheats - general
F 575.2 Handsome man
Z 730 (Bm) Eponymous account of personal name
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
H 1562 Test of strength

WCRPa-282: (9) The maiden takes the youth to her splendid tent at a ford, where he fights all knights passing by. One day when he is waiting for an opponent a pensive knight comes to the ford, and they fight. The stranger is Gawan. He asks him for his name, which the youth cannot say. When he tells him about Lis Gawan recognizes his son and surrenders to him. The youth makes him surrender to the maiden in the tent. Gawan names himself and the son, who has his father’s looks, recognizes his father. Gawan relates to him how he found his mother and killed her father and brother. They are happy about having met and set out for Arthur’s court. At that time Arthur dwells in Karleun and everybody is very pleased about Gawan’s return: they jump from their seats at the table so that there is a complete mess. Arthur weeps from joy.

Motif References:

H 20 Recognition by resemblance
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
P 233 Father and son
Z 252 Hero at first nameless [unaware of birth]
T 617.2 Hero learns his name at time of first [particular] adventure.
N 731.2 Father-son combat
N 731 Unexpected meeting of father and son
H 1561.2.3 Combats at fords

WCRPa-285: (28) In the meantime a stranger steals Gawan’s horse and his weapons. Sir Ywon who is the most virtuous knight is made tutor of Gawan’s son. Gawan relates his adventure at the Grail Castle, where he has seen the spear, the Grail, the sword, the bier and unfortunately has fallen asleep. Then he asks about his brother Gaheries and Ydiers and learns that both of them have left more than a year ago to search for him. One hot and stormy night at Glamorgan Arthur lies sleepless. He has himself dressed and watches the thunderstorm from an arbor until the sky becomes clear again. He catches sight of a light at sea drawing near. It is a little ship, covered with purple, and drawn onto the shore by a swan with a silver chain on his golden necklace. The swan laments. Arthur has the gate to the strand opened and enters the ship. Inside he sees two burning candles and on a bier under a precious cover a beautiful knight, his heart pierced by a spear. In a splendid bag the king finds a letter relating the knight’s story.

Motif References:

V 61.1 Dead placed on boat
F 166.1.1 ”Silver bowl”: Grail in otherworld.
B 172 Magic bird
B 469.2 Helpful swan
B 558.1 Boat drawn by swans (geese)
B 773 Animals with human emotions
F 832 Extraordinary lance
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
F 960 Extraordinary nature phenomena - elements and weather
F 969.3 Marvelous light
D 1121 Magic boat
D 1520.15 Transportation in magic ship

WCRPa-289: (31) The letter tells that the dead man was a king, who wanted King Arthur to place his body onto a bier in his castle until a knight will remove the spear from his heart and avenge his death. The murderer has to be killed by that spear. The embalmed corpse kept in a coffin will not decay for one year. After revenge has been taken they should bury him, and will learn his land and his identity and how he met his death. Arthur follows the instructions given in the letter, orders his servants to keep silence about the matter and returns to the arbor. The swan cries and with his wings beats the waves out of grief about his master, then he bows to the king and takes the ship away with him. The king has a sleepless night. In the morning the knights are amazed at finding the dead knight on the bier, Arthur feigns surprise and then relates to them the content of the letter. The knight is very beautiful and his outfit splendid. If someone would remove the spear and fail in piercing the slayer he would be treated as shamefully as Gaheries in the garden. Neither Gawan nor anyone of the knights think that the knight could ever be avenged. The corpse is placed in a beautiful marble coffin in the hall.

Motif References:

Z 72.0.1 (Bm) Year time limit on quest
B 172 Magic bird
Z 254 Destined hero
Z 312 Unique deadly weapon
M 361 Fated hero
C 423.2 Tabu: speaking of extraordinary sight
B 469.2 Helpful swan
B 558.1 Boat drawn by swans (geese)
B 773 Animals with human emotions
F 832 Extraordinary lance
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
F 852 Extraordinary coffin [sarkophag]
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1121 Magic boat
H 1245.1 (Bm) Quest to be accomplished within one year
D 1520.15 Transportation in magic ship

WCRPa-294: The story of Gaheries’s humiliation: On his quest for lost Gawan Gaheries rode through a deserted forest and came to a beautiful meadow with a brook. A castle out of red and grey marble and with yellow and blue towers stood nearby. Gaheries entered the stronghold which was deserted. In a chamber he found three fine beds, he disarmed, tied his steed to one bed and lay down. The chamber was decorated with beautiful mural paintings, there was sweet smell from the grass strewn onto the floor. Gaheries then caught sight of a door and he entered an even more splendid chamber with two beds. A third room turned out to be even more beautiful with one bed placed in it, gleaming with carbuncles. Through a window he perceived an orchard with two splendid tents, and a dwarf-knight. There was no door and therefore Gaheries jumped out of the window and entered the tent where he came about a beautiful maiden caring for a wounded knight.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
F 451.5.1.7 Dwarfs serve mortals
F 451 Dwarf
F 771.1.1 Golden castle (palace, house)
F 771.4.3 Abandoned castle
F 775 Extraordinary tent
F 781 Extraordinary rooms

WCRPa-297: As Gaheries greeted them the knight was annoyed, and unfortunately his wounds opened. He wanted to have Gaheries chased and the dwarf-knight carrying a tiny golden shield and spear attacked Gaheries. Gaheries came upon his horse and his weapons in the garden and armed himself. He asked for the road in order to leave. But the dwarf insisted upon combat, the dwarf was to fight without armor. The dwarf unhorsed Gaheries and kicked him as he was lying on the ground. Gaheries was forced to surrender. The custom of the garden was such that each knight defeated by the dwarf had to become a weaver and work fabrics for the knight. He already had enslaved 100 prisoners. But Gaheries was allowed to leave after giving his oath to return one year later. Thereafter he would have to become the knight’s workman or once again fight the dwarf knight. If he would defeat him he would be released, but if he made no choice at all the dwarf would kill him on the spot. Gaheries gave his oath.

Motif References:

R 41.1 Captivity in castle
R 51 Mistreatment of prisoners
R 74 Defeated warriors [adversaries] go into [are forced to join] the conqueror’s service
M 201 Making of bargains and promises
J 229.17.1 (G) Choice: humiliating punishment, captivity or single combat
F 535 Remarkably small man (Pygmie)
P 555.8 (Bm) Avenging defeat in battle
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
F 610.2 Dwarf hero of superhuman strength
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-301: Gaheries again jumped back through the window and a servant brought his horse and armor. Gaheries left the castle, passing 500 sewing maidens in a room, working maidens and squires in another one and in a third one knights and maidens were talking to each other. On his way through the town everybody scorned him, called him a coward (to be rejected by women), and kitchen waste and all sort of rubbish were thrown at him. He fled and rode all night without meal or lodging. In the morning as he was lost in his thoughts he met a squire and learned that Gawan had returned. Gaheries rode to Arthur at Tintagel, where he was told the story of the knight in the coffin. They questioned him about the garden but Gaheries pretended ignorance.

Motif References:

R 41.1 Captivity in castle
R 51 Mistreatment of prisoners
M 402 Satire [satirist]
Q 470 Humiliating punishments

WCRPa-304: (30) Before the year ends Arthur has a diet at Glomorgan. The coffin still is to be seen in the hall, the body’s face left uncovered. Gaheries is annoyed by that coffin, for the dead knight reminds him of his humiliation. One morning he happens to touch the point of the spear, and it sticks to his finger so that he removes the entire spear from the corpse. The spear’s point still shines without any rust on it. Gaheries has the point fixed to his best spear. On Easter day Arthur holds court at Karleun. The king is seated at his high table, Gaheries at his side. Out of grief he neither eats nor drinks. Keie asks the king for a boon, which the latter grants at once. Keie wants to know what is troubling Gaheries. Arthur cannot talk him out of this boon and decides that he will never again grant blind promises. Gaheries relates his adventure to them and leaves court. In due time he encounters the dwarf sent to escort him to the garden.

Motif References:

V 75 Easter [Good Friday].
M 202 Fulfilling of bargain or promise
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
P 634 Feasts
N 770.0.1 Feast as occasion for the beginning of adventures or the arrival of questers
F 1041.21.3 Refusal to eat [drink, sleep] from excessive grief
D 1086 Magic lance

WCRPa-308: Gaheries kills the dwarf and the knight of the garden in single combat. The spear pierces his opponent just as it killed the embalmed knight of the coffin. All have fled the garden. A maiden enters and recognizes the spear, which has killed her paramour and the knight of the coffin. She keeps Gaheries from removing the spear: It has to remain there, otherwise Gaheries would be killed. Gaheries leaves with the maiden and is welcomed as her guest in her splendid castle on an island in the sea. They lament the death of King Brangemor, the son of queen Brangebart, and are overjoyed that finally revenge has been taken. At All Saints’ Night they make Gaheries embark on the boat drawn by the swan who carries him and the maiden to King Arthur, who gives them a friendly welcome. The maiden laments the knight in the hall and tells them his story: He was King Brangemor, the son of king Gingenors and a fairy-queen by the name of Brangebart. The king hunted her when she had changed into a sow and married her thereafter. Brangemor only was half mortal and king of an island of immortal people who only can be killed outside this island. Arthur should send the corpse to Brangebart. They put the corpse onto the ship and the swan takes him to his kingdom.

Motif References:

V 70.5 Samhain, Halloween (All Saints Day)
T 91.3 Love of mortal and supernatural person
F 116 Journey to the land of the Immortals
F 134 Otherworld on island
B 172 Magic bird
F 172 No time, no birth, no death in otherworld
F 213 Fairyland on island.
F 234.0.1 Fairy transforms self
F 234.1.3 Fairy in form of swine
F 242.2 Fairy boat
F 259.1.4 Fairies immortal
F 302.3.1 Fairy entices man to fairyland
F 305 Offspring of fairy [dwarf] and mortal
B 469.2 Helpful swan
B 558.1 Boat drawn by swans (geese)
N 774 Adventure from pursuing enchanted animal (hind, boar, bird)
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
D 1121 Magic boat
D 1520.15 Transportation in magic ship
D 1850 Immortality
D 1976.1 Transportation during magic sleep

WCRPa-314: Parzifal has left King Arthur at Joflanze where he has fought Gawan and Gramolanz. After crossing a waste and swampy land he comes to a beautiful and mighty stronghold with a splendid tower. Parzival takes a close look at the castle. It has a gate of ebony which neither burns nor rots. It has golden fittings, nails and a ring with an ivory horn tied to it. Parzival blows the horn, which alarms the lord of the castle who gets ready for combat at once. He wears splendid armor and a shield displaying an ermine lion. On top of his golden helmet there is a crown decorated with gems. Impatient, Parzifal blows the horn a second time and hears the knight say that now the best knight has arrived. Parzifal blows a third time. The lord who is the king of Nurasch and Ireland, and a large company of knights, maidens and squires come toward Parzifal. The king recognizes Parzifal’s steed and his shield for they belonged to his friend who set out for Britain. They fight and Parzifal unhorses his opponent. The king cuts off his steed’s head. Then he surrenders to Parzifal, who sends him to Arthur. Parzifal is welcomed as guest at the castle and gets news about the Dolorous Mountain (leidigen berg). A strangely perforated pillar is placed on top of it and only the best knight can tie his steed to it. Parzifal sets out at once. Meanwhile the defeated king travels to Arthur at Glomorgan where he arrives at All Saints Day and relates the story to them. Parzifal has vowed never to rest at any place more than two days until he finds the bloody spear. Arthur wants to search for Parzifal. He accuses the knights of faithlessness, for they have not tried to find him. All knights will join the king’s quest.

Motif References:

P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
V 70.5 Samhain, Halloween (All Saints Day)
M 151.2.3 (G) Vow not to sleep two nights in the same place until quest’s end
M 155 Vow to perform act of prowess
M 183.3 Vow to find Holy Grail before returning to Round Table.
P 320 Hospitality
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 774 Extraordinary pillars
F 782 Extraordinary doors and windows
F 991.1 Bleeding lance.
D 1149.3 Magic (house-)pillar
H 1221 Quest for adventure
H 1223 Quest to undertake feats of valor
H 1322 Quest for marvelous pillar
H 1345 Quest for magic spear
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
H 1561 Tests of valor
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness

WCRPa-322: Parzifal comes to a wild river, where he once met the Fisher King. He rides along the banks to find a bridge or a ford and catches sight of a splendid castle. Following a small path through a valley he comes to a stronghold, and a maiden beneath an almond tree offers to ferry him over. As Parzifal is about to follow her and her mule onto the boat the horse shies and he hears loud warnings from the other bank telling him that the maiden intends to drown him. The girl takes to flight and shipmen ferry him over. The shipmaster leads him on the road to the Grail castle. On his way Parzifal comes to the deserted castle. He disarms and takes a look onto the hall which is richly decorated with mural paintings. Spears of many colors are leaning there. A door opens and Parzifal enters a beautifully painted room with herbs covering the floor that give sweet smell. Therein he finds a chessboard which was worked by skillful Saracens and has figures of gold, rubies and emeralds.

Motif References:

S 131 Murder by drowning
P 413 Ferryman [fisherman]
F 715 Extraordinary river
B 733 Animals are spirit-sighted. Scent danger
F 771.4.3 Abandoned castle
F 781 Extraordinary rooms
N 862 (Tu) Ferryman as helper
K 958 Murder by drowning
D 1209.7 Magic gameboard, chessboard
H 1233 Helpers on quest
K 2246.0.1 Treacherous princess (queen)

WCRPa-326: The figures of the chessboard are ready for playing. Parzifal moves a peasant and the chessboard automatically answers each of his combinations, and after each game the chessboard rearranges itself. Parzifal is checkmated three times. Outraged, he is about to throw one figure out of the window when a maiden stops him. She keeps him company, and is so very beautiful that Parzifal starts sighing from love. They kiss. The maiden warns him not to rape her for then he would be killed. But she offers him her love if he hunts down a white stag in a game preserve nearby. She lends him her white hound for which he should care well otherwise she would reject him. Parzifal armed with shield and spear but without bow and arrows rides to the game preserve, hunts down the stag and cuts off its head. In the meantime a maiden steals the dog. Parzifal pursues her and orders her to return the dog, but she refuses saying that the lady of the hound only wanted to get rid of him. Parzifal wants to recover the dog by force, but the maiden says this would be coward and shameful, yet she would deliver the dog if he asked a knight nearby in a vault what he is doing there.

Motif References:

T 10 Falling in love
T 15 Love at first sight
T 68 Princess offered as prize
H 105 Parts of slain animal as token of slaying
Z 142 Symbolic color: white
B 151.1.6 Dog indicates road to be taken
K 300 Thefts and cheats - general
H 335.0.2 Girl assigns tasks to her suitors
B 563 Animals direct man on journey.
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
B 579.1 Animal accompanies man on journey
B 731.0.1 Animals of strange and varied coloring
B 731.7.3 (Bm) Milk-white deer
N 774.3 Adventures from pursuing animal (not magic)
H 933 Princess sets hero tasks
H 941 Cumulative tasks: second assigned so that first can be done
H 1154.0.1 Task: bringing head of animal
D 1209.7 Magic gameboard, chessboard
H 1241 Series of quests. One quest can be accomplished when a second is finished, etc.
H 1331 Quest for remarkable animal
D 1601.29 Self-playing gameboard
K 2246.0.1 Treacherous princess (queen)

WCRPa-331: Soon Parzifal comes to a marble cross on a meadow. A knight is enclosed in a tomb there with his horse. He serves a lady for her love and has promised to stay there until a knight overcomes him in combat. But the land is very remote and since five years he has not seen any challenger. His lady cares for him and his horse and often comes to see him. Parzifal puts the stag’s head beneath the cross and fights the Black Knight. The maiden ties the dog beside the stag’s head and watches the combat. They fight till they are completely exhausted. Meanwhile a handsome knight passes and takes the head and the bracket with him. Parzifal wounds the Black Knight who escapes into the vault where Parzifal cannot follow him. Failing to learn more about the Black Knight he leaves in a rage. He comes upon the maiden who stole the dog. He hesitates to greet her but finally bids her welcome and stops her. She mocks him: considering his impressing exploits he certainly will become the lover of the maiden with the chessboard the same day. Although he is outraged he asks her politely about the stranger who rode away with the head and the Black Knight in his cave and promises her his service. The maiden blames him of having offended her and refuses to talk to him. Parzifal leaves angrily.

Motif References:

R 49.4 (G) Captivity in grave, tomb
P 52.2 (Li) Knight in service of a lady
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
R 260 Pursuits
H 335.0.2 Girl assigns tasks to her suitors
M 402.1 Woman satirist
F 527.5 Black man [knight; wild woman]
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
H 933 Princess sets hero tasks

WCRPa-338: Parzifal comes to a deserted castle. In a room he takes a lance. There are many mural paintings, herbs strewn on the floor, and as he looks out of the window he catches sight of a wonderful garden enclosed by a wall. Water flows from a fountain through the castle. Beneath the fountain a tent has been pitched, with a shining golden top. In the shade of a cypress before the tent lies a strong lion. Parzifal looks for a door. When he comes to the hall his horse has disappeared. He enters the garden, the lion runs at him and Parzifal kills the animal. In the tent he meets a beautiful maiden. Frightened by the knight’s bloody sword she alarms a knight who challenges Parzifal and wants to avenge his lion’s death.

Motif References:

B 576 Animal as guard.
F 771.4.3 Abandoned castle
F 771.5.1 Castle guarded by beasts.
F 775 Extraordinary tent
B 847 Lion placed in city to prevent entrance
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
H 1561.13 (G) Test of valor: fight with ferocious animals

WCRPa-342: Parzifal and the knight, Abrioris, fight, they unhorse each other. The knight is distressed that his lady watches his shameful defeat. Parzifal wounds his opponent and the lady swoons over his body. Parzifal tries to reassure her and she begs him to spare the knight’s life. Parzifal makes him vow to surrender to King Arthur. Then Parzifal is received at the castle as Abriori’s guest. The next morning Abriori, the lady and Parzifal set out. They part at a crossroad. When Abriori and his lady arrive at Arthur’s court the king is overjoyed to get news about Parzifal. Gynofere pleads for the knight so that the king releases him and Abriori will stay as member of his retinue and the Round Table.

Motif References:

P 19.0.1 (Li) King Arthur as leader of outstanding chivalric society (Round Table)
P 320 Hospitality
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief

WCRPa-350: (11) Parzifal comes upon a slain knight lying beneath an oak tree, his steed and his shield have been left nearby. The knight has been pierced by a spear, his head split by a sword. Parzifal looks at him closely and laments him, he asks God to care for the dead man’s soul and leaves. Soon he comes to a beautiful meadow. Beneath a tree at a cold and clear spring sits a pretty maiden overcome with grief. Parzifal’s greeting frightens her and she sighs. Parzifal asks what is troubling her and she tells him that she has lost her lover. He did not return after he had left her beneath that tree the day before. Her face is red from tears, but that makes her all the more beautiful. Parzifal does not want to linger and asks her about the knight’s golden shield, which displays three rising silver lions. He tells her that he has found the dead knight and she swoons. When she comes to her senses he asks her for the knight’s name: it is Odinas. The lady leaves.

Motif References:

S 110 Murders
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
F 1041.1.2.2.1 Woman swoons and is near death at hearing of husband’s or lover’s death

WCRPa-352: Parzifal comes to a brook and on the other side perceives a tower. He rides up to a stone bridge and dismounts beneath a wonderful tree. He enters the tower. The castle is very beautiful but deserted. Finding a silver table set and a meal ready Parzifal disarms, puts on a scarlet coat left there, washes his hands and sits down to eat. At this point a very thin maiden enters, who is dressed in poor clothes. She offers him a friendly greeting and informs him that he will have to pay dearly for the meal for an evil giant owns the fortress that he has built himself. He kills any guest. Parzifal asks her if she is one of the giant’s followers and she tells him that the giant abducted her three and a half years ago and that she is his prisoner for she refuses to become his mistress. Parzifal offers to fight the giant but the maiden advises him to escape for the giant is extraordinarily large and strong.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
R 11.3 Abduction by giant [wild woman]
R 18 Abduction by rejected suitor
R 51.1 Prisoners starved
S 400 Cruel persecutions
F 531.5.7.0.1 Giant woos mortal woman
F 531.6.3.1 Giants live in castles (raths, duns) (ruins of which may still be seen)
F 771.4.3 Abandoned castle
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1561.6 Test of valor: fight with giant [warrior, dwarf-hero, dragon etc.]

WCRPa-355: Parzifal arms himself, the giant returns, and starts threatening the knight as soon as he catches sight of him. Parzifal’s steed grazing on his meadow arouses the giant’s anger and he kills it. Parzifal is outraged and runs at him. The giant misses him with his large four-edged club. He takes him for a fool, but cannot get hold of the swift knight. Parzifal wounds him at the heel, the giant tries to kill the knight with his club, that shatters on the ground. Parzifal maims the giant by cutting off one ear and one arm so that he swoons. Parzifal pierces him with his sword. The maiden cares for his wounds. Parzifal refuses the fortress as reward for having rescued the maiden and only asks for a horse. The maiden gives him a black horse the giant took from a knight two months ago. Parzifal stays overnight and leaves the following morning. The maiden now is the mistress of the castle and she thanks him for her rescue from the giant who killed many a knight. In the happy time of May Parzifal joyously rides on and meets a squire in a hurry from Galeys who has been frightened by a dragon. At his question the squire tells him that there is a town nearby where he could find chivalry and adventure.

Motif References:

B 11 Dragon
Q 53 Reward for rescue
Q 111.10 (Bm) Castles as reward
L 225 Hero refuses reward
F 531.4.5.1 Giant with iron club [pole] as weapon
F 531.5.11 Giant in contest [combat] with man
F 531.4.5 Giant’s enormous weapons
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1561.6 Test of valor: fight with giant [warrior, dwarf-hero, dragon etc.]

WCRPa-359: Having crossed mountains Parzifal enters a beautiful valley with a sweet smell. He comes to a brook beneath a tree and a marble stone with a golden inscription. On the other side of the brook a tent has been pitched on a fine meadow, with a white steed, a white shield and spear before it. Parzifal reassured by the white color wants to pass the night in the tent. He crosses the water at a ford and his horse drinks. A knight rushes toward him and challenges him. Parzifal overcomes him, makes him surrender and sends him to King Arthur. He asks for his name and the knight identifies as the White Knight, who since he was dubbed five years ago used to guard that ford and has killed many a knight. Parzifal wants to learn his story and the White Knight tells him that once on a quest for adventure he came to that ford and the Latin inscription on the marble stone told him that this place was called The Ford of Love, a place of adventures, where nobody must water his horse.

Motif References:

P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
Z 142 Symbolic color: white
C 260 Tabu: drinking at certain place
F 527 Person of unusual color
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
F 775 Extraordinary tent
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
H 1236 Perilous path traversed on quest.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
H 1561.2.3 Combats at fords

WCRPa-362: Twenty years ago ten beautiful maidens lived near the ford beneath the tree. Ten knights asked them for their love and stayed with them. The news spread throughout the land and many knights came to the ford, watered their horses and the ladies’ knights killed each of them. When the ladies left the story was engraved on the stone: The inscription says that if a valiant knight guards the ford for seven years he will obtain the greatest prize. Therefore the White Knight stays there and now Parzifal should succeed him in order to increase his fame. Parzifal thinks this task quite foolish, for he thinks combats at fords useless. He therefore only stays overnight in the tent and they part next morning. The White Knight rides toward Arthur’s court where he tells about Parzifal and the Ford of Love. He is released and allowed to join the Round Table.

Motif References:

P 19.0.1 (Li) King Arthur as leader of outstanding chivalric society (Round Table)
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
C 260 Tabu: drinking at certain place
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
F 775 Extraordinary tent
F 800 Extraordinary rocks and stones
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
H 1236 Perilous path traversed on quest.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
H 1561.2.3 Combats at fords

WCRPa-364: Parzifal follows a fine narrow path through a forest onto a plain. Boars, stag and all sorts of game lives there, for it is a remote country. Parzifal enters another forest and passes the night beneath an oak. In the morning he meets a beautiful maiden (she is very beautiful and her skin red and white) sitting on a marble stone. Parzifal greets her. She tells him that her lover, who is a valiant knight is not far away. Parzifal is about to ask for her love when a large knight turns up and asks him what he is doing there. They fight. When he gets to know that Parzifal is his opponent he gladly surrenders to him and identifies as the Beautiful Unknown, who is Gawan’s son. Parzifal gets news from him about Arthur and Gawan who has left on search of adventure, and he promises to come to Arthur’s court at Christmas. They are offered hospitality at the castle of the knight Elyadus, a widower living nearby with his daughter. The knights sleep in the hall, the maidens in a chamber. In the morning they leave and at a crossroad beneath a spring and a cross they take leave of each other.

Motif References:

Z 65.1 Red as blood, white as snow
M 100 Vows and oaths
H 194 (Bm) Recognition only through direct revelation of identity
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
N 772 Parting at crossroads to go on adventure.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-372: Parzifal enters a rich land. A castle with one red and four white towers is located at the seaside and on the banks of the river Umbers that has many fish. The town beneath the castle is large and rich (precious fabrics, spices, silver and gold etc. goods that are traded from the East) and there are many splendid churches and monasteries. Parzifal crosses the drawbridge and enters the town. A maiden accompanied by several knights welcomes him. The maiden thinks the stranger might well be Parzifal who once defeated Kyngrun and Clamade. Parzifal asks about the town and learns that it is Belrepere, the town of the maiden Kundewiramurs. Thereupon Parzifal sighs and changes color, is lost in thought and falls silent. He identifies as Parzifal of Galeis. The maiden hurries to bring the news up to the castle and welcomes him as their sovereign. A great festival is celebrated in town. Parzifal meets his love, who made him lose his senses when he once caught sight of the three drops of blood in the snow. Her beauty shines like roses and lilies. After a festive dinner Kundewiramurs and Parzifal lie together and the knight asks how she managed to have the town that was devastated by war rebuilt so splendidly.

Motif References:

H 20 Recognition by resemblance
Z 65.1 Red as blood, white as snow
T 96 Lovers reunited after many adventures
H 195 (Bm) Failure to recognize
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
N 737 Accidental reunion of lovers
F 760.0.1 (Bm) Extraordinarily beautiful town

WCRPa-379: The lady replies that Parzifal after having rescued her did not want to marry her and left for adventures. The captives were released and left and she had the town rebuilt. He should now marry her and become the land’s sovereign. Parzifal however refuses to marry her before he has achieved a quest he promised. Kundwiramurs gives in for a knight ought to keep his promises, first of all those of his lady. He once promised to return to her and she waited for him. Unable to make him stay with her now she will wait for him patiently. She allows him to stay away as long as he wants if only he stayed with her for two more days. Although Parzifal is annoyed he gives in. They hear mass and both of them are so very beautiful that the throng comes to see them rather than to hear mass. Four days later Parzifal takes his leave although his lady begs him to remain one more day. She falls silent from grief. Everybody begs him to stay but Parzifal takes his new red shield with the rising silver lion and leaves. Parzifal vows not to stay anywhere longer than overnight until he finds the stag’s head and the hound and learns the secrets of the Grail and the spear. He travels through deserted and wild lands.

Motif References:

M 151.2.3 (G) Vow not to sleep two nights in the same place until quest’s end
M 151.2 Vow not to marry until quest is concluded
M 201 Making of bargains and promises
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
F 575.2 Handsome man
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].
H 1345 Quest for magic spear
H 1387 (G) Quest for lost animal (horse, dog)

WCRPa-386: Parzifal encounters a lady who is dressed in the fashion of Cornwall. She is very ugly, has black eyes, long ears, a narrow forehead, thick eyebrows, a short nose with large nostrils, a donkey’s lips, large yellow teeth, a hairy chin, long black hair, she is crooked, wears neither hat nor mantle and rides a white horse. A knight on a red horse accompanies her. Parzifal offers her his greeting, yet he takes her for a devil sent to frighten him. He laughs because a knight is riding with such an ugly devil. Thereupon the knight challenges him. They fight until the stranger surrenders and begs for his life. Parzifal sends him with the lady to the Arthurian court to surrender there as a captive. Parzifal identifies himself and the stranger says he is the Beautiful Evil, son of the count of Galphage. Parzifal replies he ought to be named the Beautiful Good. Then he asks about the ugly lady and the knight replies that she is the most beautiful woman and he is very jealous of her. He calls her Rose and says she is beautiful, virtuous and prudent. Parzifal comes near laughing, but only tells him to relate the story of his love to King Arthur. When they arrive there the courtiers watch them coming and Keye sees that this knight and his lady are sincerely in love with each other. He sends for the queen. The knight surrenders and introduces his lady. The knights and the queen laugh and Keie ridicules him. Arthur admonishes Keie and makes the stranger knight of his court. Later on that lady became very beautiful – the author says she might have been a fairy.

Motif References:

D 52.3 (G) Ugly woman becomes beautiful
W 181 Jealousy
F 234.2.5 Fairy in form of beautiful young woman
F 234.0.1 Fairy transforms self
F 234.2.2 Fairy in hideous form
T 257 Jealous husband or wife.
M 402 Satire [satirist]
F 510 Monstrous persons
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
D 1860.0.1 Magic beautification of fairy
D 2031.4 Hideous person magically makes self seem beautiful

WCRPa-394: Parzifal enters a wild forest and comes to a tree which he recognizes: He has come to his mother’s country, he once met a knight nearby who led him the road to King Arthur where he was made a knight by a red armor. He weeps out of grief for his mother. When he arrives at his mother’s house nobody recognizes him, not even his sister. The knight asks his sister about her grief and she tells him that her brother left ten years ago heading for King Arthur’s court after he had met five knights. The grief about her son’s loss killed Parzifal’s mother. She was buried in a chapel of a hermit who is the lady’s brother. Parzival changes color and weeps. He introduces himself and the maiden falls silent and then swoons from joy. There is great happiness at the castle. Parzifal wants to meet the hermit.

Motif References:

H 194 (Bm) Recognition only through direct revelation of identity
H 195 (Bm) Failure to recognize
P 231.3 Mother-love
P 253 Sister and brother
P 293 Uncle
P 426.2 Hermit
N 734 Accidental meeting of brother and sister
F 1041.1.1 Death from broken heart
F 1041.1.3 Death from sorrow or chagrin

WCRPa-399: Parzifal and his beautiful sister set out to see their uncle. A knight challenges Parzifal intending to abduct the girl. Parzifal kills him and leaves the body in the field. His sister takes the stranger’s horse. In the evening they come to the hermitage, but their arrival frightens the hermit. They pass the night outside the chapel while the hermit prays all night. The following morning Parzifal confesses his sins. The hermit recognizes his niece who then introduces her brother. He leads them to their mother’s grave – that gives off a sweet smell – inside the chapel. Parzifal relates his life-story to the hermit: how he got the red armor from Arthur, visited the Grail castle and did not ask the question, met the lady with the chessboard, the knight in the tomb, the adventure of the stag’s head and the hound, the lion and the Beautiful Evil. The hermit advises his nephew to stop killing people. Then he serves them a meal consisting of white bread and vine that God sends to him each day by an angel. This is his only food and he never drinks wine. Before they leave he preaches about Christ, tells them to serve God who will pardon everyone doing penance. He who does not repent his sins before death will lose his soul and burn in hell. Parzifal and his sister return to the castle. The following morning he leaves.

Motif References:

H 194 (Bm) Recognition only through direct revelation of identity
V 227 Saints have divine visitors
V 232.3 Angels supply food to mortal
V 235 Mortal visited by angel
P 293 Uncle
P 426.2 Hermit
N 730 Accidental reunion of families
E 821 Sweet smell from corpse

WCRPa-409: After traveling through a wild and deserted region Parzifal comes to a small bridge crossing a lake. On the other bank he catches sight of a beautiful castle built of red, yellow and green marble, which he enters. There is not a living soul to be seen but the gate automatically closes behind him. He rides up to the palace, where he finds four pillars of copper with an iron board and a steel hammer on a silver chain. Everything is plated with gold. He dismounts and enters the empty hall. He is very hungry and gives the table a heavy blow with the hammer that resounds throughout the building. A pretty maiden appears at a window and warns him of danger. Once again he strikes the table three times. Another maiden looks out of a window and warns him that if he strikes once again the castle will collapse and everybody would perish. She urges him to keep from striking and offers to open the gate to him.

Motif References:

F 163.1 Castle in otherworld
F 222 Fairy castle
K 736 Snapping door
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 771.4.3 Abandoned castle
F 771.1 Castle of unusual material
F 784 Extraordinary table
H 1400 Fear test

WCRPa-415: The maiden and her companions welcome Parzifal, and take care of his steed. Then they lead him into a splendid hall with precious tapestries on the walls. The lady welcomes him in a splendid room with a silver floor and golden walls. 100 maidens all dressed alike in green and gold striped clothes, blond and of like age, are in her company. Parzifal thinks he has entered paradise, for the devil has lost all his power where such wonderful ladies and maidens are to be found. Parzifal is served a fine meal and sits at the lady’s side. At her question he tells his name and his errand. Then he inquires about the castle’s name and why there are no knights. She tells him that he has entered the Maidens’ Castle (der megede burg). He asks about the castle, its strange door, and the board with the hammer. Parzifal learns that all ladies are of noble descent. The castle itself was built by four maidens without any help from stonemasons or workmen. Any knight coming to the castle will find it empty and if he fails in striking the board no one will serve him. Only fearless knights are offered hospitality and the gate will open to them the following morning. The maidens need no servants and have everything in abundance. The next morning Parzifal wakes beneath an oak and finds his armor, weapons and his steed nearby.

Motif References:

Z 71.16.2 Formulistic number: ten
Q 82 Reward for fearlessness
F 112.2 City [castle] of women
Q 118 (G) Hospitality as reward
F 163.1 Castle in otherworld
F 222 Fairy castle
F 271.2 Fairies as builders
P 320 Hospitality
K 736 Snapping door
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 771.4.3 Abandoned castle
F 771.6 Phantom house: disappears at dawn
F 771.1 Castle of unusual material
F 781 Extraordinary rooms
F 784 Extraordinary table
H 1400 Fear test
D 1976.1 Transportation during magic sleep
D 2178.1 City (castle) built by magic
D 2188 Magic disappearance

WCRPa-422: Parzifal rides across a beautiful plain and comes to a large and splendid tree where a fine tent has been pitched, that is red and white like a chessboard and has a shining golden top. There are two smaller tents as well. Parzifal finds the stag’s head hanging from a branch. He offers his greeting to a maiden dressed in red and white, but gets a rude reply. Parzifal takes the head, when a hunting horn resounds and a stag pursued by the hound comes running along. A knight kills the stag. The maiden tells him about Parzifal’s arrival. Parzifal politely asks to be returned the hound, and at the knight’s refusal they fight. At last the knight surrenders and asks for mercy. Parzifal would rather have killed him, yet the knight warns him that this would be a sin. Parzifal therefore sends him as a prisoner to King Arthur and the lady to the Queen. He has recovered the hound.

Motif References:

R 9.10 (Bm) Release from captivity
W 46 (Li) Modesty
H 105 Parts of slain animal as token of slaying
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
F 775 Extraordinary tent
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-430: The knight identifies as Garsalas, the son of the Duke of Geneloge, his lady is the beautiful Trischans (die clare). Parzifal asks about the dog’s owner but the knight cannot tell. Then he asks about the Black Knight in the Tomb and learns that he is Garsalas’s half-brother, who once left for adventure and is very valiant. He came to the island of Avalun where he met a beautiful maiden at a spring and fell in love with her. She promised him her love if he would do her asking. They rode through the forest up to a clearance, a very remote place, where she ordered him to wait for adventure. The knight objected that there was little hope to meet any opponent in the wilderness but the lady insisted: This would be the place to meet only the very best knights. Then she ordered him to guard the place for two years, she would provide him with everything. The knight fell asleep and as he woke he found himself enclosed in a strong building.

Motif References:

R 49 Other places of captivity
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
T 91.3 Love of mortal and supernatural person
F 129.4 Journey to otherworld island
F 134 Otherworld on island
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
F 163.1 Castle in otherworld
F 213 Fairyland on island.
F 222 Fairy castle
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
F 234.2.5 Fairy in form of beautiful young woman
F 271.2 Fairies as builders
F 302 Fairy mistress
H 310.3 (Bm) Suitor tasks: knight must perform (three) feats of valor
H 313 Suitor test: obedience and humility before bride [mistress]
H 317 Long term of service imposed on suitor
H 335.0.2 Girl assigns tasks to her suitors
N 715.1 Hero finds maiden at fountain, well, river
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
H 1221 Quest for adventure
D 1960 Magic sleep
K 2246.0.1 Treacherous princess (queen)

WCRPa-434: (33) The maiden built that house while he slept. It is invisible except for a coffin in the tomb. A knight’s portrait gives directions to the adventure: whoever reads the inscription on it must fight the knight in the tomb. The knight stayed there for ten years without ever fighting anyone. He is named the Black Knight of Valdone, of the Black Forest of Arsone, and later on the Black Knight of the Vault beneath the coffin in the forest. Parzifal has his meal in the company of the knight in the tent. The knight however cannot tell him where he could find the hound’s owner. Then Garsalas gives him the hound and the stag’s head. The head will not decay until Judgment Day if only kept dry. Parzifal leaves and Garsalas and his lady travel to Arthur who releases the knight and makes him join his retinue.

Motif References:

R 49.4 (G) Captivity in grave, tomb
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
F 271.2 Fairies as builders
F 302 Fairy mistress
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 855 Extraordinary image
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1960 Magic sleep
D 1980 Magic invisibility
K 2246.0.1 Treacherous princess (queen)

WCRPa-439: Parzifal rides on through the forest, with the stag’s head and the hound which he wants to bring to the lady with the chessboard. He is lost in thought. On a small path a white mule comes running toward him. It has a precious saddle blanket and stops before him. A pretty maiden appears afoot. He asks her where he could find a night’s lodging nearby and she warns him that he should rather turn back for if he came with her he would be killed. He accompanies her and they ride on through the dark night. Parzifal perceives a light, getting larger and larger and holds on toward it. He wants to ask the maiden about it, but she is too far ahead. A sudden darkness falls and a thunderstorm rages. Parzifal takes shelter beneath a tree. After the sky has cleared the light has vanished. On a clearing beneath an oak Parzifal sleeps till dawn with the hound lying at his feet. About noon he comes upon the maiden beneath a tree and she explains why she left him: She was afraid of a knight whom she promised never to remain alone with any man until he would be back. She asks Parzifal if he met him. His name is Bruns the Merciless (one erbermekeit). Parzifal asks her about the thunderstorm: She says that the night was calm and she only perceived a light, coming from a castle nearby which belongs to the Fisher King. The light comes from the Grail, the vessel that caught the Christ’s blood at the Cross. Whoever looks at it is protected against sin and the devil all day, and therefore the Fisher King always carries the Grail with him.

Motif References:

V 140 Sacred relics
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
F 790 Extraordinary sky and weather phenomena
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 969.3 Marvelous light
D 1162 Magic light
D 1171.6 Magic cup.
D 1380.17 Magic cup protects
D 1385 Magic object protects from evil spirits
D 1645.2 Incandescent cup

WCRPa-448: Parzifal wants to learn about the Grail, but the maiden replies that it is a secret which only may be disclosed by a priest or a holy man. Everyone who learns about the Grail starts trembling and changes color out of awe. Parzifal and the maiden ride on and in a beautiful valley before a splendid tent they meet a pretty maiden. She entertains them hospitably and asks about the head and the hound. Parzifal tells the story but can neither name the maiden who owns the dog nor her castle. He names himself and wants to take leave. The maiden shows him the road to the Grail Castle but warns him that this road is lost easily. Her white mule will guide him to the glass bridge crossing the river Marsunde. After he has crossed the bridge he has to send the mule back to her. Parzifal asks her about Brun: Brun met a knight with a lady whose lover was held captive in a tower. The lord of the castle will release his captive if the lady’s champion would overcome him. The maiden gives Parzifal a magic ring, with a stone that gives joy. The mule will follow no one except the bearer of the ring. Parzifal will have to return the ring and the mule whenever she will ask him to. Parzifal leaves with the head and the hound which is very dear to him. The mule guides him toward the Glass Bridge above a wild river. He rides over it, the bridge cracks loudly and parts of it fall into the water but it does not break.

Motif References:

R 41.2 Captivity in tower
R 110 Rescue of captive
B 151.1.1 Horses determine road to be taken
B 184.1 Magic horses [extraordinary horse from otherworld]
H 218.0.1 Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused
B 403 Helpful mule
C 423.5 Tabu: revealing sacred mysteries.
B 563 Animals direct man on journey.
B 731.0.1 Animals of strange and varied coloring
F 825 Extraordinary ring
F 826 Extraordinary jewels
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 842.1.1 Crystal (glass) bridge
D 1071 Magic jewel (jewels)
D 1076 Magic ring
H 1236 Perilous path traversed on quest.
D 1258 Magic bridge.
D 1359.3 Magic object causes joy
H 1400 Fear test
D 1440 Magic object gives power over animals
H 1573.6.1 Ability to cross bridge as test of righteousness

WCRPa-457: Parzifal meets a noble knight with an ivory horn decorated with gold, a hawk on his hand and two greyhounds; he is Brios of the Curved Forest (von dem gebogenen walde). Parzifal asks for the road to the Grail Castle and is told that only the best knight can find it. Parzifal should rather increase his fame by passing the insurmountable bridge and attend the tournament before Castle Orgelus. Parzifal passes the night as Brios’s guest. He tells his host the story of the head, the hound and the mule, but keeps silent about the ring. His stories please Brios well. In the morning Parzifal leaves in his company and according to Brios’s advice leaves behind mule, head and dog. They come to the High Bridge: It is wooden and reaches only to an iron pillar in the middle of the river. Nobody can cross it. Brios tells him that once there stood a castle inhabited by a noble and valiant knight, who neither had wife nor children or heirs. He lived there with a retinue of knights. One Christmas he rode to the court of king Antipins Karadis and at this festival he overcame Orgelus and wounded him. Orgelus’s relative, Tores of Baradigan, wanted to take revenge by war against him but the castle was well protected by the river.

Motif References:

P 555.8 (Bm) Avenging defeat in battle
D 1258 Magic bridge.
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].
H 1561 Tests of valor
H 1573.6.1 Ability to cross bridge as test of righteousness

WCRPa-466: (39) One day one of Tores’s knights lost his way on a boar hunt and the dogs pursued the boar up to a strong fortress in the forest where the animal disappeared. As he blew his horn a maiden appeared and he was received cordially. He told her about the war. The girl was a magician but kept silent about that knowledge. She fell in love with the knight, whose name was Karmedit and obtained a blind promise from him on condition that she would build a bridge for him. She had been in love with him for a long time and invited him to stay and marry her. He promised and they passed the night together. Within three days the bridge built by necromancy was to be ready. Yet the knight was killed before the bridge was completed. Only the most virtuous knight can cross it. Many have failed in the adventure. Parzifal crosses the bridge: when he has arrived at the edge it turns round. Parzifal rides to the tournament at Orgelus, where the Arthurian knights have gathered, among them the Knight with the Bad Mantle (der mit dem übelen gesnittenen rocke).

Motif References:

T 55 Girl as wooer. Forthputting woman
T 80 Tragic love
B 184.3.1 Magic boar
M 201 Making of bargains and promises
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
F 241.0.1 Fairy animal hunted
F 302.3.1 Fairy entices man to fairyland
P 414 Hunter
P 561 Tournaments
F 715 Extraordinary river
N 771 King (prince) (lost) on hunt has adventures
N 774 Adventure from pursuing enchanted animal (hind, boar, bird)
F 842.2.5 (G) Incomplete rocking bridge
F 989.15 Hunt for extraordinary (magic) animal
D 1258 Magic bridge.
D 1258.1 Bridge made by magic
H 1573.6.1 Ability to cross bridge as test of righteousness
D 1711 Magician
D 1810.0.2 Magic knowledge of magician

WCRPa-473: Parzifal wants to join the party of the king of Ireland against the knights of the Round Table. He wounds Keie, whom the king has granted the first joust. In the evening Parzifal rides back across the bridge which once again turns. He and Brios pass the night in a hermitage (Sante Gilgen) where a relative of Brios lives. Meanwhile the Arthurian knights ridicule Keie for his defeat. Parzifal has not been recognized. The next morning the tournament continues. Each fighter has fixed his token to his spear’s head. Once again Parzifal fights all day without being recognized. Arthur takes part in the tournament and unhorses the king of Ireland. Parzifal overcomes Lanzelet and Angrevens and brings about the day’s victory to his party. Arthur sends Gawan to learn the stranger’s name and country and bring him to court. But Parzifal once again crosses the bridge and lodges at Brios’s castle and thus Gawan is unable to identify the stranger. Parzifal refuses to linger there any longer – he would break his vow – and takes his leave.

Motif References:

M 151.2.3 (G) Vow not to sleep two nights in the same place until quest’s end
R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
P 561 Tournaments
C 761.4 Tabu: staying too long in certain place
H 1561.1 Tests of valor: tournament
K 1839.17 (Bm) Disguise by changing armor

WCRPa-485: Having traveled all day on his mule and carrying the stag’s head and the dog with him Parzifal in the evening comes to a large tree with a cross and a marble coffin beneath it. A wailing knight has been placed in the coffin. As soon as Parzifal has released him, the man pushes his rescuer into the coffin telling him that now he has to guard it. The knight however fails to mount the mule. Thereupon he releases Parzifal, because he now is sure that he is the best knight, and once again enters the coffin. He tells Parzifal to go to the Dolorous Mountain, but refuses to tell his name and why he has to stay in that coffin. Yet Parzifal will soon learn the whole story. Parzifal rides on and meets a maiden beneath an oak. She asks the knight to return the mule and the ring to her. She questions him about the wonders of Grail castle but he cannot tell. He relates the story of Brios and the Orgelus tournament to her. The maiden rides away without taking leave. Parzifal prays to God to help him find the Grail castle or the castle with the chessboard. Lost in thoughts he suddenly hears a voice out of a tree, calling him by his name and advising him to follow the hound if he wants to find the castle.

Motif References:

R 4 Surprise capture
R 49.4 (G) Captivity in grave, tomb
R 110 Rescue of captive
B 151.1.6 Dog indicates road to be taken
B 184.1 Magic horses [extraordinary horse from otherworld]
B 403 Helpful mule
B 563 Animals direct man on journey.
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
F 825 Extraordinary ring
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
D 1076 Magic ring
D 1148 Magic tomb
H 1230 Accomplishment of quests.
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].
D 1442 Magic object tames or restrains animal
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

WCRPa-492: Parzifal follows the hound through the forest till he comes to a castle at a river. The dog leads him into the hall where he lies down on a fine bed. He has come to the castle of the chessboard. A beautiful maiden enters, and as the dog hears her voice it starts barking and has himself caught and caressed. She admonishes Parzifal of having taken her dog without her consent. Parzifal gives her the stag’s head and tells her how the dog was stolen by a maiden, about the knight in the tomb and how he reclaimed both head and dog. Then he asks her to fulfill her promise so that he might learn about the automatic chessboard.

Motif References:

B 151.1.6 Dog indicates road to be taken
B 182.1 Magic dog
M 202 Fulfilling of bargain or promise
B 421 Helpful dog
B 563 Animals direct man on journey.
F 771.4.3 Abandoned castle

WCRPa-498: The story of the magic chessboard: A maiden who had learnt necromancy and knew the stars one day on a meadow in the forest met the fairy Morgane, a knight and a squire who were playing chess. Morgane gave the splendid board and the costly figures to her as a gift. The grateful maiden offered Morgane the automatic chessboard in return, that she had worked herself. The maiden who is relating the story to Parzifal has stayed with Morgane for twelve years and when she left her she asked for the magic chessboard as a gift. She then built her castle. She leads Parzifal into a pretty chamber where he passes the night. In the morning he leaves but promises to return as soon as he has found the Grail Castle. She shows him the way. They come to a river where a boat is tied to a tree with a lock. She unlocks it and says that boat will ferry him over, he should then follow a road which will take him to the Fisher King. The boat returns automatically after having ferried him over. The maiden returns to her castle. The stag’s head later on is sent to King Arthur’s court.

Motif References:

H 105 Parts of slain animal as token of slaying
F 216 Fairies [elves] live in forest
F 330 Grateful fairies
F 340 Gifts from fairies
D 813.2 Magic object received from grateful fairy
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
D 851 Magic object acquired by exchange
D 855 Magic object acquired as reward.
D 1121 Magic boat
D 1209.7 Magic gameboard, chessboard
D 1520.15 Transportation in magic ship
D 1601.29 Self-playing gameboard
D 1711 Magician
D 1712.0.1 Astrologer-magician
D 1810.0.2 Magic knowledge of magician

WCRPa-506: Parzifal gets lost and when evening falls he comes to an oak. An armed knight is hanging from a branch with his head down. Parzifal unties him. He is Bagumades who on his journey to the Dolorous Mountain met Keie and three knights, all of them insane for having undertaken the adventure of the Dolorous Mountain where only the best knight can tie his steed. They unhorsed Bagumades, captured him and tied him to the oak. Parzifal names himself and decides to go to that pillar. Bagumades travels on to Arthur’s court in order to accuse Keie of treachery. Parzifal leaves. Bagumades enjoys a friendly knight’s hospitality but lets himself not be delayed for he is eager to take revenge. A maiden leads him the way to King Arthur. On the Feast of Saint John Bagumades arrives at Karadigan, where the lords have gathered.

Motif References:

V 70.3.1 Feast of Saint John the Baptist
S 182.3 (G) Man hanged by feet to tree
F 774 Extraordinary pillars
D 1149.3 Magic (house-)pillar
H 1322 Quest for marvelous pillar
D 1367 Magic object causes insanity
D 2065 Magic insanity
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

WCRPa-513: At the royal court lords, knights, the clergy and inexperienced knights who are not allowed at the king’s table but sit on the ground have come together. The latter are knights who have not yet rescued their lord from death or captivity, fought an opponent at a ford or road, never fought a trial by combat in front of kings and lords for the sake of an offended lady or maiden. Each knight who has passed an adventure of that sort is allowed to sit at the king’s table. Once again Arthur is absentminded and Gawan admonishes him, the king says he is sad because of Parzifal’s absence. At that point Bagumades comes to court and offers his greeting to everyone but Keie whom he challenges. He only disarms after the king has promised that his affair will be judged by a law-court. Arthur asks Keie about the matter, who swearing by God and Holy Mary denies to have ever met Bagumades. He accuses Bagumades of slander and wants to fight him.

Motif References:

V 70.3.1 Feast of Saint John the Baptist
H 217 Decision made by contest
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
P 556.3 (Bm) Feast interrupted by man offering challenge.
P 634 Feasts

WCRPa-517: Bagumades tells them his story accusing Keie of treachery – his three companions would have acted according to the rules of chivalry. Without Parzifal’s help Bagumades would have perished. He challenges Keie who accepts the challenge despite Arthur’s warnings. The combat is to take place on a meadow, ladies and knights come to watch it. The king proclaims the rules of the combat. Keie and Bagumades fight, and when Keie is about to be defeated, Arthur puts an end to the combat. The court is pleased by Keie’s shame. At Arthur’s request the queen brings about the reconciliation of the fighters and they become friends. Arthur praises Parzifal. Gawan sets out for the Dolorous Mountain to search him. Ywan will search for Parzifal as well, and vows to stay in no place longer than overnight until he has found him. Many knights decide to search for Parzifal. Gawan takes his leave from the king and the queen and vows to be back as soon as he has found the knight.

Motif References:

M 151.2.3 (G) Vow not to sleep two nights in the same place until quest’s end
S 182.3 (G) Man hanged by feet to tree
H 217 Decision made by contest
H 218.1.1 (G) Single combat, joust interrupted by friends of combatants
H 1220 Quests voluntarily undertaken
H 1385.13 (Bm) Quest for lost person
K 2243 Treacherous seneschal
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

WCRPa-527: The next morning forty knights set out. Gawan intends to search for Parzifal and the court of King Anfortas, in order to learn about the Grail’s wonders (the body and the sword on the bier). He once fell asleep when those wonders were related to him and the following day the castle had vanished. Gawan, Lanzelet and Ywan come to a crossroad in the forest and take leave of each other. They promise to meet again at the court. Lanzelet chooses the largest road, Gawan rides all day along a grassy path and then takes a night’s lodging at a hermitage. Gawan enjoys the beautiful morning and the birdsong which make him think about love. He comes to a spring beneath a large tree, with a silver shield displaying a black rising lion.

Motif References:

M 195 (Bm) Vow to see particular marvel.
N 772 Parting at crossroads to go on adventure.
H 1220 Quests voluntarily undertaken
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].
H 1385.13 (Bm) Quest for lost person

WCRPa-531: A beautiful maiden is sitting there, clad in ermine. She combs her hair with an ivory comb. She asks him his name and invites him to her castle. A handsome knight dressed in green clothes without weapons and riding a fallow horse with a precious bridle joins them. He is very small (like a child of five years), beautiful and valiant. The maiden identifies as his sister. As the knight blows his ivory horn four times servants arrive leading a white mule, and carrying precious clothes. The maiden dresses up and mounts the mule, that has a bridle with silver bells. Gawan inquires about the shield and learns that only a perfect knight who has all chivalric virtues and a true love can carry that shield. It will double his praise as well as his courage and strength but bring dishonor to any other man. Numerous knights failed for they trusted in their lady’s fidelity and were shamefully unhorsed by the dwarf knight until they admitted that it is foolish to trust in one’s lady completely.

Motif References:

H 435 Weapon as chastity index
H 467 Other tests of wife’s love or faithfulness
F 535 Remarkably small man (Pygmie)
F 824.2 Extraordinarily painted shield
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
D 1101.1 Magic shield
D 1335 Object gives magic strength
D 1336.4 Magic shield gives weakness
H 1561.1 Tests of valor: tournament
D 1830 Magic strength

WCRPa-538: As they enter the dwarf’s castle a messenger arrives from Arthur’s court, bringing greetings from Ydiers, son of King Nuwes, and telling them that much has been told at the court about this adventure of the shield. The shield should be taken to a tournament of the Arthurian knights – which has been promised by Ydiers at Keie’s boasting. The dwarf promises to send the shield to Arthur. The maiden advises Gawan not to try the shield, for no one can trust the love of a woman, who is changeable like a child. The knight is called the Little Knight of the Castle near the Great Forest who guards the shield hanging on the large oak. His sister is called Tanreie. The knight leaves to wait for a challenger. Gawan longing for Tanreie’s love asks her if she already has got a lover. She says that the name of her lover is Gawan. Gawan consummates his love but does not rape her for he is an honorable knight. In the evening the little knight returns after having obeyed his custom to wait for adventure at the tree. All three of them pass the night in the hall, the maiden out of longing for Gawan lies sleepless. Next morning the little knight and Gawan leave for the tournament. Gawan regrets that he cannot take his leave from the lady, whom they do not wake. A squire carries the shield. They take a night’s lodging at a castle and decide to send the shield to Ydiers who is to send it on to Arthur. Gawan does not want to be recognized and therefore they will stay at the castle until the tournament begins.

Motif References:

T 11 Falling in love with person never seen
T 55 Girl as wooer. Forthputting woman
H 435 Weapon as chastity index
H 467 Other tests of wife’s love or faithfulness
P 561 Tournaments
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
D 1101.1 Magic shield
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
H 1561.1.4 (G) Magic shield as prize in tournament

WCRPa-550: At the Arthurian court Keie insists on being granted the first joust to obtain the shield. All knights arm themselves. Gawan and the little knight arrive and Keie fights the latter, whose device are three white eagles on black ground. He unhorses Keie and the tournament continues. Each knight taking the shield becomes weak and dizzy and falls from horseback. Keie is pleased with the company’s dishonor. Gawan leaving his shield behind sets out for tournament in order not to be recognized. Arthur takes part in the tournament. Gawan takes the shield and is victorious. In the evening the guests have dinner in their tents. Arthur asks about the unknown knight and the dwarf hero, and admonishes Keie for his malevolence and his boasting. Nobody can tell him who the strangers are. Next morning the tournament goes on. Meanwhile Gawan and the little knight have left and return to the dwarf’s castle.

Motif References:

R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
P 561 Tournaments
F 839.2 Extraordinary shield
D 1101.1 Magic shield
D 1336.4 Magic shield gives weakness
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
H 1561.1.4 (G) Magic shield as prize in tournament
K 1839.17 (Bm) Disguise by changing armor

WCRPa-558: Tanreie is sleepless from love. As Gawan takes his leave she laments: Love is grieving her, whereas Gawan will love other ladies. Love means no grief to him, he always profits from it. Love is unjust, for she, Tanreie, loves Gawan more than he loves her. All day long Gawan rides on and in the evening comes to a castle, where he stays overnight. Next day he meets a knight asleep on horseback. Gawan does not wake him but follows him for he wants to inquire about King Anfortas and the Dolorous Mountain. The mindless knight raises and sinks his spear but otherwise does not move at all and keeps silent. Gawan addresses him and pushes him. Then he asks for the stranger’s name: he is the Pensive Knight (verdohte) from the Maidens’ Forest with the black chapel. He has lost his mind from love, because his beautiful lady was abducted by a very strong knight whom no one can overcome. Gawan offers his help.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
T 24 The symptoms of love
P 55.1 (Bm) Broken-hearted knight neglects self
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

WCRPa-565: They come to a clearing where a fine tent (blue and red in chessboard fashion) has been pitched beneath a tree. An armed knight guards the entrance, inside the tent is a beautiful maiden who greets Gawan. Gawan tells the knight to release the maiden, but the knight will offer her only as prize of combat. Despite Gawan’s warnings the knight insists on fighting and Gawan defeats him. The maiden is released and the knight begs for mercy. Gawan sends him as a prisoner to Arthur’s court. He is Bruns from the Meadow (von dem plon). Bruns leaves and rides to Kavalun where Arthur makes him join his retinue. Gawan takes his leave from the mindless knight and his lady.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
R 111.1 Princess (maiden) rescued from captor
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
F 775 Extraordinary tent
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper

WCRPa-573: The next day Gawan comes upon Gingelens, the Beautiful Unknown, who identifies as Gawan’s son and brings him word from Arthur that he should return for war has been waged upon Arthur by King Catras of Resesse who captures his people and burns his castles. But before turning back Gawan wants to meet Anfortas and learn about the knight who rode to the queen’s tent: Gawan once promised to achieve his quest when the knight was killed treacherously. In the chapel during the thunderstorm Gawan saw an altar with a candle burning in the darkness, a black hand put out the light, Gawan fled the chapel. The next morning he came to a beautiful deserted castle, where he found a corpse on a bier that was mourned by many men. Then Gawan was left all alone. A knight with three servants received him, Gawan was disarmed and led before the king and his knights who welcomed him. Gawan then saw the bloody spear and the broken sword, which he failed to mend.

Motif References:

M 100 Vows and oaths
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
M 183.3 Vow to find Holy Grail before returning to Round Table.
H 194 (Bm) Recognition only through direct revelation of identity
M 195 (Bm) Vow to see particular marvel.
P 233 Father and son
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
N 731 Unexpected meeting of father and son
H 1388 Quest: answer to question

WCRPa-577: Then he watched how the Grail ornate with numerous magic jewels was carried through the hall by a maiden and placed in front of his host. The king told him to ask and Gawan learnt that this was the spear that wounded Jesus on the Cross. After the meal Gawan fell asleep and woke next morning in the open field, the castle had vanished. Now Gawan is on his search for Parzifal heading for the Dolorous Mountain. Gingelens told him that he met him one year ago in the Forest of Muntbranlon, and Parzifal promised to attend court at Christmas. Gawan hopes to learn from him about the spear and the Grail. They ride to King Arthur at Karadigon, who has summoned his army at Kavalun for his campaign against the two brothers, King Katras and King Cladas from the wilderness (von der wüeste).

Motif References:

V 80 Religious services - miscellaneous
F 166.1.1 ”Silver bowl”: Grail in otherworld.
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
F 771.6 Phantom house: disappears at dawn
F 991.1.2 (G) Longin’s lance
D 1071 Magic jewel (jewels)
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].
H 1345 Quest for magic spear
H 1388 Quest: answer to question

WCRPa-579: King Arthur and his troops in their campaign against King Katras devastate and burn his land. Arthur besieges Katras for four and a half months in his stronghold at the seashore, where he has taken refuge with his people. Arthur vows not to leave before he has conquered the fortress. Katras begs Gawan to reconcile him with Arthur, which he promises. Arthur thereupon wants to ask his lords for advice. Gawan advises him to accept Katras’s offer, for one can never be certain of the outcome of a battle and besides this would cost many lives and therefore one should end the war as soon as possible. Arthur follows his advice and they send for Katras, who falls to the king’s feet. Arthur raises him and enfeoffs him with his land. The troops leave.

Motif References:

P 14.15.1 (Old, wise) Counsellors of court [King’s council]
R 74 Defeated warriors [adversaries] go into [are forced to join] the conqueror’s service
R 75 Surrendering
M 100 Vows and oaths
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege

WCRPa-582: Walther of Dunsin [= Gauthier de Desnain] has related the following story about Parzifal: Having left Bagumades Parzifal rides on for two weeks and comes to a large and beautiful forest. He catches sight of a remarkably beautiful child (above five years old) that is sitting high up in a tree and holds an apple in his hand. Parzifal greets the child. The child refuses to descend. The knight asks the child about the Grail king and why it sits in the tree, but the child only replies that Parzifal soon will come to the pillar at the Dolorous Mountain. Then it starts climbing the extraordinarily high tree so that Parzifal loses sight of it. As Parzifal comes to the Dolorous Mountain he meets a maiden on a fine horse who warns him of this adventure which only can be achieved by the best knight. Her lover has undertaken it and did not return: a lady told her that he has gone mad. She asks Parzifal to accompany her, which he refuses.

Motif References:

F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
M 301.20 Child as prophet
V 515.1.6 (G) The child in the tree
F 569.3 Silent person.
F 575.3 Remarkably beautiful child
N 810 Supernatural helpers
F 811 Extraordinary tree
N 827 Child as helper
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
D 1149.3 Magic (house-)pillar
H 1322 Quest for marvelous pillar
D 1367 Magic object causes insanity
D 2065 Magic insanity
D 2188.2 Person vanishes

WCRPa-586: Parzifal comes to the Dolorous Mountain: There is a high copper pillar covered with gold. Fifteen large stone crosses, five red ones, five white ones and five blue ones, have been placed in a circle around it. A golden ring is fixed to the pillar with a Latin inscription saying that only the best knight can tie his horse to the pillar. Parzifal cannot read the words but remembers the story of the knight in the coffin. Parzifal ties his horse, leans shield and spear to the pillar. A beautiful lady riding a white mule with a splendid riding gear arrives and greets him. She begins to curry the knight’s horse with her coat which embarrasses him for no lady should do such a service. She replies that he has passed the test of the pillar and as the best knight on earth everybody should bow to him. Parzifal is embarrassed at being praised. The lady leads him to a tent, where he is served a meal.

Motif References:

Z 254 Destined hero
M 302.9 (G) Prophecy, advices from writing
M 361 Fated hero
F 750 Extraordinary mountains and other land features
F 774 Extraordinary pillars
F 789.4 (G) Remarkable cross
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 1149.3 Magic (house-)pillar
H 1322 Quest for marvelous pillar
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness

WCRPa-590: The maiden identifies as the Maiden of the Dolorous Mountain. Her castle is located nearby. Two weeks ago she got news that the knights of King Arthur have decided to come to that Mountain and the Pillar. To watch the outcome of the test she has pitched the tent. Parzifal asks about the Pillar: She tells him that Arthur was a very beautiful baby. Three ladies attended his birth and the wisest of them prophesied him utmost fame, wisdom, honor and courage. One day Uterpandragun listened to a conversation of two maidens on a pond beneath his castle in the forest Glorezestre and learnt of a prophecy concerning his son: Arthur is to surpass his father’s praise and honor and the king should care well for him. Uterpandragun’s prophet Merlin confirmed this prophecy: Arthur is to be very famous throughout the lands, to be generous and the best knights will be his companions. The king inquired about the name of the best of those knights. Merlin promised to tell him two weeks later. He hurried to the Dolorous Mountain, where he built that pillar and the crosses by his necromancy. The lady’s mother was 14 years old at that time and became Merlin’s mistress. For her sake he built the castle before he returned to Karleun.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
N 121 Fate decided before birth
Z 254 Destined hero
M 301 Prophets
M 301.6 Fairies as prophets
M 301.12 (Three) Fates prophesy at child’s birth
M 302.9 (G) Prophecy, advices from writing
M 311.0.1 Heroic career prophesied for (new-born) child
F 312 Fairy presides at child’s birth
M 312.2.1 Prophecy: son to be more powerful than father
F 312.1.1 Fairies make good wishes for newborn child
F 317 Fairy predicts future greatness of newborn child
M 361 Fated hero
N 450 Secrets overheard
F 575.3 Remarkably beautiful child
F 774 Extraordinary pillars
D 1149.3 Magic (house-)pillar
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness
D 1711 Magician
D 1810.0.2 Magic knowledge of magician

WCRPa-594: Merlin told the king about that Pillar, where only the best knight would be able to tie his horse. Many a knight failed there. Later on Merlin returned to his mistress and they had a daughter. The lady asks Parzifal who showed him the road and Parzifal relates his adventure of the coffin, where he rescued a knight who pushed him into the coffin, but when he could not leave on Parzifal’s mule he released him and jumped back into the coffin. The maiden tells him that this man is an evil knight, who does likewise to any knight passing by. He kills every knight and robs him. Parzifal should have killed him. The next morning Parzifal sets out for the court of the Fisher King. The lady shows him the road. There is a thunderstorm followed by a clear night with the moon shining brightly. Parzifal remembers Anfortas and the Grail and that only very wise and faultless people know about it. He decides to ask his questions there.

Motif References:

Z 254 Destined hero
M 301 Prophets
M 361 Fated hero
T 640 Illegitimate children
F 774 Extraordinary pillars
D 1149.3 Magic (house-)pillar
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness
D 1711 Magician
D 1810.0.2 Magic knowledge of magician

WCRPa-598: Parzifal comes to a tree with many candles, but the light fades as he draws near. Beneath the tree is a fine chapel with one candle lit, on the altar a dead knight has been placed. Suddenly there is lightning and thunder and a black hand from behind the altar puts out the candle. Parzifal is amazed but not frightened. In the moonlight he rides on. Next morning he hears a hunting horn and comes upon four knights hunting a boar with their hounds. Parzifal asks them about Anfortas, and learns that they belong to his retinue. They show him the way. Parzifal encounters a maiden in beautiful garments and at her question tells her about the chapel with the dead knight, where a black hand put out the candle. She tells him this means that Parzifal will learn about the Grail and the lance. Then Parzifal tells her about the child on the tree who refused to talk to him. The maiden refuses to tell him anything about the meaning.

Motif References:

Z 143 Symbolic color: black
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
M 310 Favorable prophecies
M 358 Prophecies connected with journeys
M 361.1 Prophecy: certain hero to achieve holy grail.
P 414 Hunter
C 423.5 Tabu: revealing sacred mysteries.
F 773 Remarkable church (chapel, temple)
F 790 Extraordinary sky and weather phenomena
F 811.27 (G) Extraordinary illuminated tree
N 831 Girl [woman] as helper
D 905 Magic storm
D 908 Magic darkness.
D 950 Magic tree
F 969.3 Marvelous light
D 996 Magic hand
D 1162.2 Magic candle
H 1232.8 (G) Directions on quest given by hunter
D 1293.4 Black as magic color
H 1412 Fear test: spending night in church

WCRPa-602: (35) Once again Parzifal comes to the Grail castle and is given a friendly welcome. They lead him into a splendid hall: the ceiling is inlaid with gold and silver and the walls are multicolored and preciously ornamented. On a bed lies the king who asks him where he passed the night. Parzifal tells him about the chapel, the child and the illuminated tree and asks about the meaning of those strange sights. Anfortas promises that he will learn everything after dinner. Parzifal and Anfortas share their meal. A beautiful maiden carries the Grail, another one the bleeding spear, a squire the broken sword. Grail and lance once again are carried through the hall. Parzifal renews his question about the grail, the spear and the sword.

Motif References:

V 80 Religious services - miscellaneous
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
C 651 The one compulsory question.
F 832 Extraordinary lance
F 833 Extraordinary sword
D 1081 Magic sword
D 1171.6 Magic cup.

WCRPa-607: Anfortas tells him that the child in the tree did not answer his questions because Parzifal is not without sin. That it climbed the tree means that at the creation God taught the birds, fish and animals to find their food on the ground, but mankind should strive toward God. The climbing means that Parzifal ought to remember and look up to heaven. It is quite foolish to strive for earthly praise for this brings loss of salvation. He will learn about the illuminated tree and the other wonders after the meal. Parzifal is unable to eat, for he wants to know about the sword. Anfortas tells him that only a brave and virtuous knight, who is pious and respects the church, will be able to mend it. He tells Parzifal to try it and he mends the sword with only a small line left. He is the best knight and Anfortas makes him his successor. Parzifal has his meal. The Grail and the vessel are carried through the hall by a maiden and Parzifal asks about the grail, the spear and the vessel.

Motif References:

V 80 Religious services - miscellaneous
Z 150 Other symbols
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
F 184 Otherworld king
H 619 Other symbolic interpretations
C 651 The one compulsory question.
F 832 Extraordinary lance
F 833 Extraordinary sword
H 1023.8 Task: fixing the two pieces of a broken sword together
D 1081 Magic sword
D 1171.6 Magic cup.

WCRPa-612: Parzifal learns that this is Longinus’ lance that wounded Christ. The Grail is the cup that received Christ’s blood. Yoseph has taken the Grail and Lance after Vespasianus had released him from prison. He traveled to Judäa to avenge Jesus, then to Jerusalem, doing missionary work. In the company of 55 followers who received baptism he went to Saresse and carried the Grail to the old king in the temple of the sun. The royal troops displayed a red cross as their device when they fought a war against Egypt. King Avalag defeated Tholomer, who then received baptism with his people and named himself Modreus; his brother-in-law by the name of Salafes became a Christian as well and was named Natige. Yoseph goes on traveling and doing missionary work for the sake of Christianity. At last he took the Grail to this castle. Anfortas is his relative. Parzifal then asks about the maidens carrying the Grail.

Motif References:

P 91 (Li) Heraldic figures and symbols - coat-of-arms
V 140 Sacred relics
Z 150 Other symbols
V 331 Conversion to Christianity
V 332 Baptism of heathen
D 816 Magic object inherited.
F 832 Extraordinary lance
F 991.1 Bleeding lance.
D 1171.6 Magic cup.

WCRPa-616: Parzifal learns that only a virgin of royal descent is able to touch the Grail: The lady is Anfortas’s daughter and the maiden who carried the vessel is his niece. Parzifal asks about the sword and learns that great distress came from that sword: Anfortas’s brother Gouns from the Wilderness was besieged at his castle Kinkagüt by Espinogres, and in a sortie had been victorious. Espinogres’s nephew vows revenge. He takes the armor of a slain enemy so that the king thinks him one of his men and rides toward him without helmet. With the blow that kills the king and splits his body the sword breaks. Anfortas’s niece had brought the sword to them, and he who mends it will avenge her father. Parzifal asks about the nephew of Espinogres and he vows to take revenge for the murder. The man is called the Foolish Partinias of the Red Tower, and his coat of arms is of lasur and silver, his device are two red maidens. He is very strong and therefore Anfortas tries to keep Parzifal from fighting him. Then Parzifal asks about the strange illuminated tree and the chapel with the black hand.

Motif References:

S 110 Murders
M 161.2 Vow to revenge (king, friends, father, [husband, queen]) (or die)
P 555.8 (Bm) Avenging defeat in battle
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
K 800 Killing or maiming by deception
F 832 Extraordinary lance
F 833 Extraordinary sword
K 910 Murder by strategy
F 991.1 Bleeding lance.
H 1023.8 Task: fixing the two pieces of a broken sword together
D 1081 Magic sword
D 1171.6 Magic cup.
D 1714.1 Magic power of chaste women
K 1839.17 (Bm) Disguise by changing armor
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight
K 2350 Military strategy

WCRPa-621: The illuminated tree is the Tree of Delusion (goukelboum), where the fairies meet. By means of the light the fairies try to make impious people lose their way. Parzifal who was destined to achieve the Grail was protected against that magic, therefore the lights faded, and thereafter the tree has vanished altogether. The king wants to go to bed but Parzifal urges him to tell the story of the chapel: He learns that it was founded by Blanschemore of Cornwall, the mother of the evil Aspynogres, who for a short time lived there as a nun. Her own son murdered her by cutting off her head, and she was buried under the altar. Since then every day a knight has met his death there – up to now there have been 5000 victims – without anybody detecting the murderer: the black hand and the thunder killed them. Parzifal inquires how that evil custom could be abolished. He learns that a hero would have to fight the black hand, remove a white banner from a shrine guarded by the devil, put it into holy water, and sprinkle the chapel, the altar and the corpse with it. This adventure only can be achieved by the best hero.

Motif References:

S 22 Parricide
V 132.2 Holy water disperses demons
S 133 Murder by beheading
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
F 217.4 (G) Fairies assemble near trees
P 231 Mother and son
Z 254 Destined hero
M 361 Fated hero
F 369.7 Fairies lead travelers astray
D 763.3 Disenchantment by destroying enchanter
F 773 Remarkable church (chapel, temple)
D 791.2 Disenchantment by only one person.
D 793 Disenchantment made permanent.
F 811.27 (G) Extraordinary illuminated tree
D 950 Magic tree
D 996 Magic hand
D 1162.2 Magic candle
D 1242.1.2 Holy water as magic object
D 1293.4 Black as magic color
D 1368.4 Tree of delusion
K 1888 Illusory light

WCRPa-623: Parzifal is led to a fine chamber with a splendid bed (gold and silver, and richly decorated with tiny figures of birds and lions carved out of precious jewels). In the morning he sets out and meets a tired knight riding an exhausted steed. They greet. The stranger is the Wild Segremors (der unsittige), member of Arthur’s Round Table. Parzifal names himself. Out of joy they fall silent for about an hour. Segremors like numerous Arthurian knights is searching for Parzifal. They have sworn not to return without news about him. Parzifal promises to come to court at Whitsun. Then he asks him about his weak horse, and Segremors tells him that he has lost his own steed the night before, yet he refuses to take Parzifal’s steed which he offers him.

Motif References:

M 151.9 Vow not to see friends until quest is completed
N 760.1 (Bm) Chance meeting of seeker and sought
F 787 Extraordinary bed
F 1041.25 (Bm) Reactions to excessive joy
H 1385.13 (Bm) Quest for lost person

WCRPa-629: Parzifal and Segremors come upon ten knights hurrying along. The first rider (mounted on black Morel, Segremors’s horse) has a maiden seated in front of him. She urges Parzifal and his companion to rescue her from the rapist. Parzifal kills the knight and returns Morel to Segremors. Parzifal and Segremors kill several knights, their companions escape. Segremors pursues one of them. In the furious combat Parzifal’s sword breaks and he is wounded. He escorts the maiden back to her castle. Armed men come to meet them and she tells about her rescue. From the town they send her a horse with a fine saddle with silver and golden animals and birds, a pretty blanket out of precious fabric, made by a fairy in Pülle, and with precious riding gear. They ride on to the maiden’s castle, where ladies and maidens before the gate greet them. Parzifal is disarmed and a physician binds his wounds.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
R 111.1 Princess (maiden) rescued from captor
F 271.8 Fees [fairies] engage in needlework
F 628.1 Strong man kills many men

WCRPa-639: In the meantime Segremors pursues the knight to a stronghold, where a villain lowers the falling gate and almost hurts his horse (only the tail is cut). A horn signal is given whereupon a beautifully armed knight with a halberd enters. They fight and Segremors cuts off his arm. The villain blows the horn once again and four warriors attack Segremors. The wounded knight escapes into a garden and out of his mind jumps into a fountain where his armor and weapons drown him. Segremors overcomes his opponents and pursues the rest of them. He defeats one of them while another one jumps out of the window and breaks his neck. The villain falls onto his knees and offers him the keys to the castle. Segremors leaves him the stronghold, on condition that nobody will be refused hospitality there. Segremors is entertained well at the castle and stays overnight. In the morning Segremors leaves searching for Parzifal and comes to a castle.

Motif References:

R 74 Defeated warriors [adversaries] go into [are forced to join] the conqueror’s service
R 75 Surrendering
Q 111.10 (Bm) Castles as reward
R 260 Pursuits
P 311.5 Covenant of friendship
P 320 Hospitality
N 339 Accidental death - miscellaneous
K 736 Snapping door
F 776.2 Perilous falling gate
N 779 (G) Pursuit leads to adventures
H 1561.6 Test of valor: fight with giant [warrior, dwarf-hero, dragon etc.]
H 1561.11 (Bm) Test of valor: one against five (many)

WCRPa-648: When Segremors asks that the gate be opened to him a maiden opens it and the knight is welcomed by an old lady. He inquires about the gate and wants to know about the old lady’s grief: She tells him that he has come to the Castle of Maidens, der megede burc, where 700 ladies live. A knight fell in love with one of the maidens, yet the old lady rejected him as suitor. Therefore he besieged them and each day the brave knight, by the name of Talides from the Borders (von der Marke), comes to the castle. The lady already has sent for help to Arthur’s court. Segremors offers to fight Talides. A scholar and the chaplain are the only men living in the castle. They offer Segremors hospitality and he stays overnight. In the morning they hear mass. When Talides arrives with his army the unwelcome suitor warns them that he will burn the castle unless he is given the maiden.

Motif References:

T 75.2.1 Rejected suitors’ revenge
T 104.1 Rejected suitor wages war
F 112.1 City (castle) of women
H 217.1 Decision of victory by single combat between army leaders
H 218.0.1 Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
H 1224 Quest to distant king for military aid
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-654: A lady is sent as messenger to bring the enemy Segremors’s challenge. The maiden and the castle will be the prize of the combat, and if Talides is defeated he must leave. Talides prepares for combat. Talides and Segremors fight. The latter threatens his opponent in a speech. After a furious fight Talides begs for mercy. Segremors sends him as a prisoner to the castle. Talides begs for mercy for the townspeople would kill him but Segremors insists. Talides surrenders to the old lady and tells them that Segremors has not been wounded and left without shield and spear, which he does not need for he is so very brave. He swears never to harass her or her land again and the lady releases him. Once again he begs to be given the maiden and promises reparations for the devastations from the war. The lady recognizes the sincerity of his love and promises to give him the maiden. They are married the next morning.

Motif References:

T 99.4 (Bm) Defeated warring suitor at lady’s mercy is forgiven
M 201.5 Covenant confirmed by marriage
H 217.1 Decision of victory by single combat between army leaders
H 218.0.1 Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-662: In the evening Segremors comes to a stronghold at a ford. On the other bank he catches sight of two knights who want to rape a maiden. Segremors rushes to help her. He kills the knights (and decapitates one of them). The maiden thanks him and they ride to a castle nearby, where they are welcomed by the lady’s father. Getting aware that Segremors is wounded the maiden swoons. Due to his wound Segremors swoons as well. The maiden’s father who is a skillful healer cares for both of them and binds the knight’s wounds. The maiden cares for him and six weeks later he has completely recovered.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
R 111.1 Princess (maiden) rescued from captor
Q 244.1 Punishment for attempted rape
Q 411.7 Death as punishment for ravisher.
Q 421 Punishment: beheading
P 424 Physician
T 471 Rape
N 825.2 Old man helper
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

WCRPa-672: In the meantime Gawan has arrived at the Arthurian court. He is annoyed for the sake of the knight killed in his company and because he could not learn anything about the Grail. He still has not given up his search for the Grail Castle yet lack of fame keeps him from achieving it. He has sworn never to return until he learns about the slain knight. Gawan sits at the queen’s side when a maiden on a mule with a precious saddle rides up toward them. Keie welcomes her, she wants to see Gawan. Keie warns her against seeking Gawan’s help for he only would desert her. She rides on to the queen and identifies as the slain knight’s sister. She swoons. Her grief makes the queen sad and the courtiers start lamenting. The maiden accuses Gawan of his failure at the Grail which was due to his sins. He has broken his oath given to the slain knight to achieve his adventure and this will keep him from finding the Grail. Then she asks him to accompany her and fulfill his promise. Gawan is ready to leave with her yet he inquires why he should be banished from the Grail for he has already learnt about the bleeding lance. The maiden tells him that his sins brought about his sleep at the Grail Castle. She urges him to come with her for she is bound to return to her country the same week otherwise she would lose it.

Motif References:

M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
M 195 (Bm) Vow to see particular marvel.
M 202 Fulfilling of bargain or promise
P 556.3 (Bm) Feast interrupted by man offering challenge.
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
H 1320.1 Quest for magic object: [grail].
H 1573.6 Test of righteousness

WCRPa-678: Gawan and the slain knight’s sister leave. They pass the night at the castle of an old knight, the second night in the forest without eating or drinking. The third day they come to a meadow where a tent has been pitched. Two maidens and two knights receive them cordially. They leave and take a night’s lodging at a castle. In the morning they catch sight of a fire and Gawan urges his companion to find out about it: Two men are about to burn a maiden whom they accuse of having slain her brother and co-regent at night to usurp the land. Gawan and the throng watching the scene defend the maiden’s innocence. They say that their lord was slain by the wild Dodineas whom they hold captive. Gawan fights one of the slanderers and pushes him into the fire. Because he is guilty of treachery he loses salvation. The maiden thanks Gawan who wants to meet the captive knight. He asks for his release, because he is his countryman. The lady agrees, but would rather have given him all her possessions than the murderer of her brother. Gawan wants to prove Dodineas’s innocence in a judicial combat but the maiden refuses. Gawan, his lady-companion and Dodineas leave.

Motif References:

Q 53 Reward for rescue
S 73.1 Fratricide
R 110 Rescue of captive
S 112 Burning to death
R 117 Rescue from being burned
R 169.5 Hero rescued by friend
R 175 Rescue at the stake
Q 211 Murder punished
P 253 Sister and brother
Q 414.0.12 Burning as punishment for murder
K 2116.1 Innocent woman accused of murder
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

WCRPa-685: In a forest they meet three knights, kinsmen of the burnt knight. Gawan defeats one of them and sends him as prisoner to the maiden. The knight begs for mercy for the maiden will kill him, but Gawan tells him that for his sake he will be spared. He buries his two dead brothers in a chapel. The travelers come to a castle at the seashore. Townspeople lament that their mistress will be late. They enter the courtyard and dismount beneath an olive tree and a stone. King Marguns has waged war against the lady for she rejected his son’s, Kargrilo’s, wooing. She already was in love with a pretty and prudent knight of great virtue, honor and valiance. Therefore Marguns put her under siege and intends to dishonor her. At a sortie her lover was captured and she wanted to ransom him by releasing her prisoners. Marguns feigned to accept, but when she released the captives, she had to watch her lover hanged. At the next sortie Kargrilo was captured and the lady had him thrown into his father’s camp by a war-machine. News were brought to her that her brother having set out to help her had been killed: He was the knight slain in Gawan’s company. She thinks the murderer to have been Keie, which Gawan does not believe. But her knowledge of the stars has told her that he was shot by Keie. She now has to find a champion to fight Marguns the following day and reminds Gawan of his promise to her brother. Gawan will fight as her champion.

Motif References:

R 51.4 Prisoner[s] [hostages, messengers] massacred [killed]
T 75.2.1 Rejected suitors’ revenge
T 92.7 Rival lovers do battle for girl
T 92.10 Rival in love killed
T 104.1 Rejected suitor wages war
S 113.1 Murder by hanging
H 217 Decision made by contest
H 218.0.1 Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused
P 233 Father and son
P 253.2.1 Brother faithful to persecuted sister
P 481 Astrologer
P 552.4 War-machines
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
P 557.2.1 Prisoners of war exchanged
D 1311.6.4 Divination by stars
H 1381.1 (Bm) Quest for champion
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
D 1813 Magic knowledge of events in distant place
D 1817 Magic detection of crime
K 2233 (Bm) Treacherous suitors

WCRPa-694: Threatening speech of king Marguns in front of the castle. Marguns is defeated by Gawan and begs for mercy. Gawan orders him to surrender to the maiden, Marguns fears for his life and thereupon is sent to Arthur after he has sworn never again to harass the maiden. Marguns asks for Gawan's name. Gawan identifies himself and Marguns praises his valiance. The maiden however is annoyed that Gawan did not kill Marguns. She now asks him to avenge her against Keie and Gawan gives his promise. She ties a red flag onto his spear with a white lion that he should redden with Keie’s blood. Gawan leaves. King Marguns and his retinue travel to Arthur. While they are having a meal on a meadow a dwarf appears with news from the queen Malohat, Marguns’s sister, who has been abducted by Gogaris to his castle. He wants to rape her. Marguns fights Gogaris. Many of his knights are captured, the others escape. The queen holds Gogaris captive for seven years in her dungeon. Marguns comes to Arthur’s court, and he is accepted as member of the Round Table. The names of the knights of the Round Table are written down. The king names himself as Marguns von den Marken with the 100 knights, for he always travels with a retinue of 100 knights.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
P 19.0.1 (Li) King Arthur as leader of outstanding chivalric society (Round Table)
Z 71.16.2 Formulistic number: ten
R 111.1 Princess (maiden) rescued from captor
M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
Z 201.9.1 (Bm) Hero’s famous possessions - Arthur’s Round Table
Q 213 Abduction punished
H 217 Decision made by contest
H 218.0.1 Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused
Q 244.1 Punishment for attempted rape
Q 433 Punishment: Imprisonment
T 471 Rape
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

WCRPa-704: In the meantime Gawan comes to a castle. The lady – the Red Maiden – sends her steward to capture him if the stranger turned out to be a knight of Arthur. She intends to take her revenge for her uncle Solimag, who was killed while with Gawan. The steward fights Gawan (the white lion on his flag turns red from blood) and is defeated. A maiden on a mule turns up – she is the lady whom he rescued from Marguns – and keeps Gawan from slaying the steward, who is her relative. She tells her aunt that Gawan will achieve her revenge for Solimag’s death on Keie. Gawan will accuse Keie at the court, although there has been no witness. The maiden has learnt the crime by necromancy. Gawan is unwilling to kill Keie for he is his uncle’s loyal companion. They leave in the company of the Red Maiden heading for King Arthur’s court where they arrive at meal time. Gawan – who has changed his arms in order to remain unidentified – accuses Keie of treacherous murder of the knight and challenges him.

Motif References:

M 166.9.2 (Bm) Vow to revenge unknown wronged (killed) knight
H 218.0.1 Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused
P 293 Uncle
P 525.3 He nearest to blood of slain man must avenge his death [Blood-revenge]
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
D 1813 Magic knowledge of events in distant place
D 1817 Magic detection of crime
K 1839.17 (Bm) Disguise by changing armor
K 2243 Treacherous seneschal

WCRPa-711: Arthur promises to have a judicial combat. Keie is eager to fight. Arthur chooses an umpire for the fight. Gawan fights Keie and the lion on his flag is reddened once again. Keie swoons. The courtiers lament but Keie refuses to surrender neither to Gawan nor to the maiden. Gawan is in distress for he is unwilling to kill Keie. The Red Maiden urges him to slay the seneschal. Arthur and twenty knights beg her for his life and at last she gives in. Gawan leaves the court and Keie’s wounds are bound by the king’s physicians. Gawan and the Red Maiden return to the maiden’s castle and then take leave of each other. Gawan is worrying about Keie.

Motif References:

H 218 Trial by combat
H 218.0.1 Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused
H 218.1 Judicial combat interrupted by friends of loser
J 227.2 Death preferred to dishonor

WCRPa-717: Gawan comes upon his brother, Agrafens, who just has left court and brings him the news of Keie’s cure and that nobody knows who wounded him. In a valley they meet five knights who pursue Agrafens. Gawan wants to help his brother but the latter refuses. He defeats the knight Patris from the Mountain, whom he sends to Arthur. Gawan defeats Galien von Kurnuwale, who is sent to Arthur as well. The others escape. The two brothers take a night’s lodging at a castle nearby. The prisoners arrive at the royal court and are released. Agrafens and Gawan return to court too. In the meantime Parzifal has been cured from his wounds. The maiden of the castle gives him an armor which is made of gold and was worked by four beautiful maidens in Egypt.

Motif References:

P 231 Mother and son
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
N 733 Accidental meeting of brothers
F 824 Extraordinary [part of] armor
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-723: Parzifal searches for a smith to mend his sword and rides through a deserted forest. There are strange weather phenomena: thunderstorm, rain of stones, hailstorm breaking down the forest. Parzifal protects himself with his shield. Then he comes to the chapel with the dead knight placed on the altar, with a lighted candle beneath him. A coal-black hand puts out the candle and there is a sudden darkness. Parzifal recognizes the place and wants to fight that hand. He attacks it with his spear, which is caught and broken, and with his sword. A head and the upper part of a body appear and a huge firebrand is thrown into the chapel, so that Parzifal’s hair and beard are burnt. Parzifal tries to protect himself against the devil by praying and the sign of the cross. Thunder and hail break the windows and the walls. The devil’s head is to be seen through the window, a huge fiery devil with black arms and hands. As the knight is about to take the spear with the flag near the window the devil shuts the window. A voice says Parzifal is doomed. The knight keeps on praying and making the sign of the cross. The devil is forced to retreat and with a thunder falls to the ground. At last he leaps up onto the roof. The chapel burns from fiery hail. The hand still keeps Parzifal from taking that flag. A voice warns him against believing Anfortas. He ought to leave that chapel where the devil has killed one man every day. Parzifal goes on fighting for the flag. The sign of the cross at last chases the hand, there is lightning and thunderbolt, and hail. Parzifal swoons.

Motif References:

V 50 Prayer
V 86 Sign of the Cross
G 303.9.6.1 Devil fights with man
G 303.16.2 Devil’s power over one avoided by prayer [and sign of the cross]
G 303.17.2.5 Devil retreats into hell amid thunder and lightning
G 303.3.1.6 The devil as a black man
G 303.6.3.1 Devil is followed by a thunderstorm
G 303.16.7 Devil is chased by holy water
G 303.4.8.2.1 Devil holds fire in his hands
G 303.3.1.1 Devil as large, strong man
G 303.16.3.4 Devil made to disappear by making sign of the cross
G 303.3.1.4 Devil appears in the form of a man repugnantly ugly
V 316 Efficacy of prayer
L 325.4 (Bm) Victory over superior force: victory over devils
F 773 Remarkable church (chapel, temple)
F 962 Extraordinary precipitation (rain, snow, etc.)
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
F 968 Extraordinary thunder and lightning
D 996 Magic hand
D 1242.1.1 Holy water as magic object
D 1271 Magic fire
D 1766.1 Magic results produced by prayer
D 2158 Magic control of fires

WCRPa-728: All wooden material of the chapel has burnt. But the holy signs have driven away the devil. Parzifal opens the shrine, and takes out the white flag, that he puts into holy water. Then he sprinkles the chapel and the whole place with the water, as it is the custom on Whitsunday, on Easter and Christmas. Then he enters the chapel, kneels down at the altar, once again waters the flag, prays God to protect him against the devil and sprinkles the chapel from within. Thereupon the fire is extinguished and the thunderstorm ends. He puts the flag back into the shrine. Then he looks at the dead knight but the devil has rendered him unrecognizable. Parzifal stays in the chapel till dawn. The candle burns on: Parzifal knows that God has lighted it. He finds a bell in the tower, which he rings. Thereupon a very old man appears, with a long white beard, a rough skin and tresses down to his feet

Motif References:

V 50 Prayer
V 86 Sign of the Cross
V 133 Holy candles
G 303.16.2 Devil’s power over one avoided by prayer [and sign of the cross]
G 303.16.7 Devil is chased by holy water
G 303.16.3.4 Devil made to disappear by making sign of the cross
V 316 Efficacy of prayer
L 325.4 (Bm) Victory over superior force: victory over devils
P 426.2 Hermit
F 773 Remarkable church (chapel, temple)
D 1242.1.1 Holy water as magic object
D 1652.11 Ever-burning candle [light]
D 1766.1 Magic results produced by prayer

WCRPa-731: The old man greets Parzifal as the best knight. 300 knights failed to defeat the devil in this chapel. He identifies as the priest who buried the dead. They bury the dead knight. The place is disenchanted and there will be no more fighting. Everything is made ready to sing mass. The dead man is put into a marble coffin and buried beneath a tree in the churchyard nearby. The weapons of the knights killed at this place are left hanging on the branches. Parzifal asks about the custom of the chapel: He learns that it has been founded by the Queen Blanschemor. Every day a knight had to die there, and for each of them there was a marble coffin ready with the name of the slain written on it. The monks put the weapons onto the branches. Parzifal reads the names of the knights. He knows some of them, but no knight of Arthur has been killed there. Parzifal is entertained by the monks and he passes the night there. They ask him about his errand and he tells them that he is on a quest for adventure and has killed many knights. The monks take this for a sin, which would cost him salvation. They urge him to stop it. In the morning he confesses his sins and is ordered penance and given absolution. He has to promise to kill only if he were in danger of being killed himself.

Motif References:

V 21 Confession brings forgiveness of sin
V 60 Funeral rites
F 171.0.1 Enigmatic happenings in otherworld.
Z 254 Destined hero
M 302.9 (G) Prophecy, advices from writing
L 325.4 (Bm) Victory over superior force: victory over devils
M 361 Fated hero
P 426.2 Hermit
Q 520 Penances
F 571 Extremely old person
D 703 Disenchantment made permanent
D 705 Place [land] disenchanted
F 778 (Bm) Extraordinary tomb
D 785.1 Disenchantment produced by hero winning contests with demons
D 791.2 Disenchantment by only one person.
N 843 Hermit as helper
F 852 Extraordinary coffin [sarkophag]
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
H 1233.3 Holy man [hermit] as helper on quest

WCRPa-738: Parzifal pensively rides through a forest. A knight unhorses him and catches the horse, Parzifal cannot override him. He sits beneath an oak and considers his unpleasant situation. A black horse runs toward him with a saddle and Parzifal mounts it. The horse runs away with him breaking through the forest. The animal intends to drown Parzifal in a lake nearby. The knight makes the sign of the cross, thereupon he falls to the ground. The devil’s horse leaps into the water. Parzifal is lost. Night falls and it is raining. Up in the clouds Parzifal perceives an ugly three-headed creature, breathing fire, the second head is a devil looking like a leopard. Parzifal is frightened.

Motif References:

R 11.2 Abduction by devil
V 86 Sign of the Cross
Z 143 Symbolic color: black
Z 150 Other symbols
G 302.3.1 Devil in human form
G 302.3.3.2.5 Devil in form of lion [leopard]
G 303.9.5.6 Man temporarily abducted by devil
G 303.3.3.1.3 Devil as horse
G 303.16.3.4 Devil made to disappear by making sign of the cross
F 401.3 Spirit in animal form
F 401.5.1 Spirit in form of horrible head
F 401.7 Fire-breathing spirit
F 402.1.8 Spirits put corpse (man) into river
D 657.2 Transformation to horse so as to abduct king (hero)
D 1293.4 Black as magic color
D 2121.5 Magic journey: man carried by spirit or devil
D 2188 Magic disappearance

WCRPa-742: A beautiful maiden appears aboard a ship, who tells Parzifal that she has come to rescue him. She pretends to be Parzifal’s mistress – he is certain that he never met her, but soon he thinks her to be Kundewiramurs. She has a tent pitched on the meadow. No prayer is said before dinner nor any holy sign made. Parzifal asks her why she came there and she replies that a knight by the name of Calides of Cafalun devastates her land. Parzifal promises to kill or capture him. They go to sleep. Parzifal looks at his sword with the cross and makes the sign of the cross. The devil at his side is frightened and vanishes as do the bed and tent. Parzifal thanks God for his rescue. The ship has vanished too, he catches sight of it far away on the lake. As long as he can perceive it a thunderstorm rages. The black horse and the maiden were devils sent to kill him. He prays to God and asks him for help.

Motif References:

V 86 Sign of the Cross
G 303.9.4 The devil as a tempter
G 303.3.1.12 Devil in form of woman
G 303.17.2.5 Devil retreats into hell amid thunder and lightning
G 303.12.6 Devil in form of woman wooes man
G 303.6.3.2 Devil comes in whirlwind
G 303.16.3.4 Devil made to disappear by making sign of the cross
F 402.1.9 Spirit delivers false message
F 411.1 Demon travels in whirlwind
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
K 1310 Seduction by disguise or substitution

WCRPa-747: A rudderless ship appears and an old man greets Parzifal for the sake of God. Parzifal inquires who he is and he identifies as God’s messenger sent to rescue him. Before Parzifal embarks he wants to learn about the black horse and the maiden. He learns that both of them were devils sent to abduct him to hell. Parzifal by overcoming that hand at the chapel and having confessed his sins had outraged the devil for thereby he had lost his soul. Therefore he tried to trick him by means of the horse, that was to drive him insane and drown him, and by the devilish maiden. The sign of the cross rescued Parzifal. They embark and the wind takes the ship into a beautiful land. A lord named Sakur de Laloe has his castle on a rock. The land is fertile, apes and leopards live in the forest. Squires bring two white horses to Parzifal. The messenger leaves with the ship.

Motif References:

V 50 Prayer
Z 142 Symbolic color: white
A 185.2 Deity protects mortal
V 232 Angel as helper
N 781 Hero [heroine] embarks in rudderless boat
N 817 Deity [saint] as helper
N 825.2 Old man helper
F 841 Extraordinary boat (ship)
D 1121 Magic boat
D 1520.15 Transportation in magic ship
D 1523.2 Self-propelling (ship) boat

WCRPa-752: A knight catches up with Parzifal, ordering him to pay toll. They fight and Parzifal overcomes him. The defeated surrenders and is sent to Arthur’s court, where he should tell that Parzifal will return at Whitsun. Soon Parzifal comes to a tent on a meadow. A maiden welcomes him. She is the mistress of the Wild Dodineas, a knight of the Round Table. Parzifal takes off his armor. A knight on a white horse abducts the maiden. Parzifal sets out in pursuit of the abductor with only his spear, shield and sword and soon catches up with him. Parzifal defeats him and makes him surrender to the maiden, and as the stranger begs for his life Parzifal sends him to Arthur to tell him that he would be back at Whitsun. Parzifal and the maiden ride back to the tent.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
P 52.0.3 (Bm) Knight demands tribute of all who pass through his domain
V 70.2 Whitsuntide
R 111.1 Princess (maiden) rescued from captor
P 531 Taxation and payment of fines and tribute
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight

WCRPa-760: Meanwhile Dodineas has returned and learnt what happened. He recognizes Parzifal and greets him. Dodineas tells him about the knights’ search for Parzifal. Only Segremors could bring news from him. Dodineas would like to ride with him to Arthur’s court, but Parzifal refuses renewing his promise to join Arthur at Whitsun. A maiden messenger on a mule arrives with news from Kundewiramurs: Arides of Caffalun devastates her land and she has to find a champion. Parzifal sets out at once. His horse begins to lame and he has it shoed by a smith: He is Tribuet, who has forged Parzifal’s sword and is the only man to mend it. Tribuet mends Parzifal’s sword and tells him to take good care of it for the weapon is unique.

Motif References:

V 70.2 Whitsuntide
P 447 Smiths
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
F 663 Skillful smith
F 833 Extraordinary sword
F 1098 Object miraculously mended.

WCRPa-767: Parzifal is welcomed at Belrepere. At night Parzifal and Kundewiramurs sleep in separate beds. In the morning Arides utters his threats in front of the gate. Parzifal defeats him and sends him to Belrepere. Thereupon Arides asks for mercy (the townspeople would kill him) and Parzifal sends him to Tribuet. Arides says this would be shameful and is sent to Arthur. Kundewiramurs asks a boon from Parzifal, he grants it and she asks him to stay with her till Whitsunday. Parzifal’s refuse grieves the lady yet he insists that he has to be at court at Whitsun. Parzifal leaves. His captives come to Arthur’s court.

Motif References:

V 70.2 Whitsuntide
T 96 Lovers reunited after many adventures
R 161 Lover [unwelcome suitor] rescues his lady
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-775: Menader of the Table brings news about Parzifal and becomes knight of the Round Table. The second prisoner, who abducted the maiden, tells them that Parzifal will come at Whitsunday. The knight tells them that on seeing the beautiful maiden riding alone with unarmed Parzifal he could not resist abducting her for he was overwhelmed by his love. The king pardons him and makes him knight of the Round Table. His name is Gafye, kinsman of Gaylens. On the third day Arides arrives and surrenders as a prisoner. He is released as well and tells them that Parzifal will join them at Whitsun. The names of the three new members of the Round Table are written on their seats at the Table.

Motif References:

T 0 Love
R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
P 19.0.1 (Li) King Arthur as leader of outstanding chivalric society (Round Table)
V 70.2 Whitsuntide
R 111.1 Princess (maiden) rescued from captor
P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)

WCRPa-779: Parzifal meets a knight who neglects his armor and weapons. He is very beautiful, his face shining red and white, but although he is very strong he is timorous like a hare. Parzifal asks him why he is riding in such a strange manner and he says he wants to avoid fighting. Parzifal replies that this is shameful for no knight should avoid combat. The Beautiful Coward replies that each man putting his life at risk in battle must be considered a fool. He arms himself and rides with Parzifal. Cries of distress are to be heard and the two knights catch sight of two fettered maidens. Two men are about to push them into the fire, with ten knights watching. The Beautiful Coward will not fight a superior force but Parzifal attacks them and kills several opponents. The Coward stays behind and even does not defend himself as a knight runs at him. The knight hews his shield to pieces and finally wounds him. Thereupon the Beautiful Coward kills him, splits his head and then turns back.

Motif References:

R 111 Rescue of captive maiden.
S 112 Burning to death
R 115 Rescue at the stake
W 121 Cowardice
J 217.0.2 (G) Life preferred to death
L 325.1 (Bm) Victory over superior force: one against many
F 575.2 Handsome man
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
K 925 Victim pushed into fire
K 955 Murder by burning
H 1561.11 (Bm) Test of valor: one against five (many)
K 2247.3 (Bm) Treacherous knight
J 2600 Cowardly fool

WCRPa-786: A knight attacks Parzifal and he kills him. The device of the Beautiful Coward is a red lion on a blue (lasur) shield. He makes up his mind to help Parzifal and cuts off the head of an enemy and both of them kill all enemies and rescue the maidens. The two menials have escaped into the forest where one of them wounds Parzifal with a poisoned arrow while he is pursuing them. The Beautiful Coward kills the menials. Parzifal and his companion ride to the castle of the two maidens where a physician cares for Parzifal’s poisoned wound. The knight takes three months to recover.

Motif References:

W 32 Bravery
L 325.1 (Bm) Victory over superior force: one against many
F 831.3 Poisoned arrows
H 1561.11 (Bm) Test of valor: one against five (many)

WCRPa-789: In the meantime Segremors sets out from the castle where he has been cured and leaves for the Arthurian court. He declares that Parzifal has promised to join them at Whitsun – only being wounded, a prisoner or dead could keep him from it. Dodineas arrives and tells them of Parzifal’s promise as well. He tells them that Agravens, Gawan and Boors will come too. The knights come to court, but none of them has news of Parzifal. They are about to be served dinner. Up on his High Table the king is seated. The knights are anxious about Parzifal and decide to search for him. They agree upon a year’s time limit for the quest. 25 knights, among them Lanselet, Gawan, Boors, Ywan, Segremors, Dodineas leave to search for the knight.

Motif References:

V 70.2 Whitsuntide
H 1385.13 (Bm) Quest for lost person

WCRPa-794: Boors has not seen his brother Lyonel for two years nor received any news about him. In a forest he encounters six armed knights, who have captured Lyonel and mistreat him. He is only clad in a shirt. At the same time he catches sight of a maiden who calls for help for a knight wants to rape her. Boors rushes up to her. A knight and his men pursue the maiden. Boors considers what he should do first: help the maiden in distress or his brother. He decides to rescue the maiden and asks God to care for his brother. Boors kills the knights one after the other and rescues the maiden who invites him to her castle nearby. Boors accompanies her, asks about the knights who carried his brother along as their captive and leaves. On a meadow he meets a beautiful maiden, who has a decapitated knight in her lap. He has been slain by the abductors of Lyonel whom he tried to help. She show him the road, but on a crossroad Boors loses his way and keeps riding on in search of his brother for two weeks.

Motif References:

R 10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted
R 10.6 (Bm) Knight abducted
R 51 Mistreatment of prisoners
S 110 Murders
R 111.1 Princess (maiden) rescued from captor
P 251.5 Two brothers
R 260 Pursuits
T 471 Rape
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper
H 1385.8 Quest for lost brother(s)

WCRPa-799: Gawan on his quest for Parzifal, meets the knights who captured Lyonel. Gawan kills several knights, while the others escape. In a house nearby Lyonel is cared for by a physician. Gawan leaves in his company. At a crossroads they take leave, Gawan chooses the road to the right, Lyonel the one to the left. Lyonel is outraged at his brother’s faithlessness and intends to kill him. In the meantime Boors keeps searching for his brother. A hermit tells him about a dead knight beneath a tree, whose name is Lyonel, the brother of Boors of Ganes. Boors rides to that place and thinks the dead man is his brother. About ten times he swoons from grief. He laments his brother and makes the sign of the cross over his body. The corpse however is the devil who wants Boors to perish. The sign of the cross chases him and he leaves with great din breaking down the forest. Boors thanks God for his rescue and prays to him to protect his brother’s life.

Motif References:

R 10.6 (Bm) Knight abducted
V 86 Sign of the Cross
R 110 Rescue of captive
P 251.5.3 Hostile [half-] brothers
G 302.3.1 Devil in human form
G 303.16.3.4 Devil made to disappear by making sign of the cross
G 303.17.2.3 Devil goes out with great noise
G 303.3.1.8.1 Devil as hermit
N 340.0.1 (Bm) Erroneous news of death
F 402.1.4 Demons assume human form in order to deceive
P 426.2 Hermit
N 772 Parting at crossroads to go on adventure.
F 1041.21.7 Swooning from grief
H 1385.8 Quest for lost brother(s)
D 1766.6 Magic results from sign of cross
K 1870 Illusions
D 2031 Magic illusion
D 2188 Magic disappearance

WCRPa-804: At last Boors meets Lyonel, he takes off his helmet and welcomes him. Lyonel accuses him of treachery. Thereupon Boors tells him that he had to help the distressed maiden but Lyonel insists Boors ought to have rescued him first. He challenges his brother. Boors puts on his helmet but dismounts and falls to his brother’s feet asking him for pardon. Lyonel overrides him, takes off Boors’s helmet and is about to cut off his head. Kolagrenans passing by tries to stop him. Lyonel insists on killing his brother and he will slay Kolagrenans as well if he helps him. Kolagrenans and Lyonel fight and Lyonel kills Kolagrenans and splits his head. Boors comes to his senses, asks God for pardon that he has to fight his own brother. God sends a cloud that separates them, a voice orders him to spare his brother, the first blow would kill him. Then the cloud vanishes. Lyonel lies there as if he were dead, then he awakes and asks Boors for pardon. They lament the death of Kolagrenans. The hermit who lives nearby comes and asks about the dead man. He tells them that the devil had taken hold of Lyonel so that he was about to kill his own brother. They take the body to the hermitage. The hermit refuses to mount a horse. An inscription on the grave tells that the knight was slain innocently by Lyonel. The brothers take leave of each other at a crossroad promising to meet again at Whitsun.

Motif References:

V 69 Funeral rites - miscellaneous
A 182.3.5 God advises mortal
P 251.5.3 Hostile [half-] brothers
G 303.16.10 Angels (God) save person from the devil
G 303.18 Devil enters body of another
P 426.2 Hermit
E 728 Evil spirit possesses person
N 772 Parting at crossroads to go on adventure.
F 795 Extraordinary cloud
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
D 901 Magic cloud.
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
H 1385.8 Quest for lost brother(s)
D 2065.1 Madness from demonic possession
D 2176.3.2 Devil cast out of man possessed

WCRPa-813: As soon as Parzifal has been cured he leaves in the company of the Beautiful Knight. In the evening they come to a castle on the banks of a river. A feast is celebrated in front of it. They pass the night in a monastery nearby for they do not want to be recognized. King Bademagus and the knights of Arthur have a tournament against the proud king and his 100 knights. Gawan is the best knight of Arthur. Parzifal and the Beautiful Coward engage in jousting and it gets known that the Beautiful Coward has lost all his cowardice. He and Parzifal are undefeated, and Parzifal and his party earn the prize of the day. Parzifal asks the Beautiful Coward for his name, saying that once a wise knight told him never to share long company with an unknown knight. The latter names himself as the Beautiful Evil, which was the name given him when he was dubbed a knight. Parzifal changes that name into the Beautiful Brave. The knight wants to join Parzifal, who sends him to attend Arthur’s Whitsun Feast instead. Parzifal continues his journey and in the evening hears mass at an hermitage and confesses his sins.

Motif References:

W 32 Bravery
V 70.2 Whitsuntide
R 222 Unknown knight (Three days’ tournament)
P 561 Tournaments

WCRPa-822: On a large plain between Scotland and Ireland, which is deserted, tree- and waterless, Parzifal meets a knight in bad armor and riding an exhausted horse. He is Estor who for two years has traveled in sunshine and rain. He is very pale. Estor challenges Parzifal, who would like to spare him considering his bad condition and armor. Estor is offended and attacks him. They fight until both of them swoon from exhaustion. God rescues their lives. At last Estor sends Parzifal to a hermit living nearby to hear his confession. But Parzifal is too weak. They ask each other to take their last greeting to their relatives at Arthur’s court and swoon once again. Around midnight an angel in heavenly light appears and carries the Grail round them three times. Then he vanishes. Both knights have been cured by the Grail’s power. Estor asks about the object the angel held in his hands and Parzifal tells him that it was the Grail. Estor then continues his search for Lanzelet, Parzifal for Partinias.

Motif References:

R 168 Angels as rescuers
V 232 Angel as helper
V 235 Mortal visited by angel
F 959.3 Miraculous cure of wound
F 969.3 Marvelous light
D 1162 Magic light
D 1171.6 Magic cup.
D 1272 Magic circle
D 1478 Magic object provides light
D 1503.8 Magic goblet (Grail) heals wounds
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor
D 1645.2 Incandescent cup
D 1791 Magic power by circumambulation
D 2161.5.5 Cure by angel
D 2161.2 Magic cure of wound.
D 2188 Magic disappearance

WCRPa-828: Parzifal comes to a strong castle of an evil lord. The stronghold has five towers, four smaller ones and a large one, that is of red gold. Parzifal recognizes the tower and the castle: It belongs to Anfortas’s enemy. In front of the castle there is a beautiful fir-tree. On a branch hangs a precious shield displaying two golden maidens. It is the shield that wounded Anfortas. Parzifal asks a menial for the name of the castle and its lord. He learns that the place is called the Red Tower of Partinias. Each man striking that shield has to fight the lord who already defeated more than 100 knights since he was dubbed a knight six and a half years ago. Parzifal strikes the shield and cuts it to pieces, with a horn blow the menial alarms Partinias who arms himself (but takes no shield with him) and rushes toward the challenger. When he catches sight of the destroyed shield he is frightened. They fight and with God’s help Parzifal defeats Partinias. As his opponent refuses to surrender Parzifal decapitates him.

Motif References:

Z 141 Symbolic color: red
Q 211 Murder punished
Q 261 Treachery punished
Q 421.0.4 Beheading as punishment for murder
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
F 771 Extraordinary castle (house, palace)
F 772 Extraordinary tower.
H 1228 Quest undertaken by hero for vengeance.
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

WCRPa-834: Parzifal leaves Partinias’s body, ties the head to his saddle, takes the broken shield and rides on to Anfortas. Parzifal gives Anfortas the head and the shield as token of his enemy’s death. Anfortas is overjoyed and has the head put on top of the highest tower as a punishment for the treacherous murder of his brother. They have a meal, the Grail is carried in by maidens and provides the dishes with all sort of food. Then the Grail is carried in once again together with the bleeding lance and the golden vessel – this is repeated three times. Anfortas asks Parzifal for his name. Parzifal does not know his father’s name, he only knows that his mother was the lady of the waste forest. He once left her to become a knight at Arthur’s court. Anfortas introduces himself as his uncle, and tells him that his mother died because of him. Anfortas – now completely healed – wants to crown Parzifal at Whitsun, Parzifal refuses for he has to go to Arthur. But he will serve Anfortas forever. They are happy about the revenge for the death of Goun, who was King of the Wasteland. Next morning they arm Parzifal with his uncle’s black arms and he leaves.

Motif References:

P 17.3.3 (Bm) King’s rescuer made his heir
Q 53 Reward for rescue
H 84 Tokens of exploits
H 106.2 Severed head as proof of killing
Q 112.0.1 Kingdom as reward
S 139.2.1.1 Head of murdered man taken along as trophy
R 169.8 Predestined rescuer
F 183.1 Automatic service in otherworld: any sort of food desired furnished
F 184 Otherworld king
L 225 Hero refuses reward

P 555.2.1.1 ”Publication of slaying”. Heads of slain enemies displayed
F 959.3 Miraculous cure of wound
F 991.1 Bleeding lance.
D 1171.6 Magic cup.
D 1171 Magic vessel
D 1472.1.14.1 Magic food-providing cup [Grail]
D 2161.2 Magic cure of wound.
D 2161.4.10.0.1 Only one person possesses power to heal certain wound

WCRPa-841: On a meadow Parzifal comes to several trees (two laurels, two fir-trees and two olives). Each tree has a shield fixed to it and a spear leaning beneath. The weapons are green, white, yellow, blue, red, and a mix of all colors. At the fountain beneath the tree six knights and four maidens are having a meal. Parzifal defeats them and sends them as prisoners to King Arthur. They are ordered to tell the courtiers that Parzifal will join them on Whitsunday. The knights name themselves as Saladres of the Islands and his sons Dinisodres, Menassides, Nactor, Aristes, and Gorgone. When they come to the court Arthur releases them at once. Epilogue.

Motif References:

P 555.4 (Bm) Defeated knights [giant, rescued persons etc.] sent under oath to king [lady, queen] (as proof of victory)
H 1561.2 Single combat to prove valor

Matière de Bretagne

Wisse, Claus/Colin, Philipp: Rappoltsteiner Parzifal (1331-1336) Schorbach, Karl (ed.): Claus Wisse, Philipp Colin, Parzifal. Strassburg 1888 (Reprint Berlin/New York 1974).

Wisse, Claus/Colin, Philipp: Rappoltsteiner Parzifal (1331-1336)
Schorbach, Karl (ed.): Claus Wisse, Philipp Colin, Parzifal. Strassburg 1888 (Reprint Berlin/New York 1974).