Le Morte Darthur Book 6

Chapter 1

After Arthur’s return from Rome, Lancelot du Lake excels in his Lord’s tournaments and is regarded as queen Qwenever´s favourite. At long last, Lancelot leaves to seek adventures together with Sir Lionel, his nephew. After riding a while, Lancelot goes to sleep under an apple tree, while Lionel watches over him. He sees a strong knight, who overwhelms three others and challenges him, without wakening Lancelot first. He, too, must submit, is taken to the knight’s castle, tortured (beaten with thorns) and imprisoned.

Chapter 2

Enter Sir Hector, who leaves Arthur’s court, to seek Lancelot and his brother Lionel. He meets a game–keeper, who tells him of a strange tree covered with shields. On the very same tree, Hector recognizes his brother’s shield and thinks him dead. He challenges the strong knight, by banging on something, which works like a bell. They fight, Hector is able to wound the strong knight, but is captured, tortured and meets his brother in the knight’s dungeon.

Chapter 3

Sir Lancelot sleeps on. Along comes Morgan le fay, three other queens and four knights. They recognize Lancelot, the hero of the tournaments, and want his love. So Morgan le fay casts a spell on him, brings him to her castle, where she asks him (on the next day) to choose one queen as a lover (not unlike the judgement of Paris, I thought) and forswear queen Qwenever. Lancelot refuses the offer very politely.

Chapter 4

Sir Lancelot escapes with the help of a maiden, the daughter of king Bagdemagus, after promising her to fight with her father in next Tuesday’s tournament. He promises to meet them at an abbey. He gets lost in a forest, finds a pavilion and sleeps there until

Chapter 5

Sir Belleus wakens him by mistaking Lancelot for his lover and kisses him. They fight. Lancelot wounds the other man badly and is sorry. Belleus´ lover comes and “wails awey” and presses the promise out of Lancelot, that he will do his utmost to promote Belleus on Arthur’s round table.

Chapter 6

Lancelot meets king Bagdemagus and his daughter at the abbey and renews his promise of support, but asks for three more knights to help him defeat Bagdegamus´ enemy at the tournament. It is settled and they fight (four knights with white shields plus Bagdegamus and his 40(?) men).