Talk:Le Morte Darthur Book 2
I wrote another summary - of the first 10 chapters: Feel free to edit
Chapter 1: Arthur moves his court to Camelot, to gather his troops against King Ryons, who is the aggressor. Arthur builds the “council general” and holds tournaments. Enter a nameless demoiselle, send by the lady Lyelle of Avelyon. The demoiselle is eager to be rid of a sword, which she must carry until a knight, the best of knights, without villainy, treachery or falsehood, may draw it. Neither Arthur nor his knights are able to do so.
Chapter 2: Enter Balen (or Balyn), a poor knight, former prisoner of Arthur ( he killed A.´s cousin). Balen is clothed in rags, no one believes him to be free of treachery – but he is and draws the sword. The demoiselle wants the sword back. Balen denies her request. She prophesies Balen’s doom. Arthur apologizes for Balen’s treatment (6 month imprisonment). Balen gets ready to take his leave, suddenly in possession of an armour, a horse, and a squire. The other knights accuse him of using witchcraft.
Chapter 3: Enter Lady of the lake, who gave Arthur Excalibur. She wants payment: Either the head of Balen, or the head of the demoiselle with the sword. Balen is said to have killed her brother, the demoiselle killed the lady´s father. Arthur denies the request. Enter Balen, who holds a grudge against the lady for killing his mother. Balen beheads the lady in front of Arthur. Arthur is angry. Balen sets out to kill the king Ryon in order to restore himself in Arthur´s good graces. His squire sets out to tell Balen´s family and friends of his adventures.
Chapter 4 and 5: Enter Sir Launceor, prince of Ireland. He loathes Balen and sets out to kill him with Arthur’s blessing. Enter Merlin, who tells the demoiselles’ of the swords tale: The girl had a lover and brother ( a passyynge good knyght). The brother killed the lover, the demoiselle wanted revenge and turned to the Lady Lyle of Avelyon, who gave her the sword and told her the best of knights, who could draw the sword, would kill her brother for her. Merlin pities Balen and recommends him to Arthur. Meanwhile Balen and Launceor meet, fight and Launceor is killed.
Chapter 6: Enter Launceor´s lover, who grieves and kills herself with Balen’s sword. Balen grieves for both of them and their lost love. Enter Balen’s brother Balan. They are overjoyed to see each other again. Balan promises help in killing the King Ryon
Chapter 7: Enter a dwarf, who prophecies Balen´s doom. Enter the king of Cornewaille, who initiates the burial of the corpses. Much grief on all sides.
Chapter 8: Enter Merlin, who decorates the grave and makes 2 prophecies: a) about Lancelot of the lake and Trystram. b) about Blens impending doom (poor man) and that he will wound another knight severely. Exit Merlin. The party depart. Enter Merlin in disguise, refusing to reveal his name, but offering advice to Balen and Balan. Balen correctly identifies Merlin and accepts the offering.
Chapter 9: They pause until Midnight and capture king Ryons, who was on his way to bed Lady de Vance. They kill his men and cut both the kings’ hands off, until he begs for mercy. Mercy is granted and they take him to Arthur, introduced by Merlin, who had vanished from the scene, after the fight. Balen is now called the knight with the two swords (first mentioned in chapter 8). Merlin warns Arthur: Ryons’ brother Nero will come in the morning with an army.
Chapter 10: War against Nero. Sir Kay, Hervis de Revell, King Arthur, Balen and Balan do “merveillous” deeds. Enter king Lot of Orkeny, who fights against Arthur, because the former slept with his sister, Lot´s wife. He is also the father of Gawayne. Merlin prophesies the death of one of the kings (Nero is dead already). Lot is slain by Pellinore. Pellinore is slain by Gawayne, 10 years later.
