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2 Trouble in the Early Years of Arthur’s Reign

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Then the king went into Wales and had announced a great feast to be held at Pentecost after his coronation in the city of Caerleon. Unto the feast came King Lot of Lothian and the Orkneys with five hundred knights. There also came to the feast King Uriens of Gorre with four hundred knights, and King Nentres of Garlot with seven hundred knights. The king of Scotland also came with six hundred knights, and he was but a young man. Also there came to the feast a king who was called the King with the Hundred Knights, and he and his men were admirably fitted out at all points. Also came King Carados with five hundred knights.

King Arthur was glad of their coming, for he believed that all the kings and knights had come for great love and to have done him worship at his feast, wherefore the king made great joy and sent the kings and knights great presents. But the kings would not accept them, and instead rebuked the messengers shamefully and said they had no joy to receive gifts from a beardless boy that was come of low blood. They sent him word that they did not want any of his gifts, and that they had come to give him gifts with hard swords between the neck and shoulders. And therefore that is why they had come thither, they told the messengers rudely, because it was great shame to all of them to see such a boy have rule of as noble a realm as this land was.

With this answer the messengers departed and told King Arthur this answer, wherefore by advice of his barons he removed to a strong tower with five hundred good men with him, and King Arthur was well supplied there.

Within fifteen days Merlin came among them into the city of Caerleon. Then all the kings were passing glad of Merlin and asked him, “For what cause is that boy Arthur made your king?”

“Sires,” said Merlin, “I shall tell you the cause: for he is King Uther’s son, born in wedlock, conceived on Igraine, the wife of the Duke of Tintagel.”

“Then he is a bastard,” they all said.

“Nay,” said Merlin. “More than three hours after the death of the duke was Arthur begotten, and thirteen days after that King Uther wedded Igraine, and therefore I prove that he is no bastard. And no matter who says ‘nay,’ he shall be king and overcome all his enemies, and before he dies he shall be king of all England and have under his obeisance Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and more realms than I will now rehearse.”

Some of the kings had marvel at Merlin’s words, and thought that it very well may be as he said, and some of them laughed at him in scorn—as did King Lot—and others called him a witch. But then they agreed with Merlin that King Arthur should come out and speak with the kings; they offered assurance that he should come safely and leave safely.

So Merlin went unto King Arthur and told him what he had done and bid him be not afraid, but to come out boldly and speak with them, and not to spare them, but answer to them as their king and chieftain: “For you shall overcome them all, whether they wish it or not.”

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Then King Arthur came out of his tower and had under his gown a coat of double mail, and there went with him the Archbishop of Canterbury and Sir Baldwin of Britain and Sir Kay and Sir Brastias: these were the men of greatest worship who were with him. And when they were met there was no meekness, but rather stout words on both sides, and King Arthur always answered them and said he would make them bow to him while he lived, and therefore they departed with wrath. King Arthur bid them to keep themselves well, and they bid the king to keep himself well. So the king returned to the tower again and armed himself and all his knights.

“What will you do?” said Merlin to the kings. “It would be better for you to stop, for you shall not prevail here, even if you were ten times as many.”

“Are we well-advised to be afraid of a dream-reader?” said King Lot.

With that Merlin vanished away and came to King Arthur and bid him to set on them fiercely. And in the meantime three hundred of the best men who had been with the kings went straight to King Arthur, and that comforted him greatly.

“Sir,” said Merlin to Arthur, “fight not with the sword that you had by miracle until you see that you are going unto war; then draw it out and do your best.”

So then King Arthur set upon them in their lodgings, and Sir Baldwin, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias slew on the right hand and on the left hand, such that it was a marvel. And always King Arthur led on horseback with a sword and did marvelous deeds of arms, so that many of the kings had great joy at his deeds and hardiness. Then King Lot attacked at the rear, and the King with the Hundred Knights and King Carados as well, and set on Arthur fiercely from behind.

With that Sir Arthur turned with his knights and smote in front and behind him, and ever Sir Arthur was in the greatest fighting until his horse was slain underneath him. And therewith King Lot smote down King Arthur. At that, his four knights rescued him, and set him back on horseback. Then he drew his sword Excalibur, and it was so bright in his enemies’ eyes that it gave off light like to thirty torches, and therewith he pushed them back and slew many people.

Then the commons of Caerleon arose with clubs and staves and slew many knights; but all the kings held them together with their knights who were left alive, and so they fled and departed. Merlin came unto Arthur and counseled him to follow them no further.

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So after the feast and journey, King Arthur went to London, and by the counsel of Merlin the king called all his barons to a council; for Merlin had told the king that the six kings that made war on him wished to be avenged on him and his lands in all haste. Therefore the king asked all of them for counsel. They could give no advice, but said they were large enough.

“You say well, “ said Arthur, “I thank you for your good courage. But will all of you who love me speak with Merlin? You know well that he has done much for me and he knows many things. When he is before you, I would like it that you ask him heartily for his best advice.” All the barons said that they would ask and desire this of him. So Merlin was sent for and asked by the barons to give them his best counsel.

“I shall tell you,” said Merlin. “I warn you all, your enemies are passing strong for you, and they are as good men of arms as any that are alive, and by this time they have added to their number four more kings and a mighty duke. Unless it should be that our king has more knights with him than can be found within the bounds of this realm, if he fights with them in battle, he shall be overcome and slain.”

“What is the best thing to do in this case?” said all the barons.

“I shall tell you,” said Merlin, “my advice. There are two brothers beyond the sea and they are both kings and marvelous good men of their hands. The one is called King Ban of Benwick, and the other is called King Bors of Gaul, which is France. And on these two kings a mighty man with many men makes war—King Claudas—and strives with them over a castle. There is great war between them. But this Claudas is so mighty of wealth that he is able to attract good knights to him and for the most part put these two kings to the worse. Wherefore, this is my counsel: our king and sovereign lord should send to Kings Ban and Bors two trusty knights with carefully written letters, asking them to come and see King Arthur and his court. If they will help him in his wars, then he will swear to help them in their wars against King Claudas. Now what do you say to my counsel?” said Merlin.

“That is well counseled,” said the king. And in all haste two barons were ordained to take this message to these two kings. Letters were written in the most pleasing style according to King Arthur’s desire, and Ulphius and Brastias were made the messengers. So they rode forth well-horsed and well-armed in the style of that time, and crossed the sea and rode toward the city of Benwick. There at Benwick were eight knights who spied them, and at a narrow pass they met with Ulphius and Brastias and wished to take them prisoner. They asked that they might pass, for they were messengers unto King Ban and King Bors sent from King Arthur.

“Therefore,” said the knights, “you shall die or else become our prisoners, as we are knights of King Claudas.” Therewith two of them dressed their spears toward Ulphius and Brastias; then they dressed their spears and they ran together with great random. Claudas’ knights broke their spears; Ulphius and Brastias knocked these two knights out of their saddles onto the earth and left them lying there while they rode on their way. The other six knights rode ahead to another pass in order to meet with them again, and Ulphius and Brastias smote two of those down and so passed on their way. At the third and fourth passage, they met two for two, and both were laid out on the earth. All of the eight knights were thus badly hurt or else bruised.

When they came to Benwick, they were in luck: it happened that both kings, Ban and Bors, were there. Then it was told to the two kings how two messengers had come, and immediately they sent unto them two knights of worship; one was called Lionses, lord of the country of Payarne, and Sir Phariaunce, a worshipful knight. They asked immediately from whence they had come, and they said from King Arthur, the King of England. And so they took them in their arms and made great cheer of them. As soon as they knew they were messengers from Arthur there was no tarrying, but forthwith they spoke with the kings. They welcomed them most faithfully and said they were most welcome to them before all of the kings’ men who were living.

Therewith they kissed the letters and delivered them. When Kings Ban and Bors understood them and the letters, then were they even more welcome than they were before. And after quickly reading the letters they gave them this answer: that they would fulfill the desire of King Arthur as written in the letters. They bade Sir Ulphius and Sir Brastias to tarry there as long as they wished, for they should have such cheer as might be made for them in these borderlands. Then Ulphius and Brastias told the king of their adventures in the passes with the eight knights.

“Aha!” said Ban and Bors. “They were our good friends. I wished I had known about them; they would never have escaped.”

So these two knights had good cheer and great gifts—as much as they were able to carry away—and had their answer both by mouth and by writing that the two kings would come to Arthur with all the haste that they might.

These two knights rode on and crossed the sea and came to their lord. They told him how things had gone, wherefore King Arthur was passing glad and said, “When do you suppose the two kings will be here?”

“Sir,” they said, “before Allhallowsmass.”

Then the king had provision made for a great feast; he also announced tournaments and jousts throughout the realm, and the day appointed and set was at Allhallowsmass.

So time passed on and all things were made ready. These two noble kings entered the land and came over the sea with three hundred knights full well arrayed both for peace and also for war. So they were royally received and brought toward the city of London, and Arthur met them ten miles outside London, and there was made as much joy as could be thought.

On Allhallowsmass day at the great feast the three kings sat in the hall. Sir Kay the Seneschal served in the hall, as did Sir Lucan the Butler who was the son of Duke Corneus and Sir Grifflet who was the son of God of Cardal. These three knights had rule over the service that served the kings; and anon as they were ready and washed, all the knights that wished to joust made themselves ready. And when they were ready on horseback there were seven hundred knights. King Arthur, Ban, and Bors, with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Ector, Kay’s father were all in a place covered with cloths of gold like unto a hall, with ladies and gentlewomen there to behold who did best and thereupon to give a judgment.

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King Arthur with the two kings caused the seven hundred knights to depart in two parties; and there were three hundred knights of the realm of Benwick and Gaul that turned to the other side. They dressed their shields and couched their spears, the many good knights.

Sir Grifflet was the first that set out, and to him came a knight whose name was Sir Ladynas; they came so eagerly together that all men had wonder, and they fought so sore that their shields fell to pieces and both horses and men fell to the earth. Both the French knight and the English knight lay still so long that all men thought that they were dead. When Lucan the Butler saw Sir Grifflet lie so long, he horsed him again anon, and they two did many marvelous deeds of arms with many young knights.

Also Sir Kay came out of an ambush with five other knights, and they smote six others down. And Sir Kay did that day so many marvelous deeds of arms that there were no others who did as well as he that day.

Then there came Ladynas and Grastian, two knights of France, and they did so passing well that all men praised them. Then came in Sir Placidus, a good knight, who met with Sir Kay and smote him down, both horse and man, because of which Sir Grifflet was wroth and met with Sir Placidus so hard that horse and man fell to the earth. And when the five knights knew that Sir Kay had a fall they were wroth out of measure and therewithall each of the five bore down a knight.

When King Arthur and the two kings saw them begin to wax wroth on both sides, they leapt onto small hackneys and announced that all men should depart to their lodgings. So they went home and unarmed them, and then went to evensong and to supper.

After supper the three kings went into a garden and gave the prize to Sir Kay, Sir Lucan the Butler, and to Sir Grifflet. Then they went to a council meeting, and with them was Gwenbaus, brother to King Ban and King Bors, a wise clerk. Thither went Ulphius, Brastias, and Merlin. And after they had been in council they went to bed. In the morning they heard mass, went to dine, and so to their council, and had many arguments as to what was best to do.

At last they concluded that Merlin should go with a token of King Ban—a ring—to his and King Bors’ men, and that Gracian and Placidas should go and keep their castles and their countries, as King Ban of Benwick and King Bors of Gaul had ordained it to be. So they crossed the sea and came to Benwick, and when the people saw King Ban’s ring and Gracian and Placidas, they were glad and asked how their king fared and made great joy to hear that he was well.

According to their sovereign lord’s desire, the men of war made themselves ready in all possible haste, so that there were fifteen thousand on horseback and foot, and they had plenty of supplies with them, thanks to Merlin’s provisioning. Gracian and Placidas remained at home to supply and garnish the castles, out of fear of King Claudas.

Right so Merlin crossed the sea well-provided, both by water and by land. When he reached the sea he sent the footmen home again, and took with him no more than ten thousand men on horseback, the most part of which were men at arms. So they boarded ships and crossed the sea to England and landed at Dover. Through his cleverness Merlin led the host northward by the most secret way that could be thought, into the forest of Bedgrayne, and in a valley there they camped secretly.

Then Merlin rode to Arthur and to the two kings and told them how things had gone, whereof they had great marvel that any man on earth might be able to go and come again so quickly. So Merlin told them how ten thousand were in the forest of Bedgrayne well armed at all points.

Then there was no more to say, but all the host which Arthur had before provided mounted on horseback. With twenty thousand he passed through the land night and day. But Merlin had made an ordinance previously that no man of war should ride north or go into the land on this side of the waters of the Trent unless he had a token from King Arthur; because of this, the king’s enemies dared not ride out to spy as they had before.

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So within a little while the three kings came to the forest of Bedgrayne and found there a passing fair fellowship well beseen, for which they had great joy, and they were well-provided with food.

This was the cause of the northern host: they were reared because of the despite and rebuke the six kings had at Caerleon, and those six kings by their means got five other kings to join their cause, and thus they began to gather their people. Now they swore that for weal or woe they should not stop until they had destroyed Arthur, and they made an oath. The first to take the oath was the Duke of Canbenet; he swore he would bring with him five thousand men of arms, ready on horseback. Then King Brandegoris of Strangore swore that he would bring with him five thousand men of arms on horseback. Then King Clarivaunce of Northumberland swore that he would bring three thousand men of arms with him. Then the King with the Hundred Knights, who was a passing good young man, swore that he would bring four thousand good men of arms on horseback. Then King Lot, a passing good knight and father unto Sir Gawain, swore that he would bring five thousand good men of arms on horseback. Also King Uriens of the land of Gorre, who was Sir Uwain’s father, swore that he would bring six thousand men of arms on horseback. King Idres of Cornwall also swore that he would bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. So too did king Cradilmans swear to bring five thousand men on horseback. Also there swore King Anguishaunce of Ireland to bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also King Nentres swore to bring five thousand men on horseback. Also King Carados swore to bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Their whole host was of clean men of arms, and on horseback they had fully fifty thousand, and on foot ten thousand good men’s bodies.

Then they were soon ready and mounted on horseback, and sent forth the foreriders, for these eleven kings in their way laid siege to the castle of Bedgrayne. So they departed and drew toward Arthur, and left a few to abide at the siege, for the castle of Bedgrayne was a hold of King Arthur, and they who were therein were all King Arthur’s.

So by Merlin’s advice foreriders were sent to survey the country; they met with the foreriders of the north and made them tell from which host they had come. Then they told King Arthur, and by the counsel of King Ban and King Bors they caused to be burnt and destroyed all the country ahead of where they should ride.

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Then the King of the Hundred Knights had at that time a wondrous dream two nights before the battle. A great wind blew and blew down their castles and their towns, and after that came a flood and bore it all away. All of those who heard of that dream said it was an omen of a great battle.

Then by the counsel of Merlin, when they knew which way the eleven kings would ride and where they would lodge that night, at midnight they set upon them when they were in their pavilions; but the scout-watch by their host cried: “Lords! To arms! For here be our enemies near at hand!”

Then King Arthur and King Ban and King Bors with their good and trusty knights set upon them so fiercely that he made them overthrow their pavilions onto their heads. But the eleven kings by manly prowess of arms took a fair champion, and there was slain by the next day ten thousand good men. So they had before them a difficult passage, where there were fifty thousand hardy men. Then it drew toward day.

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“Now you should follow my advice,” said Merlin unto the three kings, and said, “I would have it that King Ban and King Bors with their fellowship of ten thousand men were put in the woods near here in an ambush, and kept there secretly, and that they be put there before the light of day comes, and that they should not stir until you and your knights have fought long with the enemy. And when it is daylight, dress yourself to battle right before them and the passage so that they may see your whole host; for then they will be more hardy when they see you are about twenty thousand in number, and they will be gladder to allow you and your host to come over the passage.”

All the three kings and all the barons said that Merlin had devised a clever plan, and so it was done.

So in the morning when each army saw the other, those from the North were well comforted. Then Ulphius and Brastias were delivered three thousand men of arms, and they set on them fiercely in the passage; they slew so on the right hand and on the left that it was a wonder to tell.

But when the eleven kings saw that there were so few in their fellowship who did such deeds of arms, they were ashamed and set on them again fiercely. Although Sir Ulphius’ horse was slain, he did marvelously on foot. But then Duke Estanse of Canbenet and King Clarivaunce of Northumberland continually and grievously set upon Ulphius. When Sir Brastias saw how his fellow fared in all this, he smote the duke with a spear so that both horse and man fell down. King Clarivaunce saw that, and turned to Sir Brastias, and either smote other so that both horse and man fell to the earth. So they lay there a long while, stunned, and their horses’ knees had been broken down to the hard bone.

Then came Sir Kay the Seneschal accompanied by six fellows, and he did passing well. At this the eleven kings attacked, and Grifflet was brought down to the earth, horse and man, as was Lucan the Butler, King Brandegoris, King Idres, and King Anguishaunce.

Then the melée waxed passing hard for both sides. When Sir Kay saw Sir Grifflet on foot, he rode up to King Nentres and smote him down, and took the king’s horse to Sir Grifflet and horsed him again. Also, with that same spear Sir Kay smote down King Lot and hurt him seriously. The King with the Hundred Knights saw that and ran to Sir Kay and smote him down and took his horse, which he gave to King Lot, whereof the king said “Many thanks.”

When Sir Grifflet saw Sir Kay and Sir Lucan the Butler on foot, he took a large sharp spear and rode straight at Pyonel, a good man of arms, and smote him down both horse and man; then he took Pyonel’s horse and gave it to Sir Kay.

When King Lot saw King Nentres on foot, he ran at Meliot de la Roche and smote him down, both horse and man, and gave his horse to King Nentres and thus horsed him again. Also the King with the Hundred Knights saw King Idres on foot, and he ran at Gwyniarte de Bloy and smote him down, both horse and man, then gave King Idres his horse and thus horsed him again. Then King Lot smote down Clarinaus de la Forest Savage and gave his horse to Duke Estanse.

So when they were horsed again, all the eleven kings drew together and said they would be revenged for the damage they had suffered that day.

Meanwhile, Arthur joined the battle with an eager countenance, and found Ulphius and Brastias on foot, in great peril of dying as they were being trampled under the feet of the horses. Then Arthur ran like a lion at King Cradilmans of North Wales and smote him through the left side, so that both horse and man fell down. Then he took the horse by the reins and led him to Sir Ulphius and said: “Have this horse, my old friend, for you have great need now of a horse.”

“Many thanks,” said Ulphius.

Then King Arthur did so marvelously in arms that all men had wonder. When the King with the Hundred Knights saw King Cradilmans on foot, he ran at Sir Ector, (Sir Kay’s father), who was well horsed, and smote him down, both horse and man; he gave the horse to the king and thus horsed him again.

When King Arthur saw that king riding on Sir Ector’s horse he was angry, and with his sword he smote the king on the helmet, cleaving away a quarter of the helmet and his shield. The sword carved down into the horse’s neck so that both man and horse fell to the ground.

Then Sir Kay came to King Morganoure, seneschal to the King with the Hundred Knights, and smote him down, both horse and man, and led that horse to his father, Sir Ector. Then Sir Ector attacked a knight who was called Lardans and smote down both horse and man, and led that horse to Sir Brastias, who had great need of a horse and had been much afflicted.

Then Brastias beheld Lucan the Butler lying like a dead man under the horses’ feet, and saw that ever Sir Grifflet tried mercifully to rescue him, but there were always fourteen knights attacking Sir Lucan. Then Sir Brastias smote one of them on the helmet so that it was driven into his teeth; then he rode up to another and smote him so that his arm flew onto the battlefield. Then he went up to a third knight and smote him on the shoulder so that both shoulder and arm flew onto the battlefield.

When Sir Grifflet saw this rescue coming he smote a knight on the temple so that both head and helmet fell to the earth. Grifflet took that horse and led him to Sir Lucan, and bade him mount upon that horse and avenge his wounds (for Sir Brastias had already slain a knight earlier) and thus he horsed Sir Lucan.

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Then Sir Lucan saw King Anguishaunce, who had nearly slain Maris de la Roche, and Lucan ran at him with a large, sharp spear and gave him such a blow that his horse fell down to the earth. Also Lucan found there on foot Bloise de la Flanders and Sir Gwynas, two hardy knights, and in the mad rage that Lucan was in, he slew two young knights and horsed those knights again.

Then the battle waxed passing hard for both armies, but King Arthur was glad that his knights were horsed again. Then they fought so together that the noise and sound rang out over the water and through the woods, at which point King Ban and King Bors made themselves ready, dressing their shields and harness for battle; they were so courageous that their enemies shook and trembled in anticipation of their attack.

All this while Lucan, Gwynas, Bryaunte, and Bellias of Flanders were in a fierce melée against six kings: King Lot, King Nentres, King Brandegoris, King Idres, King Uriens, and King Anguishaunce. With the help of Sir Kay and Sir Grifflet, Arthur’s knights held these kings off hardily, but underneath they were so exhausted they had little power to defend themselves.

When King Arthur saw that this battle could not be ended by any stratagem, he became mad as a lion and drove his horse here and there, to the right and to the left, and he did not stop until he had slain twenty knights. He also sorely wounded King Lot on the shoulder, forcing him to retreat. Sir Kay and Sir Grifflet did great deeds of arms that day with King Arthur.

Then Sir Ulphius, Brastias, and Sir Ector engaged Duke Estans and King Cradilmans and King Clarivaunce of Northumberland and King Carados and the King with the Hundred Knights. So these kings engaged in battle with these knights so that they forced them to retreat. Then King Lot made great sorrow for the damages he and his fellows had suffered, and said to the kings:

“If we do as I had planned, we shall all be slain and destroyed. Let me take the King with the Hundred Knights, King Anguishaunce, King Idres, and the Duke of Canbenet. We five kings will take ten thousand men of arms with us, and we will go to one side while the six remaining kings continue fighting with twelve thousand men. And when we see that you have fought with them a long time, then we will relieve you with fresh forces. If we do not do this, we shall never overcome them by any means,” said King Lot. “This is the only option.”

So they departed according to this plan, and the six kings who remained in the field held strongly with their party against King Arthur, and made great war for a long time.

Then King Ban and King Bors broke out of their hiding place. Lionses and Phariaunce were in the foreguard, and these two knights met with King Idres and his fellowship and he was nearly vanquished. King Anguishaunce saw that and attacked Lionses and Phariaunce almost to the point of death, for the Duke of Canbenet came into the field with such a great fellowship that these two knights were in constant danger of losing their lives. They did not want to retreat, and continuously and marvelously rescued themselves and the men in their fellowship. When King Bors saw these knights driven back so it grieved him sorely, and he came on so fast with his fellowship that they seemed as black as ink.

When King Lot saw King Bors, he recognized him at once and said: “Jesus, protect us from death and horrible injuries, for I see that we are in great peril of dying. I see yonder a king, one of the most worshipful and with whom the best knights of the world desire fellowship.”

“Who is he?” said the King with the Hundred Knights.

“It is,” he said, “King Bors of Gaul. I marvel how they came into these lands without our knowing it.”

“It was by Merlin’s advice,” said a knight.

“As for me,” said King Carados, “I will encounter with King Bors if you will rescue me when I have need.”

“Go on,” they said, “and we will do everything we can.”

Then King Carados and his host rode on a short distance until they were an arrow-shot away from King Bors, and then they let their horses run as fast as they might. Bleoberis, who was King Bors’ godson and a passing good knight, bore the king’s standard.

“Now we shall see,” said King Bors, “how these northern Britons bear arms!”

So King Bors met with a knight and smote him through the body with a spear so that he fell dead to the earth. After this he drew his sword and did so many marvelous deeds of arms that both sides were in awe. His knights did not fail him; they did their part.

Then King Carados was smitten down to the earth, but the King with the Hundred Knights came and valiantly rescued King Carados through great strength of arms, for he was a passing good knight and still a young man. At that, King Ban entered the battlefield as fiercely as a lion, wearing stripes of green and gold.

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“Aha!” said King Lot. “We will certainly be vanquished, for yonder I see the most valiant knight of the world and one who is the most renowned; there are not two such brothers as King Ban and King Bors alive today. Thus, we must either retreat or die; unless we retreat bravely and wisely there will be nothing for us but death.”

When these two kings, Ban and Bors, joined the battle, they attacked so fiercely that their sword strokes resounded throughout the woods and over the water, and King Lot wept for pity and sorrow as he saw so many good knights meet their death.

Through the great force of King Ban, the northern armies that were retreating collided with one another in great dread; and the three kings and their knights continued to fight, such that it was a great pity to behold the multitude of people who fled the battlefield.

But King Lot and the King with the Hundred Knights and King Morganoure valiantly gathered their people together and did great feats of arms, and continued to fight vigorously all day long. When the King with the Hundred Knights saw the great damage that King Ban was doing to him, he ran at him on his horse and smote him on the helmet with a great stroke that seriously stunned him.

Then King Ban was insanely angry at this and attacked him fiercely. The King with the Hundred Knights saw this and held up his shield while he spurred his horse forward. The swordstroke of King Ban carved a slice out of his shield as it came down, and the sword slid down the back of his hauberk, cutting through the steel trapper and slicing the horse in two pieces before it fell to the earth.

Then the King with the Hundred Knights quickly jumped off his horse and with his sword stabbed King Ban’s horse clean through. At that, King Ban jumped quickly off the dead horse and struck the other man so quickly on the helmet that he fell to the earth. In that rage, in which he felled King Morganoure, a number of good knights and other people were slaughtered.

At this time King Arthur came into the battle and found King Ban standing among dead men and dead horses, fighting on foot as if he were an enraged lion so that anyone who came within a sword’s reach of him received a grievous buffet. At this King Arthur felt great pity.

Both King Arthur and his shield were so covered with blood that no one could recognize him, for blood and brains were stuck on his sword and on his shield. As he looked about him, King Arthur saw a knight who was on a passing good horse, and therewith King Arthur ran up to him and smote him on the helm so that his sword went down to his teeth and the knight sank down dead to the earth. Then King Arthur took his horse by the reins and led him to King Ban and said, “Fair brother, take this horse, for you have great need of a horse and I am sorry for the wounds you have suffered.”

“They shall soon be avenged,” said King Ban, “for I trust in God that some of the enemy will sorely repent of the wounds they have given me.”

“I well believe it,” said King Arthur, “for I have seen your deeds in battle, although I was not able to come to you at that time.”

And when Ban was mounted on horseback, then there began a new battle which was sore and hard, with passing great slaughter. Through great force King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors made it possible for their knights to alight and withdraw into a little wood on the other side of a small river. They rested there, for the night before they had had no rest from the battle.

Then the eleven kings gathered themselves into a clump all together, like men who were afraid and looked for no comfort; yet, no man was able to pass them. They held themselves together so strongly in both the front and the rear that King Arthur marveled at their deeds of arms and was exceedingly angry.

“Ah, Sir Arthur,” said King Ban and King Bors, “do not blame them, for they do as any good man would do. For by my faith,” said King Ban, “they are the best fighting men and knights of most prowess that I have ever seen or heard of. Those eleven kings are men of great worship, and if they were on your side, there would be no king under heaven who could claim on his side another eleven kings of such worship.”

“I cannot love them,” said King Arthur, “for they wish to destroy me.”

“We well know that,” said King Ban and King Bors, “for they are your mortal enemies, which has been demonstrated earlier. This day they have fought for their cause; their willfulness is a great pity.”

Then the eleven kings all drew together, and King Lot said, “Lords, you must act differently than you do at present, or else great losses are still to come. You can see what people we have lost and what good men we are losing because we are always protecting the footmen. In saving one of the footmen, we lose ten horsemen. Therefore, this is my advice: let us send the footmen away, for it is nearly night. This noble King Arthur will not bother with the footmen, so they may save themselves in the woods which are near at hand. When we horsemen are together, look that every one of you kings make a command that none of your men may break upon pain of death. Whoever sees a man making himself ready to flee should slay that man; for it is better that we slay a coward, rather than that through a coward, we should all be slain. How say you?” said King Lot. “Answer me, all you kings!”

“You say well,” said King Nentres. The King with the Hundred Knights agreed, as did King Carados and King Uriens. So too agreed King Idres and King Brandegoris, as did King Cradilmans and the Duke of Canbenet. The same said King Clarivaunce and King Anguishaunce. They swore they would never fail in life or death, and that whoever fled the battle would be slain. Then they adjusted their war gear and righted their shields, took up new spears and set them across their thighs, and stood still as if they had been a clump of trees.

CI.17

When King Arthur and King Ban and King Bors beheld them and all their knights, they praised them much for their noble and chivalric bearing, for they were the hardiest fighters that they had either seen or heard of.

Right away several knights approached and said to the three kings that they wished to engage the enemy in battle. These were their names: Lionses, Phariaunce, Ulphius, Brastias, Ector, Kay, Lucan the Butler, Grifflet la Fitz de Dieu, Maris de la Roche, Gwynas de Bloy, Bryaunte de la Forest Savage, Bellaus, Morians of the Castle of Maidens, Flaundreus of the Castle of Ladies, Annecians that was King Bors’ godson, a noble knight, and Ladynas de la Rouse, Emerause, Caulus, Graciens le Castilion, Bloyse de la Case, and Sir Colgrevance de Gorre.

All these knights rode out in front with spears resting on their thighs and they spurred their horses on mightily. The eleven kings with some of their knights rushed forth as fast as they could with their spears, and there both sides performed marvelous feats of arms. Then Arthur, Ban, and Bors came into the thick of the battle and slew on both sides so that their horses were up to their fetlocks in blood; and ever Arthur kept the eleven kings and their host in his eyesight, which amazed King Ban and King Bors, considering what great slaughter there was.

At last they were driven back across a small river, at which time Merlin, riding on a great black horse, came up to Arthur and said: “You are never done. Have you not done enough? Out of sixty thousand today you have left only fifteen thousand alive! Therefore it is time to say ‘whoa!’ for God is angry with you because you will never be done. Yonder eleven kings will not be overthrown at this time, and if you tarry with them any longer your luck will turn and theirs will increase. Therefore, withdraw to your lodging and rest as soon as you may; reward your good knights with gold and silver, for they have well deserved it. There are no riches too precious for them, for never were there men who displayed their prowess more worshipfully than the few men that you had with you today, for today you have matched yourselves against the best fighters in the world.”

“That is truth,” said King Ban and King Bors.

Then Merlin commanded them, “Withdraw wherever you would like, for I suppose that for the next three years they will not dare to challenge you. By that time, you shall hear new tidings.”

Then Merlin said to Arthur, “These eleven kings have more to deal with than they realize, for more than forty thousand Saracens have landed in their countries; they are burning and killing and have laid siege to Wandesborow Castle, causing great destruction. Therefore, do not worry this year. Also, sir, gather up all the goods and treasure that you have won in this battle, and when you have it in your hands give it with friendship to these two kings, Ban and Bors, so that they may reward their own knights with it. This shall cause other people to be inclined to help you when you have need. Also, you should be able to reward your own knights at whatever time you wish.”

“You say well,” said Arthur, “and as you have suggested, so it will be done.” When the treasure was delivered to these kings, Ban and Bors, they gave the goods as freely to their knights as it had been given to them.

Then Merlin took his leave of King Arthur and the other two kings so that he could go to see his master Blaise who dwelled in Northumberland. So he departed and came to his master, who was very glad of his coming. There he told how Arthur and the two kings had done at the great battle, and how it was ended, and told the names of every king and knight of worship that was there.

So Blaise recorded the events of the battle word for word as Merlin told him: how it began, and by whom, and likewise how it was ended and who had the worse result. Merlin had his master Blaise record all the battles that occurred in Arthur’s days, as well as all the battles of any worthy knight of Arthur’s court.

After this Merlin departed from his master and came to King Arthur who was in Bedgrayne Castle, which was one of the castles in Sherwood Forest. Merlin was disguised so that Arthur did not recognize him: he was robed in black sheep fleeces over a russet gown, with a great pair of boots, and a bow and arrows, and carried wild geese in his hands. This was on the morning after Candlemass Day, and King Arthur did not recognize him.

“Sir,” said Merlin, “will you give me a gift?”

“Why,” said King Arthur, “should I give you a gift, churl?”

“Sir,” said Merlin, “it would be better for you to promise me a gift that you do not currently possess than it is to lose the chance of great riches. For here in the same place where the battle was, there is great treasure hidden in the earth.”

“Who told you so, churl?”

“Sir, Merlin told me so,” he said.

Then Ulphius and Brastias recognized him and smiled. “Sir,” the two knights said, “it is Merlin who is speaking to you!” Then King Arthur was greatly abashed and marveled at Merlin, as did King Ban and King Bors. So they were greatly amused by him.

In the meantime, a damsel who was an earl’s daughter came to court. His name was Sanam and her name was Lionors, and she was a beautiful damsel. She came thither to do homage to Arthur—as did other lords—after that great battle. King Arthur set his love greatly upon her, as she did him, and so the king had ado with her and conceived on her a child. His name was Borre, and later he was a good knight of the Round Table.

Then came word that King Rience of North Wales was attacking King Leodegranz of Camelard, which made King Arthur angry, for he loved Leodegranz well and hated King Rience, for he was always opposed to him.

So by command of the three kings and out of fear of King Claudas, all who would go were sent home to Benwick. The knights Phariaunce, Anthemes, Graciens, and Lionses of Payarne led those who went to keep the two kings’ lands safe.

Then King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors departed with a fellowship of twenty thousand and within seven days came to the country of Camelard. There they rescued King Leodegranz and slew many of King Rience’s people—as many as ten thousand—and the rest they put to flight. These three kings had great cheer of King Leodegranz, and he thanked them for their great goodness in helping him to be avenged upon his enemies.

CI.18

It was there that Arthur had his first sight of Queen Guenevere, the daughter of the king of Camelard; he loved her ever after and later they were married, as the book says.

So to bring this story to a conclusion: King Ban and King Bors took their leave of Arthur to go into their own countries, for King Claudas was causing great destruction in their lands. Then Arthur said, “I will go with you.”

“Nay,” said the kings, “you shall not at this time, for you have much to do yet in this land. Therefore we will depart. With the great wealth that we have gotten in this land as gifts from you we shall be able to pay good knights and thus withstand the malice of King Claudas; if we have need, by the grace of God we will send a request to you for help. And if you have need, send for us, and we will not delay, by the faith of our bodies.”

“It will not be necessary,” said Merlin, “for these two kings to come again as companions in war. But I know well that King Arthur will not be long separated from you, for within a year or two you shall have great need of him, and he will help you take vengeance on your enemies as you have helped him with his. These eleven kings shall all die on the same day by the great might and prowess of two valiant knights.” Our story tells of this later; their names were Balin le Savage and Balan, his brother, who were as marvelous knights as any that were living at that time.

Now we turn to the eleven kings who had returned after the battle to a city called Surhaute, which was within King Uriens’ land. There they rested as well as they were able, and treated their wounds with leeches and sorrowed greatly for the death of their people.

Soon a messenger came and told them how their lands were overrun with lawless people—including forty thousand Saracens—and these people burned and killed without mercy all the people they came upon, and had laid siege to Wandesborow Castle.

“Alas!” said the eleven kings, “here is sorrow upon sorrow! If we had not made war against King Arthur as we have done, he would have avenged us against our enemies. As for King Leodegranz—he loves Arthur better than he loves us. And King Rience is busy with King Leodegranz, for he has laid siege to his lands.”

So they plotted to protect the borders of Cornwall, Wales, and the North. First they installed King Idres in the city of Nantes in Brittany with four thousand men of arms to watch over both the water and the land. They also had more than eight thousand other men of war fortify all the fortresses along the borders of Cornwall. They also placed some of the kings along the borders of Wales and Scotland with many good men of arms; they stayed in their positions for three years and always worked to ally themselves with mighty kings and dukes.

They were joined by King Rience of North Wales, who was a mighty king with many men, and by Nero, who was a mighty man of men. All this time they supplied and fortified themselves with good men of arms and food supplies and munitions which were necessary for war, for they wished to have vengeance for the battle of Bedgrayne, as it is described in the book of adventures.