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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Book I.3. A King Against Kings
King Arthur went into Wales and invited people to a great feast that was to be at Pentecost for his coronation at the city of Carlion. To the feast came King Lot of Lothian and Orkney, with five hundred knight with him. Also came to the feast King Uriens of Gore with four hundred knights with him. Also came to the feast the king of Scotland with six hundred knights with him (and he was but a young man). Also came to the feast a king who was called the king with the hundred knights, but he and his men were superior to many others. Also there came the king of Carados with five hundred knights. And King Arthur was glad that they came for he believed that all the kings and knights had come out of love for him and to honor him at his feast. Therefore, the king made great joy, and sent the kings and knights great presents.
But the kings refused the gifts and rebuked the messengers shamefully, saying there was no joy receiving gifts from a beardless boy who was of low blood. They sent him word that they would have none of his gifts, but that they would give him the gifts of their hard swords between his neck and his shoulders. They came, so they told the messengers plainly, for it was shameful to them all to see such a boy rule so noble a realm as this land was. With this answer, the messengers departed to give King Arthur his answer.
Upon the advice of his barons, Arthur went to a strong tower with five hundred good men with him; and all the previously mentioned kings laid siege to him, but King Arthur had plenty of provisions.
Within fifteen days, Merlin arrived among them in the city of Carlion. All the kings were happy to see Merlin and asked him, “Why is that boy Arthur made your king?”
“Sirs,” said Merlin, “I shall tell you the cause, for he is King Uther Pendragon’s son, born in wedlock to Igraine, the duke’s wife of Tintagil.”
“Then he is a bastard,” they all said.
“No,” said Merlin, “more than three hours after the death of the duke was Arthur begotten, and just thirteen days later King Uther wedded Igraine; therefore, he is no bastard, and whether you say or not, he shall be king and overcome all his enemies; he will long be king of all England, and have under his homage Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and more realms than I will now list.”
Some of the kings marveled at Merlin’s words and believed him; some laughed at him in scorn, as did King Lot; and still others called him a witch. But then they agreed with Merlin that King Arthur should come out and speak with the kings and come and go safely. So Merlin went into King Arthur and told him what he had said and told him, “Fear not, but come out boldly and speak with them, and spare them not, but answer them as their king and chieftain, for you shall overcome them all, whether they agree or not.”
King Arthur came out of his tower, wearing under his gown a sleeveless jacket of double mail for protection. With him went the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Baudwin of Britain, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias; these were his closest allies. And when they met there was no meekness on his part, but stout words from both sides. But always King Arthur answered them, and he said he would make them bow to him if he lived. They departed in anger, and King Arthur bid them to keep well, and they bid the king to keep well. So the king returned to the tower again and armed him and all his knights.
“What will you do?” asked Merlin of the kings. “You were better to stop, for you will not prevail though you have ten times so many.”
“You think we should be afraid of a dream-reader?” asked King Lot.
With that Merlin vanished away, and came to King Arthur, and bid him set on them fiercely. Three hundred of the best of the king's men went straight into King Arthur and comforted him.
“Sir,” said Merlin to Arthur, “do not fight with the sword that you had by miracle until you see you are at your worst. Then draw it out and do your best. So quickly King Arthur attacked them in their lodging. Sir Baudwin, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias slew men on the right and left, which was a marvel to see. King Arthur on horseback laid on with a sword and did marvelous deeds of arms that impressed many of the kings. King Lot broke out on the back side, accompanied by the king with hundred knights and King Carados. They set on Arthur’s back troops fiercely. With that Sir Arthur turned with his knights and struck behind and before. And always Sir Arthur was in the foremost press until his horse was slain underneath him. King Lot attempted to strike King Arthur, but his four knights swooped in and set him on horseback. Then he drew his sword Excalibur, but it was so bright in his enemies’ eyes, that it gave light like thirty torches. With that he routed the enemy and slew many men. The commons of Carlion had had enough and rose with clubs and staves and slew many knights. Afraid for their lives, the kings who survived, gathered their knights and fled. As they left, Merlin appeared to Arthur and counseled him not to follow them.
But the kings refused the gifts and rebuked the messengers shamefully, saying there was no joy receiving gifts from a beardless boy who was of low blood. They sent him word that they would have none of his gifts, but that they would give him the gifts of their hard swords between his neck and his shoulders. They came, so they told the messengers plainly, for it was shameful to them all to see such a boy rule so noble a realm as this land was. With this answer, the messengers departed to give King Arthur his answer.
Upon the advice of his barons, Arthur went to a strong tower with five hundred good men with him; and all the previously mentioned kings laid siege to him, but King Arthur had plenty of provisions.
Within fifteen days, Merlin arrived among them in the city of Carlion. All the kings were happy to see Merlin and asked him, “Why is that boy Arthur made your king?”
“Sirs,” said Merlin, “I shall tell you the cause, for he is King Uther Pendragon’s son, born in wedlock to Igraine, the duke’s wife of Tintagil.”
“Then he is a bastard,” they all said.
“No,” said Merlin, “more than three hours after the death of the duke was Arthur begotten, and just thirteen days later King Uther wedded Igraine; therefore, he is no bastard, and whether you say or not, he shall be king and overcome all his enemies; he will long be king of all England, and have under his homage Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and more realms than I will now list.”
Some of the kings marveled at Merlin’s words and believed him; some laughed at him in scorn, as did King Lot; and still others called him a witch. But then they agreed with Merlin that King Arthur should come out and speak with the kings and come and go safely. So Merlin went into King Arthur and told him what he had said and told him, “Fear not, but come out boldly and speak with them, and spare them not, but answer them as their king and chieftain, for you shall overcome them all, whether they agree or not.”
King Arthur came out of his tower, wearing under his gown a sleeveless jacket of double mail for protection. With him went the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Baudwin of Britain, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias; these were his closest allies. And when they met there was no meekness on his part, but stout words from both sides. But always King Arthur answered them, and he said he would make them bow to him if he lived. They departed in anger, and King Arthur bid them to keep well, and they bid the king to keep well. So the king returned to the tower again and armed him and all his knights.
“What will you do?” asked Merlin of the kings. “You were better to stop, for you will not prevail though you have ten times so many.”
“You think we should be afraid of a dream-reader?” asked King Lot.
With that Merlin vanished away, and came to King Arthur, and bid him set on them fiercely. Three hundred of the best of the king's men went straight into King Arthur and comforted him.
“Sir,” said Merlin to Arthur, “do not fight with the sword that you had by miracle until you see you are at your worst. Then draw it out and do your best. So quickly King Arthur attacked them in their lodging. Sir Baudwin, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias slew men on the right and left, which was a marvel to see. King Arthur on horseback laid on with a sword and did marvelous deeds of arms that impressed many of the kings. King Lot broke out on the back side, accompanied by the king with hundred knights and King Carados. They set on Arthur’s back troops fiercely. With that Sir Arthur turned with his knights and struck behind and before. And always Sir Arthur was in the foremost press until his horse was slain underneath him. King Lot attempted to strike King Arthur, but his four knights swooped in and set him on horseback. Then he drew his sword Excalibur, but it was so bright in his enemies’ eyes, that it gave light like thirty torches. With that he routed the enemy and slew many men. The commons of Carlion had had enough and rose with clubs and staves and slew many knights. Afraid for their lives, the kings who survived, gathered their knights and fled. As they left, Merlin appeared to Arthur and counseled him not to follow them.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Book 1:2. The Sword and the Stone
Then the realm stood in great peril for over ten years, as every lord who felt mighty enough vied to be king. Merlin went to the Archbishop of Canterbury and counseled him to send for all the lords of the realm that they should come to London by Christmas upon pain of excommunication and that Jesus, who was born on that night, would show by a miracle who should be the rightful king of the realm. The Archbishop followed Merlin’s advice and sent for all the lords and gentlemen of arms that they should come by Christmas to London. And many of them confessed their sins that their prayers might be more acceptable to God.
So in the greatest church in London--whether it was St. Paul’s or not, the French book that is my source makes no mention--all the greatest men of the realm came to pray. And when matins and the first mass were done, there was seen in the churchyard, behind the high altar, a great square stone, like a marble stone, and in the midst of it was what appeared to be an anvil of steel a foot high, and in it stuck a naked sword, on which was written: Whoever pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is the rightful king born of all England.
A man marveled at the sight and ran to tell the Archbishop, who was presiding at Mass.
“I command,” said the Archbishop, “that you keep yourselves here in church, and continue praying to God; that no man touch the sword until the high Mass is done.”
So when all the masses were done, all the lords went to behold the stone and the sword. And when they saw what was written, some immediately tried to pull out the sword, as they would be king. But none could stir the sword nor move it.
“He is not here,” said the Archbishop, “that shall move the sword, but doubt not that God will soon make him known. This is my counsel, that we select ten knights, men of good fame, and they will protect the sword until it is time.” So it was ordained, and then someone cried that all men should try to win the sword. A pavilion was erected to protect the stone and the sword and the guards stood watch.
Upon New Year’s Day, the barons set up jousts and a tournament, that all knights there might play, and all this was ordained to keep the lords and commoners together, for the Archbishop trusted that God would make him known who should win the sword.
So on New Year’s Day, when the service was done, all the barons rode onto the field, some to joust, and some to tourney. So it happened that Sir Ector, who owned much property in London, rode to the jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay his son, and fifteen-year-old Arthur who was his nourished brother. Eighteen-year-old Sir Kay had been made knight at All Hallowmass before.
As they rode to the jousts, Sir Kay realized he had left his sword at his father’s lodging, and so he asked young Arthur to ride for his sword. “I will,” said Arthur, who rode fast after the sword. When he reached home, he found the lady and all were already gone to the jousting. Arthur was angry, and said to himself, “I will ride to the churchyard and take the sword with me that sticks in the stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall not be without a sword today.”
So when he came to the churchyard, Sir Arthur alit and tied his horse to the stile. He went into the tent that surrounded the stone and found no knight there since they were all that the joust. So he took the sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the stone. Getting back on his horse, he rode until he came to his brother Sir Kay and gave him the sword.
As soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he knew it was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his father Sir Ector, and said, “Sir, look here is the sword of the stone; therefore, I must be king of this land.”
When Sir Ector saw the sword, he returned again and came to the church. There the three alit and went into the church. Taking Sir Kay to the Bible, Sir Ector made Sir Kay swear upon it how he came to possess the sword.
“Sir,” said Sir Kay, "by my brother Arthur, for he brought it to me.”
“How got you this sword?” asked Sir Ector of Arthur.
“Sir, I will tell you. I found nobody at home to give me his sword, and I thought that my brother Sir Kay should not be swordless. So I came here and pulled it out of the stone without any pain.”
“Weren’t there any knights guarding the sword?” asked Sir Ector.
“No,” said Arthur.
“Now,” said Sir Ector to Arthur, “I understand that you must be king of this land.”
“Why me,” said Arthur, “for what reason?”
“Sir,” said Ector, “for God has declared it so, for no man can draw forth this sword unless he is the rightful king of this land. Now, let me see whether you can put the sword back and pull it out again.”
“That requires no skill,” said Arthur, and so he put it in the stone. Immediately Sir Ector tried to pull out the sword and failed.
“Now you try,” said Sir Ector to Sir Kay. At once he pulled at the sword with all his might, but it would not move. “Now shall you try,” said Sir Ector to Arthur. “I will,” said Arthur, and pulled it out easily. And immediately, Sir Ector knelt down on the ground before Arthur and Sir Kay joined him.
“Alas,” said Arthur, “my own dear father and brother, why kneel before me?”
“No, no, my lord Arthur, it is not so. I am not your father, nor are you my blood. You are of higher blood than I thought you were.” And then Sir Ector told him all, how he was given to him to be nourished, and by whose commandment, and by Merlin’s involvement. Arthur cried when he understood that Sir Ector was not his father.
“Sir,” said Ector to Arthur, “will you be my good and gracious lord when you are king?”
“I would be a bad person,” said Arthur, “for you are the man I owe the most to in the world, and my good lady and mother your wife, who has nurtured and kept me as her own. And if it ever be God’s will that I be king as you tell me, whatever you desire I will do for you. I shall not fail you; God forbid I should fail you.”
“Sir,” said Sir Ector, “I will ask no more of you, but that you make my son, your foster brother, Sir Kay, seneschal, chief steward of all your lands.”
“That shall be done,” said Arthur, “and more, for I promise that no man shall have that office but he as long as he and I live."
With all that, they went to the Archbishop, and told him how the sword was drawn and by whom. And on Twelfth-day (January 5th), all the barons came to make their attempts at drawing the sword. But no one succeeded but Arthur. Many of the lords were angry and said it was a great shame on all of them and the realm that a boy of no noble birth should govern them. And so they disputed and argued and put off until Candlemas (February 2nd) a decision. But always the ten knights were charged to watch the sword day and night, and so they constructed a larger tent, a pavilion, over the stone and the sword, and five always watched.
On Candlemas, many more great lords came to win the sword, but none of them prevailed. And just as Arthur did at Christmas, he did at Candlemas, and pulled out the sword with ease. The barons were even more aggravated and delayed a decision until the high feast of Easter. And as he did before, so he did at Easter, yet some of the great lords again refused to accept the feat. So finally it was delayed until the feast of Pentecost. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury by Merlin’s guidance announced that the best of the knights might again try, including many of the knights that Uther Pendragon best loved and trusted the most. And Arthur was protected by such knights as Sir Baudwin of Britian, Sir Kay, Sir Ulfius, and Sir Brastias. All of these, and others, were always with Arthur day and night, until the feast of Pentecost.
At the feast of Pentecost, all manner of men tried to pull at the sword, but none succeeded but Arthur, who pulled it out before all the lords and commons that were there. Whereupon, all the commons cried at once, “We will have Arthur as our king. We will have no more delay, for we all see that it is God’s will that he shall be our king, and he who disagrees, we will kill.”
And they all kneeled at once, both rich and poor, and asked Arthur for mercy because they had delayed so long. Arthur forgave them and took the sword in both his hands and offered it upon the altar where the Archbishop was, and so he was made knight of the best men that were there.
Quickly a coronation was made. And there he swore unto his lords and the commons to be a true king, to stand for true justice for the rest of his life. Also, then he made all lords that held of the crown to come in and do the service as they had done. And many complaints were made to Sir Arthur of great wrongs that had been done since the death of King Uther, of many lands that had been taken from lords, knights, ladies, and gentleman. Arthur returned the lands to their rightful owners. When this was done, the king made Sir Kay seneschal of England, Sir Baudwin of Britain was made constable, Sir Ulfius was made chamberlain; and Sir Brastias made warden to guard the north from Trent forwards, for most of the king’s enemies were from that area. But within a few years, Arthur had won all the north, Scotland and all that were under their control. Also Wales, a part of it held against Arthur, but he overcame them all, as he did the remnant, through the noble prowess of himself and his knights of the Round Table.
So in the greatest church in London--whether it was St. Paul’s or not, the French book that is my source makes no mention--all the greatest men of the realm came to pray. And when matins and the first mass were done, there was seen in the churchyard, behind the high altar, a great square stone, like a marble stone, and in the midst of it was what appeared to be an anvil of steel a foot high, and in it stuck a naked sword, on which was written: Whoever pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is the rightful king born of all England.
A man marveled at the sight and ran to tell the Archbishop, who was presiding at Mass.
“I command,” said the Archbishop, “that you keep yourselves here in church, and continue praying to God; that no man touch the sword until the high Mass is done.”
So when all the masses were done, all the lords went to behold the stone and the sword. And when they saw what was written, some immediately tried to pull out the sword, as they would be king. But none could stir the sword nor move it.
“He is not here,” said the Archbishop, “that shall move the sword, but doubt not that God will soon make him known. This is my counsel, that we select ten knights, men of good fame, and they will protect the sword until it is time.” So it was ordained, and then someone cried that all men should try to win the sword. A pavilion was erected to protect the stone and the sword and the guards stood watch.
Upon New Year’s Day, the barons set up jousts and a tournament, that all knights there might play, and all this was ordained to keep the lords and commoners together, for the Archbishop trusted that God would make him known who should win the sword.
So on New Year’s Day, when the service was done, all the barons rode onto the field, some to joust, and some to tourney. So it happened that Sir Ector, who owned much property in London, rode to the jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay his son, and fifteen-year-old Arthur who was his nourished brother. Eighteen-year-old Sir Kay had been made knight at All Hallowmass before.
As they rode to the jousts, Sir Kay realized he had left his sword at his father’s lodging, and so he asked young Arthur to ride for his sword. “I will,” said Arthur, who rode fast after the sword. When he reached home, he found the lady and all were already gone to the jousting. Arthur was angry, and said to himself, “I will ride to the churchyard and take the sword with me that sticks in the stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall not be without a sword today.”
So when he came to the churchyard, Sir Arthur alit and tied his horse to the stile. He went into the tent that surrounded the stone and found no knight there since they were all that the joust. So he took the sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the stone. Getting back on his horse, he rode until he came to his brother Sir Kay and gave him the sword.
As soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he knew it was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his father Sir Ector, and said, “Sir, look here is the sword of the stone; therefore, I must be king of this land.”
When Sir Ector saw the sword, he returned again and came to the church. There the three alit and went into the church. Taking Sir Kay to the Bible, Sir Ector made Sir Kay swear upon it how he came to possess the sword.
“Sir,” said Sir Kay, "by my brother Arthur, for he brought it to me.”
“How got you this sword?” asked Sir Ector of Arthur.
“Sir, I will tell you. I found nobody at home to give me his sword, and I thought that my brother Sir Kay should not be swordless. So I came here and pulled it out of the stone without any pain.”
“Weren’t there any knights guarding the sword?” asked Sir Ector.
“No,” said Arthur.
“Now,” said Sir Ector to Arthur, “I understand that you must be king of this land.”
“Why me,” said Arthur, “for what reason?”
“Sir,” said Ector, “for God has declared it so, for no man can draw forth this sword unless he is the rightful king of this land. Now, let me see whether you can put the sword back and pull it out again.”
“That requires no skill,” said Arthur, and so he put it in the stone. Immediately Sir Ector tried to pull out the sword and failed.
“Now you try,” said Sir Ector to Sir Kay. At once he pulled at the sword with all his might, but it would not move. “Now shall you try,” said Sir Ector to Arthur. “I will,” said Arthur, and pulled it out easily. And immediately, Sir Ector knelt down on the ground before Arthur and Sir Kay joined him.
“Alas,” said Arthur, “my own dear father and brother, why kneel before me?”
“No, no, my lord Arthur, it is not so. I am not your father, nor are you my blood. You are of higher blood than I thought you were.” And then Sir Ector told him all, how he was given to him to be nourished, and by whose commandment, and by Merlin’s involvement. Arthur cried when he understood that Sir Ector was not his father.
“Sir,” said Ector to Arthur, “will you be my good and gracious lord when you are king?”
“I would be a bad person,” said Arthur, “for you are the man I owe the most to in the world, and my good lady and mother your wife, who has nurtured and kept me as her own. And if it ever be God’s will that I be king as you tell me, whatever you desire I will do for you. I shall not fail you; God forbid I should fail you.”
“Sir,” said Sir Ector, “I will ask no more of you, but that you make my son, your foster brother, Sir Kay, seneschal, chief steward of all your lands.”
“That shall be done,” said Arthur, “and more, for I promise that no man shall have that office but he as long as he and I live."
With all that, they went to the Archbishop, and told him how the sword was drawn and by whom. And on Twelfth-day (January 5th), all the barons came to make their attempts at drawing the sword. But no one succeeded but Arthur. Many of the lords were angry and said it was a great shame on all of them and the realm that a boy of no noble birth should govern them. And so they disputed and argued and put off until Candlemas (February 2nd) a decision. But always the ten knights were charged to watch the sword day and night, and so they constructed a larger tent, a pavilion, over the stone and the sword, and five always watched.
On Candlemas, many more great lords came to win the sword, but none of them prevailed. And just as Arthur did at Christmas, he did at Candlemas, and pulled out the sword with ease. The barons were even more aggravated and delayed a decision until the high feast of Easter. And as he did before, so he did at Easter, yet some of the great lords again refused to accept the feat. So finally it was delayed until the feast of Pentecost. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury by Merlin’s guidance announced that the best of the knights might again try, including many of the knights that Uther Pendragon best loved and trusted the most. And Arthur was protected by such knights as Sir Baudwin of Britian, Sir Kay, Sir Ulfius, and Sir Brastias. All of these, and others, were always with Arthur day and night, until the feast of Pentecost.
At the feast of Pentecost, all manner of men tried to pull at the sword, but none succeeded but Arthur, who pulled it out before all the lords and commons that were there. Whereupon, all the commons cried at once, “We will have Arthur as our king. We will have no more delay, for we all see that it is God’s will that he shall be our king, and he who disagrees, we will kill.”
And they all kneeled at once, both rich and poor, and asked Arthur for mercy because they had delayed so long. Arthur forgave them and took the sword in both his hands and offered it upon the altar where the Archbishop was, and so he was made knight of the best men that were there.
Quickly a coronation was made. And there he swore unto his lords and the commons to be a true king, to stand for true justice for the rest of his life. Also, then he made all lords that held of the crown to come in and do the service as they had done. And many complaints were made to Sir Arthur of great wrongs that had been done since the death of King Uther, of many lands that had been taken from lords, knights, ladies, and gentleman. Arthur returned the lands to their rightful owners. When this was done, the king made Sir Kay seneschal of England, Sir Baudwin of Britain was made constable, Sir Ulfius was made chamberlain; and Sir Brastias made warden to guard the north from Trent forwards, for most of the king’s enemies were from that area. But within a few years, Arthur had won all the north, Scotland and all that were under their control. Also Wales, a part of it held against Arthur, but he overcame them all, as he did the remnant, through the noble prowess of himself and his knights of the Round Table.
Book I:1. For the Love of a Woman
Our story begins, as do many stories, because of the beauty of a woman.
During the days of Uther Pendragon, when he reigned as king of all England, there was a mighty duke in Cornwall who fought against him for a long time. The duke was called Gorlios, the duke of Tintagil. King Uther, pretending to want to make peace with the duke, sent for him, telling him to bring his wife with him. What the lusty unmarried king really wanted was to see the lady for himself, for she was said to be a lady fair in looks, and known as very wise, and her name was Igraine.
When the duke and his wife came to the king’s castle, they were welcomed by the great lords. When he first saw her, the king immediately fell in love with the lady and made a great show at greeting them. He could not hide his attraction for her and whispered his desires when he could get her aside. But she was a good woman, and would not consent to the king’s overtures. When they were alone, she told her husband, “I suppose we were brought here so that I should be dishonored. Therefore, husband, I counsel you that we leave immediately and ride all night to our own castle.”
And so in the dark of night, they departed, before the king or his council were even aware of their departing.
King Uther, furious at learning of their departure, called his privy council and told them of the duke and his wife’s actions. They advised the king to send for the two again. “If they will not come at your command, then you declare war once more upon him.”
So this was done and the messengers returned saying that neither he nor his wife would come to him. The king grew even angrier. And a second time, he sent to the duke and told him to get ready for within forty days he would fetch him out of the biggest castle he had. When the duke heard this warning, he quickly furnished two strong castles of his, one called Tintagil and the other called Terrabil. He put his wife, Dame Igraine, and their three daughters in Tintagil Castle the furthest from the king, and he went to Terrabil Castle. There he built many pavilions, and there King Uther's men attacked, with many people slain. Out of pure anger and love for fair Igraine, the King Uther fell sick.
A noble knight, Sir Ulfius, came to King Uther and asked him why he was sick. “I will tell you,” said the king, “I am sick from anger and from love of fair Igraine.”
“Well, my lord,” said Sir Ulfius, “I shall seek out Merlin, and he will make you a remedy that will please your heart.”
So Ulfius departed, and by chance met Merlin disguised as a beggar. Merlin asked Ulfius whom he sought. Ulfius, disgusted by the beggar's smell, was ready to leave when Merlin said, “Well, I know whom you seek. You seek Merlin; therefore, seek no more for I am he. And if King Uther will well reward me, and fulfill my desire, which will bring him more honor and profit than mine, I will give him his desire. “
“I will do so,” said UIlfius, “as long as what you desire is reasonable.”
“Well,” said Merlin, “he will have what he intends and desires. Ride on your way and I will not be far behind.”
Ulfius was pleased as he left, and rode quickly to King Uther Pendragon’s pavillion, and told him of his encounter with Merlin.
“Where is he?” asked the king.
“Sir,” said Ulfius, “he will be here shortly.” And immediately he saw Merlin standing at the porch of the pavilion’s door. Merlin came to the king.
When King Uther saw him, he said, “You are welcome.”
“Sir,” said Merlin, “I know all your heart desires. If you will swear, as a true anointed king, to grant my desire, you shall have yours.”
Then the king swore upon the four Evangelists.
“Sir,” said Merlin, “this is my desire: the first night that you lie with Igraine, you will get her a child. When it is born, it shall be delivered to me to nourish.
“I will do as you ask,” said the king.
“Now get ready,” said Merlin. “This night you shall lie with Igraine in the castle of Tintagil, and you shall look to all who see you to be the duke her husband. Ulfius shall look like Sir Brastias, a knight of the duke’s, and I will be like a knight named Sir Jordans, one of the duke’s knights. Don’t answer her questions nor her men's, but say you are ill. So get you to her bed, and rise not on the morning until I come to you, for the castle of Tintagil is only ten miles from here.”
So they did as they had planned. But the duke of Tintagil saw how the king rode from the siege of Terrabil and that night went out from his castle in hopes to attack the king. But when he went out, he himself was slain before the king had even reached Tintagil.
After the death of the duke, King Uther lay with Igraine more than three hours after the duke’s death, and he begat on her that night Arthur. Before daybreak, Merlin came to the king and bid him to get ready. So the king kissed the lady Igraine and left quickly.
When the lady heard that her husband was by all reports dead before King Uther came to her, she wondered who had lain with her in the likeness of her lord. So she mourned privately and kept silent.
All the barons by vote advised the king to marry the lady Igraine. The king sent Ulfius to make a treaty and at last, the king and she met together.
“Now will we do well,” said Ulfius, “our king is a lusty knight and wifeless, and my lady Igraine is a passing fair lady. It would be great joy for us all if the king would make her his queen.” The barons all agreed and proposed it to the king. And immediately, like a lusty knight, he agreed with good will.
And in all haste they were married in a morning with great mirth and joy. And King Lot of Lothian and of Orkeny then wedded Igraine’s daughter Margawse (who became Gawaine’s mother), and King Nentres of the land of Garlot wedded Igraine’s daughter Elaine. All this was done at the request of King Uther. And the third sister, Morgan le Fay, was put to a school in a nunnery, and there she learned so much that she was a great student of sorcery. Later when she came of age, she was wedded to King Uriens of the land of Gore, who was Sir Ewain’s le Blanchemain’s father.
Queen Igraine grew bigger and bigger; so after about six months, as King Uther lay beside his queen, he asked her, “Whose child is within your body.” She turned away too ashamed to even answer him.
“Don’t worry,” said the king, “but tell me the truth and I will love you all the more for it.”
“Sir,” she said, “I will tell you the truth. The same night that my lord died, at the hour of his death, as his knights recorded it, there came into my castle of Tintagil a man in voice and countenance like my lord, and two knights came with him in the likeness of his two knights Brastias and Jordans. So I went to bed with him as I ought to do with my lord. That same night, as I swear to God, this child was begotten upon me.”
“That is the truth,” said the king, “as you say. For it was I myself that came in the likeness, and therefore don’t be dismayed because I am father of the chlld. And then he told her everything, how it was done by Merlin’s counsel. The queen felt great joy knowing who had sired her child.
Soon came Merlin to the king and said, “Sir, you must provide for who will nurse the child.”
“As you will,” said the king, “so be it.”
“Well,” said Merlin, "I know a lord of yours in this land who is true and faithful, and he would do well raising your child. His name is Sir Ector, and he is owns many lands in England and Wales. Let Sir Ector be sent for to come and speak with you, and ask him, as he loves you, that he will send his own baby to another to nurse, and that his wife will nourish yours. When the child is born, let it be delivered to me at yonder secret rear gate unchristened.”
So as Merlin devised, it was done.
And when Sir Ector came, he made an agreement with the king to nourish the child just as the king desired; and the king in turn granted Sir Ector great rewards.
When the lady was delivered, the king commanded two knights and two ladies to take the infant, bound in a cloth of gold, “to deliver him to what poor man you find at the secret rear gate of the castle.” So the child was delivered to Merlin, and so he took him to Sir Ector, and he made a holy man christen him and named him Arthur. And Sir Ector’s wife nourished Arthur with her own breasts.
Within a few years, King Uther fell sick of a great illness. His enemies took advantage of his illness and tried to overthrow him, did a great battle upon his men and killed many of his people.
“Sir,” said Merlin, “you may not lie down as you do, for you must go to the battlefield, though you ride on a horse litter. For you shall be defeated unless you are there in person, only then shall you have your victory.”
So it was done as Merlin devised, and they carried the king in a horse-litter with a great bodyguard toward his enemies. And at St. Albans a great host from the north met with the king. And that day Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias did great deeds in battle, and King Uther’s men overcame the Northern army and killed many men and put the rest to flight. And then the king returned to London, and celebrated his victory.
But then the king grew even sicker, so that for three days and three nights, he was speechless. All his barons felt great sorrow and went to Merlin to ask his counsel.
“There is no other remedy,” said Merlin, “but that God will have his will. But look you, all barons, come to King Uther tomorrow, and God and I shall make him speak.”
So the next morning, all the barons with Merlin came before the king. Merlin said aloud to King Uther, “Sir, shall your son Arthur be king to follow after you, of this realm with all its connected lands?”
Uther Pendragon turned to him and said for all of them to hear, “I give him God’s blessing and my blessing, and bid him pray for my soul, and without guilt and with fear of the Lord, he claim the crown as symbol of my blessing.” With that, King Uther died, and he was interred as befit a king. Fair Igraine and all the barons showed great sorrow.
During the days of Uther Pendragon, when he reigned as king of all England, there was a mighty duke in Cornwall who fought against him for a long time. The duke was called Gorlios, the duke of Tintagil. King Uther, pretending to want to make peace with the duke, sent for him, telling him to bring his wife with him. What the lusty unmarried king really wanted was to see the lady for himself, for she was said to be a lady fair in looks, and known as very wise, and her name was Igraine.
When the duke and his wife came to the king’s castle, they were welcomed by the great lords. When he first saw her, the king immediately fell in love with the lady and made a great show at greeting them. He could not hide his attraction for her and whispered his desires when he could get her aside. But she was a good woman, and would not consent to the king’s overtures. When they were alone, she told her husband, “I suppose we were brought here so that I should be dishonored. Therefore, husband, I counsel you that we leave immediately and ride all night to our own castle.”
And so in the dark of night, they departed, before the king or his council were even aware of their departing.
King Uther, furious at learning of their departure, called his privy council and told them of the duke and his wife’s actions. They advised the king to send for the two again. “If they will not come at your command, then you declare war once more upon him.”
So this was done and the messengers returned saying that neither he nor his wife would come to him. The king grew even angrier. And a second time, he sent to the duke and told him to get ready for within forty days he would fetch him out of the biggest castle he had. When the duke heard this warning, he quickly furnished two strong castles of his, one called Tintagil and the other called Terrabil. He put his wife, Dame Igraine, and their three daughters in Tintagil Castle the furthest from the king, and he went to Terrabil Castle. There he built many pavilions, and there King Uther's men attacked, with many people slain. Out of pure anger and love for fair Igraine, the King Uther fell sick.
A noble knight, Sir Ulfius, came to King Uther and asked him why he was sick. “I will tell you,” said the king, “I am sick from anger and from love of fair Igraine.”
“Well, my lord,” said Sir Ulfius, “I shall seek out Merlin, and he will make you a remedy that will please your heart.”
So Ulfius departed, and by chance met Merlin disguised as a beggar. Merlin asked Ulfius whom he sought. Ulfius, disgusted by the beggar's smell, was ready to leave when Merlin said, “Well, I know whom you seek. You seek Merlin; therefore, seek no more for I am he. And if King Uther will well reward me, and fulfill my desire, which will bring him more honor and profit than mine, I will give him his desire. “
“I will do so,” said UIlfius, “as long as what you desire is reasonable.”
“Well,” said Merlin, “he will have what he intends and desires. Ride on your way and I will not be far behind.”
Ulfius was pleased as he left, and rode quickly to King Uther Pendragon’s pavillion, and told him of his encounter with Merlin.
“Where is he?” asked the king.
“Sir,” said Ulfius, “he will be here shortly.” And immediately he saw Merlin standing at the porch of the pavilion’s door. Merlin came to the king.
When King Uther saw him, he said, “You are welcome.”
“Sir,” said Merlin, “I know all your heart desires. If you will swear, as a true anointed king, to grant my desire, you shall have yours.”
Then the king swore upon the four Evangelists.
“Sir,” said Merlin, “this is my desire: the first night that you lie with Igraine, you will get her a child. When it is born, it shall be delivered to me to nourish.
“I will do as you ask,” said the king.
“Now get ready,” said Merlin. “This night you shall lie with Igraine in the castle of Tintagil, and you shall look to all who see you to be the duke her husband. Ulfius shall look like Sir Brastias, a knight of the duke’s, and I will be like a knight named Sir Jordans, one of the duke’s knights. Don’t answer her questions nor her men's, but say you are ill. So get you to her bed, and rise not on the morning until I come to you, for the castle of Tintagil is only ten miles from here.”
So they did as they had planned. But the duke of Tintagil saw how the king rode from the siege of Terrabil and that night went out from his castle in hopes to attack the king. But when he went out, he himself was slain before the king had even reached Tintagil.
After the death of the duke, King Uther lay with Igraine more than three hours after the duke’s death, and he begat on her that night Arthur. Before daybreak, Merlin came to the king and bid him to get ready. So the king kissed the lady Igraine and left quickly.
When the lady heard that her husband was by all reports dead before King Uther came to her, she wondered who had lain with her in the likeness of her lord. So she mourned privately and kept silent.
All the barons by vote advised the king to marry the lady Igraine. The king sent Ulfius to make a treaty and at last, the king and she met together.
“Now will we do well,” said Ulfius, “our king is a lusty knight and wifeless, and my lady Igraine is a passing fair lady. It would be great joy for us all if the king would make her his queen.” The barons all agreed and proposed it to the king. And immediately, like a lusty knight, he agreed with good will.
And in all haste they were married in a morning with great mirth and joy. And King Lot of Lothian and of Orkeny then wedded Igraine’s daughter Margawse (who became Gawaine’s mother), and King Nentres of the land of Garlot wedded Igraine’s daughter Elaine. All this was done at the request of King Uther. And the third sister, Morgan le Fay, was put to a school in a nunnery, and there she learned so much that she was a great student of sorcery. Later when she came of age, she was wedded to King Uriens of the land of Gore, who was Sir Ewain’s le Blanchemain’s father.
Queen Igraine grew bigger and bigger; so after about six months, as King Uther lay beside his queen, he asked her, “Whose child is within your body.” She turned away too ashamed to even answer him.
“Don’t worry,” said the king, “but tell me the truth and I will love you all the more for it.”
“Sir,” she said, “I will tell you the truth. The same night that my lord died, at the hour of his death, as his knights recorded it, there came into my castle of Tintagil a man in voice and countenance like my lord, and two knights came with him in the likeness of his two knights Brastias and Jordans. So I went to bed with him as I ought to do with my lord. That same night, as I swear to God, this child was begotten upon me.”
“That is the truth,” said the king, “as you say. For it was I myself that came in the likeness, and therefore don’t be dismayed because I am father of the chlld. And then he told her everything, how it was done by Merlin’s counsel. The queen felt great joy knowing who had sired her child.
Soon came Merlin to the king and said, “Sir, you must provide for who will nurse the child.”
“As you will,” said the king, “so be it.”
“Well,” said Merlin, "I know a lord of yours in this land who is true and faithful, and he would do well raising your child. His name is Sir Ector, and he is owns many lands in England and Wales. Let Sir Ector be sent for to come and speak with you, and ask him, as he loves you, that he will send his own baby to another to nurse, and that his wife will nourish yours. When the child is born, let it be delivered to me at yonder secret rear gate unchristened.”
So as Merlin devised, it was done.
And when Sir Ector came, he made an agreement with the king to nourish the child just as the king desired; and the king in turn granted Sir Ector great rewards.
When the lady was delivered, the king commanded two knights and two ladies to take the infant, bound in a cloth of gold, “to deliver him to what poor man you find at the secret rear gate of the castle.” So the child was delivered to Merlin, and so he took him to Sir Ector, and he made a holy man christen him and named him Arthur. And Sir Ector’s wife nourished Arthur with her own breasts.
Within a few years, King Uther fell sick of a great illness. His enemies took advantage of his illness and tried to overthrow him, did a great battle upon his men and killed many of his people.
“Sir,” said Merlin, “you may not lie down as you do, for you must go to the battlefield, though you ride on a horse litter. For you shall be defeated unless you are there in person, only then shall you have your victory.”
So it was done as Merlin devised, and they carried the king in a horse-litter with a great bodyguard toward his enemies. And at St. Albans a great host from the north met with the king. And that day Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias did great deeds in battle, and King Uther’s men overcame the Northern army and killed many men and put the rest to flight. And then the king returned to London, and celebrated his victory.
But then the king grew even sicker, so that for three days and three nights, he was speechless. All his barons felt great sorrow and went to Merlin to ask his counsel.
“There is no other remedy,” said Merlin, “but that God will have his will. But look you, all barons, come to King Uther tomorrow, and God and I shall make him speak.”
So the next morning, all the barons with Merlin came before the king. Merlin said aloud to King Uther, “Sir, shall your son Arthur be king to follow after you, of this realm with all its connected lands?”
Uther Pendragon turned to him and said for all of them to hear, “I give him God’s blessing and my blessing, and bid him pray for my soul, and without guilt and with fear of the Lord, he claim the crown as symbol of my blessing.” With that, King Uther died, and he was interred as befit a king. Fair Igraine and all the barons showed great sorrow.
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