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.