Chapter Chapter 174 · How King Anguish of Ireland was summoned to come to King

. How King Anguish of Ireland was summoned to come to King

Arthur’s court for treason.

Then it fell that Sir Bleoberis and Sir Blamore de Ganis, that were

brethren, they had summoned the King Anguish of Ireland for to come to

Arthur’s court upon pain of forfeiture of King Arthur’s good grace. And

if the King of Ireland came not in, at the day assigned and set, the

king should lose his lands. So it happened that at the day assigned,

King Arthur neither Sir Launcelot might not be there for to give the

judgment, for King Arthur was with Sir Launcelot at the Castle Joyous

Garde. And so King Arthur assigned King Carados and the King of Scots

to be there that day as judges. So when the kings were at Camelot King

Anguish of Ireland was come to know his accusers. Then was there Sir

Blamore de Ganis, and appealed the King of Ireland of treason, that he

had slain a cousin of his in his court in Ireland by treason. The king

was sore abashed of his accusation, for-why he was come at the summons

of King Arthur, and or he came at Camelot he wist not wherefore he was

sent after. And when the king heard Sir Blamore say his will, he

understood well there was none other remedy but for to answer him

knightly; for the custom was such in those days, that an any man were

appealed of any treason or murder he should fight body for body, or

else to find another knight for him. And all manner of murders in those

days were called treason.

So when King Anguish understood his accusing he was passing heavy, for

he knew Sir Blamore de Ganis that he was a noble knight, and of noble

knights come. Then the King of Ireland was simply purveyed of his

answer; therefore the judges gave him respite by the third day to give

his answer. So the king departed unto his lodging. The meanwhile there

came a lady by Sir Tristram’s pavilion making great dole. What aileth

you, said Sir Tristram, that ye make such dole? Ah, fair knight, said

the lady, I am ashamed unless that some good knight help me; for a

great lady of worship sent by me a fair child and a rich, unto Sir

Launcelot du Lake, and hereby there met with me a knight, and threw me

down from my palfrey, and took away the child from me. Well, my lady,

said Sir Tristram, and for my lord Sir Launcelot’s sake I shall get you

that child again, or else I shall be beaten for it. And so Sir Tristram

took his horse, and asked the lady which way the knight rode; and then

she told him. And he rode after him, and within a while he overtook

that knight. And then Sir Tristram bade him turn and give again the

child.