Kabanata Kabanata 407 · How Sir Galahad fought at a tournament, and how he was known

. How Sir Galahad fought at a tournament, and how he was known

of Sir Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maris.

Now saith this story, when Galahad had rescued Percivale from the

twenty knights, he yede tho into a waste forest wherein he rode many

journeys; and he found many adventures the which he brought to an end,

whereof the story maketh here no mention. Then he took his way to the

sea on a day, and it befell as he passed by a castle where was a wonder

tournament, but they without had done so much that they within were put

to the worse, yet were they within good knights enough. When Galahad

saw that those within were at so great a mischief that men slew them at

the entry of the castle, then he thought to help them, and put a spear

forth and smote the first that he fell to the earth, and the spear

brake to pieces. Then he drew his sword and smote thereas they were

thickest, and so he did wonderful deeds of arms that all they

marvelled. Then it happed that Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maris were with

the knights without. But when they espied the white shield with the red

cross the one said to the other: Yonder is the good knight, Sir

Galahad, the haut prince: now he should be a great fool which should

meet with him to fight. So by adventure he came by Sir Gawaine, and he

smote him so hard that he clave his helm and the coif of iron unto his

head, so that Gawaine fell to the earth; but the stroke was so great

that it slanted down to the earth and carved the horse’s shoulder in

two.

When Ector saw Gawaine down he drew him aside, and thought it no wisdom

for to abide him, and also for natural love, that he was his uncle.

Thus through his great hardiness he beat aback all the knights without.

And then they within came out and chased them all about. But when

Galahad saw there would none turn again he stole away privily, so that

none wist where he was become. Now by my head, said Gawaine to Ector,

now are the wonders true that were said of Launcelot du Lake, that the

sword which stuck in the stone should give me such a buffet that I

would not have it for the best castle in this world; and soothly now it

is proved true, for never ere had I such a stroke of man’s hand. Sir,

said Ector, meseemeth your quest is done. And yours is not done, said

Gawaine, but mine is done, I shall seek no further. Then Gawaine was

borne into a castle and unarmed him, and laid him in a rich bed, and a

leech found that he might live, and to be whole within a month. Thus

Gawaine and Ector abode together, for Sir Ector would not away till

Gawaine were whole.

And the good knight, Galahad, rode so long till he came that night to

the Castle of Carboneck; and it befell him thus that he was benighted

in an hermitage. So the good man was fain when he saw he was a

knight-errant. Tho when they were at rest there came a gentlewoman

knocking at the door, and called Galahad, and so the good man came to

the door to wit what she would. Then she called the hermit: Sir Ulfin,

I am a gentlewoman that would speak with the knight which is with you.

Then the good man awaked Galahad, and bade him: Arise, and speak with a

gentlewoman that seemeth hath great need of you. Then Galahad went to

her and asked her what she would. Galahad, said she, I will that ye arm

you, and mount upon your horse and follow me, for I shall show you

within these three days the highest adventure that ever any knight saw.

Anon Galahad armed him, and took his horse, and commended him to God,

and bade the gentlewoman go, and he would follow thereas she liked.