Chương Chương 439 · How the tourney began at Winchester, and what knights were

. How the tourney began at Winchester, and what knights were

at the jousts; and other things.

So upon a day, on the morn, King Arthur and all his knights departed,

for their king had tarried three days to abide his noble knights. And

so when the king was ridden, Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine made them

ready to ride, and either of them had white shields, and the red sleeve

Sir Launcelot let carry with him. And so they took their leave at Sir

Bernard, the old baron, and at his daughter, the Fair Maiden of

Astolat. And then they rode so long till that they came to Camelot,

that time called Winchester; and there was great press of kings, dukes

earls, and barons, and many noble knights. But there Sir Launcelot was

lodged privily by the means of Sir Lavaine with a rich burgess, that no

man in that town was ware what they were. And so they reposed them

there till our Lady Day, Assumption, as the great feast should be. So

then trumpets blew unto the field, and King Arthur was set on high upon

a scaffold to behold who did best. But as the French book saith, the

king would not suffer Sir Gawaine to go from him, for never had Sir

Gawaine the better an Sir Launcelot were in the field; and many times

was Sir Gawaine rebuked when Launcelot came into any jousts disguised.

Then some of the kings, as King Anguish of Ireland and the King of

Scots, were that time turned upon the side of King Arthur. And then on

the other party was the King of Northgalis, and the King with the

Hundred Knights, and the King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahad, the

haut prince. But these three kings and this duke were passing weak to

hold against King Arthur’s party, for with him were the noblest knights

of the world. So then they withdrew them either party from other, and

every man made him ready in his best manner to do what he might.

Then Sir Launcelot made him ready, and put the red sleeve upon his

head, and fastened it fast; and so Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine

departed out of Winchester privily, and rode until a little leaved wood

behind the party that held against King Arthur’s party, and there they

held them still till the parties smote together. And then came in the

King of Scots and the King of Ireland on Arthur’s party, and against

them came the King of Northumberland, and the King with the Hundred

Knights smote down the King of Northumberland, and the King with the

Hundred Knights smote down King Anguish of Ireland. Then Sir Palomides

that was on Arthur’s party encountered with Sir Galahad, and either of

them smote down other, and either party halp their lords on horseback

again. So there began a strong assail upon both parties. And then came

in Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramore le Desirous, Sir Dodinas le Savage, Sir

Kay le Seneschal, Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu, Sir Mordred, Sir Meliot

de Logris, Sir Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir Safere, Sir Epinogris, Sir

Galleron of Galway. All these fifteen knights were knights of the Table

Round. So these with more other came in together, and beat aback the

King of Northumberland and the King of Northgalis. When Sir Launcelot

saw this, as he hoved in a little leaved wood, then he said unto Sir

Lavaine: See yonder is a company of good knights, and they hold them

together as boars that were chafed with dogs. That is truth, said Sir

Lavaine.