第 四百六十四 章 · How Sir Urre came into Arthur’s court for to be healed of

. How Sir Urre came into Arthur’s court for to be healed of

his wounds, and how King Arthur would begin to handle him.

Then as the French book maketh mention, there was a good knight in the

land of Hungary, his name was Sir Urre, and he was an adventurous

knight, and in all places where he might hear of any deeds of worship

there would he be. So it happened in Spain there was an earl’s son, his

name was Alphegus, and at a great tournament in Spain this Sir Urre,

knight of Hungary, and Sir Alphegus of Spain encountered together for

very envy; and so either undertook other to the utterance. And by

fortune Sir Urre slew Sir Alphegus, the earl’s son of Spain, but this

knight that was slain had given Sir Urre, or ever he was slain, seven

great wounds, three on the head, and four on his body and upon his left

hand. And this Sir Alphegus had a mother, the which was a great

sorceress; and she, for the despite of her son’s death, wrought by her

subtle crafts that Sir Urre should never be whole, but ever his wounds

should one time fester and another time bleed, so that he should never

be whole until the best knight of the world had searched his wounds;

and thus she made her avaunt, wherethrough it was known that Sir Urre

should never be whole.

Then his mother let make an horse litter, and put him therein under two

palfreys; and then she took Sir Urre’s sister with him, a full fair

damosel, whose name was Felelolie; and then she took a page with him to

keep their horses, and so they led Sir Urre through many countries. For

as the French book saith, she led him so seven year through all lands

christened, and never she could find no knight that might ease her son.

So she came into Scotland and into the lands of England, and by fortune

she came nigh the feast of Pentecost until King Arthur’s court, that at

that time was holden at Carlisle. And when she came there, then she

made it openly to be known how that she was come into that land for to

heal her son.

Then King Arthur let call that lady, and asked her the cause why she

brought that hurt knight into that land. My most noble king, said that

lady, wit you well I brought him hither for to be healed of his wounds,

that of all this seven year he might not be whole. And then she told

the king where he was wounded, and of whom; and how his mother had

discovered in her pride how she had wrought that by enchantment, so

that he should never be whole until the best knight of the world had

searched his wounds. And so I have passed through all the lands

christened to have him healed, except this land. And if I fail to heal

him here in this land, I will never take more pain upon me, and that is

pity, for he was a good knight, and of great nobleness. What is his

name? said Arthur. My good and gracious lord, she said, his name is Sir

Urre of the Mount. In good time, said the king, and sith ye are come

into this land, ye are right welcome; and wit you well here shall your

son be healed, an ever any Christian man may heal him. And for to give

all other men of worship courage, I myself will assay to handle your

son, and so shall all the kings, dukes, and earls that be here present

with me at this time; thereto will I command them, and well I wot they

shall obey and do after my commandment. And wit you well, said King

Arthur unto Urre’s sister, I shall begin to handle him, and search unto

my power, not presuming upon me that I am so worthy to heal your son by

my deeds, but I will courage other men of worship to do as I will do.

And then the king commanded all the kings, dukes, and earls, and all

noble knights of the Round Table that were there that time present, to

come into the meadow of Carlisle. And so at that time there were but an

hundred and ten of the Round Table, for forty knights were that time

away; and so here we must begin at King Arthur, as is kindly to begin

at him that was the most man of worship that was christened at that

time.