{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/mart/mart407.htm","path":"neu/mart/mart407.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/mart/mart407.htm","text":"Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK XVII CHAPTER I\n \n Sacred Texts\u00a0\n Legends and Sagas\u00a0\n Index\u00a0\n BOOK XVII\u00a0\n Previous\u00a0\n Next\u00a0\n \n \n CHAPTER I\n \n How Sir Galahad fought at a tournament, and how he was\n known of Sir Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maris.\n \n \n NOW saith this story, when Galahad had rescued Percivale\n from the twenty knights, he yede tho into a waste forest\n wherein he rode many journeys; and he found many\n adventures the which he brought to an end, whereof the\n story maketh here no mention. Then he took his way\n to the sea on a day, and it befell as he passed by a castle\n where was a wonder tournament, but they without had\n done so much that they within were put to the worse, yet\n were they within good knights enough. When Galahad\n saw that those within were at so great a mischief that men\n slew them at the entry of the castle, then he thought to\n help them, and put a spear forth and smote the first that\n he fell to the earth, and the spear brake to pieces. Then\n he drew his sword and smote thereas they were thickest,\n and so he did wonderful deeds of arms that all they\n marvelled. Then it happed that Gawaine and Sir Ector\n de Maris were with the knights without. But when they\n espied the white shield with the red cross the one said to\n the other: Yonder is the good knight, Sir Galahad, the\n haut prince: now he should be a great fool which should\n meet with him to fight. So by adventure he came by Sir\n Gawaine, and he smote him so hard that he clave his helm\n and the coif of iron unto his head, so that Gawaine fell\n to the earth; but the stroke was so great that it slanted\n down to the earth and carved the horse's shoulder in two.\n \n When Ector saw Gawaine down he drew him aside,\n and thought it no wisdom for to abide him, and also for\n natural love, that he was his uncle. Thus through his\n great hardiness he beat aback all the knights without.\n And then they within came out and chased them all\n about. But when Galahad saw there would none turn\n again he stole away privily, so that none wist where he was\n become. Now by my head, said Gawaine to Ector, now\n are the wonders true that were said of Launcelot du Lake,\n that the sword which stuck in the stone should give me\n such a buffet that I would not have it for the best castle\n in this world; and soothly now it is proved true, for\n never ere had I such a stroke of man's hand. Sir, said\n Ector, meseemeth your quest is done. And yours is not\n done, said Gawaine, but mine is done, I shall seek no\n further. Then Gawaine was borne into a castle and unarmed\n him, and laid him in a rich bed, and a leech found\n that he might live, and to be whole within a month.\n Thus Gawaine and Ector abode together, for Sir Ector\n would not away till Gawaine were whole.\n \n And the good knight, Galahad, rode so long till he\n came that night to the Castle of Carboneck; and it befell\n him thus that he was benighted in an hermitage. So the\n good man was fain when he saw he was a knight-errant.\n Tho when they were at rest there came a gentlewoman\n knocking at the door, and called Galahad, and so the good\n man came to the door to wit what she would. Then she\n called the hermit: Sir Ulfin, I am a gentlewoman that\n would speak with the knight which is with you. Then\n the good man awaked Galahad, and bade him: Arise, and\n speak with a gentlewoman that seemeth hath great need\n of you. Then Galahad went to her and asked her what\n she would. Galahad, said she, I will that ye arm you,\n and mount upon your horse and follow me, for I shall\n show you within these three days the highest adventure\n that ever any knight saw. Anon Galahad armed him, and\n took his horse, and commended him to God, and bade the\n gentlewoman go, and he would follow thereas she liked.","title":"Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK XVII CHAPTER I","type":"page"}