Le Morte Darthur: The Winchester Manuscript (Oxford World's Classics)

by Malory, Thomas

[3]

  Then Queen Igraine waxed daily greater and greater. So it befell after within half a year, as King Uther lay by his queen, he asked her, by the faith she owed to him, whose was the child within her body; then was she sore abashed to give answer.

  ‘Dismay you not,’ said the King, ‘but tell me the truth, and I shall love you the better, by the faith of my body.’

  ‘Sir,’ said she, ‘I shall tell you the truth. The same night that my lord was dead, the hour of his death, as his knights record, there came into my castle of Tintagel a man like my lord in speech and in countenance, and two knights with him in likeness of his two knights Brastias and Jordanus, and so I went unto bed with him as I ought to do with my lord. And the same night, as I shall answer unto God, this child was begotten upon me.’

  ‘That is truth,’ said the King, ‘as ye say; for it was I myself that came in the likeness, and therefore dismay you not, for I am father to the child.’ And there he told her all the cause, how it was by Merlin’s counsel. Then the queen made great joy when she knew who was the father of her child.

  Soon came Merlin unto the King, and said, ‘Sir, ye must purvey you* for the nourishing of your child.’

  ‘As thou wilt,’ said the King, ‘be it.’

  ‘Well,’ said Merlin, ‘I know a lord of yours in this land that is a passing true man and a faithful, and he shall have the nourishing of your child; and his name is Sir Ector, and he is a lord of fair livelihood in many parts in England and Wales; and this lord, Sir Ector, let him be sent for, for to come and speak with you, and desire him yourself, as he loveth you, that he will put his own child to nourishing to another woman, and that his wife nourish yours.* And when the child is born, let it be delivered to me at yonder privy postern* unchristened.’

  So like as Merlin devised it was done. And when Sir Ector was come he made affiance to* the King for to nourish the child like as the King desired; and there the King granted Sir Ector great rewards. Then when the lady was delivered, the King commanded two knights and two ladies to take the child, bound in a cloth of gold, ‘and that ye deliver him to what poor man ye meet at the postern gate of the castle.’ So the child was delivered unto Merlin, and so he bore it forth unto Sir Ector, and made a holy man to christen him, and named him Arthur; and so Sir Ector’s wife nourished him with her own pap.

  [4]

  Then within two years King Uther fell sick of a great malady. And in the meanwhile his enemies usurped upon him and did a great battle upon his men, and slew many of his people.

  ‘Sir,’ said Merlin, ‘ye may not lie so as ye do, for ye must to the field though ye ride in a horse-litter; for ye shall never have the better of your enemies but if* your person be there, and then shall ye have the victory.’

  So it was done as Merlin had devised, and they carried the King forth in a horse-litter with a great host toward his enemies; and at St Albans there met with the King a great host of the north. And that day Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias did great deeds of arms, and King Uther’s men overcame the northern battle* and slew many people, and put the remnant to flight. And then the King returned unto London, and made great joy of his victory.

  And then he fell passing sore sick, so that three days and three nights he was speechless; wherefore all the barons made great sorrow, and asked Merlin what counsel were best.

  ‘There is no other remedy,’ said Merlin, ‘but God will have his will. But look ye all, barons, be before King Uther tomorrow, and God and I shall make him to speak.’

  So on the morn all the barons with Merlin came before the King; then Merlin said aloud unto King Uther, ‘Sir, shall your son Arthur be king, after your days, of this realm with all the appurtenance?’*

  Then Uther Pendragon turned him, and said in hearing of them all, ‘I give him God’s blessing and mine; and bid him pray for my soul, and righteously and worshipfully* that he claim the crown, upon forfeiture of my blessing.’

  And therewith he yielded up the ghost; and then was he interred as longed* to a king, wherefore the queen, fair Igraine, made great sorrow, and all the barons.

  [5]

  Then stood the realm in great jeopardy long while, for every lord that was mighty of men made him strong, and many weened* to have been king. Then Merlin went to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and counselled him for to send for all the lords of the realm, and all the gentlemen of arms, that they should to London come by Christmas, upon pain of cursing;* and for this cause: that Jesus, that was born on that night, that He would of His great mercy show some miracle, as He was come to be king of mankind, for to show some miracle who should be rightwise king of this realm. So the archbishop, by the advice of Merlin, sent for all the lords and gentlemen of arms that they should come by Christmas even unto London. And many of them made them clean of their life,* that their prayer might be the more acceptable unto God. So in the greatest church of London (whether it were Paul’s or not the French book maketh no mention*), all the estates were long or day in the church for to pray. And when matins and the first Mass was done, there was seen in the churchyard, against the high altar, a great stone four square, like unto a marble stone; and in the midst thereof was like an anvil of steel a foot on high, and therein stuck a fair sword naked by the point, and letters there were written in gold about the sword that said thus: ‘Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England.’

  Then the people marvelled, and told it to the archbishop.

  ‘I command,’ said the archbishop, ‘that ye keep you within your church and pray unto God still; and that no man touch the sword till the High Mass be all done.’

  So when all Masses were done all the lords went to behold the stone and the sword. And when they saw the scripture, some assayed, such as would have been king. But none might stir the sword nor move it.

  ‘He is not here,’ said the archbishop, ‘that shall achieve the sword, but doubt not God will make him known. But this is my counsel,’ said the archbishop, ‘that we let purvey ten knights, men of good fame, and they to keep this sword.’

  So it was ordained, and then there was made a cry that every man should assay that would, for to win the sword. And upon New Year’s Day the barons let make a jousts and a tournament, that all knights that would joust or tourney there might play. And all this was ordained for to keep the lords together and the commons, for the archbishop trusted that God would make him known that should win the sword. So upon New Year’s Day, when the service was done, the barons rode unto the field, some to joust and some to tourney.

  And so it happed that Sir Ector, that had great livelihood about London, rode unto the jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay his son, and young Arthur that was his nourished brother; and Sir Kay was made knight at All Hallowmas* before. So as they rode to the jousts-ward, Sir Kay had lost his sword, for he had left it at his father’s lodging, and so he prayed young Arthur for to ride for his sword.

  ‘I will well,’ said Arthur, and rode fast after the sword. And when he came home the lady and all were out to see the jousting. Then was Arthur wroth, and said to himself, ‘I will ride to the churchyard, and take the sword with me that sticketh in the stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall not be without a sword this day.’

  So when he came to the churchyard, Sir Arthur alit and tied his horse to the stile, and so he went to the tent, and found no knights there, for they were at jousting; and so he handled the sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the stone, and took his horse and rode his way until he came to his brother Sir Kay and delivered him the sword. And as soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he wist* well it was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his father Sir Ector, and said: ‘Sir, lo here is the sword of the stone, wherefore I must be king of this land.’

  When Sir Ector beheld the sword, he returned again and came to the church, and there they alit all three and went into the church. And anon he made Sir Kay to swear upon a book* how he came to that sword.

  ‘Sir,’ said Si
r Kay, ‘by my brother Arthur, for he brought it to me.’

  ‘How got ye this sword?’ said Sir Ector to Arthur.

  ‘Sir, I will tell you. When I came home for my brother’s sword, I found nobody at home to deliver me his sword, and so I thought my brother Sir Kay should not be swordless; and so I came hither eagerly and pulled it out of the stone without any pain.’

  ‘Found ye any knights about this sword?’ said Sir Ector.

  ‘Nay,’ said Arthur.

  ‘Now,’ said Sir Ector to Arthur, ‘I understand ye must be king of this land.’

  ‘Wherefore I,’ said Arthur, ‘and for what cause?’

  ‘Sir,’ said Ector, ‘for God will have it so, for there should never man have drawn out this sword, but he that shall be rightwise king of this land. Now let me see whether ye can put the sword there as it was, and pull it out again.’

  ‘That is no mastery,’* said Arthur, and so he put it in the stone; therewith Sir Ector assayed to pull out the sword and failed.

  [6]

  ‘Now assay,’ said Sir Ector unto Sir Kay. And anon he pulled at the sword with all his might, but it would not be.

  ‘Now shall ye assay,’ said Sir Ector to Arthur.

  ‘I will well,’ said Arthur, and pulled it out easily. And therewith Sir Ector knelt down to the earth, and Sir Kay. ‘Alas,’ said Arthur, ‘my own dear father and brother, why kneel ye to me?’

  ‘Nay, nay, my lord Arthur, it is not so, I was never your father nor of your blood, but I wot* well ye are of a higher blood than I weened* ye were.’

  And then Sir Ector told him all, how he was betaken* him for to nourish him, and by whose commandment, and by Merlin’s deliverance. Then Arthur made great dole* when he understood that Sir Ector was not his father.

  ‘Sir,’ said Ector unto Arthur, ‘will ye be my good and gracious lord* when ye are king?’

  ‘Else were I to blame,’ said Arthur, ‘for ye are the man in the world that I am most beholden to, and my good lady and mother your wife, that as well as her own hath fostered me and kept. And if ever it be God’s will that I be king as ye say, ye shall desire of me what I may do, and I shall not fail you—God forbid I should fail you!’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Ector, ‘I will ask no more of you, but that ye will make my son, your foster brother, Sir Kay, seneschal of all your lands.’

  ‘That shall be done,’ said Arthur, ‘and more, by the faith of my body, that never man shall have that office but he, while he and I live.’

  Therewith they went unto the archbishop, and told him how the sword was achieved and by whom. And on Twelfth-day* all the barons came thither, and to assay to take the sword, who that would assay. But there before them all, there might none take it out but Arthur; wherefore there were many lords wroth, and said it was great shame unto them all and the realm, to be over-governed with a boy of no high blood born. And so they fell out at that time, that it was put off till Candlemas,* and then all the barons should meet there again; but always the ten knights were ordained to watch the sword day and night, and so they set a pavilion over the stone and the sword, and five always watched.

  So at Candlemas many more great lords came thither for to have won the sword, but there might none prevail. And right as Arthur did at Christmas, he did at Candlemas, and pulled out the sword easily, whereof the barons were sore aggrieved and put it off in delay till the high feast of Easter. And as Arthur sped* before, so did he at Easter, yet there were some of the great lords had indignation that Arthur should be king, and put it off in a delay till the feast of Pentecost. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury by Merlin’s providence let purvey then of the best knights that they might get, and such knights as Uther Pendragon loved best and most trusted in his days. And such knights were put about Arthur as Sir Baudwin of Britain, Sir Kay, Sir Ulfius, Sir Brastias—all these, with many other, were always about Arthur, day and night, till the feast of Pentecost.

  [7]

  And at the feast of Pentecost all manner of men assayed to pull at the sword that would assay, but none might prevail but Arthur, and pulled it out before all the lords and commons that were there; wherefore all the commons cried at once, ‘We will have Arthur unto our king, we will put him no more in delay; for we all see that it is God’s will that he shall be our king. And who that holdeth against it, we will slay him.’

  And therewith all they kneeled at once, both rich and poor, and cried Arthur mercy because they had delayed him so long. And Arthur forgave them, and took the sword between both his hands and offered it upon the altar where the archbishop was, and so was he made knight of the best man that was there.

  And so anon was the coronation made. And there was he sworn unto his lords and the commons for to be a true king, to stand with true justice from thenceforth the days of this life. Also then he made all lords that held of the crown to come in, and to do service as they ought to do. And many complaints were made unto Sir Arthur of great wrongs that were done since the death of King Uther, of many lands that were bereft* lords, knights, ladies, and gentlemen, wherefore King Arthur made the lands to be given again unto them that owned them.

  When this was done, that the King had established all the countries about London, then he let make Sir Kay seneschal of England; and Sir Baudwin of Britain was made constable; and Sir Ulfius was made chamberlain;* and Sir Brastias was made warden to wait upon the north from Trent forwards, for it was that time the most part the King’s enemies. But within few years after, Arthur won all the north, Scotland, and all that were under their obeisance. Also Wales, a part of it, held against Arthur, but he overcame them all, as he did the remnant, through the noble prowess of himself and his knights of the Round Table.

  [8]

  Then the King removed into Wales, and let cry a great feast that it should be held at Pentecost after the coronation of him at the city of Caerleon. Unto the feast came King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney, with five hundred knights with him; also there came to the feast King Uriens of Gore with four hundred knights with him; also there came to that feast King Nentres of Garlot, with seven hundred knights with him; also there came to the feast the King of Scotland with six hundred knights with him, and he was but a young man; also there came to the feast a king that was called the King with the Hundred Knights, but he and his men were passing well beseen* at all points; also there came the King Carados with five hundred knights. And King Arthur was glad of their coming, for he weened that all the kings and knights had come for great love, and to have done him worship at his feast; wherefore the King made great joy, and sent the kings and knights great presents. But the kings would none receive, but rebuked the messengers shamefully, and said they had no joy to receive no gifts of a beardless boy that was come of low blood;* and sent him word they would none of his gifts, but that they were come to give him gifts with hard swords betwixt the neck and the shoulders. And therefore they came thither, so they told to the messengers plainly, for it was great shame to all them to see such a boy to have a rule of so noble a realm as this land was.

  With this answer the messengers departed and told to King Arthur this answer. Wherefore, by the advice of his barons, he took him to a strong tower with five hundred good men with him; and all the kings aforesaid in a manner laid a siege before him, but King Arthur was well victualled.*

  And within fifteen days there came Merlin among them into the city of Caerleon. Then all the kings were passing glad of Merlin, and asked him, ‘For what cause is that boy Arthur made your king?’

  ‘Sirs,’ said Merlin, ‘I shall tell you the cause: for he is King Uther Pendragon’s son, born in wedlock, begotten on Igraine, the Duke’s wife of Tintagel.’

  ‘Then is he a bastard,’ they said all.

  ‘Nay,’ said Merlin, ‘after the death of the duke, more than three hours, was Arthur begotten, and thirteen days after, King Uther wedded Igraine; and therefore I prove him he is no bastard.* And whoever saith nay,* he shall be king and overcome all his enemies; and, or he die, he shall
be long king of all England, and have under his obedience Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and more realms than I will now rehearse.’

  Some of the kings had marvel of Merlin’s words, and deemed well that it should be as he said; and some of them laughed him to scorn, as King Lot; and more others called him a witch.* But then were they accorded with Merlin that King Arthur should come out and speak with the kings, and to come safe and to go safe: such assurance there was made.

  So Merlin went unto King Arthur and told him how he had done, and bade him fear not, ‘but come out boldly and speak with them, and spare them not, but answer them as their king and chieftain; for ye shall overcome them all, whether they will or nill.’*

  [9]

  Then King Arthur came out of his tower, and had under his gown a jesseraunt* of double mail; and there went with him the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Baudwin of Britain, and Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias: these were the men of most worship that were with him. And when they were met, there was no meekness, but stout words on both sides; but always King Arthur answered them, and said he would make them to bow and he lived.* Wherefore they departed with wrath, and King Arthur bade keep them well, and they bade the King keep him well. So the King returned to the tower again and armed him and all his knights.

  ‘What will ye do?’ said Merlin to the kings. ‘Ye were better for to stint,* for ye shall not here prevail though ye were ten so many.’

  ‘Be we well advised to be afraid of a dream-reader?’ said King Lot.

  With that Merlin vanished away, and came to King Arthur, and bade him set on them fiercely. And in the meanwhile there were three hundred good men of the best that were with the kings, that went straight unto King Arthur; and that comforted him greatly.

  ‘Sir,’ said Merlin to Arthur, ‘fight not with the sword that ye had by miracle, till that ye see ye go unto the worse: then draw it out and do your best.’

  So forthwith King Arthur set upon them in their lodging. And Sir Baudwin, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias slew on the right hand and on the left hand that it was marvel; and always King Arthur on horseback laid on with a sword and did marvellous deeds of arms, that many of the kings had great joy of his deeds and hardiness. Then King Lot broke out on the back side, and the King with the Hundred Knights, and King Carados, and set on Arthur fiercely behind him. With that Sir Arthur turned with his knights, and smote behind and before, and ever Sir Arthur was in the foremost press till his horse was slain underneath him; and therewith King Lot smote down King Arthur. With that his four knights received him and set him on horseback. Then he drew his sword Excalibur,* but it was so bright in his enemies’ eyes that it gave light like thirty torches. And therewith he put them aback, and slew much people. And then the commons of Caerleon arose with clubs and staves and slew many knights; but all the kings held them together with their knights that were left alive, and so fled and departed. And Merlin came unto Arthur, and counselled him to follow them no further.