|
|
|
|
|
Sir Thomas Malory
|
|
During Reading Strategy
Unlock Words as You Read
Vocabulary from the Selection
appurtenance
countenance
indignation
inter
necromancy
obeisance
postern
providence
usurp
wax
wroth
|
from Book I Chapter 1
First, How Uther Pendragon sent for the Duke of Cornwall and Igraine his wife, and of their departing suddenly again
It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all England, and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that held war against him long time. And the duke was called the Duke of Tintagel. And so by means King Uther sent for this duke, charging him to bring his wife with him, for she was called a fair lady, and a passing1 wise, and her name was called Igraine.
So when the duke and his wife were comen unto the king, by the means of great lords they were accorded both. The king liked and loved this lady well, and he made them great cheer out of measure, and desired to have lain by her. But she was a passing good woman, and would not assent unto the king. And then she told the duke her husband, and said, “I suppose that we were sent for that I should be dishonored, wherefore, husband, I counsel you that we depart from hence suddenly, that we may ride all night unto our own castle.” And in like wise as she said so they departed, that neither the king nor none of his council were ware of their departing.
As soon as King Uther knew of their departing so suddenly, he was wonderly wroth. Then he called to him his privy council2, and told them of the sudden departing of the duke and his wife. Then they advised the king to send for the duke and his wife by a great charge: “And if he will not come at your summons, then may ye do your best, then have ye cause to make mighty war upon him.”
So that was done, and the messengers had their answers, and that was this shortly, that neither he nor his wife would not come at him. Then was the king wonderly wroth. And then the king sent him plain word again, and bad him be ready and stuff him and garnish him,3 for within forty days would fetch him out of the biggest castle that he hath.
When the duke had this warning, anon he went and furnished and garnished two strong castles of his, of the which the one hight4 Tintagel, and the other castle hight Terrabil. So his wife Dame Igraine he put in the Castle of Tintagel, and himself he put in the Castle of Terrabil, the which had many issues and posterns out. Then in all haste came Uther with a great host, and laid a siege about the Castle of Terrabil. And there he pitched many pavilions, and there was great war made on both parties, and much people slain.
Then for pure anger and for great love of fair Igraine the King Uther fell sick. So came to the King Uther Sir Ulfius, a noble knight, and asked the king why he was sick.
“I shall tell thee,” said the king. “I am sick for anger and for love of fair Igraine that I may not be whole.”
“Well, my lord,” said Sir Ulfius, “I shall seek Merlin, and he shall do you remedy, that your heart shall be pleased.”
So Ulfius departed, and by adventure he met Merlin in a beggar’s array, and there Merlin asked Ulfius whom he sought. And he said he had little ado to tell him.
“Well,” said Merlin, “I know whom thou seekest, for thou seekest Merlin; therefore seek no farther, for I am he, and if King Uther will well reward me, and be sworn unto me to fulfil my desire, that shall be his honor and profit more than mine, for I shall cause him to have all his desire.”
“All this will I undertake,” said Ulfius, “that there shall be nothing reasonable but thou shalt have thy desire.”
“Well,” said Merlin, “he shall have his intent and desire. And therefore,” said Merlin, “ride on your way, for I will not be long behind.”
from Book I Chapter 2
How Uther Pendragon made war on the Duke of Cornwall, and how by the mean of Merlin he lay by the Duchess and gat5 Arthur
Then Ulfius was glad, and rode on more than a pace till that he came to King Uther Pendragon, and told him he had met with Merlin.
“Where is he?” said the king.
“Sir,” said Ulfius, “he will not dwell6 long.”
Therewithal Ulfius was ware where Merlin stood at the porch of the pavilion’s door. And then Merlin was bound to come to the king. When King Uther saw him, he said he was welcome.
|
“Sir,” said Merlin “I know all your heart every deal7. So ye will be sworn unto me as ye be a true king anointed, to fulfil my desire, ye shall have your desire.”
Then the king was sworn upon the four Evangelists8.
“Sir,” said Merlin, “this is my desire: the first night that ye shall lie by Igraine ye shall get a child on her, and when that is born, that it shall be delivered to me for to nourish there as I will have it; for it shall be your worship9, and the child’s avail as mickle10 as the child is worth.”
“I will well,” said the king, “as thou wilt have it.”
|
Guided Reading Question 1
What does Merlin ask in return for helping King Uther?
Click to answer
|
“Now make you ready,” said Merlin, “this night ye shall lie with Igraine in the Castle of Tintagel, and ye shall be like the duke her husband, Ulfius shall be like Sir Brastias, a knight of the duke’s, and I will be like a knight that hight Sir Jordans, a knight of the duke’s. But wait11 ye make not many questions with her nor her men, but say ye are diseased12, and so hie you to bed, and rise not on the morn till I come to you, for the Castle of Tintagel is but ten miles hence.”
So this was done as they devised. But the Duke of Tintagel espied how the king rode from the siege of Terrabil, and therefore that night he issued out of the castle at a postern for to have distressed the king’s host. And so, through his own issue, the duke himself was slain or-ever13 the king came at the Castle of Tintagel.
So after the death of the duke, King Uther lay with Igraine more than three hours after his death, and begat on her that night Arthur; and, or day came, Merlin came to the king, and bad him make him ready, and so he kissed the lady Igraine and departed in all haste. But when the lady heard tell of the duke her husband, and by all record he was dead or-ever King Uther came to her, then she marvelled who that might be that lay with her in likeness of her lord; so she mourned privily and held her peace.
Then all the barons by one assent prayed the king of accord betwixt the lady Igraine and him; the king gave them leave, for fain would he have been accorded with her. So the king put all the trust in Ulfius to entreat14 between them, so by the entreaty at the last the king and she met together.
“Now will we do well,” said Ulfius. “Our king is a lusty knight and wifeless, and my lady Igraine is a passing fair lady; it were great joy unto us all, and it might please the king to make her his queen.”
Unto that they all well accorded and moved it to the king. And anon, like a lusty knight, he assented thereto with good will, and so in all haste they were married in a morning with great mirth and joy.
And King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney then wedded Margawse that was Gawain’s mother, and King Nentres of the land of Garlot wedded Elaine. All this was done at the request of King Uther. And the third sister Morgan le Fay was put to school in a nunnery, and there she learned so much that she was a great clerk of necromancy, and after she was wedded to King Uriens of the land of Gore, that was Sir Uwain’s le Blanchemains father.
from Book I Chapter 3
of the birth of King Arthur and of his nurture
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 ought 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 Jordans, 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.”
|
Guided Reading Question 2
How does Merlin arrange for King Uther to lie with Igraine?
Click to answer
|
“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 fiance15 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 bare it forth unto Sir Ector, and made an holy man to christen him, and named him Arthur; and so Sir Ector’s wife nourished him with her own pap.
from Book I Chapter 4
of the death of King Uther Pendragon
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 on an 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 an 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 none other remedy,” said Merlin, “but God will have his will. But look ye all, barons, be before King Uther to-morn, and God and I shall make him to speak.”
So on the morn all the barons with Merlin came tofore the king; then Merlin said aloud unto King Uther, “Sir, shall I your son Arthur be king, after your days, of this realm with all the appurtenance?”
|
Guided Reading Question 3
How does Igraine learn who fathered her child? How does she feel when she learns this?
Click to answer
|
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.
|
Guided Reading Question 4
What arrangement did King Uther make for his succession?
Click to answer
|
from Book I Chapter 5
How Arthur was chosen king, and of wonders and marvels of a sword taken out of a stone by the said Arthur
Then stood the realm in great jeopardy long while, for every lord that was mighty of men made him strong, and many weened16 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 Jehu, 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.
|
Guided Reading Question 5
What problem was there after Uther’s death?
Click to answer
|
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 matins17 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 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 saiden 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; 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 assayed18, 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 purvey19 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 Hallowmass afore. 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.
|
Guided Reading Question 6
How is the king to be determined?
Click to answer
|
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 wist20 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 Sir Kay, “by my brother Arthur, for he brought it to me.”
“How gat 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.”
“Wherefore21 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; therewithal Sir Ector assayed to pull out the sword and failed.
from Book I Chapter 6
How King Arthur pulled out the sword divers times
“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 therewithal 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 wot22 well ye are of an higher blood than I weened ye were.” And then Sir Ector told him all, how he was betaken23 him for to nourish him, and by whose commandment, and by Merlin’s deliverance. Then Arthur made great dole24 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 beholding 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, seneschal25 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.”
|
Guided Reading Question 7
Why does Arthur pull out the sword from the stone?
Click to answer
|
Therewithal they went unto the Archbishop, and told him how the sword was achieved, and by whom. And on Twelfthday all the barons came thither, and to assay to take the sword, who that would assay. But there afore 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 Candlemas26, and then all the barons should meet there again; but alway 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 agrieved 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 Pentecost27. 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.
from Book I Chapter 7
How King Arthur was crowned, and how he made officers
|
Guided Reading Question 8
How did the lords feel about Arthur being king?
Click to answer
|
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 afore 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 therewithal 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 bereaved lords, knights, ladies, and gentlemen. Wherefore King Arthur made the lands to be given again unto them that ought them28. When this was done, that the king had stablished 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.
• • •
from Book xxi Chapter 7
Of the opinion of some men of the death of King Arthur; and how Queen Guenever made her a nun in Almesbury
Yet some men say in many parts of England that King Arthur is not dead, but had by the will of Our Lord Jesu into another place; and men say that he shall come again, and he shall win the holy cross. I will not say that it shall be so, but rather I will say, here in this world he changed his life. But many men say that there is written upon his tomb this verse: hic iacet arthurus, rex quondam rexque futurus29.
|
Guided Reading Question 9
When is Arthur accepted as king? What do the people say to show they accept him as king?
Click to answer
|
|
|
|
 |
|