King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table, Part 19 of 21

Before we get started tonight, I wanted to let you in on a little secret. For the best sleep, there's nothing better than the sleepy bookshelf's premium feed. You'll have ad-free access to the entire catalogue, so you don't have to listen to things like this. Plus exclusive bonus stories in between our longer books. Follow the link in the show notes to learn more and start your 7-day free trial tonight. It's hard to concentrate when you can't shake a health worry. It can feel like there's a wall between you and the rest of the world. Like you can't be fully present. Hello, Axa Health. How can I help? If something's playing on your mind, Axa Health's support line nurses and counsellors are ready to listen day or night. For cover that cares, search Axa Health Insurance. 24-7 Health support line available to all members. Treatment for pre-existing conditions is not covered. Hello, it's Elizabeth. And I'm excited to share with you the newest show from Slumber Studios. It's called Sleepy History, and it's exactly what it sounds like. Intriguing stories, people, mysteries and events from history. Delivered in a supremely calming atmosphere. Explore the legend of El Dorado. See what life was like for the Roman gladiators. Uncover the myths and mysteries of Stonehenge. You'll find interesting but relaxing episodes like these on Sleepy History. And the same great production quality you've come to know and love from the Sleepy Bookshelf. So check it out. And perhaps you'll have another way to get a good night's rest. Just search Sleepy History in your preferred podcast player. Good evening. And welcome to this Sleepy Bookshelf. Where we put down our worries from the day. And pick up a good book. I'm your host, Elizabeth. It is so wonderful to be here with you tonight. This evening we are returning to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Before we begin, let us first settle into your space. Take a deep breath in. And sigh it out. Relax your face, your shoulders, your hands. And let your body feel heavy. You are ready to rest. Ser Galahad joined Ser Percival and Ser Boz at sea, where they were reunited with Percival's sister, who revealed her identity and aided them in their quest. They entered a mystical ship of faith, where only Ser Galahad was able to draw a sacred sword. They journeyed onward, overcoming enemies and witnessing divine visions, and the Ticassel Percival's sister willingly sacrificed her life to heal a sick lady. After her death, the Knights parted ways as instructed by a heavenly voice. Ser Lancelot, journeyed by ship and encountered the body of Percival's sister. He later reunited briefly with Ser Galahad, that they were told by the voice that they would not meet again in this life. Lancelot eventually reached the castle of Carbonac, where he glimpsed the holy grail, but was struck down for his unworthiness. He returned home, accepting that he could not fully achieve the quest. Meanwhile, Ser Galahad performed miracles, including healing King Evelac and freeing a soul from torment. He later reunited with Ser Percival and Ser Boz, and together they too reached Carbonac. There they witnessed the holy grail in its glory and were blessed with a divine vision. Ser Galahad healed the wounds of King Pallas and was instructed to carry the grail to the city of Saras. The three Knights travelled there, where they were imprisoned by a pagan king, but were sustained by the grail. After the King's death, Ser Galahad was made their ruler, and soon after he received a final vision, took communion and peacefully died, his soul carried to heaven. While the holy grail vanished from the world, Ser Percival became a hermit and soon died also, and Ser Boz returned alone to Camelot, mourning the loss of his companions. Tonight, we hear the impact of Selant Selot's change in loyalty on Queen Guinevere. So, just lie back and relax, as I turn to the next pages of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The Passing of Arthur Chapter 14 Selant Selot and the Fair Elane Now after the quest of the Sangreel was fulfilled, and all the Knights who were left alive would come again to the Round Table, there was great joy in the court. And passing glad were King Arthur and Queen Guinevere to see Selant Selot and Ser Boz, for they had been long absent in that quest. And so greatly was Selant Selot's fame now spread abroad, that many ladies and damsels daily resorted to him and besought him for their champion. And all right quarrels did he gladly undertake for the pleasure of our Lord Christ, and always as much as he might, he withdrew him from the Queen. Wherefore Queen Guinevere, who counted him for her own night, grew wroth with him, and on a certain day she called him to her chamber and said thus, Selant Selot, O daily see thy loyalty to me doth slack, for ever thou art absent from this court, and takest other ladies quarrels on thee more than ever thou wilt want. Now do I understand thee, false knight, and therefore shall I never trust thee more, depart from my sight, and come no more within this court upon pain of thy head. With that she turned from him and would hear no excuses. So Selant Selot departed in heaviness of heart, and calling Ser Boz, Ser Hector and Ser Lionel, he told them how the Queen had dealt with him. Professor, replied Ser Boz, remember what honour ye have in this country, and how ye are called the noblest knight in the world, wherefore go not, for women are hasty, and do often what they saw repent of afterwards. Be ruled by my advice, take course and ride to the Hermitage beside Windsor, and thereby to Lysangi betta tidings. To that Selant Selot consented and departed with a sorrowful countenance. Now when the Queen heard of his leaving she was inwardly sorry, but made no show of grief, bearing a proud visage outwardly. And on a certain day she made a costly banquet to all the knights of the round table, to show she had as great joy in all others as in Selant Selot. And at the banquet were Ser Garwain and his brothers, Ser Agraven, Ser Garras and Ser Gareth. Also Ser Modred, Ser Boz, Ser Blamour, Ser Bleobras, Ser Hector, Ser Lionel, Ser Palamines, Ser Madel de la Porte, and his cousin Ser Patrice, a knight of Ireland, Ser Pinal Le Cervage and many more. Now Ser Pinal hated Ser Garwain, because he had slain one of his kinsmen by treason, and Ser Garwain had a great love for all kinds of fruit, which when Ser Pinal knew, he poisoned certain apples that were set upon the table with intent to slay him. And so it chanced as they ate and made merry. Ser Patrice, who sat next to Ser Garwain, took one of the poisoned apples and ate it, and when he had eaten, he suddenly swelled up and fell down dead. At that every night, leapt from the board, ashamed and enraged, nigh out of their wits, for they knew not what to say, yet seeing that the Queen had made the banquet, they all had suspicion of her. My Lady the Queen, said Ser Garwain, I went well this fruit was meant for me, for all men know my love of it, and now had I been nearly slain, wherefore I fear me, you will be ashamed. These shall not end so, called Ser Maddo de la Porte. Now have I lost the noble knight of my own blood, and for this despite and shame, I will be revenged to the uttermost. Then he challenged Queen Gwynevec concerning the death of his cousin, but she stood still, saw abashed, and anon with her sorrow and dread, she swooned. At the noise and sudden cry came in King Arthur, and to him appealed Ser Maddo and impeached the Queen. Fair Lords, said he, full sorely am I troubled at this matter, for I must be rightful judge, and therein at repenteth me I may not do battle for my wife, for as I deem, this deed was none of hers, but I suppose she will not lack a champion, and some good knight surely will put his body in jeopardy to save her. But all who had been bidden to the banquet said they could not hold the Queen excused, or be her champions, for she had made the feast, and either by herself or servants must it have come. Alas, said the Queen, I made this dinner for a good intent and no evil, so God help me in my need. My Lord the King, said Ser Maddo, I require you heartily as you be a righteous King to give me a day when I may have justice. Well, said the King, I give you this day, fifteen days, when ye shall be ready and armed at the meadow beside Westminster, and if there be a knight to fight with you, God speed the right, and if not, then must my Queen be burned. When the King and Queen were alone together, he asked her how this case befell. What not how, or in what manner? Answered she, whereas Sir Lancelot said King Arthur, for he would not grudge to do battle for thee. Sir, said she, I cannot tell you, but all his kinsmen, team, he is not in this realm. These be sad tidings, said the King. The Council you to find sub-bores, and pray him for Sir Lancelot's sake to do this battle for you. So the Queen departed and sent for sub-bores to her chamber, and besought his sucker. Madam, said he, what would you have me do? For I may not with my honour take this matter on me, for I was at that same dinner, and all the other knights would have me ever in suspicion. Now do ye miss Sir Lancelot? He would not have failed you in right nor yet in wrong, as ye often have proved. Now ye have driven him from the country. Alas, fair knight, said the Queen, I put me wholly at your mercy, and all that is done amiss I will amend as ye will counsel me. And therewith she kneeled down upon both her knees before sub-bores, and besought him to have mercy on her. A non came in King Arthur also, and prayed him of his courtesy to help her, saying, I require you for the love of Lancelot. My Lord, said he, he require the greatest thing of me that any man can ask, for if I do this battle for the Queen, I shall anger all my fellows at the table round. Nevertheless, for my Lord, Sir Lancelot, say again for yours, I will that day be the Queen's champion, unless there chance to come a better knight than I am to do the battle for her. And this he promised on his faith. Then with the King and Queen passing glad and thanked him heartily and so departed, but sub-bores rode in secret to the hermitage where Lancelot was and told him all these tidings. It is chance to I would have it, said Sir Lancelot, it make ye ready for the battle, but tarry till ye see me come. Sir, said sub-bores, doubt not, but yet ye shall have your will. But many of the knights were greatly wroth with him when they heard he was to be the Queen's champion, for there were few in the court but deemed her guilty. Then said sub-bores, which ye will, fellowed, to ashamed to us all to suffer so frail and noble a lady to be burnt for lack of a champion, for ever has she proved herself lover of good knights, wherefore I doubt not she is guiltless of this treason. At that some were well pleased, but others rested passing wroth. And when the day was come the King and Queen and all the knights went to the meadow beside Westminster where the battle should be fought. Then the Queen was put in ward and a great fire was made round the iron stake where she must be burnt if Sir Madel won the day. So when the heralds blew Sir Madel rode forth and took oath that Queen Guinevere was guilty of Sir Patrice's death, and this oath he would prove with his body against any who would say the contrary. Then came forth sub-bores and said Queen Guinevere's in the right, and I will prove with my hands. With that they both departed to their tents to make ready for the battle, but sub-bores tarried long, hoping Sir Lancelot would come till Sir Madel cried out to King Arthur, be thy champion come forth unless ye dare not. Then was sub-bores ashamed and took his horse and rode to the end of the lists. That ere he could meet Sir Madel he was aware of a knight upon a white horse, armed at all points, and with a strange shield who rode to him and said, I pray you withdraw from this quarrel for it is mine, and I have ridden far to fight in it. There at sub-bores rode to King Arthur and told him that another knight was come who would do battle for the Queen. Who is he? said King Arthur. I may not tell you, said sub-bores, but he made a covenant with me to be here today wherefore I am discharged. Then the King called that knight and asked him if he would fight for the Queen. Therefore came I hither, sir King, answered he, but let us tarry no longer for anon I have other matters to do, but which ye well, said he to the knights of the round table. It is a shame to ye for such a courteous Queen to suffer this dishonour. And all men marvelled who this knight might be for non-new him, save sub-bores. Then Sir Madel and the knight rode to either end of the lists, and couching their spears ran, warn against the other with all their might, and Sir Madel's spear broke short. The strange knight bore both him and his horse down to the ground. Then, lightly, they leaped from their saddles and drew their swords, and so came eagerly to the battle, and either gave the other many sad strokes and saw and deep wounds. Thus they fought nigh an hour, for Sir Madel was full strong and valiant knight, but at last the strange knight smote him to the earth, and gave him such a buffet on the helm as well nigh killed him. Then did Sir Madel yield and prayed his life. I will but granted thee, said the strange knight, if thou wilt release the Queen from this quarrel forever, and promise that no mention shall be made upon Sir Patrice's tomb, that ever she consented to that treason. All this shall be done, said Sir Madel. Then the knight's partners took up Sir Madel and led him to his tent, and the other knight went straight to the stairfoot of King Arthur's throne, and by that time was the Queen come to the King again, and kissed him lovingly. Then both the King and she stooped down and thanked the knight, and prayed him to put off his helm and rest him, and to take a cup of wine, and when he put his helmet off to drink, all people saw it was Sir Lancelot. But when the Queen beheld him she sank almost to the ground, weeping for sorrow and for joy, that he had done her such great goodness when she had showed him such unkindness. Then the knights of his blood gathered round him, and there was great joy and mirth in the court, and Sir Madel and Sir Lancelot were soon healed of their wounds, and not long after came the Lady of the Lake to the court, and told all there by her enchantments how Sir Pinnell and not the Queen was guilty of Sir Patrice's death, where at the Queen was held excused of all men, and Sir Pinnell fled the country. So Sir Patrice was buried in the Church of Winchester, and it was written on his tomb that Sir Pinnell slew him with a poisoned apple, in error for Sir Garway. Then the Queen was reconciled to Sir Madel, and all was forgiven. Now fifteen days before the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, the King proclaimed a tourney to be held, that feast day at Camelot, where at himself and the King of Scotland would joust with all who should come against them. So Thither went the King of North Wales, and King Anguish of Ireland, and Sir Gala Hort the noble Prince, and many other nobles of diverse countries, and King Arthur made ready to go, and would have had the Queen go with him, but she said that she was sick. Sir Lancelot also made excuses, saying he was not yet whole of his wounds. At that the King was passing heavy and grieved, and so departed alone towards Camelot, and by the way he lodged in a town called Astalat, and lay that night in the castle. As soon as he had gone Sir Lancelot said to the Queen, this night I will rest, and tomorrow by times I will take my way to Camelot, for at these jousts I will be against the King and his fellowship. You may do as you list, said Queen Guinevere, but by my counsel you will not be against the King, for in his company are many hardy knights as you well know. Madam said Sir Lancelot, I pray you be not displeased with me, for I will take the adventure that God may send me. And on the morrow he went to the church and heard Mass, and took his leave of the Queen, and so departed. Then he rode long till he came to Astalat, and there lodged at the castle of an old baron called Sir Bernard of Astalat, which was near the castle where King Arthur lodged. And as Sir Lancelot entered the King despised him and knew him, then he said to the knights, I have just seen a knight who will fight full well at the joust toward which we go. Who is it, asked they, as yet you shall not know, he answered smiling. When Sir Lancelot was in his chamber unarming, the old baron came to him, saluting him, though as yet he knew not who he was. Now Sir Bernard had a daughter, passing beautiful, called the fair maid of Astalat, and when she saw Sir Lancelot she loved him from that instant, with her whole heart, and she was very happy, and she could not stay from gazing on him. On the morrow Sir Lancelot asked for the old baron to lend him a strange shield. For, said he, I would be unknown. Sir, said his host, you shall have your desire for here is the shield of my eldest son Sator, who was hurt at the time of his death, and he was a very good man, and he was made a knight, so that he cannot ride, and his shield therefore is not known. And if it please you, my youngest son, salave shall ride with you to the drows, for he is of age, for strong and mighty, d'I diem ye be a noble knight, wherefore I pray, tell me your name. But as to that, said Sir Lancelot, you have called me excused at this time, for if I speed well at the jowse, I will come again and tell you. Tennywise, let me have your son, Salave, with me, and lend me his brother's shield. Then ere they departed came Alayne, the baron's daughter, and said to Sir Lancelot, I pray thee gentle knight, to wear my token at tomorrow's turning. If I should grant you that, Fair Damsel, said he, might say that I did more for you than ever I have done for Lady or Damsel. Then he bethought him that if he granted her a quest, he would be the more disguised, for never before had he worn any lady's token. So anon he said, Fair Damsel, I will wear thy token on my helmet, if thou would show it to me. Thereat she was passing glad, and brought him a scarlet sleeve, broided with pearls, which Sir Lancelot took and put upon his helm. Then he prayed her to keep his shield for him until he came again, and taking Sir Tours' shield instead, rode forth with Sir Lavain towards Camelot. On the morrow the trumpets blew for the Tarny, and there was a great press of dukes and urls, and barons and many noble knights, and King Arthur sat in a gallery to behold who did the best. So the King of Scotland and his knights, and King Anguish of Ireland, rode forth on King Arthur's side, and against them came the King of North Wales, the King of a hundred knights, the King of Northumberland, and the noble prince Sir Galloword. But Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavain rode into a little wood behind the party which was against King Arthur, to watch which side should prove the weakest. There was a strong fight between the two parties, for the King of a hundred knights smote down the King of Scotland, and Sir Palamese, who was on King Arthur's side, overthrew Sir Galloword. Then came fifteen knights of the round table, and beat back the Kings of Northumberland, and North Wales with their knights. Now, said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavain, if you will help me, you shall see Yonder Fellowship go back as far as they came. Sir, said Sir Lavain, I will do what I can. Then they rode together into the thickest of the press, and there with one spear, Sir Lancelot smote down five knights of the round table, one after another, and Sir Lavain overthrew two. And taking another spear for his own was broken, Sir Lancelot smote down five knights of the round table, and one spear for his own was broken. Sir Lancelot smote down four more knights, and Sir Lavain a fifth. Then drawing his sword, Sir Lancelot fought fiercely on the right hand and the left, and unharessed Sir Sapphire, Sir Epinegris, and Sir Galloword. At that, the knights of the round table withdrew themselves as well as they were able. Now mercy, said Sir Gallowayne, who sat by King Arthur. What knight is that who doth such marvellous deeds of arms? I should deem by his force to be Sir Lancelot, but that he wears a lady's chokin on his helm as never Lancelot doth. Let him be, said King Arthur. He will be better known and do more ere he depart. Thus the party against King Arthur prospered at this time, and his knights were so ashamed. Then Sir Bors, Sir Ecton, Sir Lionel, called together the knights of their blood, nine in number, and agreed to join together in one band against the two strange knights. So they encountered the two knights of the strange knights. So they encountered Sir Lancelot all at once, and by main force smote his horse to the ground. And by misfortune, Sir Bors struck Sir Lancelot through the shield into the side, and the spear broke off and left the head in the wound. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. The knight was then taken to the castle. 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