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

Good evening. Thank you so much for being here. The Sleepy Bookshelf wouldn't be possible without your support. Help us keep the show going and enjoy all of our episodes ad-free by joining our premium feed. You'll also get exclusive bonus content. There's a link in the show notes if you'd like to learn more. 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 the Sleepy Bookshelf where we put down our worries from the day and pick up a good book. I'm Elizabeth, your host. I am so privileged to be here with you tonight. This evening we will be reading the last pages of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. But before we do that, take a moment to check in with yourself. How does your body feel right now? There's no need to change anything. Just notice. Try to breathe into any of the areas where you feel tense and let yourself soften. During the tournament, Solan Salot, though badly wounded, continued to fight, defeating many knights, including his own kinsmen, though he spared their lives. In the end he won the prize, but refused honor and rode away. Solavane helped him reach a hermitage where a knight turned hermit healed his wounds. King Arthur later learned that the victorious knight had been grievously injured and sent Sir Garwain to search for him. At Astalat, Sir Garwain discovered that the knight had been Sir Lancelot and that he had worn a token from Elaine, the baron's daughter. When Elaine heard that Lancelot was near death, she set out to find him and cared for him devotedly at the hermitage, growing ever more in love with him. Sir Bors also found Lancelot and repented for wounding him. Although Lancelot recovered, he refused Elaine's love, knowing he could not marry her. He eventually left to return to court, which caused Elaine deep sorrow. Unable to bear her unreturned love, Elaine refused to eat or drink or sleep. Before her death, she arranged to be sent by barge to Camelot, with a letter declaring her love for Sir Lancelot. When her body arrived, the court mourned her and Lancelot sorrowfully explained that he could not love her as she wished. He ensured she received a proper burial. Afterward, Queen Gwynevere reconciled with Sir Lancelot, though their renewed closeness foreshadowed future troubles for themselves and the kingdom. Tonight, Sir Lancelot faces his most difficult challenge yet. So just lie back and relax as I turn to the final pages of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Chapter 15 The War Between Arthur and Lancelot and the Passing of Arthur Within a while thereafter was a jousting at the court wherein Sir Lancelot won the prize, and two of those he smote down were Sir Agravein, the brother of Sir Gawain, and Sir Modrid, his false brother, King Arthur's son by Belecent. And because of this victory, they hated Sir Lancelot and sought how they might injure him. So on a night when King Arthur was hunting in the forest and the Queen sent for Sir Lancelot to her chamber, they too espied him. And thinking now to make a scandal and a quarrel between Lancelot and the King, they found twelve others, and said Sir Lancelot was ever now in the Queen's chamber, and King Arthur was dishonoured. Then all armed they came suddenly round the Queen's door and cried, Traitor, now art thou taken. Madam, we be betrayed, said Sir Lancelot. It shall my life cost these men dear. Then did the Queen weep, soar, and dismally she cried, Alas, there is no armour here whereby you might withstand so many, wherefore you will be slain, and I be burnt for the dread crime they will charge on me. But while she spake, the shouting of the knights was heard without, Traitor, come forth, for now thou art snared. But up to twenty deaths at once than this vile outcry, said Sir Lancelot. Then he kissed her and said, Most noble lady, I beseech thee, as I have ever been your own true knight, take courage, pray for my soul, if I be now slain and trust my faithful friends, Sir Bors and Sir Loving, to save you from the fire. But ever bitterly she wept, and moaned and cried, Would God that they would take enslaming, and that thou couldest escape? That shall never be, he said, and wrapping his mantle round his arm he unbarred the door a little space, so that but one could enter. Then first rushed in Sir Chalons, a full, strong knight, and lifted up his sword to smite Sir Lancelot. But lightly he avoided him, and struck Sir Chalons with his hand, such a sore buffet on the head as felled him dead upon the floor. Then Sir Lancelot pulled in his body, and barred the door again, and dressed himself in his armor, and took his drawn sword in his hand. But still the knights cried mightily without the door, traitor come forth. Be silent and depart, replied Sir Lancelot, for be sure you will not take me, and tomorrow will I meet you face to face before the king. You shall have no such grace, they cried, but we will slave thee, or take thee as we list. Then save yourselves who may, he thundered, and therewith suddenly unbarred the door, and rushed forth at them. And the first blow he slew Sir Agravein, and after him twelve other knights, with twelve more mighty buffets, and none of all escaped him save Sir Modred, who sorely wounded, flew away for life. Then returned he to the queen, and said, No madam, I will depart, and if you be in any danger I pray you come to me. Surely I will stay here for I am queen, she answered. Yet if tomorrow any harm come to me I trust to thee for rescue. Have you no doubt of me? He said, For ever while I live, I am your own true knight. Therewith he took his leave, and went and told Sir Bors and all his kindred of this adventure. We will be with thee in this quarrel, said they all, and if the queen be sentenced to the fire, we certainly will save her. Meanwhile Sir Modred, in great fear and pain, fled from the court, and rode until he found King Arthur, and told him all that had befallen. But the king would scarce believe him till he came, and saw the bodies of Sir Agravein, and all the other knights. Then felt he in himself that all was true, and with his passing grief his heart nigh broke. Alas, cried he, now as the fellowship of the round table forever broken. Yea, woe is me, I may not with my honor spare my queen. And on it was ordained that Queen Guinevere should be burned to death, because she had dishonoured King Arthur. But when Sir Garwain heard thereof, he came before the king and said, My lord, the council ye, be not too hasty in this matter, that stay the judgment of the queen a season for it may well be that Sir Lancelot was in her chamber for no evil, seeing she is greatly beholden to him for so many deeds done for her sake. And per adventure, she had sent him to thank him, and did it secretly that she might avoid slander. But King Arthur answered full of grief, Alas, I may not help her, she is judged as any other woman. Then he required Sir Garwain and his brethren, Sir Gahris and Sir Gara, to be ready to bear the queen tomorrow to the place of execution. Nay, noble lord, replied Sir Garwain, That can I never do, for neither will my heart suffer me to see the queen die, nor shall men ever say I was of your council in this matter. Then said his brother, you may command us to be there, but since it is against our will, we will be without arms, that we may do no battle against her. So on the morrow was Queen Guinevere led forth to die by fire, and a mighty crowd was there, of knights and nobles, armed and unarmed, and all the lords and ladies wept, saw at that piteous sight. Then was she shriven by a priest, and the men came nigh to bind her to the state, and light the fire. At that Sir Lancelot's spies rode hastily and told him and his kindred, who lay hidden in a wood hard by, and suddenly, with twenty knights, he rushed into the midst of all the throng to rescue her. But certain of King Arthur's knights rose up and fought with them, and there was a full great battle and confusion. And Sir Lancelot draped fiercely here and there among the press, and smote on every side, and at every blow struck down a knight, so that many were slain by him and his fellows. Then was the Queen set free, and caught up on Sir Lancelot's saddle, and fled away with him and all his company to the castle of La Joyeuse-Garde. Now so it chanced, that in the turmoil of the fighting Sir Lancelot had unaware struck down, and slain the two good knights, Cigara and Cigaras, knowing it not, for he fought wildly, and saw not that they were unarmed. When King Arthur heard thereof, and of all that battle, and the rescue of the Queen, he sorrowed heavily for those good knights, and was passing wrath with Lancelot and the Queen. But when Cigarwain heard of his brethren's death, he swooned for sorrow and wrath, for he wist that Sir Lancelot had killed them in malice, and as soon as he recovered he ran to the King and said, Lord King and Uncle, hear this oath which I now swore, from this day I will not fail Sir Lancelot, till one of us had slain the other, and now unless he haste to war with him, that we may be avenged, will I myself alone go after him. Then the King, full of wrath and grief, agreed there too, and sent letters throughout the realm to summon all his knights, and went with a vast army to besiege the castle of Lejoyus Gard, and Sir Lancelot, with his knights mightily defended it, but never would he suffer any to go forth and attack one of the King's army, for he was right loath to fight against him. So when fifteen weeks were passed and King Arthur's army wasted itself in vain against the castle, for it was passing strong, it chanced upon a day Sir Lancelot was looking from the walls, and despised King Arthur and Cigarwain close beside. Come forth Sir Lancelot, said King Arthur right fiercely, and let us two meet in the midst of the field. God forbid that I should encounter with thee, Lord, for thou didst make me a knight, replied Sir Lancelot. Then cried Sir Garwain, shame on thee traitor, false knight, it be ye well assured we will regain the Queen and slay thee and thy company, yea double shame on ye to slay my brother Garrus unarmed, Sir Garroth also, who loved thee so well, for that treachery be sure I am thine enemy till death. Alas, cried Sir Lancelot, that I hear such tidings to him, I knew not I had slain those noble knights, and right sorely now do I repent it with a heavy heart. It abate thy wrath, Sir Garwain, for ye know full well I did it by mischance, for I loved them ever as my own brothers. Thou loyest, false requriant, cried Sir Garwain fiercely, but that Sir Lancelot was wroth and said, I will see thou art now my enemy, and that there can be no more peace within thee or with my lord the king, else would I gladly give back the Queen. Then the king would feign have listened to Sir Lancelot, for more than all his own wrong did he grieve at the sore waste and damage of the realm, but Sir Garwain persuaded him against it, and ever cried out, foully on Sir Lancelot. When Sir Bors and the other knights of Lancelot's party heard the fierce words of Sir Garwain, they were passing wroth and prayed to ride forth and be avenged on him, for they were weary of so long waiting to know good, and in the end Sir Lancelot with a heavy heart consented. So on the morrow the hosts on either side met in the field, and there was a great battle, and Sir Garwain prayed his knights chiefly to set upon Sir Lancelot, but Sir Lancelot commanded his company to forbear King Arthur and Sir Garwain. So the two enemies jousted together right fiercely, and Sir Garwain proffered to encounter with Sir Lionel and overthrew him. But Sir Bors and Sir Blamour and Sir Palamides, who were on Sir Lancelot's side, did great feats of arms and overthrew many of King Arthur's knights. Then the king came forth against Sir Lancelot, but Sir Lancelot full bore him and would not strike again. At that Sir Bors rode up against the king and smote him down, but Sir Lancelot cried, touch him not on the pain of thy head, and going to King Arthur he elighted and gave him his own and said, my lord, I pray thee forbear this strife, for it can bring to neither of us any honour. And when King Arthur looked on him the tears came to his eyes as he thought of his noble courtesy, and he said within himself, alas, that ever this war began. But on the morrow, Sir Garwain led forth the army again, and Sir Bors commanded on Sir Lancelot's side, and they too struck together so fiercely that both fell to the ground, sorely wounded, and all the day they fought till night fell and many were slain on both sides. Yet in the end neither gained the victory. But by now the fame of this fierce war spread through all Christendom, and when the pope heard thereof he sent a bull and charged King Arthur to make peace with Lancelot, and receive back Queen Guinevere. And for the offence imputed to her absolution should be given by the pope. There too would King Arthur straight away have obeyed, but Sir Garwain ever urged him to refuse. When Sir Lancelot heard thereof he wrote thus to the king, It was never my thought, Lord, to withhold thy Queen from thee, but since she was condemned for my sake to death I deemed it but a just and nightly part to rescue her therefrom, wherefore I recommend me to your grace, and within eight days I will come to thee and bring the Queen in safety. Then within eight days, as he had said, Sir Lancelot rose from out the castle with Queen Guinevere, and a hundred knights for company, each carrying an olive branch in sign of peace. And so they came to the court and found King Arthur sitting on his throne with Sir Garwain, and many other knights around him. And when Sir Lancelot entered with the Queen they both kneeled down before the king. And on Sir Lancelot rose and said, My Lord, I have wrought him and my lady the Queen again, as right requireth, and by commandment of the pope and you. I pray ye take her to your heart again, and forget the past. For myself I may ask nothing, and for my sin I shall have sorrow and sore punishment, as I would to heaven I might have your grace. But I had the King could answer, for he was moved with pity at his words, so Garwain cried aloud, let the King do as he will, but be sure, Sir Lancelot, thou and I shall never be accorded while we live, for thou hast slain my brethren traiterously and unarmed. As heaven is my help, replied Sir Lancelot, I did it ignorantly, for I loved them well, and while I shall live I bewail their death. But to make war with me were to no avail, for I must needs fight with thee if thou assailest. In peradventure I might kill thee also, which I will write loath to do. I will forgive thee never, cried Sir Garwain, and if the King accordeth with thee, he shall lose my service. Then the knights who stood near tried to reconcile Sir Garwain to Sir Lancelot, but he would not hear them. So at the last Sir Lancelot said, Since peace is vain, I will depart, lest I bring more evil on my fellowship. And as he turned to go, the tears fell from him, and he said, Last most noble Christian realm, which I've loved above all others now, shall I see thee never more? Then said he to the Queen, Madam, now must I leave thee, and this noble fellowship forever. And I best each ye pray for me, and if ye ever be defamed of any, let me hear therof, and as I have been ever thy true knight in right and wrong, so will I be again. With that he kneeled, and kissed King Arthur's hands, and departed on his way, and there was none in all that court save Sir Garwain alone, but wept to see him go. So he returned with all his knights to the castle of La Joyeuse Garde, and for his sorrows' sake, he named it Delorius Garde, henceforth. And on he left the realm, and went with many of his fellowship beyond the sea to France, and there divided all his lands among them equally, he sharing but as the rest. And from that time forward, peace had been between him and King Arthur, but for Sir Garwain, who left the King no rest, but constantly persuaded him that Lancelot was rising mighty hosts against him. So in the end, his malice overcame the fear of the King, so in the end his malice overcame the King, who left the government in charge of Modrid, and made him guardian of the Queen, and went with the great army to invade Sir Lancelot's lands. Yet Sir Lancelot would make no war upon the King, and sent a message to gain peace on any terms King Arthur chose. But Sir Garwain met the herald there he reached the King, and sent him back with taunting and bitter words. Where at Sir Lancelot sorrowfully called his knights together, and fortified the castle of Benwick, and there was shortly besieged by the army of King Arthur. And every day, Sir Garwain rode up to the walls, and cried out foully on Sir Lancelot, till upon a time Sir Lancelot answered him that he would meet him in the field, and put his boasting to the proof. So it was agreed on both sides that there should none come nigh them, nor separate them, till one had fallen or yielded, and they too rode forth. Then did they wheel their horses apart, and turning came together as it had been thunder, so that both horses fell, and both their lances broke. And that they drew their swords, and set upon each other fiercely with passing, grievous strokes. Now Sir Garwain had through magic a marvellous great gift, for every day from morning till noon his strength waxed to the might of seven men, but after that waned to his natural force. Therefore till noon he gave Sir Lancelot many mighty buffets which scarcely he endured, yet greatly he forbore Sir Garwain, for he was aware of his enchantment, and smote him slightly till his own nights marvelled. But afternoon Sir Garwain's strength sank fast, and then with one full blow Sir Lancelot laid him on the earth. Then Sir Garwain cried out, Turn not away thou traitor knight, but slay me if thou wilt, for else I will arise and fight with you again some other time. Sir Knight replied Sir Lancelot, I never yet smote a fortom man. At that they bore Sir Garwain sorely wounded to his tent, and King Arthur withdrew his men, for he was loath to shed the blood of so many knights of his own fellowship. But now came tidings to King Arthur from across the sea which caused him to return in haste, for thus the news ran that no sooner was Sir Modred set up in his regency, than he had forged false tidings from abroad that the king had fallen in a battle with Sir Lancelot, where at he had proclaimed himself the king, and had been crowned at Canterbury, where he had held a coronation feast for fifteen days. Then he had gone to Winchester, where Queen Guinevere abode, and had commanded her to be his wife, where too for fear and sore perplexity she had feigned consent, but under pretext of preparing for the marriage had fled in haste to London, and taken shelter in the tower, fortifying it, and providing it with all manner of victuals, and defending it against Sir Modred, and answering to all his threats that she would rather slay herself than be his queen. Thus was it written to King Arthur, then in passing great wrath and haste, he came with all his armies swiftly back from France, and sailed to England. But when Sir Modred heard thereof he left the tower, and marched with all his host to meet the king at Dover. Then flared Queen Guinevere to Amesbury to a nunnery, and there she clothed herself in sackcloth, and spent her time in praying for the king, and in good deeds and fasting, and in that nunnery evermore she lived, sorely repenting and mourning for her sin, and for the ruin she had brought on all the realm, and there and on she died. And when Sir Lancelot heard thereof he put his nightly armour off, and bade farewell to all his king, and went a mighty pilgrimage for many years, and after lived a hermit to his death. When Sir Modred came to Dover he found King Arthur and his army, but just landed, and there they fought a fierce and bloody battle, and many great and noble knights fell on both sides. But the king's side had the victory, for he was beyond himself with might and passion, and all his knights so fiercely followed him that in spite of all their multitude, they drove Sir Modred's army back with fearful wounds and slaughter, and slept that night upon the battlefield. But Sir Garwain was smitten by an arrow, in the wound Sir Lancelot gave him, and wounded to the death. Then was he born to the king's tent, and King Arthur sorrowed over him, as it had been his own son. Alas, said he, in Sir Lancelot and in you I had my greatest earthly joy. And now it's all gone from me. And Sir Garwain answered with a feeble voice, My Lord and King, I know well my death is come, and through my own willfulness, for I am smitten in the wounds Sir Lancelot gave me. Alas, that I have been the cause of all this war, but for me thou hadst been now at peace with Lancelot, and then had Modred never done this treason. I pray ye therefore, my dear Lord, be now agreed with Lancelot, then tell him that although he gave me my death wound, it was through my own seeking, wherefore I beseech him to come back to England, and here, I am now at peace with Lancelot. To visit my tomb, and pray for my soul. When he had thus spoken, Sir Garwain gave up his ghost, and the King grievously mourned for him. Then they told him that the enemy had camped on barram downs, whereat with all his hosts he straight away marched there, and fought again a bloody battle, and overthrew Sir Modred utterly. How beard he raised yet another army, and retreating ever from before the King increased his numbers as he went, till at the farthest west in Lionass he once more made a stand. Now on the night of Trinity Sunday, being the eve of the battle, King Arthur had a vision, and saw Sir Garwain in a dream, who warned him not to fight with Modred on the morrow, else he would be surely slain, and prayed him to delay till Lancelot and his knights should come to aid him. So when King Arthur woke, he told his lords and knights that vision, and all agreed to wait the coming of Sir Lancelot. Then a herald was sent with a message of truce to Sir Modred, and a treaty was made, that neither army should assail the other. But when the treaty was agreed upon and the heralds returned, King Arthur said to his knights, But were, there Sir Modred deceive us, for I know wise trust him, and if swords be drawn be ready to encounter. And Sir Modred likewise gave an order that if any man of the king's army drew his sword, they should begin to fight. And as it chanced, a knight at the king's side was bitten by an adder in the foot, and hastily drew forth his sword to slay it. That saw Sir Modred, and forthwith, commanded all his army to assail the king's. So both sides rushed to battle and fought passing fiercely. And when the king saw there was no hope to stay them, he did right mightily and nobly as a king should do, and ever like a lion, raged in the thickest of the press, and slew on the right hand and on the left, till his horse went of betlock deep in mud. So all day long they fought and stinted, not till many a noble knight was slain. But the king was passing sorrowful to see his trusty knights lie dead on every side, and the last but two remained beside him, Sir Lucan and his brother Sir Bedivere, and both were sorely wounded. Now I come to my end, said King Arthur, but lo, I try to modroth liveeth yet, and I may not die till I have slain him. Now give me my spear, Sir Lucan. Lord, let him be, replied Sir Lucan, for if ye pass this unhappy day ye shall be right well avenged upon him. I could, Lord, remember well your dream and what the spirit of Sargawaine did for Warni. Betide me, life, betide me, death, said the king. Now I see him yonder alone. He shall never escape my hands, for at a better vantage shall I never have him. God speed you well, said Sir Bedivere. Then King Arthur got his spear in both his hands and ran towards Sir Modrid, crying, Draytor, now is thy death, they come. And when Sir Modrid heard his words and saw him come, he drew his sword and stood to meet him. Then King Arthur smoked Sir Modrid through the body more than a fathom, and when Sir Modrid felt he had his death wound, he thrust himself with all his might up to the end of King Arthur's spear and smoked his father Arthur with his sword upon the head. And therewith Sir Modrid fell down, stark, dead to the earth, and King Arthur fell down also in a swoon and swooned many times. Then Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere came and bare him away to a little chapel by the seashore, and there Sir Lucan sank down with the bleeding of his own wounds and fell dead. And King Arthur lay long in a swoon, and when he came to himself he found Sir Lucan lying dead beside him, and Sir Bedivere weeping over the body of his brother. Then said the King to Sir Bedivere, weeping will avail no longer, else would I grieve forever more. Alas, now is the fellowship of the round table dissolved forever, and all my realm I have loved is wasted with war. My time hath fasted before take thou, Excalibur, my good sword, and go therewith to yonder waterside and throw it in, and bring me word what thing thou seest. So Sir Bedivere departed, but as he went he looked upon the sword, the hilt whereof was inlaid with precious stones exceeding rich, and presently he said within himself, if I now throw this sword into the water what good should come of it. So he hid the sword among the reeds, and came again to the King. What sawest thou? said he to Sir Bedivere. There, Lord, said he, I saw nothing else but wind and waves. Thou hast untruly spoken, said the King, wherefore go lightly back and throw it in, and span not. Then Sir Bedivere returned, and took the sword up in his hand, but when he looked on it he thought it's in, and shame to throw away a thing so noble. Wherefore he hid it yet again, and went back to the King. What saw ye? said King Arthur. Lord, answered he, I saw nothing but the water ebbing and flowing. I'll trade her, untrue, cried out the King twice, as thou now betrayed me. Art thou called of men a noble knight, and what is to betray me for a jeweled sword? Thou therefore go again for the last time for thy tarrying hath put me in sore peril of my life, then I fear my wound hath taken cold. And if thou do not this time by my faith I will arise and slay thee with my hat. Then Sir Bedivere ran quickly, took up the sword, and went down to the water's edge, and bound the girdle round the hilt, and threw it far into the water. And lo, an arm and hand came forth above the water, and caught the sword, and brandished it three times, and banished. So Sir Bedivere came again to the King and told him what he had seen. Help me from hence, said King Arthur, for I dread me I have tarried over long. Then Sir Bedivere took the King up in his arms, and bore him to the water's edge. And by the shore they saw a barge, with three fair queens therein, all dressed in black, and when they saw King Arthur they wept and wailed. Now put me in the barge, said he to Sir Bedivere, and tenderly he did so. No. Then the three queens received him, and he laid his head upon the lap of one of them who cried. Alas, dear brother, why have you tarried so long, for your wound hath taken cold? With that the barge put from the land, and when Sir Bedivere saw it departing he cried with a bitter cry. Alas, my Lord King Arthur, what shall become of me, now ye have gone from me? Come, then ye, said King Arthur, and be strong, for I may no more help ye. I go to the Vale of Avalon to heal me of my grievous wound, and if ye see me no more pray for my soul. Then the three queens kneeled down around the king, and sorely wept and wailed, and the barge went forth to sea, and departed slowly, out of Sir Bedivere's sight. The end.