# Book III explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

> Chapter companion for Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory.

## What happens

King Arthur establishes his court and marries Guenever, receiving the Round Table as a wedding gift. The knights of the Round Table are introduced, and their early adventures and quests begin, including Sir Gawaine's accidental slaying of a lady and Sir Tor's knighthood.

## Themes in this chapter

### Kingship and Governance

Arthur's marriage and establishment of the Round Table demonstrate his consolidation of power and the ideals of his rule.

### Chivalry and Knighthood

The introduction of the Round Table and the early adventures of knights like Gawaine and Tor highlight the code of chivalry.

## Character check-ins

### King Arthur

Establishes his court, marries Guenever, and receives the Round Table.

### Queen Guenever

Marries King Arthur and becomes queen.

### Sir Gawaine

Accidentally slays a lady, an event that marks his early adventures.

### Sir Tor

Is knighted and begins his quests as a knight of the Round Table.

### Merlin

Advises Arthur and arranges the marriage to Guenever.

## Key lines

> So Arthur married Guenever, and she was crowned queen.

Arthur wed Guenever, and she was officially made queen.

_The marriage of Arthur and Guenever is a pivotal event in the establishment of Arthur's court._

> And there was the Round Table made, and it was ordained that all knights who sat at it should be equal.

The Round Table was created, and it was decreed that every knight seated there would have equal status.

_The Round Table symbolizes the ideal of equality among Arthur's knights._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters