Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
Book VII explained
Sir Gareth of Orkney, initially known as Beaumains, arrives at King Arthur's court and requests three boons.
What happens
Sir Gareth of Orkney, initially known as Beaumains, arrives at King Arthur's court and requests three boons. He is granted the boons and later serves as a kitchen knave for a year. He then embarks on a quest to rescue a damsel, proving his worth through a series of knightly adventures and battles.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
Gareth's journey from kitchen knave to knight emphasizes the theme of earning honor through actions rather than birth.
Chivalry and Knighthood
The chapter explores the ideals of knighthood, including humility, service, and the proving of one's valor through quests.
Characters to notice
- Sir Gareth of Orkney
Arrives at court as Beaumains, serves as a kitchen knave, and later undertakes a quest to prove his knighthood.
- King Arthur
Grants Beaumains three boons and later knights him, recognizing his noble lineage.
- Sir Kay
Scorns Beaumains and assigns him to work in the kitchen, mocking his request to be a knight.
- La Cote Male Taile
Mentioned as a knight who was also mocked by Sir Kay, drawing a parallel to Beaumains' situation.
- Sir Launcelot du Lake
Defends Beaumains against Sir Kay's mockery and later knights him, recognizing his potential.
Key passages
“And when he was come into the court, he said, God save you, lord, and all this fellowship! And then he kneeled down, and said, Sir, I pray you give me three gifts.”
Upon entering the court, the stranger knelt before King Arthur and asked for three boons.
This marks the beginning of Beaumains' request for knighthood and his eventual quest.
“Then Sir Kay said, I know him well; he is a knight of the kitchen, and was born in the kitchen, and is a kitchen knave.”
Sir Kay claimed to recognize the stranger as a lowly kitchen servant, mocking his noble aspirations.
Sir Kay's scorn sets up the conflict and Gareth's need to prove his true identity.
“Then Sir Launcelot took the knight and made him to be sworn upon a book, and so he dubbed him knight, and said, Sir, I pray you give me a gift.”
Sir Launcelot knighted the stranger after administering an oath, then asked for a favor in return.
Launcelot's act of knighting Beaumains shows his support and recognition of the young man's worth.