# Book VII explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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