Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
Book XX explained
Sir Launcelot and Queen Guenever are discovered in adultery by Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, leading to a public accusation and a trial by combat.
What happens
Sir Launcelot and Queen Guenever are discovered in adultery by Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, leading to a public accusation and a trial by combat. Guenever is sentenced to be burned at the stake, but Launcelot rescues her, slaying many knights including Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris, which causes a rift with Sir Gawaine. The chapter sets the stage for the final conflict between Arthur and Launcelot.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Treachery
Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred betray Launcelot and Guenever by plotting to expose their affair, leading to a breakdown of trust within the Round Table.
Love and Adultery
The central conflict arises from the adulterous love between Launcelot and Guenever, which ultimately fractures the kingdom.
Characters to notice
- Sir Launcelot du Lake
Accused of adultery with Queen Guenever, rescues her from execution, and inadvertently kills Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris.
- Queen Guenever
Accused of treason for her relationship with Launcelot, sentenced to death by burning, and rescued by Launcelot.
- Sir Mordred
Plots with Sir Agravaine to expose Launcelot and Guenever, leading to the accusation and subsequent conflict.
- Sir Gawaine
Grieves the deaths of his brothers Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris, killed by Launcelot during the rescue, and becomes a driving force for vengeance against Launcelot.
- Sir Agravaine
Leads the ambush to catch Launcelot with Guenever and is killed by Launcelot during the confrontation.
Key passages
“And so Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred gat their knights, and came to the chamber door, and cried, 'Traitor knight, Sir Launcelot du Lake, now art thou taken!'”
Agravaine and Mordred gathered their knights and confronted Launcelot at Guenever's chamber, accusing him of treason.
This moment marks the public accusation that triggers the downfall of the Round Table.
“And therewithal Sir Launcelot put his shield afore him, and with his sword drawn in his hand, he rushed among them, and smote down Sir Agravaine, and Sir Mordred, and all the remnant.”
Launcelot defended himself fiercely, killing Agravaine and wounding Mordred, then escaped the ambush.
Launcelot's violent escape deepens the conflict and leads to the deaths of innocent knights.
“And when Sir Gawaine heard of the death of his brethren, he fell down in a swoon, and when he awoke he cried out, 'O Launcelot, thou traitor knight, thou hast slain my brethren!'”
Gawaine fainted upon learning of his brothers' deaths and then swore vengeance against Launcelot.
Gawaine's grief transforms into a personal vendetta that drives the narrative toward war.