Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
Of a great tourney made by King Arthur and the two kings Ban and Bors, and how they went over the sea explained
King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors hold a great tourney.
What happens
King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors hold a great tourney. After the jousts, they give the prize to Sir Kay, Lucas the butler, and Sir Griflet. In council with Merlin and others, they decide to send Merlin with a token to gather Ban and Bors's men. Merlin returns with ten thousand horsemen, landing secretly in the Forest of Bedegraine, and Arthur's host of twenty thousand prepares to move against their enemies.
Themes in this chapter
Kingship and Governance
Arthur, Ban, and Bors hold council and make strategic decisions, demonstrating the responsibilities of kings in war and alliance.
Honor and Reputation
The tourney awards honor to Sir Kay, Lucas, and Griflet, and the knights strive to prove their prowess.
Characters to notice
- King Arthur
Organizes the great tourney and later leads the host with Ban and Bors.
- Sir Kay
Performs marvelously in the tourney, winning the prize.
- Sir Griflet
Fights valiantly and is awarded the prize alongside Kay and Lucas.
- Lucan the Butler
Horses Griflet again and does deeds of arms, later receiving the prize.
- Merlin
Advises the kings, carries the token to Ban and Bors's men, and arranges the secret landing of the host.
- Sir Ulfius
Attends the council with the three kings and Merlin.
Key passages
“So Griflet was the first that met with a knight, one Ladinas, and they met so eagerly that all men had wonder; and they so fought that their shields fell to pieces, and horse and man fell to the earth; and both the French knight and the English knight lay so long that all men weened they had been dead.”
Griflet was the first to encounter a knight named Ladinas; they charged so fiercely that their shields shattered and both fell from their horses, lying still so long that everyone thought they were dead.
Describes the intensity of the initial joust in the tourney.
“Then rode Merlin unto Arthur and the two kings, and told them how he had sped; whereof they had great marvel, that man on earth might speed so soon, and go and come.”
Merlin rode to Arthur and the two kings and reported his success; they were amazed that any mortal could travel and return so quickly.
Highlights Merlin's supernatural speed and the kings' astonishment.