Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
How Sir Lamorak Departed from Sir Tristram, and How He Met with Sir Frol, and After with Sir Launcelot explained
Sir Lamorak departs from Sir Tristram and rides toward Arthur's court.
What happens
Sir Lamorak departs from Sir Tristram and rides toward Arthur's court. He encounters a hermit who tells him of the tyranny of Sir Nabon, whom Tristram slew. Lamorak then rescues Sir Frol from four knights, and later meets Sir Launcelot in disguise, with whom he exchanges names and shares a joyful reunion.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Knighthood
Lamorak intervenes to rescue Sir Frol from four knights, upholding the knightly duty to defend the outnumbered.
Honor and Reputation
Knights exchange names and express mutual respect, with Launcelot refusing Lamorak's offer of service due to Lamorak's noble blood.
Characters to notice
- Sir Lamorak de Galis
Departs from Tristram, rescues Sir Frol, and meets Launcelot in white armor.
- Sir Launcelot du Lake
Disguised as the White Knight, jousts with Frol and later reveals himself to Lamorak.
- Sir Tristram de Liones
Mentioned as having slain Sir Nabon and freed the valley; Lamorak departs from him.
- Sir Frol of the Out Isles
Rescued by Lamorak from four knights, then jousts with the White Knight (Launcelot).
Key passages
“Then, said he, my name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. And my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Then they put up their swords, and kissed heartily together, and either made great joy of other.”
Lamorak and Launcelot reveal their names, sheathe their swords, embrace, and rejoice in each other's company.
The knights recognize each other's worth and share a moment of camaraderie.
“Sir, said the hermit: thereof I marvel. For this twenty winter I saw never no knight pass this country but he was either slain or villainously wounded, or pass as a poor prisoner.”
The hermit expresses astonishment that Lamorak passed safely, as for twenty years no knight had traversed that land without being killed, wounded, or captured.
The hermit highlights the former danger of the valley under Sir Nabon's tyranny.