# XV explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

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

## What happens

The battle intensifies as Lucas and other knights fight against six kings. King Arthur fights fiercely like a lion, slaying twenty knights and wounding King Lot. King Ban and King Bors join the fray, with King Bors performing great deeds. King Carados is smitten to the earth but rescued by the King with the Hundred Knights.

## Themes in this chapter

### Kingship and Governance

King Arthur leads his knights in battle, demonstrating his role as a warrior king, while King Lot and other kings strategize and form alliances.

### Violence and Vengeance

The chapter is filled with intense combat, slaying of knights, and fierce fighting, highlighting the brutality of war.

### Honor and Reputation

Knights and kings strive to prove their valor and worship, such as King Bors being called one of the most worshipfullest men.

## Character check-ins

### Lucan the Butler

Lucas sees King Agwisance and fights valiantly, slaying two bachelors and horsing knights again.

### King Arthur

Arthur fights wood as a lion, slays twenty knights, and wounds King Lot sore on the shoulder.

### King Ban

King Ban makes ready with his shield and harness, showing great courage.

### King Bors of Gaul

King Bors prepares for battle, encounters King Carados, and performs marvellous deeds of arms.

### Sir Kay

Sir Kay helps hold the six kings hard with Lucas and Griflet.

### Sir Griflet

Sir Griflet assists in holding the six kings and does great deeds with King Arthur.

### Sir Bleoberis de Ganis

Bleoberis, godson to King Bors, bears the chief standard and is a passing good knight.

### King Lot of Lothian

King Lot is wounded by Arthur, makes great dole, and devises a plan with the ten kings.

## Key lines

> But when Sir Arthur saw the battle would not be ended by no manner, he fared wood as a lion, and steered his horse here and there, on the right hand, and on the left hand, that he stinted not till he had slain twenty knights.

Seeing the battle would not end, Arthur became furious like a lion, riding his horse wildly in all directions until he had killed twenty knights.

_Arthur's ferocity in battle is emphasized._

> Then King Lot made great dole for his damages and his fellows, and said unto the ten kings, But if ye will do as I devise we shall be slain and destroyed;

King Lot lamented his losses and told the ten kings that unless they followed his plan, they would all be killed.

_King Lot's strategic thinking in the face of defeat._

## Links

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