# XVII explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

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

## What happens

Merlin ends the great battle between Arthur's forces and the eleven kings, advising Arthur to withdraw and reward his knights. He reveals that the Saracens have invaded the lands of the eleven kings, ensuring peace for three years. Arthur follows Merlin's counsel, and later Merlin visits his master Bleise to record the battle. Disguised, Merlin returns to Arthur and reveals hidden treasure. A damosel named Lionors comes to do homage, and Arthur fathers a son named Borre. Word arrives that King Rience is making war on King Leodegrance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Kingship and Governance

Arthur demonstrates leadership by heeding Merlin's counsel, rewarding his knights, and managing the aftermath of battle, while also dealing with the threat from King Rience.

### Violence and Vengeance

The chapter is dominated by the brutal battle, with immense slaughter described—sixty thousand reduced to fifteen thousand—and horses wading in blood.

### Fate and Tragedy

Merlin's intervention and prophecy that the eleven kings will be occupied by Saracens for three years shapes the fate of the realm, averting further immediate tragedy.

## Character check-ins

### King Arthur

Leads the battle against the eleven kings; follows Merlin's advice to withdraw and reward his knights; fathers a son named Borre with Lionors.

### Merlin

Ends the battle by advising Arthur to withdraw; visits his master Bleise to record the battle; returns disguised to Arthur and reveals hidden treasure.

### King Ban

Fights alongside Arthur and Bors; receives goods from the battle to reward his knights.

### King Bors of Gaul

Fights alongside Arthur and Ban; receives goods from the battle to reward his knights.

### Sir Ulfius

One of the forty noble knights who dressed to break the battle; recognizes Merlin in disguise.

### Sir Brastias

One of the forty noble knights; recognizes Merlin in disguise.

### Sir Kay

Listed among the forty noble knights who dressed to break the battle.

### Lucan the Butler

Listed among the forty noble knights who dressed to break the battle.

## Key lines

> With that came Merlin on a great black horse, and said unto Arthur, Thou hast never done! Hast thou not done enough? of three score thousand this day hast thou left alive but fifteen thousand, and it is time to say Ho! For God is wroth with thee, that thou wilt never have done; for yonder eleven kings at this time will not be overthrown, but an thou tarry on them any longer, thy fortune will turn and they shall increase.

Merlin rides up on a black horse and tells Arthur to stop fighting, pointing out that out of sixty thousand enemies, only fifteen thousand remain alive, and that God is angry with him for continuing. He warns that if Arthur persists, his luck will change and the eleven kings will grow stronger.

_Merlin's intervention ends the battle, highlighting his role as a divine or prophetic advisor._

> Also said Merlin, withdraw you where ye list, for this three year I dare undertake they shall not dere you; and by then ye shall hear new tidings.

Merlin advises Arthur to retreat wherever he wishes, assuring him that the eleven kings will not harm him for three years, and that he will receive news by then.

_Merlin's prophecy gives Arthur a period of peace, allowing him to consolidate his rule._

> And King Arthur set his love greatly upon her, and so did she upon him, and the king had ado with her, and gat on her a child: his name was Borre, that was after a good knight, and of the Table Round.

King Arthur and the damosel Lionors fell deeply in love, and he slept with her, conceiving a son named Borre, who later became a good knight of the Round Table.

_This episode shows Arthur's personal life and the birth of a future knight, linking his lineage to the Round Table._

## Links

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