Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
How King Pellinore Took Arthur's Horse and Followed the Questing Beast, and How Merlin Met with Arthur explained
King Arthur encounters a knight who takes his horse to pursue the Questing Beast.
What happens
King Arthur encounters a knight who takes his horse to pursue the Questing Beast. Merlin appears first as a child and then as an old man, revealing to Arthur his parentage and the prophecy that Arthur's incestuous relationship with his sister will produce a child who will destroy him. Arthur later confirms his lineage with Sir Ector and Sir Ulfius, and sends for his mother Igraine.
Themes in this chapter
Fate and Tragedy
Merlin's prophecy that Arthur's child by his sister will destroy him and his knights sets a tragic, inescapable fate for the king.
Kingship and Governance
Arthur's concern with his lineage and his authority as king are central, as he seeks confirmation of his royal parentage.
Betrayal and Treachery
The prophecy of a child born of incest who will destroy Arthur foreshadows future betrayal and treachery within the kingdom.
Characters to notice
- King Arthur
Arthur is pensive after losing his horse to a knight and learns of his parentage and a dark prophecy from Merlin.
- Merlin
Merlin appears in two forms—first as a child of fourteen, then as an old man of fourscore—to reveal Arthur's lineage and foretell his doom.
- Igraine
Arthur's mother, Queen Igraine, is sent for and arrives with her daughter Morgan le Fay to confirm Arthur's parentage.
- Morgan le Fay
Morgan le Fay accompanies her mother Igraine to meet King Arthur.
- Sir Ulfius
Sir Ulfius is one of the knights Arthur asks about his begetting.
- Sir Ector de Maris
Sir Ector is questioned by Arthur about his parentage and confirms Uther Pendragon as his father.
Key passages
“Ah, fool, said the knight unto Arthur, it is in vain thy desire, for it shall never be achieved but by me, or my next kin.”
The knight dismisses Arthur's wish to pursue the Questing Beast, claiming only he or his kin can succeed.
This exchange establishes the knight's arrogance and the special destiny attached to the Questing Beast.
“Also I know what thou art, and who was thy father, and of whom thou wert begotten; King Uther Pendragon was thy father, and begat thee on Igraine.”
Merlin reveals to Arthur that his father is King Uther Pendragon and his mother is Igraine.
This revelation confirms Arthur's royal lineage and fulfills the earlier prophecy of his birth.
“But ye have done a thing late that God is displeased with you, for ye have lain by your sister, and on her ye have gotten a child that shall destroy you and all the knights of your realm.”
Merlin tells Arthur that God is angry because Arthur has slept with his own sister, and she will bear a son who will bring about Arthur's downfall and the ruin of his knights.
This prophecy sets the stage for the tragic conflict with Mordred that will ultimately end Arthur's reign.