# How Griflet was made knight, and jousted with a knight explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

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

## What happens

Young Griflet beseeches King Arthur to make him a knight, despite Arthur's concern for his youth. Merlin warns that Griflet will become a good knight but is in great peril if he jousts with the knight at the fountain. Arthur knights Griflet on the condition that he return immediately after the joust, win or lose. Griflet rides to the fountain, challenges the knight, and is swiftly defeated, being wounded and thrown from his horse.

## Themes in this chapter

### Chivalry and Knighthood

The chapter depicts the formal knighting of Griflet and the chivalric obligation to joust, highlighting the ideals and perils of knighthood.

## Character check-ins

### King Arthur

Arthur knights Griflet despite his youth, showing his willingness to honor requests and his concern for his knights' safety.

### Merlin

Merlin advises Arthur, warning of the danger Griflet faces against the knight at the fountain.

### Sir Griflet

Newly knighted, Griflet insists on jousting with the knight at the fountain and is wounded and defeated.

## Key lines

> Thou art full young and tender of age, said Arthur, for to take so high an order on thee.

Arthur tells Griflet he is too young and inexperienced to become a knight.

_Arthur's initial reluctance underscores the seriousness of knighthood._

> Sir, said Merlin, it were great pity to lose Griflet, for he will be a passing good man when he is of age, abiding with you the term of his life.

Merlin warns that Griflet's life is at great risk, but he will become a worthy knight if he survives.

_Merlin's prophecy foreshadows Griflet's potential and the immediate danger._

> Then Griflet smote on the shield with the butt of his spear, that the shield fell down to the ground.

Griflet struck the knight's shield with the end of his spear, knocking it to the ground as a challenge.

_This act formally issues the challenge to joust, following knightly custom._

## Links

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