# How tidings came to Arthur that King Rience had overcome eleven kings, and how he desired Arthur’s beard to trim his mantle. explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

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

## What happens

A messenger from King Rience of North Wales arrives at Arthur's court, delivering an insulting demand: King Rience has defeated eleven kings and taken their beards to trim a mantle, and now he requires Arthur's beard to complete it, or else he will invade Arthur's lands. Arthur responds with defiance, refusing homage and threatening to take Rience's head instead. A knight named Naram confirms Rience's prowess and pride, and Arthur resolves to prepare for war.

## Themes in this chapter

### Kingship and Governance

Arthur asserts his royal authority by rejecting Rience's demand for homage and threatening to take his head, demonstrating the responsibilities and challenges of kingship.

### Honor and Reputation

The insulting message and Arthur's proud response highlight the importance of honor and the defense of one's reputation in the Arthurian world.

### Violence and Vengeance

Arthur's threat to take Rience's head and his preparation for war foreshadow the violent conflict to come.

## Character check-ins

### King Arthur

Receives the insulting message from King Rience and responds with defiance, vowing to make Rience do homage or lose his head.

### King Rience

Sends a messenger demanding Arthur's beard to complete a mantle trimmed with the beards of eleven defeated kings.

## Key lines

> Well, said Arthur, thou hast said thy message, the which is the most villainous and lewdest message that ever man heard sent unto a king; also thou mayest see my beard is full young yet to make a purfle of it. But tell thou thy king this: I owe him none homage, nor none of mine elders; but or it be long to, he shall do me homage on both his knees, or else he shall lose his head, by the faith of my body, for this is the most shamefulest message that ever I heard speak of.

Arthur tells the messenger that his message is the most vile and foolish ever sent to a king, and that his beard is too young for such a purpose. He commands the messenger to tell King Rience that Arthur owes him no homage, and that soon Rience will kneel in homage to Arthur or lose his head.

_Arthur's defiant response establishes his refusal to submit to Rience's insulting demand._

## Links

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