Book: Le Morte Darthur

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BOOK XXI

CHAPTER I

How Sir Mordred presumed and took on him to be King of
England, and would have married the queen, his father's
wife

AS Sir Mordred was ruler of all England, he did do make
letters as though that they came from beyond the sea, and
the letters specified that King Arthur was slain in battle
with Sir Launcelot. Wherefore Sir Mordred made a
parliament, and called the lords together, and there he
made them to choose him king; and so was he crowned
at Canterbury, and held a feast there fifteen days; and
afterward he drew him unto Winchester, and there he
took the Queen Guenever, and said plainly that he would
wed her which was his uncle's wife and his father's wife.
And so he made ready for the feast, and a day prefixed
that they should be wedded; wherefore Queen Guenever
was passing heavy. But she durst not discover her heart,
but spake fair, and agreed to Sir Mordred's will. Then
she desired of Sir Mordred for to go to London, to buy
all manner of things that longed unto the wedding. And
because of her fair speech Sir Mordred trusted her well
enough, and gave her leave to go. And so when she
came to London she took the Tower of London, and
suddenly in all haste possible she stuffed it with all
manner of victual, and well garnished it with men, and so
kept it.

Then when Sir Mordred wist and understood how he
was beguiled, he was passing wroth out of measure. And
a short tale for to make, he went and laid a mighty siege
about the Tower of London, and made many great
assaults thereat, and threw many great engines unto them,
and shot great guns. But all might not prevail Sir
Mordred, for Queen Guenever would never for fair speech nor
for foul, would never trust to come in his hands again.

Then came the Bishop of Canterbury, the which was
a noble clerk and an holy man, and thus he said to Sir
Mordred: Sir, what will ye do? will ye first displease
God and sithen shame yourself, and all knighthood? Is
not King Arthur your uncle, no farther but your mother's
brother, and on her himself King Arthur begat you upon his
own sister, therefore how may you wed your father's wife?
Sir, said the noble clerk, leave this opinion or I shall curse
you with book and bell and candle. Do thou thy worst,
said Sir Mordred, wit thou well I shall defy thee. Sir,
said the Bishop, and wit you well I shall not fear me to
do that me ought to do. Also where ye noise where my
lord Arthur is slain, and that is not so, and therefore ye
will make a foul work in this land. Peace, thou false
priest, said Sir Mordred, for an thou chafe me any more
I shall make strike off thy head. So the Bishop departed
and did the cursing in the most orgulist wise that might
be done. And then Sir Mordred sought the Bishop of
Canterbury, for to have slain him. Then the Bishop fled,
and took part of his goods with him, and went nigh unto
Glastonbury; and there he was as priest hermit in a
chapel, and lived in poverty and in holy prayers, for well
he understood that mischievous war was at hand.

Then Sir Mordred sought on Queen Guenever by
letters and sonds, and by fair means and foul means, for
to have her to come out of the Tower of London; but
all this availed not, for she answered him shortly, openly
and privily, that she had liefer slay herself than to be
married with him. Then came word to Sir Mordred that
King Arthur had araised the siege for Sir Launcelot, and
he was coming homeward with a great host, to be avenged
upon Sir Mordred; wherefore Sir Mordred made write
writs to all the barony of this land, and much people
drew to him. For then was the common voice among
them that with Arthur was none other life but war and
strife, and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss.
Thus was Sir Arthur depraved, and evil said of. And
many there were that King Arthur had made up of
nought, and given them lands, might not then say him a
good word. Lo ye all Englishmen, see ye not what a
mischief here was! for he that was the most king and
knight of the world, and most loved the fellowship of
noble knights, and by him they were all upholden, now
might not these Englishmen hold them content with him.
Lo thus was the old custom and usage of this land; and
also men say that we of this land have not yet lost nor
forgotten that custom and usage. Alas, this is a great
default of us Englishmen, for there may no thing please
us no term. And so fared the people at that time, they
were better pleased with Sir Mordred than they were with
King Arthur; and much people drew unto Sir Mordred,
and said they would abide with him for better and for
worse. And so Sir Mordred drew with a great host to
Dover, for there he heard say that Sir Arthur would
arrive, and so he thought to beat his own father from his
lands; and the most part of all England held with Sir
Mordred, the people were so new-fangle.

CHAPTER II

How after that King Arthur had tidings, he returned and
came to Dover, where Sir Mordred met him to let his
landing; and of the death of Sir Gawaine

AND so as Sir Mordred was at Dover with his host, there
came King Arthur with a great navy of ships, and galleys,
and carracks. And there was Sir Mordred ready awaiting
upon his landing, to let his own father to land upon the
land that he was king over. Then there was launching
of great boats and small, and full of noble men of arms;
and there was much slaughter of gentle knights, and
many a full bold baron was laid full low, on both parties.
But King Arthur was so courageous that there might no
manner of knights let him to land, and his knights fiercely
followed him; and so they landed maugre Sir Mordred
and all his power, and put Sir Mordred aback, that he
fled and all his people.

So when this battle was done, King Arthur let bury
his people that were dead. And then was noble Sir
Gawaine found in a great boat, lying more than half dead
When Sir Arthur wist that Sir Gawaine was laid so low;
he went unto him; and there the king made sorrow out
of measure, and took Sir Gawaine in his arms, and thrice
he there swooned. And then when he awaked, he said:
Alas, Sir Gawaine, my sister's son, here now thou liest;
the man in the world that I loved most; and now is my
joy gone, for now, my nephew Sir Gawaine, I will discover
me unto your person: in Sir Launcelot and you I most
had my joy, and mine affiance, and now have I lost my
joy of you both; wherefore all mine earthly joy is gone
from me. Mine uncle King Arthur, said Sir Gawaine,
wit you well my death-day is come, and all is through
mine own hastiness and wilfulness; for I am smitten upon
the old wound the which Sir Launcelot gave me, on the
which I feel well I must die; and had Sir Launcelot been
with you as he was, this unhappy war had never begun;
and of all this am I causer, for Sir Launcelot and his
blood, through their prowess, held all your cankered
enemies in subjection and daunger. And now, said Sir
Gawaine, ye shall miss Sir Launcelot. But alas, I would
not accord with him, and therefore, said Sir Gawaine, I
pray you, fair uncle, that I may have paper, pen, and ink,
that I may write to Sir Launcelot a cedle with mine own
hands.

And then when paper and ink was brought, then
Gawaine was set up weakly by King Arthur, for he was
shriven a little to-fore; and then he wrote thus, as the
French book maketh mention: Unto Sir Launcelot, flower
of all noble knights that ever I heard of or saw by my
days, I, Sir Gawaine, King Lot's son of Orkney, sister's
son unto the noble King Arthur, send thee greeting, and
let thee have knowledge that the tenth day of May I was
smitten upon the old wound that thou gavest me afore the
city of Benwick, and through the same wound that thou
gavest me I am come to my death-day. And I will that
all the world wit, that I, Sir Gawaine, knight of the Table
Round, sought my death, and not through thy deserving,
but it was mine own seeking; wherefore I beseech thee,
Sir Launcelot, to return again unto this realm, and see
my tomb, and pray some prayer more or less for my soul.
And this same day that I wrote this cedle, I was hurt to
the death in the same wound, the which I had of thy
hand, Sir Launcelot; for of a more nobler man might
I not be slain. Also Sir Launcelot, for all the love
that ever was betwixt us, make no tarrying, but come
over the sea in all haste, that thou mayst with thy noble
knights rescue that noble king that made thee knight, that
is my lord Arthur; for he is full straitly bestead with a
false traitor, that is my half-brother, Sir Mordred; and he
hath let crown him king, and would have wedded my lady
Queen Guenever, and so had he done had she not put
herself in the Tower of London. And so the tenth day
of May last past, my lord Arthur and we all landed upon
them at Dover; and there we put that false traitor, Sir
Mordred, to flight, and there it misfortuned me to be
stricken upon thy stroke. And at the date of this letter
was written, but two hours and a half afore my death,
written with mine own hand, and so subscribed with part
of my heart's blood. And I require thee, most famous
knight of the world, that thou wilt see my tomb. And
then Sir Gawaine wept, and King Arthur wept; and then
they swooned both. And when they awaked both, the
king made Sir Gawaine to receive his Saviour. And then
Sir Gawaine prayed the king for to send for Sir Launcelot,
and to cherish him above all other knights.

And so at the hour of noon Sir Gawaine yielded up
the spirit; and then the king let inter him in a chapel
within Dover Castle; and there yet all men may see the
skull of him, and the same wound is seen that Sir Launcelot
gave him in battle. Then was it told the king that
Sir Mordred had pight a new field upon Barham Down.
And upon the morn the king rode thither to him, and
there was a great battle betwixt them, and much people
was slain on both parties; but at the last Sir Arthur's
party stood best, and Sir Mordred and his party fled unto
Canterbury.

CHAPTER III

How after, Sir Gawaine's ghost appeared to King Arthur,
and warned him that he should not fight that day

AND then the king let search all the towns for his knights
that were slain, and interred them; and salved them with
soft salves that so sore were wounded. Then much people
drew unto King Arthur. And then they said that Sir
Mordred warred upon King Arthur with wrong. And
then King Arthur drew him with his host down by the
seaside, westward toward Salisbury; and there was a day
assigned betwixt King Arthur and Sir Mordred, that they
should meet upon a down beside Salisbury, and not far
from the seaside; and this day was assigned on a Monday
after Trinity Sunday, whereof King Arthur was passing
glad, that he might be avenged upon Sir Mordred. Then
Sir Mordred araised much people about London, for they
of Kent, Southsex, and Surrey, Estsex, and of Southfolk,
and of Northfolk, held the most part with Sir Mordred;
and many a full noble knight drew unto Sir Mordred and
to the king: but they that loved Sir Launcelot drew unto
Sir Mordred.

So upon Trinity Sunday at night, King Arthur dreamed
a wonderful dream, and that was this: that him seemed
he sat upon a chaflet in a chair, and the chair was fast to
a wheel, and thereupon sat King Arthur in the richest
cloth of gold that might be made; and the king thought
there was under him, far from him, an hideous deep black
water, and therein were all manner of serpents, and worms,
and wild beasts, foul and horrible; and suddenly the king
thought the wheel turned up-so-down, and he fell among
the serpents, and every beast took him by a limb; and
then the king cried as he lay in his bed and slept: Help.
And then knights, squires, and yeomen, awaked the king;
and then he was so amazed that he wist not where he was;
and then he fell a-slumbering again, not sleeping nor
thoroughly waking. So the king seemed verily that there
came Sir Gawaine unto him with a number of fair ladies
with him. And when King Arthur saw him, then he
said: Welcome, my sister's son; I weened thou hadst
been dead, and now I see thee alive, much am I beholding
unto Almighty Jesu. O fair nephew and my sister's son,
what be these ladies that hither be come with you? Sir,
said Sir Gawaine, all these be ladies for whom I have
foughten when I was man living, and all these are those
that I did battle for in righteous quarrel; and God hath
given them that grace at their great prayer, because I did
battle for them, that they should bring me hither unto
you: thus much hath God given me leave, for to warn
you of your death; for an ye fight as to-morn with Sir
Mordred, as ye both have assigned, doubt ye not ye must
be slain, and the most part of your people on both parties.
And for the great grace and goodness that almighty Jesu
hath unto you, and for pity of you, and many more other
good men there shall be slain, God hath sent me to you of
his special grace, to give you warning that in no wise ye
do battle as to-morn, but that ye take a treaty for a month
day; and proffer you largely, so as to-morn to be put in
a delay. For within a month shall come Sir Launcelot
with all his noble knights, and rescue you worshipfully,
and slay Sir Mordred, and all that ever will hold with
him. Then Sir Gawaine and all the ladies vanished.

And anon the king called upon his knights, squires,
and yeomen, and charged them wightly to fetch his noble
lords and wise bishops unto him. And when they were
come, the king told them his avision, what Sir Gawaine had
told him, and warned him that if he fought on the morn
he should be slain. Then the king commanded Sir Lucan
the Butler, and his brother Sir Bedivere, with two bishops
with them, and charged them in any wise, an they might,
Take a treaty for a month day with Sir Mordred, and spare
not, proffer him lands and goods as much as ye think
best. So then they departed, and came to Sir Mordred,
where he had a grim host of an hundred thousand men.
And there they entreated Sir Mordred long time; and at
the last Sir Mordred was agreed for to have Cornwall and
Kent, by Arthur's days: after, all England, after the days
of King Arthur.

CHAPTER IV

How by misadventure of an adder the battle began, where
Mordred was slain, and Arthur hurt to the death

THEN were they condescended that King Arthur and
Sir Mordred should meet betwixt both their hosts, and
everych of them should bring fourteen persons; and they
came with this word unto Arthur. Then said he: I am
glad that this is done: and so he went into the field. And
when Arthur should depart, he warned all his host that an
they see any sword drawn: Look ye come on fiercely, and
slay that traitor, Sir Mordred, for I in no wise trust him.
In like wise Sir Mordred warned his host that: An ye see
any sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so
slay all that ever before you standeth; for in no wise I
will not trust for this treaty, for I know well my father
will be avenged on me. And so they met as their appointment
was, and so they were agreed and accorded thoroughly;
and wine was fetched, and they drank. Right
soon came an adder out of a little heath bush, and it stung
a knight on the foot. And when the knight felt him
stung, he looked down and saw the adder, and then he
drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of none
other harm. And when the host on both parties saw that
sword drawn, then they blew beams, trumpets, and horns,
and shouted grimly. And so both hosts dressed them
together. And King Arthur took his horse, and said:
Alas this unhappy day! and so rode to his party. And
Sir Mordred in like wise. And never was there seen a
more dolefuller battle in no Christian land; for there was
but rushing and riding, foining and striking, and many a
grim word was there spoken either to other, and many a
deadly stroke. But ever King Arthur rode throughout
the battle of Sir Mordred many times, and did full nobly
as a noble king should, and at all times he fainted never;
and Sir Mordred that day put him in devoir, and in great
peril. And thus they fought all the long day, and never
stinted till the noble knights were laid to the cold earth;
and ever they fought still till it was near night, and by
that time was there an hundred thousand laid dead upon
the down. Then was Arthur wood wroth out of measure,
when he saw his people so slain from him.

Then the king looked about him, and then was he
ware, of all his host and of all his good knights, were left
no more alive but two knights; that one was Sir Lucan
the Butler, and his brother Sir Bedivere, and they were
full sore wounded. Jesu mercy, said the king, where are
all my noble knights become? Alas that ever I should
see this doleful day, for now, said Arthur, I am come to
mine end. But would to God that I wist where were that
traitor Sir Mordred, that hath caused all this mischief.
Then was King Arthur ware where Sir Mordred leaned
upon his sword among a great heap of dead men. Now
give me my spear, said Arthur unto Sir Lucan, for yonder
I have espied the traitor that all this woe hath wrought.
Sir, let him be, said Sir Lucan, for he is unhappy; and if
ye pass this unhappy day ye shall be right well revenged
upon him. Good lord, remember ye of your night's
dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you this
night, yet God of his great goodness hath preserved you
hitherto. Therefore, for God's sake, my lord, leave off
by this, for blessed be God ye have won the field, for here
we be three alive, and with Sir Mordred is none alive;
and if ye leave off now this wicked day of destiny is past.
Tide me death, betide me life, saith the king, now I see
him yonder alone he shall never escape mine hands, for at
a better avail shall I never have him. God speed you
well, said Sir Bedivere.

Then the king gat his spear in both his hands, and ran
toward Sir Mordred, crying: Traitor, now is thy death-day
come. And when Sir Mordred heard Sir Arthur, he
ran until him with his sword drawn in his hand. And
there King Arthur smote Sir Mordred under the shield,
with a foin of his spear, throughout the body, more than
a fathom. And when Sir Mordred felt that he had his
death wound he thrust himself with the might that he
had up to the bur of King Arthur's spear. And right
so he smote his father Arthur, with his sword holden in
both his hands, on the side of the head, that the sword
pierced the helmet and the brain-pan, and therewithal Sir
Mordred fell stark dead to the earth; and the noble
Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth, and there he swooned
ofttimes. And Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir Bedivere
ofttimes heaved him up. And so weakly they led him
betwixt them both, to a little chapel not far from
the seaside. And when the king was there he thought him well
eased.

Then heard they people cry in the field. Now go
thou, Sir Lucan, said the king, and do me to wit what
betokens that noise in the field. So Sir Lucan departed,
for he was grievously wounded in many places. And so
as he yede, he saw and hearkened by the moonlight, how
that pillers and robbers were come into the field, to pill
and to rob many a full noble knight of brooches, and
beads, of many a good ring, and of many a rich jewel;
and who that were not dead all out, there they slew them
for their harness and their riches. When Sir Lucan
understood this work, he came to the king as soon as he might,
and told him all what he had heard and seen. Therefore
by my rede, said Sir Lucan, it is best that we bring you
to some town. I would it were so, said the king.

CHAPTER V

How King Arthur commanded to cast his sword Excalibur
into the water, and how he was delivered to ladies in
a barge

BUT I may not stand, mine head works so. Ah Sir
Launcelot, said King Arthur, this day have I sore missed
thee: alas, that ever I was against thee, for now have I
my death, whereof Sir Gawaine me warned in my dream.
Then Sir Lucan took up the king the one part, and Sir
Bedivere the other part, and in the lifting the king
swooned; and Sir Lucan fell in a swoon with the lift,
that the part of his guts fell out of his body, and
therewith the noble knight's heart brast. And when the king
awoke, he beheld Sir Lucan, how he lay foaming at the
mouth, and part of his guts lay at his feet. Alas, said
the king, this is to me a full heavy sight, to see this noble
duke so die for my sake, for he would have holpen me,
that had more need of help than I. Alas, he would not
complain him, his heart was so set to help me: now Jesu
have mercy upon his soul! Then Sir Bedivere wept for
the death of his brother. Leave this mourning and weeping,
said the king, for all this will not avail me, for wit
thou well an I might live myself, the death of Sir Lucan
would grieve me evermore; but my time hieth fast, said
the king. Therefore, said Arthur unto Sir Bedivere, take
thou Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder
water side, and when thou comest there I charge thee
throw my sword in that water, and come again and tell
me what thou there seest. My lord, said Bedivere, your
commandment shall be done, and lightly bring you word
again.

So Sir Bedivere departed, and by the way he beheld
that noble sword, that the pommel and the haft was all of
precious stones; and then he said to himself: If I throw
this rich sword in the water, thereof shall never come
good, but harm and loss. And then Sir Bedivere hid
Excalibur under a tree. And so, as soon as he might, he
came again unto the king, and said he had been at the
water, and had thrown the sword in the water. What
saw thou there? said the king. Sir, he said, I saw nothing
but waves and winds. That is untruly said of thee, said
the king, therefore go thou lightly again, and do my
commandment; as thou art to me lief and dear, spare not,
but throw it in. Then Sir Bedivere returned again, and
took the sword in his hand; and then him thought sin
and shame to throw away that noble sword, and so eft he
hid the sword, and returned again, and told to the king
that he had been at the water, and done his commandment.
What saw thou there? said the king. Sir, he said, I saw
nothing but the waters wap and waves wan. Ah, traitor
untrue, said King Arthur, now hast thou betrayed me
twice. Who would have weened that, thou that hast been
to me so lief and dear? and thou art named a noble
knight, and would betray me for the richness of the sword.
But now go again lightly, for thy long tarrying putteth
me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have taken cold.
And but if thou do now as I bid thee, if ever I may see
thee, I shall slay thee with mine own hands; for thou
wouldst for my rich sword see me dead.

Then Sir Bedivere departed, and went to the sword,
and lightly took it up, and went to the water side; and
there he bound the girdle about the hilts, and then he
threw the sword as far into the water as he might; and
there came an arm and an hand above the water and met
it, and caught it, and so shook it thrice and brandished,
and then vanished away the hand with the sword in the
water. So Sir Bedivere came again to the king, and told
him what he saw. Alas, said the king, help me hence, for
I dread me I have tarried over long. Then Sir Bedivere
took the king upon his back, and so went with him to
that water side. And when they were at the water side,
even fast by the bank hoved a little barge with many fair
ladies in it, and among them all was a queen, and all they
had black hoods, and all they wept and shrieked when
they saw King Arthur. Now put me into the barge, said
the king. And so he did softly; and there received him
three queens with great mourning; and so they set them
down, and in one of their laps King Arthur laid his head.
And then that queen said: Ah, dear brother, why have
ye tarried so long from me? alas, this wound on your head
hath caught over-much cold. And so then they rowed
from the land, and Sir Bedivere beheld all those ladies go
from him. Then Sir Bedivere cried: Ah my lord Arthur,
what shall become of me, now ye go from me and leave
me here alone among mine enemies? Comfort thyself,
said the king, and do as well as thou mayst, for in me is
no trust for to trust in; for I will into the vale of Avilion
to heal me of my grievous wound: and if thou hear never
more of me, pray for my soul. But ever the queens and
ladies wept and shrieked, that it was pity to hear. And
as soon as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight of the barge, he
wept and wailed, and so took the forest; and so he went
all that night, and in the morning he was ware betwixt two
holts hoar, of a chapel and an hermitage.

CHAPTER VI

How Sir Bedivere found him on the morrow dead in an
hermitage, and how he abode there with the hermit

THEN was Sir Bedivere glad, and thither he went; and
when he came into the chapel, he saw where lay an hermit
grovelling on all four, there fast by a tomb was new graven.
When the hermit saw Sir Bedivere he knew him well, for
he was but little to-fore Bishop of Canterbury, that Sir
Mordred flemed. Sir, said Bedivere, what man is there
interred that ye pray so fast for? Fair son, said the
hermit, I wot not verily, but by deeming. But this night,
at midnight, here came a number of ladies, and brought
hither a dead corpse, and prayed me to bury him; and
here they offered an hundred tapers, and they gave me an
hundred besants. Alas, said Sir Bedivere, that was my
lord King Arthur, that here lieth buried in this chapel.
Then Sir Bedivere swooned; and when he awoke he
prayed the hermit he might abide with him still there, to
live with fasting and prayers. For from hence will I
never go, said Sir Bedivere, by my will, but all the days
of my life here to pray for my lord Arthur. Ye are
welcome to me, said the hermit, for I know ye better
than ye ween that I do. Ye are the bold Bedivere, and
the full noble duke, Sir Lucan the Butler, was your
brother. Then Sir Bedivere told the hermit all as ye
have heard to-fore. So there bode Sir Bedivere with the
hermit that was to-fore Bishop of Canterbury, and there
Sir Bedivere put upon him poor clothes, and served the
hermit full lowly in fasting and in prayers.

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