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Book Six "Enter Lancelot"

Chapter Eleven: "Lancelot Slays Two Giants"

   

 


 

Lancelot defending those who cannot defend themselves.

   
 

                 Extended Summary

 All of a sudden, two giants came forth, each with a club in hand. Lancelot drew his sword, brought up his shield and charged the mighty giants. He swung his sword and sliced off the head of one of the giants. Stunned, the other giant turned and ran away, but Lancelot wasn’t done with him. Lancelot chased after the giant with all of his might, striking downward on the giants shoulder with his sword.

Upon Lancelot’s return to the village that the giants had been terrorizing, he was greeted by three fair ladies of the village. After much praise from the villagers, Lancelot found that the castle (Tintagil) was the wedding place of the duke and Igraine and also the wedding place of Uther and Igraine. Tintagil was also the birthplace of Arthur. Lancelot was honored to have helped and he departed.

Lancelot mounted his horse and rode off into the countryside. He came across a cottage where an old gentlewoman resided, and she took him in for the night. He disarmed, undressed, and went to sleep. During the course of the night, Lancelot was awakened by the sound of horses and loud banging on the gate of his dwelling. He arose and looked outside. He saw a single knight being chased down by three other knights. From his good judgment and ideals of fairness in combat, he chose to help the lone knight fend off the opposing three.

Lancelot grabbed his harness and went to face the three knights, side by side with the mysterious lone knight (Sir Kay). The three knights turn to Lancelot and begin fighting, slashing their swords violently and him. Sir Kay offered his help to Lancelot, but Lancelot refused and asked that he simply get out of his way. Sir Kay agreed and stepped aside. Then, within six blows of Lancelot’s harness, the knights were unhorsed and defeated.

The defeated knights begged for the mercy of Lancelot. They yielded to his greatness and told him that they would do whatever he asked them to do. Lancelot spared their lives and told them to go to Camelot on the Whitsunday and go onto Queen Guinevere and ask for her mercy. The knights left, and Lancelot brought Sir Kay into the cottage.

The light from the moon streamed onto Lancelot, allowing Sir Kay to see and recognize his savior. He bowed to Lancelot and praised him for his aid. Later that night, while Kay was sleeping, Lancelot took Kay’s armor and horse and left him at the cottage. When Sir Kay arose, he was baffled that Lancelot was gone. Kay then moved onto Camelot, thanking his savior and host.

 

 Written by, Neal Vercler, Class of 07

 

Lancelot gives his shield to Guinevere

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