


Gareth, keeping his noble lineage a secret, takes a quest to save a damsel, much to the distress of the damsel’s prejudiced sister. Launcelot next arrives to perform many brave feats, gaining fame across the country as the strongest knight in Logres.īook 2 then tells the individual tales of Gareth, Tristram, and Geraint’s deeds. Gawain’s courtesy is later tested again by the monstrous Lady Ragnell, but Gawain breaks her curse of ugliness through his kindness. He follows the enchanted man into the wilderness and to his castle where his queen unsuccessfully tempts Gawain to betray his knightly oaths. Gawain plays a beheading game with the mysterious Green Knight to right his prior wrongs. Morgana steals the magic scabbard and flees, always plotting to hurt Logres.īook 2 “The Knights of the Round Table” details the coming of Arthur’s most famous knights to Camelot and the various quests that prove their worthiness. Arthur’s sister, Morgana le Fay, concocts a plan to kill Arthur, but Arthur proves his bravery and diplomacy in the trap instead. Merlin leaves to sleep until he is needed in the far future, and the magical Lady Nimue takes his place. Arthur and Merlin create the Order of Chivalry so the knights will behave properly on future adventures. Gawain, Pellinore, and Tor all confront or succumb to rash behaviors, which lead to disastrous ends. To inaugurate the Round Table, Arthur sends three new knights on quests. He marries Queen Guinevere, and Merlin gifts them the Round Table, foretelling the great deeds of the knights still to arrive. Balyn strikes the Dolorous Stroke, cursing King Pelles and his Castle Carbonek but creating the conditions for the Holy Grail to come to Camelot in the future.Īrthur defeats his evil opposition and banishes the Saxons. One of Arthur’s knights, Balyn, has a series of tragic adventures after keeping a cursed sword. Arthur gathers followers and receives the sword Excalibur and its magical scabbard from Avalon, which the wizard Merlin prophesizes will help him create the godly realm of Logres. After being raised in secret, the young Arthur miraculously pulls a sword from an anvil, which declares he is the rightful king. Book 1 “The Coming of Arthur” tells how Arthur became king and united Britain. King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table is divided into four books, each following a different era of King Arthur’s reign.
