Camelot 2001 Character Info

Isolde

Guardian's Desire
Joined
Dec 27, 2000
Posts
4,432
This is not a rping thread. I am simply setting up a reference thread for the players of Camelot 2001. It is here that I will be posting the guidelines that I, as the GM, will be using during the thread. If anyone is interested in joining this thread, the addy for the OOC is on the bottom of this page. PLEASE do not post here.

Okay, here is the story. Merlin from King Arthur time is still alive and kicking. (I will GM as Merlin, btw). He has been battling Arthur's half sister Morgan le Fay the whole time (played by our own Imoen). Neale will be King Arthur but he will not be a major character in this until later.

It is the year 2001 and the signs have told Merlin that it is time for the Knights of the Round Table to rise again and to put down Morgan le Fay for the final time before she can bring death and destruction to the world. (Kind of an end of the world as we know it thing). The problem is that the knights were killed along time ago when Arthur was taken to Avalon (I believe my history is correct here) after being mortally wounded. Arthur sleeps in kind of a suspended animation in a place known only to Merlin but he cannot be awaken until the knights have arisen once more.

We solve this problem by magics which Merlin worked over each knight before his death. These magics bide the souls of the knights to remain earthbound until the time was right and then each soul picks out a newborn babe that has the strengths and moral courage to contend with the evil Merlin saw would rise up in this day. The soul remains passive in the babe as it grows to an adult and will be called forth by Merlin at the appointed time.

Now comes the fun part. The babes that were picked were not always men so this game is open to both men and women. Pick a knight, any knight and lets have fun. It will add to the plot to have some of the knights going bonkers in women's bodies or even for them to feel comfortable with them strange as that may seem to their fellows.

Now, the people of the 21st Century that house these spirits dont know it yet. They are dormant. But we will start with Merlin showing up on people's doorsteps and 'drawing out' the spirit of the knight within them BUT they will not forget their 21st Century knowledge or who they are (were) before Merlin does his thing. They will remember their families, their pasts (both of them) and they will have to come to grips with them. Once the knight's spirit is 'awaken' their sense of duty will compell them to follow Merlin how they balance that with the 21st Century memories and duties is an individual thing.

Then it is time for training and on to the quest. Oh, and Morgan will be throwing obsticles in everyone's paths so that they dont meet our good wizard so expect the unexpected.

http://www.literotica.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=36100&perpage=20&pagenumber=1
 
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LANCELOT

Sir Lancelot du Lac-indyweasel

- The past is the past. But someday I will repay my debt to King Arthur


Name
Lancelot.
Launcelot (English).
Lancelot du Lac ("Lancelot of the Lake").
Galahad (baptismal name).

King's Son.

Le Chevaler Mal Fet (alias).

Homeland: Ganis
Culture: Occitain Religion: Christian
Father's Name: Ban de Ganis
Father's Class: King
Lord: Arthur
Current Class: Knight of the Round Table
Current Home: Joyous Garde


Coat of Arms: Red and White diagonal stripes


Blow, weary wind,
The golden rod scarce chiding;
Sir Launcelot is riding
By shady wood-paths pleasant
To fields of yellow corn.
He starts a whirring pheasant,
And clearly winds his horn.
The Queen's Tower gleams mid distant hills;
A thought like joyous sunshine thrills,
"My love grows kind."

*Launcelot by Sinclair Lewis


Current -

Max Stanion. 28 year old Construction worker. Is thought of as one of those people who helps others and then gets embarresed when people try and recognize him for that. He has recently gotten engaged to his longtime girlfriend and is working with her on their marriage in the winter.

Past-

Here is a chronology of Lancelot's life:

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/1567/chronology.html

According to French sources and Malory, Lancelot was the son of King Ban of Benwick, one of the young King Arthur's staunchest supporters, and his queen, Elaine. King Ban became involved in a war with the neighboring kingdom of King Claudus. Claudus defeated Ban and forced the king and queen to flee. As they were fleeing, Ban looked back and the sight of his home in flames caused him to fall in a swoon from which he never rose. Running to his aid, Elaine left Lancelot beside a lake and the Lady of the Lake stole the child away and raised him in her underwater palace where he was known as Lancelot of the Lake.


While growing up among the company of women and faery-like mermen of the Lady of the Lake's palace, Lancelot quickly developed his great strength and skill in arms. At the age of eighteen, he met his cousins, Bors and Lional, and his half-brother, Ector, and the four men set out for Camelot. In memory of King Ban's support during his youth, Arthur found great favor with Lancelot and dubbed him a knight on St. John's Day.

In some versions of the legend, one of Lancelot's first tasks as a knight was to fetch Arthur's bride, Guinevere, to Camelot for their wedding. During this journey, Guinevere and Lancelot fell in love. In other stories, Guinevere was already established at court when Lancelot arrived, and he soon became one of the Queen's Knights, a sub-order of the Round Table of which young, aspiring knights belonged before they had fully proven themselves. (I will let Lancelot and Gwen get together on this. Let me know which version you both would like to follow.)

His early adventure after being knighted, when Lancelot became lord of Dolorous Guard, which he had single-handedly conquered. Dolorous Guard was renamed to Joyous Guard, after he lifted the curse and enchantment from the castle.

When Guinevere was abducted by Meliagaunce, the son of King Bagdemagus, Lancelot pursued him in a cart and had to cross a sword bridge to reach the castle. Bagdemagus pleaded with Guinevere to stop the fight so Meliagaunce's life would be spared. Later, Meliagaunce accused Guinevere of having an affair with Sir Kay, and so the battle between him and Lancelot began again. Once again, Bagdemagus pled for his son's life. Eventually, Lancelot slew Meliagaunce in combat at Arthur's court.

After joining the ranks of Knights of the Round Table, Lancelot helped Arthur put down the rebellion of Galehaut the Haut Prince, who surrendered to Arthur after observing Lancelot's chivalry and prowess in battle. Afterwards, Galehaut became Lancelot's closest friend and acted as a secret go-between Lancelot and Guinevere. The pair also took refuge in Galehaut's kingdom of Sorelois when Guinevere the False took the queen's place at court. After the deception was discovered, Lancelot restored the queen to Arthur, but by this time Lancelot and Guinevere were irrevocably in love.

Suffering from a guilty conscience, Lancelot pursued quest after quest in order to be away from Guinevere. Lancelot visted King Pelles the Grail Guardian and saved his daughter, Elaine of Corbenic, from a tub of boiling water in which she had been imprisoned by enchantment for several years. Brisen, her nurse, arranged for Lancelot to think Elaine was Guinevere and he slept with her. As a result, Galahad was conceived.

It has been suggested by P.L. Travers that Lancelot might have taken a vow of celibacy when he could not love Guinevere. The knowledge he had not only betrayed his love for Guinevere but had also broken this vow drove Lancelot mad. Eventually, he is discovered by Elaine of Astolat, with whom he returned to Joyous Gard. Elaine later died from her unrequited love for Lancelot.

After a time, Lancelot's son Galahad appeared and they began their quest for the Holy Grail. Lancelot had several visions of the Grail and finally found the door to the chapel where the holy vessel was kept. He was prevented from entering by an angelic presence and fell into a trance which lasted for several weeks. During this time, it was made clear to him this quest was at an end and his failure was due to his love for Guinevere, which exceeded his love for God. For a time, Lancelot was determined to renounce his love for her, but once he returned to court their affair continued its course.

When Lancelot and Guinevere were discovered together in her chamber by Mordred, just when they had decided to end their love affair, Lancelot fled and Guinevere was sentenced to burn at the stake. Lancelot returned to rescue her, accidently killing Agravain, and Gawain's brothers, Gaheris and Gareth in the process. War between Lancelot and Arthur ensued, but was broken off when Arthur had to return to Camelot to deal with Mordred's rebellion. Hearing of this, Lancelot returned to aid Arthur but arrived too late to save him from a mortal wound. After the war, Lancelot visited Guinevere one last time in a nunnery at Amesbury and then put aside his weapons and armor to become a hermit, which was how he lived out the rest of his life. He was buried at Joyous Guard, and Sir Ector, the last of the original Knights of the Round Table delivered the following eulogy:


"Ah Lancelot, thou are head of all Christians
knights, and now I dare say, thou Sir Lancelot,
there thou liest, that thou was never matched
of earthly knights. And thou were the courteous
knight that ever bare shield. And thou were the
truest friend to thy lover that ever bestrad horse.
And thou were the truest lover of a sinful man that
ever loved woman. And thou were the kindest man
that ever struck with sword. And thou were the
goodliest person that ever came among press of
knights. And thou was the meekest man and the
gentlest that ever ate in hall among ladies. And
thou were the sternest knight to they mortal foe that
ever put spear in the rest."

Here is a kind of guideline of relationships for Lancelot:

Son of King Ban of Banoic

Raised by Nimue

Best of Friends with King Arthur and Sir Gawain (until the end)

Lover of Queen Guinevere

Cousin to Bors and Lionel

Father to Galahad who was sired with Elaine, daughter of King Pelles

Half-brother to Ector

Slayer of Agravain, Gaheris and Gareth
 
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GALAHAD

Galahad-Ask For More

Name: Galahad
Homeland: Logres
Culture: Occitain Religion: Christian
Father's Name: Lancelot
Father's Class: Knight of the Round Table
Lord: Arthur
Current Class: Knight of the Round Table
Current Home: Camelot


Coat of Arms: Red Cross on White background

Present-

To add some international flavour Sir Galahad's reincarnation is a young 21 year old living in Hong Kong. Richard Ko, a smart kid who was forced into joining the triads while still in school. At first he thought it was cool, since he was a good figher, and rose quickly in the ranks. However, after seeing his best friend killed by a rival gang member, he's started to realise that a life of crime is not really what he wants.

Past-

Galahad is the son of Lancelot and Elaine of Corbenic. Galahad was conceived when Elaine tricked Lancelot into thinking he was meeting and sleeping with Guinevere. Galahad is best known as the knight who achieves the quest for the Holy Grail. As the chosen knight he is allowed to sit in the Siege Perilous, the seat at the Round Table that is reserved for the Grail Knight.

Galahad's appearance at Arthur's court is somewhat mysterious, appearing from nowhere at a time when his father's weakness of character is being exposed. He appears as the Knights are gathered around the table and revealed by an old man who accompanies him to be the only person pure enough to take the 'Siege Perilous' at the Round Table. He is knighted by Arthur immediately, and according to legend, no sooner is he knighted than Galahad receives his first vision of The Grail the same evening.


The Christian portrayal of Galahad in legend is further explored in his encounter with the 'White Hart' (See White Hart), and his appearance as a hero is bolstered by Galahad being described as someone who is never beaten in battle.

He is one of only three Knights to achieve 'The Grail'. Compared to his father Galahad is a model Knight, in control of his passions and emotions who desires only to find 'The Chalice' . He finds The Grail at the court of King Pelles who he learns is his grandfather. He is accompanied by 'Perceval' and 'Bors de Ganis' . King Pelles tells Galahad that 'Elaine' (his mother) is in fact his own daughter.

Galahad is then shown many wondrous sights by King Pelles including a 'cup of silver', 'a candlestick with seven burning candles', 'a spear with blood upon it' and 'three broken pieces of a sword which were mended before his very eyes'. Galahad finally sees 'The Grail' itself, and is then said to have seen 'Christ'. Galahad proceeds it is said to have healed the wounds of the Pelles, the Grail King with blood from 'The Grail' .

Whilst Bors returns to court to tell everyone what is has seen, Perceval and Galahad remain. Perceval stays because of his true love but Galahad is, having seen The Grail, described in Arthurian legend as foregoing life in order that he may stay pure. Hence he was known as 'The Grail Knight'.

Both Galahad and Perceval were successful in answering the 'Grail Question' . The asking of the Grail Question was believed to have led to the healing of both the 'Wounded King'and ‘The Wasteland' Those seeking 'The Grail' were said to have viewed 'The Hallows' before attempting to complete the quest. After seeing The Hallows, it is said that the Grail seeker must ask 'what the purpose of the quest is and what it will mean?'. Not all those viewing The Hallows will ask the question, as only the one who is to attempt the quest will know the question and speak it for everyone to hear. Both Galahad and Perceval were said to have been able to answer the Grail Question.
inding The Grail itself.
seeing and ultimately finding The Grail itself.
Galahad is said to have died and been buried in the Abbey at 'Sarras' having achieved The Grail here with Perceval and Bors de Ganis.

After winning the Grail and healing the Maimed King, he and his companions, Perceval and Bors brought the Grail out of Britain at the command of Jesus, to the city of Sarras. Galahad spent a year in prison and a year as king of Sarras. Galahad was allowed to see the last secrets of the Grail been revealed before he died, and was taken to heaven. With his death the grail and the lance vanished from the world.

Important Relationships:

Son of Lancelot and Elaine

Grandson of King Pelles

Grandson of Ban of Banoic (through Lancelot)

Nephew of Ector

Related to Bors and Lionell through Lancelot
 
GAWAIN

Sir Gawain-MntAngelWV

Name: Gawaine
Homeland: Lothian
Culture: Cymric
Religion: Christian
Father's Name: Lot
Father's Class:King
Lord: Arthur
Current Class: Round Table Knight
Current Home: Camelot
Year Born: 495

Coat of Arms:
Double Headed Eagle of Orkney

Present-

Penelope Winslow- 32 - librarian - afraid of her own shadow as she is very shy - never had a date in her life - if anyone could get close enough they would find out that she is quite attractive - hides her light under a bushel so to speak - has glasses, wears her hair in a severe bun on top of her head - at home, however, on the internet she turns quite bold as the people she meets cannot see her.

Past-

We are absolutely certain that Gawain was the son of Lot, king of Lothian or Orkney. In our version, Lot was married to Arthur's half-sister named Morgawse (other tales have his mother as Anna). Morgawse was the mother of Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris and Gareth. And she bore Mordred to King Arthur. Gawain and Mordred were the nephews of King Arthur.

Earlier legends made him the perfect or ideal knight. Gawain was the first knight to symbolise as the paragon of courage and chivalry. Chretien say that Gawain that his valour matched his courtesy. Gawain was the yardstick, which all knights measured their valour.

But when the Grail legend becoming part of the Arthurian legends, Lancelot and Galahad later supplanted him, as the ideal knight.

In Conte du Graal, Gawain met the Haughty Maiden of Logres, named Orgueilleuse, who treated Gawain with contempt and scorn. Despite her attempts to or humiliated Gawain or trap the hero so he would be killed, Gawain was nevertheless, captivated by her beauty and scornful manner. Gawain was unfailing courteous to Orgueilleuse, teating her with respect, and accepting her insults.

His greatest adventure was undoubtedly, the Gawain and the Green Knight, written by some unknown English author in the mid-14th century.

In the Vulgate Merlin, Gawain was not yet member of the Round Table, having only recently become a new knight at the wedding of Arthur and Guinevere. Gawain and other young knights, including his cousin Yvain, decided to become known as the Queen's Knights. Guinevere accepted this honour. Gawain and his companions soon distinguihed themselves in tournaments and battles, outperforming the established knights of the Round Table.

Gawain failed to find the Grail, because of his superficial and womanising way. Of the thirty-two knights killed in the Grail quest, Gawain had unwittingly killed eighteen knights of the Round Table, including King Baudemagus and Yvain the Bastard.

Gawain and his brothers had a blood feud with Pellinor (Pellehen) and his son Lamorak (Lamerocke), the father and brother of Perceval. His enmity towards Pellinor, because Pellinore had killed Gawain's father (Lot) in battle. At eleven, Gawain swore vengeance against Pellinor. Ten years later, Gawain and Gaheris murdered Pellinor. Later, Gawain and his brothers set a trap for Lamorak. Lamorak was killed when Mordred stabbed him in the back. See Mordred's Bio


In a duel, Gawain's strength will always revitalised at noon; he always fight refreshed when the sun reached its peak, but his strength gradually diminished as each hour past noon. The origin of Gawain's strength originated in Nordelone, a city of Orkney, where Gawain was born at noon. The seers foretold that he would be at his most dangerous, when he was fighting at noon, when his opponent would begin to feel weary. However, if his opponent managed to last until none, Gawain's level of strength would be dramatically reduced, and he would begin to tire.

With the death of his brother Gareth Lancelot earned Gawain's enmity. Gawain persuaded Arthur to fight two unsuccessful wars against Lancelot.

When they realised that they could not win the second war, Gawain challenged Lancelot to single combat, which would decide the guilt or innocence of Lancelot. Lancelot barely survived the duel when the sun had reached its peak. Lancelot defeated Gawain in a duel, where Gawain received a serious head wound. Lancelot loved Gawain, that he could not bring himself to kill his former companion. Gawain refused to yield to Lancelot, so Lancelot just walked away from the fighting.

In the war against the Romans, he fought against Lucius and would have killed the emperor, had the Lucius' bodyguards beat him off. Gawain's head wound reopened.

Gawain was dying when he heard news of Mordred's treason. Gawain realised too late of his folly, for stubbornly pushing his uncle in a pointless and wasteful war against Lancelot. Gawain sent a letter to Lancelot asking for his forgiveness and hope that Lancelot would visit his tomb at Dover Castle. Gawain unsuccessfully tried to persuade Arthur to call for Lancelot to aid him in the war against Mordred. Not long after returning to Britain, Gawain died from the wound he received from Lancelot. He was buried in Dover Castle.

Gawain reappeared as a ghost, trying to warn Arthur again, not to face Mordred in battle without Lancelot to help him.

Later versions of the Gawain's life present a man of low morals, falling from grace having been a man of chivalrous intent and courteous to all he encountered. He transforms into a man who finds woman irresistible although he was still seen as a Knight of the Round Table. Gawain was said to have had many illegitimate children.

Gawain was said to have found the 'Grail Sword' and been successful in mending it once he had reached the place where it was made, known as 'the Forge of Wayland'.


Important Relationships:

Nephew of King Arthur

Half-Brother to Mordred

Brother to Agravaine, Gaheris and Gareth

Father to La Bel Desconneu
 
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PERCIVALE

Sir Percivale-Inkubus

Clan - de Gales
Father - King Pellinore of the Isles
Mother - Queen of the Isles
Brothers - Aglovale, Melodiam, Lamorak, Dornar
Sisters - Eleine (died before he was born), Amide
Half-Brother - Tor
Uncle - King Pellam of Listenesse
Aunt - Queen of the Wastelands

Present-

Waiting this information from Inkubus

Past-

A Grail knight. Perceval was the son of King Pellehen (Pellinore) and brother of Sir Lamorak de Gales (Lamerocke) and Agloval.

Perceval was one of Knights of the Round Table. He was portrayed young man with uncouth innocence. Perceval also seemed to have childish temperament, particularly when something does not go his way.

His mother brought up Perceval in the woods, known as the Waste Forest. Perceval was ignorant of courtly manner and knighthood. When several knights came near his home, he thought they were angels, having never seen one before. After he got information from the knight with red armour, Perceval was determined to become a knight, particularly a red knight.

His father and two brothers were knights and his mother knew that he would become a knight, regardless of what she wished. Perceval promised his mother, he would return a year from now.

Perceval was invited by the Fisher King to lodge at the Grail Castle. He was blamed for his failure to ask questions about the Grail or the Bleeding Lance. Had he asked the required questions, the Fisher King's wounds would have healed and the barren land around the Grail Castle would have been restored. Perceval set out from Arthur's court, in a quest to find the Grail Castle, to set thing right.

His sister appeared in several later stories. Though she called herself the daughter of Pellehen, she never gave her name. Her name was probably Heliabel. It was Perceval's sister who guided Galahad to magic ship, and knew the history of the Sword with the Strange Belt. She sacrificed her life to heal a woman from leprosy. Her body was placed in a small bark (boat) that drifted until it arrived in the city of Sarras, the last resting place of the Grail.

After finding the Grail, and following Galahad to Sarra, they found his sister's boat had arrived, just as she had foretold. They buried her in Sarra. Perceval and Bors stayed with Galahad until he died. They buried Galahad with Perceval's sister. Perceval retired to a hermitage, where he died a year later. Perceval was buried with his sister and Galahad.


Important Relationships:

Son to King Pellinor and brother to Lamorak (see above)
 
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BORS DE GANIS

Bors de Ganis-captainb

Present-

For a real twist, his soon-to-be current form is female. Her name is Julianna, a slightly overweight Hispanic/American living in east Los Angeles with her parents. At twenty-three, she is desperately trying to raise enough money to live on her own. She works a piddly job in a tape rental store and spends evening with a small circle of mostly drunk and stoned friends. Fear and frustration rule her life, and her only confidant is Pascal, a stray calico cat that has adopted her for meals and occasional petting. She hates the city, but it's all she knows. The only time she can forget is late at night, reading romance novels by a naked 40-watt bulb.


Past-

A Grail knight. Bors was the son of King Bors of Gaunes and Evainne. Bors was also the brother of Lionel and cousin of Lancelot and Hector.

Bors had once slept with a maiden, and became a father of a son named Helin le Blank. After this, Bors remained chaste for the rest of his life. His chastity and his piety were the reason why Bors was one of the three Grail knights, who succeeded in the quest. Galahad restored the Broken Sword that was used to wound Joseph of Arimathea. King Pelles gave this restored sword to Bors.

After bringing the Grail to the city of Sarras. Bors remained in Sarras with Galahad and Perceval until they both died. Bors returned to Camelot with news of the completion of the quest.

After the death of Arthur and the destruction of the Round Table, in the war against Mordred, Mordred's two sons seized powers in the kingdom of Logres (Britain). Under the leadership of Lancelot, Bors returned to Logres to defeat Mordred's sons. In the battle Lionel was killed. Lancelot was missing. After defeating Mordred's sons, his cousin Hector set out to find his brother while Bors returned home to Gaunes.

Bors only returned to Britain, when he had a vision to come to Joyous Guard. In Joyous Guard, Bors learned from the Archbishop of Canterbury, how Lancelot had died and taken to heaven by angels. Instead of returning to his kingdom (Gaunes), Bors stayed with the Archbishop, and gave up secular life for a life at the monastery.

He was a Knight of great courage and was known as one of the three peerless Knights.

He witnessed the achievement of the Quest of the Holy Grail by Sir Galahad but he was denied its fulfillment. He was faithful and loyal, and he died fighting to maintain the principles of Knighthood.

Important Relationships:

Cousin to Lancelot

Brother to Lionell
 
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GARETH

Sir Gareth-Poohlive

Sir Gareth (Guerrehet) was the son of King Lot of Orkney and Morgawse. Gareth was also the brother of Gawain.

Before he was knighted, Sir Kay had called him Beaumains, because he was a kitchen hand.

When Guinevere was to be burn at the stake for committing adultery with Lancelot, Gareth and his brother Gaheris were the reluctant escorts of the queen. Gareth was killed by Lancelot in the rescue attempt to save the queen. Gawain's grief over Gareth's death prolonged the war against Lancelot, which would cause the destruction of the Round Table and Arthur's kingdom.

He earns his way to the Round Table and into the arms of Lynette with a series of adventures, culminating in the defeat of four knights who were holding Lynette's sister hostage.

Gareth is one of the most gentle, good knights of the Round Table. Also valourous and strong. Gareth represents the youthful ideals of the Round Table-strength, uprightness, devotedness, gentleness, courtesy.

Everyone loves Gareth-except Mordred and Kay.

GARETH AND LYNETTE
by
ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON

(Because the poem is so very long here is the url)

http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/idyl-gar.htm


Important Relationships:

Son of King Lot and Morgawse

Brother of Gawain, Gaheris and Agravaine

Half Brother to Mordred

Nephew of King Arthur
 
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JEBUS H. CHRIST!! You guys better just jump on her and hug her to death for all of this cuz its not even done and. *shakes head*

Yea go go. Theres just sooo much work put into all that. you guys needa start kissing her toes and pronto. lol. ;)

Isolde. babe. get some rest. your a nut. im not a nut. you are! hehe. stop typing!!.. well copy and pasting too. but i still know how much work youve put into all this. lol. I dont get why there has to be so much, or why your doing all of it. but im here blabbing cuz it just boggles my mind.

*shakes head and walks out*

EDIT~

She said dont post here so if your reading this. which must be taking you hours and hours. dont reply in this thread. I just did cuz im stubborn and I can. :D

But the rest of you obey her wishes peez. Thank you. :)
 
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BEDIVERE

Sir Bedivere-Kepic

Present - Jacob O'Malley

An irish-american, inherited owner of a pub in downtown LA, the 'Cup-Bearer', late 20's, early greying dark-brown hair, steely blue-gray eyes. At a fraction of an inch over six foot, he keeps fit and eats well (and often).

Past-

Name: Bedivere
Homeland: Lindsey
Culture: Roman Religion: Christian
Father's Name: Corneus
Father's Class: Noble Son Number: 2
Lord: Arthur
Current Class: Officer to the High King
Current Home: Camelot
Year Born 388

Bedivere was the butler or the cup-bearer and the constable of King Arthur. He was a companion of Kay and Arthur. Bedwyr had a son named Amren. Bedwyr of the Perfect Sinews was, presumably, a very muscular man. Along with Cei Hir (the Tall), he was one of the warriors most closely associated with the High-King Arthur.

After the war against France, Bedivere was given the duchy of Neustia (Normandy). Bedivere was one of the survivors in the war against Mordred, in the battle of Camlann and attended Arthur, who was mortally wounded. His dying king (Arthur) ordered him to throw Excalibur into the lake. Throwing the sword into the lake there came a hand and an arm up out of the water, caught the sword by the hilt and then vanished beneath the water. Bedivere witness Arthur taken on a boat, where the king was taken to Avalon. Bedivere then took holy vow and became a hermit.

He was one of Arthur's entourage sent to pursue King Gwynlliw of Gwynllwg after he had abducted St.Gwladys from her father's court in Brycheiniog. Bedwyr is also recorded in the Black Book of Carmarthen as having fought at the unlocated Battle of Tryfrwyd: "By the hundred they fell before Bedwyr Bedrydant" for "Furious was his nature with shield and sword". Geoffrey of Monmouth named him as Arthur's head butler and Duke of Normandy. He fought the giant of Mont St.Michel and was highly active in the High-King's continental campaigns. His brother was named as Sir Lucan.


Important Relationships:

Brother: Sir Lucan
 
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KAY

Sir Kay-rdh996

Present-

This is my charictor Rick Jackson. I have led a troubled life, At age 11 i joined a gang that my older brother was in i was in it till they gave me a gun and tried to get me to take out my own brother for challanging for leadership. Dad died when i was 12, Mom when i was 13. Ran away from my aunts house at 17. got thrown in jail for a year cause i was caught shoplifting. When i got out of jail i got a job at a boxing arenia as a janitor and after awile joined up and became pretty good at it. Im 21 now and am going after my first championship belt.


Past-

Name Kay
Homeland Norgales
Culture Cymric Religion: Christian
Father's Name: Ector de Sauvage
Father's Class: Knight Son Number 1
Lord Arthur.
Current Class: Seneschal, Duke of Normandy
Current Home: Camelot.
Year Born 488

Distinctive Features
Sneer, knowing glance, cynical chuckle.

Foster-brother of Arthur. Kay was the son of Ector, or according to Robert de Boron's Merlin, the son of Sir Anton. When Arthur became king, Arthur made him his seneschal.

Thought to have become Arthur's steward, definitely a hero in battle, a humorous is slightly scatty character. In early Welsh Arthurian writing he is said to be one of the first warriors to join Arthur, if not the first. Kay was reputed to have been one of the first men knighted by Arthur following his coronation and one of the first Knights of the Round Table.

Kay was the companion of Bedwyr (Bedivere), and one of the warriors of Arthur. Kei was said to have a son named Garanwyn.

Kay was one of champions of Arthur, and became duke of Anjou after the war against France. Here, Kay was portrayed as a noble and heroic figure, in these early works. In the war against Rome, Kay and Bedivere distinguished themselves in battles.

Kay is depicted as a braggart. He had a surly manner and had a tendency to insult and offend people who were better than him. Kay seemed to have overwhelming confidence in his own skills as a knight.

In the Chretien de Troyes' tale, the Knight of the Cart, Kay thought to escort and protect the queen by himself. Kay was beaten and imprisoned by Meleagant. Guinevere was captured and later rescued by Lancelot. In his Grail's story, Kay slapped a lady companion of Guinevere and kicked the court jester. Perceval avenged the lady, by unhorsing him in a joust, breaking arm and shoulder-blade.

Kay was attending a tournament, but forgot to bring a sword with him. He sent Arthur to fetch a sword. Arthur pulled Excalibur from the rock. Arthur became king and made Kay, his seneschal. Kay was one of Arthur's best champions in Arthur's early wars and his role in war against Rome was minor compared to the other heroes, but was degenerated into quarrelsome braggart in the rest of le Mort d'Arthur.

Important Relationships:

Foster Brother to King Arthur
 
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MORDRED

Sir Mordred-Xanthem

Present-

Kyle Manning, sophmore at NYU, burgeoning alchoholic, ne'er-do-well, and about to fail out. His middle-class parents live in Ohio and know little of their son's bad habits. They do, however, know that he didn't come home for any holidays last year.

Past-

Mordred was the son of Arthur and Morgawse, half-sister of Arthur. Which means Mordred was only half-brother of Gawain. Mordred was born on May Day, the first day of summer according to Celtic calendar.

Mordred was one of the knights of the Round Table, but he betrayed the king and them. He tried to overthrow Arthur as king of Logres (Britain) and waged a war against Arthur and his knights. In the battle of Camlann, Mordred killed Galegantine the Welshman, Yvain, and Sagremor the Foolish. In the end, Mordred mortally wounded Arthur, but his dying uncle/father killed him.

Mordred had two sons. They seized power after the death of Mordred and Arthur. The eldest son named Melehan had killed King Lionel in battle of Winchester, but was himself slained by Lionel's brother, Bors. The other son was unnamed and killed by Lancelot.

Something which Mordred certainly represents above ALL other considerations is egotism. By whatever means, he rose to the status of knighthood, and for this he must be commended. Any bitterness his mother had concerning her relationship with Arthur might have been bred into Mordred as well.

Morgause had a number of sons by King Lot, her husband. Among them, and all knights of the Round Table, Gawain (always a steadfast follower of Arthur), Agravain (handsome, but of evil disposition), Gaheris and Gareth. A day came when Morgause arrived with another son in tow. He was Mordred, who believed himself to be the youngest son of Lot, but in these tales, was fathered by Arthur. She brought him to court to see him knighted as were his brothers. She stayed at court and soon took a lover, a young knight named Lamorak, who was younger than her oldest two sons. Unfortunately he was also the son of Pellinore, who had slain the rebellious Lot in battle. Her sons were outraged that she would lay with a man of Pellinore's blood. They forced their mother, Morgause, to leave the court and reside in a nearby castle. One day soon, Gaheris noticed his mother's maidservant whispering to Lamorak and when Lamorak departed, Gaheris followed secretly behind. He arrived at his mother's house in the evening. He entered the house quietly and strode toward his mother's bedroom. Outside her door he found Lamorak's sword, shield and armor. He drew his sword and entered the room. Morgause and Lamorak were in bed. Gaheris leaped across the room and with a savage swing of his sword slashed his mother's throat. Surprisingly, her death caused hardly a ripple at court. Gaheris was exiled for a while and Lamorak was sent back to his own lands. A few months later the brothers, Agravain, Gawain, Gaheris and Mordred came upon Lamorak riding alone on a country road. All four fell upon him with drawn swords, but they could not best him until Mordred circled behind and stabbed him in the back. Backstabbing is a defining characteristic of Mordred's.


Important Relationships:

Son of King Arthur, born of incest with Arthur's sister Morgawse

Half brother to Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris and Gareth

Nephew to Morgan le Fay

Note: Bad Guy and Morgan Will Be Waking Him
 
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TRISTAM

Tristam de Lyones-Angelius

Name: Tristam of Lyonesse
Homeland: Cornwall (Lyonesse)
Culture: Cymric
Religion: Christian
Father's Name: Melodias
Father's Class:King
Lord: King Mark of Cornwall
Current Class: Knight Errant
Current Home: Cornwall
Year Born: 495


Coat of Arms:
Charge: Lion Rampant Or (Gold Lion, upright with forepaws raised)
Field: Vert (Green)


Known Relatives:
Father - King Meliodas of Lyonesse
Mother - Queen Elizabeth of Lyonesse
Step-Mother - ??? (daughter of King Hoel of Brittany)
Uncle - King Mark of Cornwall (mother's sister)
Step-Grandfather (Stepmother's Father) - King Hoel of Brittany *and*
Father-in-Law (Father of Isoud la Blanche Mains) - King Hoel of Brittany
Lover - La Beale Isoud
Wife - Isoud le Blanche Mains
Stepbrother - ??? (poisoned in chidhood)

Present-
His modern equivalent is a 24 year old fantasy author (go figure) and is very well known and liked. He has a strange chivalrous streak. He often goes to help people who are in trouble and is friendly and extremely generous.

Past-

Lover of Isolde the Fair. Tristan was the son of Rivalen, lord of Armenye (Mediadus of Leonois in the Prose Tristan, while Malory called Tristan's father, Meliodas of Liones or Lyonesse), and Blancheflor (Blanchefleur; Malory called Tristan's mother Elizabeth, and Elyabel in the Prose Tristan), sister of King Mark of Cornwall. The English writers knew him as Tristram; his name means "sad man".

Roald le Foytenant (Rual), Rivalen's marshal, was also Tristan's foster father. His faithful tutor and companion was named Governal (Gorvenal), had trained him in art, music and fighting.

The best known story about Tristan, was the love triangle between his uncle, Isolde and himself. Tristan and Isolde fell in love with one another, because they accidentally drank the love potion, meant for Mark and Isolde.

Tristan's horse was called Passe-Brewel or Bel Joeor. His dog was Husdant, comforted him in a brief banishment from Cornwall. When he went into exile in Brittany, Tristan gave Husdant to Isolde.

His bow was called Fail-not.

When he left Cornwall in exile, Tristan returned to Brittany, where he married another woman named Isolde. The Breton Isolde was known as Isolde of the White Hands. The marriage was not happy one, since Tristan was still in love with Isolde the Fair (Mark's wife). The Breton Isolde remained a virgin throughout their marriage.

Since the Breton Isolde knew of the Irish Isolde, Tristan's wife was jealous. In the end, she lied to her husband that Isolde the Blonde would not come to save him from poison.

(A quick Synopsis)
The son of Meliodas & Isabelle. He was educated in France; faught for his uncle, King Mark, against the King of Ireland's champion & defeated him; travelled incognito to Ireland to have his wounds healed; fell in love with the King's daughter Iseult; was forced to return to Cornwall when his identity was discovered; fell out with his uncle over an affair with a young girl; spent some time at King Arthur's court; was obliged to travel again to Ireland to gain Iseult's hand in marriage to Mark; accidentally drank love potions meant for Mark & Iseult; became Iseult's lover despite her marriage to his uncle (and had four children); left for Brittany when things became too hairy; married King Hoel of Brittany's daughter, also Iseult; got wounded in a fight; sent for his old lover to cure him; being told by his wife that she had refused to come, he died; Iseult comitted suicide and the two were buried together.


Important Relationships:

Nephew to King Mark

Lover of Isolde

Rival to Palomedes
 
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Palomedes

Palomedes-NicelyNicelyJohnson

Name: Palomides
Homeland: Astlabor
Culture: Irish Sassanid Religion: Zoroastran
Father's Name: Astlabor
Father's Class: King Son Number 3
Lord: Astlabor
Current Class: Landed knight.
Current Home: Errant
Year Born: 534

Distinctive Features

Dark skin
Habit of swearing in Persian when under stress.
Avoids touching dead things.

Coat of arms.

A shield divided chevronny (indentured), white and black.

Present-

See this addy for information:

http://www.literotica.com/forum/showthread.php?postid=580666#post580666

Past-

Pagan knight who fell in love with Iseult of Ireland. He fought Tristan for her and became a Christian when Tristan knocked the sword out of his hand. He later became Duke of Provence.

The Saracen Knight. Palemedes was the son of Esclabor.

After the death of King Pellinor, Palemedes inherited the king's role as the "Knight of the Strange Beast" (or Questing Beast).

Palemedes was a rival of Tristan for Isolde's love. Palemedes was in love with Isolde and was jealous of Tristan. Though Isolde pitied Palemedes, she was not in love with the Saracen hero. Palemedes hated Tristan, yet he could not help admiring the rival's superior prowess as a knight.

Palemedes was as noble as any Knight of the Round Table. In fact, Palemedes was even more Christian than some of the established heroes from the Round Table. However, he was a Saracen trapped in a Christian world and Christian ideal. The knights of the Round Table admired Palemedes' prowess and skills as a brave knight, yet some of them envied Palemedes, so he became victim of their prejudices and enmity.

Gawain killed Palemedes when the Saracen was already weakened from his wounds. The only regret he had as he was dying, that he had never became Christian.


Important Relationships:

Loved Isolde, Rival of Tristam's

Brother to Sir Safer
 
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Lamorak

Lamorak-Available

Name: Lamorak
Homeland: Gales
Culture: Cymric
Religion: Christian
Father's Name: Pellinore
Father's Class: King
Lord: Arthur
Current Class: Knight of the Round Table
Current Home: Camelot
Year Born: 495


Present-

Need Information

Past-

Sir Lamorak de Gales (Lamerocke) was the son of Pellehen (Pellinor) and brother of Agloval and Perceval. Lamorak was one of six knights listed as better than Gawain. Gawain and his brethren blamed Lamorak's father for the death of their father (Lot). Gawain and his brothers continued their feud with Lamorak. Gawain and his brothers killed Lamorak.

Lover of 'Morgause' and said to have later been killed by her sons in revenge for the death of their father, and for his union with their mother. He was the greatest enemy of Morgause's husband 'King Lot of Lothian and Orkney'.

He was one of the three Knights most noted for their deeds of prowess. At an early age he received the degree for jousting at which he excelled.

On three occasions he overthrew over thirty Knights. Sir Lamorak was the Knight of Queen Margawse and in defence of her beauty he fought Sir Meliagaunce.

He was killed by the treacherous Knight Sir Mordred, who, as Sir Lamorak was defending himself against Mordred's brothers crept behind him and stabbed him in the back.


Important Relationships:

Lover of Morgause

Son of King Pellinore

Brother to Percivale
 
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SAFER

Sir Safer-Destiny_Brent

Name: Sir Safer.
Homeland: Astlabor
Culture: Irish Sassanid Religion: Christian.
Father's Name: Astlabor
Father's Class: King Son Number 1
Lord: Astlabor
Current Class: Tainiste
Current Home: Dun Laoghaire
Year Born: 529

Sir Safer has many odd costumes and is the envy of the court, at times,
for his ability to procure the latest fashions.

Distinctive Features

Dark skin
Calloused hands
Unusual accent

Coat of Arms: A senmerw (Sassanid dragon-peacock) in gold on ermines
(black ermine), bannered, while his father lives, in sliver.

Present-

Destiny Dorcha:

A shy young girl 22, she works in a library all day long and reads and writes by night. She fancies herself a novelist, though rarely gets to finish any of her writings due to her obligations to work and fancies. She is always lost in fantasy and hardly ever gets anything on paper. She dreams of being a heroine, the tales of King Arthur were her particular favorites. She often tends to neglect responsibilities accidentally as she gets lost in herself. But as the curator of the international library becomes ill she finds herself being forced to take on more responsibilities and neglecting her writing. Which she decides is probobally for the best.


She has very short cropped black hair, I know not at all becoming of a heroine. Dazzling blue eyes over alabaster skin. She isn't model skinny there is a slight curve to her belly, but she's not overweight, not quite to the point of a Greek Beauty but close. She has a soft giggle and an infectuous smile. She can be found daydreaming constantly, and has a bit of a clumsy streak.

Past-

Safer, as here presented, is a man trained to succeed to the kingdom of
Astlabor who is out enjoying some errantry and romance before his father dies and he's forced to stay home and be responsible. He is well beneaththe peak of his powers, but his skills, as they develop, will tend to be courtly and administrative. He is, unusually, literate in many languages, which allows him to adminster his father's business.

As far as my research goes, Sir Safer seems to be very loyal, loving, chiverous, everything a knight should be. He is also steady and responsible and not prone to the hot headed revenge of the other knights.


NOTE I found several things under the name Sir Safere

Malory, Sir Thomas. Le Morte Darthur: Sir Thomas Malory's Book of King Arthur and of his Noble Knights of the Round Table, Volume 2


"Chapter" 83


CHAPTER LXXXIII
How Sir Palomides brought Sir Epinogris his lady; and how Sir Palomides and Sir Safere were assailed.

NAY, nay, said Epinogris, your sorrow is but japes to my sorrow; for I rejoiced my lady and won her with my hands, and lost her again: alas that day! Thus first I won her, said Epinogris; my lady was an earl's daughter, and as the earl and two knights came from the tournament of Lonazep, for her sake I set upon this earl and on his two knights, my lady there being present; and so by fortune there I slew the earl and one of the knights, and the other knight fled, and so that night I had my lady. And on the morn as she and I reposed us at this well-side there came there to me an errant knight, his name was Sir Helior le Preuse, an hardy knight, and this Sir Helior challenged me to fight for my lady. And then we went to battle first upon horse and after on foot, but at the last Sir Helior wounded me so that he left me for dead, and so he took my lady with him; and thus my sorrow is more than yours, for I have rejoiced and ye rejoiced never. That is truth, said Palomides, but sith I can never recover myself I shall promise you if I can meet with Sir Helior I shall get you your lady again, or else he shall beat me.

Then Sir Palomides made Sir Epinogris to take his horse, and so they rode to an hermitage, and there Sir Epinogris rested him. And in the meanwhile Sir Palomides walked privily out to rest him under the leaves, and there beside he saw a knight come riding with a shield that he had seen Sir Ector de Maris bear beforehand; and there came after him a ten knights, and so these ten knights hoved under the leaves for heat. And anon after



-164-


there came a knight with a green shield and therein a white lion, leading a lady upon a palfrey. Then this knight with the green shield that seemed to be master of the ten knights, he rode fiercely after Sir Helior, for it was he that hurt Sir Epinogris. And when he came nigh Sir Helior he bade him defend his lady. I will defend her, said Helior, unto my power. And so they ran together so mightily that either of these knights smote other down, horse and all, to the earth; and then they won up lightly and drew their swords and their shields, and lashed together mightily more than an hour. All this Sir Palomides saw and beheld, but ever at the last the knight with Sir Ector's shield was bigger, and at the last this knight smote Sir Helior down, and then that knight unlaced his helm to have stricken off his head. And then he cried mercy, and prayed him to save his life, and bade him take his lady. Then Sir Palomides dressed him up, because he wist well that that same lady was Epinogris' lady, and he promised him to help him.

Then Sir Palomides went straight to that lady, and took her by the hand, and asked her whether she knew a knight that hight Epinogris. Alas, she said, that ever he knew me or I him, for I have for his sake lost my worship, and also his life grieveth me most of all. Not so, lady, said Palomides, come on with me, for here is Epinogris in this hermitage. Ah! well is me, said the lady, an he be alive. Whither wilt thou with that lady? said the knight with Sir Ector's shield. I will do with her what me list, said Palomides. Wit you well, said that knight, thou speakest over large, though thou seemest me to have at advantage, because thou sawest me do battle but late. Thou weenest, sir knight, to have that lady away from me so lightly? nay, think it never not; an thou were as good a knight as is Sir Launcelot, or as is Sir Tristram, or Sir Palomides, but thou shalt win her dearer than ever did I. And so they went unto battle upon foot, and there they gave many sad strokes, and either wounded other passing sore, and thus they fought still more than an hour.


-165-


Then Sir Palomides had marvel what knight he might be that was so strong and so well breathed during, and thus said Palomides: Knight, I require thee tell me thy name. Wit thou well, said that knight, I dare tell thee my name, so that thou wilt tell me thy name. I will, said Palomides. Truly, said that knight, my name is Safere, son of King Astlabor, and Sir Palomides and Sir Segwarides are my brethren.
Now, and wit thou well, my name is Sir Palomides. Then Sir Safere kneeled down upon his knees, and prayed him of mercy; and then they unlaced their helms and either kissed other weeping. And in the meanwhile Sir Epinogris arose out of his bed, and heard them by the strokes, and so he armed him to help Sir Palomides if need were.


There are other tales if you wish to look up Safere on Google

Important Relationships:

Brother to Palomedes
 
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Pelleas

Pelleas-Dianno

Present-

Tyler Strachan

Before the car accident 2 years ago that took away his Wife and daughter, Tyler led an active life as a Forestry Commission Ranger around the Loch Tay area in Scotland. Now crippled from the waist down and forced to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, he has become a virtual recluse, shunning all contact with the outside world. Now in his late 40's, he lives in a solitary small cottage on the banks of his beloved Loch Tay, with only Skip, a springer spaniel, to keep him company.


Past-

He was the knight who fell in love with Ettard, who did not return his favors. Nimue made Ettard fall in love with him while at the same time made him fall in love with Nimue. She uses her enchantments to punish Ettarde for her mistreatment of Pelleas. In the end she and Pelleas "lovede togedyrs duryng their lyfe."

Sir Pelleas was one of the best knights in the land, and he loved a great lady who's name was Ettard. A joust was called, with the prize of a sword and a circlet of gold for the best knight. The circlet was to be given to the knight's choice of the fairest lady in the land, and Pelleas strove to win this for Ettard.
Over the three days of the joust, none could best him, and every day he struck down twenty knights, and so he was awarded with the prize. He immediately took the circlet to the Lady Ettard, and said that she was the fairest lady in the land.

The lady scorned his love and begin to send men to fight Pelleas every day. He would let the other knight win just so that the other knight would bring him to see Ettard.

When Sir Gawain heard of Pelleas' plight, he swore to help him and together they decided that Gawain would tell Ettard that he had killed Pelleas, to try to get her to speak well of him.
Instead, Gawain fell for Ettard, and she, believing that he had slain Pelleas, returned his affection. Pelleas, who had waited patiently for Gawain's return, went out to the forest to look for him and found the two asleep in a pavilion. He left his naked sword across their throats, for he would not shame the Knighthood by killing Gawain whilst he slept

When Nimue, the Lady of the Lake, heard that Pelleas was dying of grief, she cast a spell over him and Ettard. When he awoke, he found Ettard over him, and he hated her more than any woman alive. Ettard now loved him, and wept because he didn't return her love.
Pelleas then thanked the Lady of the Lake for freeing him of his love, for he knew now that Ettard had shamed him.

Important Relationships:

Loved by Nemue

Betrayed by Gawaine


PELLEAS AND ETTARRE
by
ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON

King Arthur made new knights to fill the gap
Left by the Holy Quest; and as he sat
In hall at old Caerleon, the high doors
Were softly sundered, and through these a youth,
Pelleas, and the sweet smell of the fields
Past, and the sunshine came along with him.

"Make me thy knight, because I know, Sir King,
All that belongs to knighthood, and I love."
Such was his cry: for having heard the King
Had let proclaim a tournament--the prize
A golden circlet and a knightly sword,
Full fain had Pelleas for his lady won
The golden circlet, for himself the sword:
And there were those who knew him near the King,
And promised for him: and Arthur made him knight.

And this new knight, Sir Pelleas of the isles--
But lately come to his inheritance,
And lord of many a barren isle was he--
Riding at noon, a day or twain before,
Across the forest called of Dean, to find
Caerleon and the King, had felt the sun
Beat like a strong knight on his helm, and reeled
Almost to falling from his horse; but saw
Near him a mound of even-sloping side,
Whereon a hundred stately beeches grew,
And here and there great hollies under them;
But for a mile all round was open space,
And fern and heath: and slowly Pelleas drew
To that dim day, then binding his good horse
To a tree, cast himself down; and as he lay
At random looking over the brown earth
Through that green-glooming twilight of the grove,
It seemed to Pelleas that the fern without
Burnt as a living fire of emeralds,
So that his eyes were dazzled looking at it.
Then o'er it crost the dimness of a cloud
Floating, and once the shadow of a bird
Flying, and then a fawn; and his eyes closed.
And since he loved all maidens, but no maid
In special, half-awake he whispered, "Where?
O where? I love thee, though I know thee not.
For fair thou art and pure as Guinevere,
And I will make thee with my spear and sword
As famous--O my Queen, my Guinevere,
For I will be thine Arthur when we meet."

Suddenly wakened with a sound of talk
And laughter at the limit of the wood,
And glancing through the hoary boles, he saw,
Strange as to some old prophet might have seemed
A vision hovering on a sea of fire,
Damsels in divers colours like the cloud
Of sunset and sunrise, and all of them
On horses, and the horses richly trapt
Breast-high in that bright line of bracken stood:
And all the damsels talked confusedly,
And one was pointing this way, and one that,
Because the way was lost.

And Pelleas rose,
And loosed his horse, and led him to the light.
There she that seemed the chief among them said,
"In happy time behold our pilot-star!
Youth, we are damsels-errant, and we ride,
Armed as ye see, to tilt against the knights
There at Caerleon, but have lost our way:
To right? to left? straight forward? back again?
Which? tell us quickly."

Pelleas gazing thought,
"Is Guinevere herself so beautiful?"
For large her violet eyes looked, and her bloom
A rosy dawn kindled in stainless heavens,
And round her limbs, mature in womanhood;
And slender was her hand and small her shape;
And but for those large eyes, the haunts of scorn,
She might have seemed a toy to trifle with,
And pass and care no more. But while he gazed
The beauty of her flesh abashed the boy,
As though it were the beauty of her soul:
For as the base man, judging of the good,
Puts his own baseness in him by default
Of will and nature, so did Pelleas lend
All the young beauty of his own soul to hers,
Believing her; and when she spake to him,
Stammered, and could not make her a reply.
For out of the waste islands had he come,
Where saving his own sisters he had known
Scarce any but the women of his isles,
Rough wives, that laughed and screamed against the gulls,
Makers of nets, and living from the sea.

Then with a slow smile turned the lady round
And looked upon her people; and as when
A stone is flung into some sleeping tarn,
The circle widens till it lip the marge,
Spread the slow smile through all her company.
Three knights were thereamong; and they too smiled,
Scorning him; for the lady was Ettarre,
And she was a great lady in her land.


Again she said, "O wild and of the woods,
Knowest thou not the fashion of our speech?
Or have the Heavens but given thee a fair face,
Lacking a tongue?"

"O damsel," answered he,
"I woke from dreams; and coming out of gloom
Was dazzled by the sudden light, and crave
Pardon: but will ye to Caerleon? I
Go likewise: shall I lead you to the King?"

"Lead then," she said; and through the woods they went.
And while they rode, the meaning in his eyes,
His tenderness of manner, and chaste awe,
His broken utterances and bashfulness,
Were all a burthen to her, and in her heart
She muttered, "I have lighted on a fool,
Raw, yet so stale!" But since her mind was bent
On hearing, after trumpet blown, her name
And title, "Queen of Beauty," in the lists
Cried--and beholding him so strong, she thought
That peradventure he will fight for me,
And win the circlet: therefore flattered him,
Being so gracious, that he wellnigh deemed
His wish by hers was echoed; and her knights
And all her damsels too were gracious to him,
For she was a great lady.

And when they reached
Caerleon, ere they past to lodging, she,
Taking his hand, "O the strong hand," she said,
"See! look at mine! but wilt thou fight for me,
And win me this fine circlet, Pelleas,
That I may love thee?"

Then his helpless heart
Leapt, and he cried, "Ay! wilt thou if I win?"
"Ay, that will I," she answered, and she laughed,
And straitly nipt the hand, and flung it from her;
Then glanced askew at those three knights of hers,
Till all her ladies laughed along with her.

"O happy world," thought Pelleas, "all, meseems,
Are happy; I the happiest of them all."
Nor slept that night for pleasure in his blood,
And green wood-ways, and eyes among the leaves;
Then being on the morrow knighted, sware
To love one only. And as he came away,
The men who met him rounded on their heels
And wondered after him, because his face
Shone like the countenance of a priest of old
Against the flame about a sacrifice
Kindled by fire from heaven: so glad was he.

Then Arthur made vast banquets, and strange knights
From the four winds came in: and each one sat,
Though served with choice from air, land, stream, and sea,
Oft in mid-banquet measuring with his eyes
His neighbour's make and might: and Pelleas looked
Noble among the noble, for he dreamed
His lady loved him, and he knew himself
Loved of the King: and him his new-made knight
Worshipt, whose lightest whisper moved him more
Than all the ranged reasons of the world.

Then blushed and brake the morning of the jousts,
And this was called "The Tournament of Youth:"
For Arthur, loving his young knight, withheld
His older and his mightier from the lists,
That Pelleas might obtain his lady's love,
According to her promise, and remain
Lord of the tourney. And Arthur had the jousts
Down in the flat field by the shore of Usk
Holden: the gilded parapets were crowned
With faces, and the great tower filled with eyes
Up to the summit, and the trumpets blew.
There all day long Sir Pelleas kept the field
With honour: so by that strong hand of his
The sword and golden circlet were achieved.

Then rang the shout his lady loved: the heat
Of pride and glory fired her face; her eye
Sparkled; she caught the circlet from his lance,
And there before the people crowned herself:
So for the last time she was gracious to him.

Then at Caerleon for a space--her look
Bright for all others, cloudier on her knight--
Lingered Ettarre: and seeing Pelleas droop,
Said Guinevere, "We marvel at thee much,
O damsel, wearing this unsunny face
To him who won thee glory!" And she said,
"Had ye not held your Lancelot in your bower,
My Queen, he had not won." Whereat the Queen,
As one whose foot is bitten by an ant,
Glanced down upon her, turned and went her way.

But after, when her damsels, and herself,
And those three knights all set their faces home,
Sir Pelleas followed. She that saw him cried,
"Damsels--and yet I should be shamed to say it--
I cannot bide Sir Baby. Keep him back
Among yourselves. Would rather that we had
Some rough old knight who knew the worldly way,
Albeit grizzlier than a bear, to ride
And jest with: take him to you, keep him off,
And pamper him with papmeat, if ye will,
Old milky fables of the wolf and sheep,
Such as the wholesome mothers tell their boys.
Nay, should ye try him with a merry one
To find his mettle, good: and if he fly us,
Small matter! let him." This her damsels heard,
And mindful of her small and cruel hand,
They, closing round him through the journey home,
Acted her hest, and always from her side
Restrained him with all manner of device,
So that he could not come to speech with her.
And when she gained her castle, upsprang the bridge,
Down rang the grate of iron through the groove,
And he was left alone in open field.

"These be the ways of ladies," Pelleas thought,
"To those who love them, trials of our faith.
Yea, let her prove me to the uttermost,
For loyal to the uttermost am I."
So made his moan; and, darkness falling, sought
A priory not far off, there lodged, but rose
With morning every day, and, moist or dry,
Full-armed upon his charger all day long
Sat by the walls, and no one opened to him.

And this persistence turned her scorn to wrath.
Then calling her three knights, she charged them, "Out!
And drive him from the walls." And out they came,
But Pelleas overthrew them as they dashed
Against him one by one; and these returned,
But still he kept his watch beneath the wall.

Thereon her wrath became a hate; and once,
A week beyond, while walking on the walls
With her three knights, she pointed downward, "Look,
He haunts me--I cannot breathe--besieges me;
Down! strike him! put my hate into your strokes,
And drive him from my walls." And down they went,
And Pelleas overthrew them one by one;
And from the tower above him cried Ettarre,
"Bind him, and bring him in."

He heard her voice;
Then let the strong hand, which had overthrown
Her minion-knights, by those he overthrew
Be bounden straight, and so they brought him in.

Then when he came before Ettarre, the sight
Of her rich beauty made him at one glance
More bondsman in his heart than in his bonds.
Yet with good cheer he spake, "Behold me, Lady,
A prisoner, and the vassal of thy will;
And if thou keep me in thy donjon here,
Content am I so that I see thy face
But once a day: for I have sworn my vows,
And thou hast given thy promise, and I know
That all these pains are trials of my faith,
And that thyself, when thou hast seen me strained
And sifted to the utmost, wilt at length
Yield me thy love and know me for thy knight."

Then she began to rail so bitterly,
With all her damsels, he was stricken mute;
But when she mocked his vows and the great King,
Lighted on words: "For pity of thine own self,
Peace, Lady, peace: is he not thine and mine?"
"Thou fool," she said, "I never heard his voice
But longed to break away. Unbind him now,
And thrust him out of doors; for save he be
Fool to the midmost marrow of his bones,
He will return no more." And those, her three,
Laughed, and unbound, and thrust him from the gate.

And after this, a week beyond, again
She called them, saying, "There he watches yet,
There like a dog before his master's door!
Kicked, he returns: do ye not hate him, ye?
Ye know yourselves: how can ye bide at peace,
Affronted with his fulsome innocence?
Are ye but creatures of the board and bed,
No men to strike? Fall on him all at once,
And if ye slay him I reck not: if ye fail,
Give ye the slave mine order to be bound,
Bind him as heretofore, and bring him in:
It may be ye shall slay him in his bonds."

She spake; and at her will they couched their spears,
Three against one: and Gawain passing by,
Bound upon solitary adventure, saw
Low down beneath the shadow of those towers
A villainy, three to one: and through his heart
The fire of honour and all noble deeds
Flashed, and he called, "I strike upon thy side--
The caitiffs!" "Nay," said Pelleas, "but forbear;
He needs no aid who doth his lady's will."

So Gawain, looking at the villainy done,
Forbore, but in his heat and eagerness
Trembled and quivered, as the dog, withheld
A moment from the vermin that he sees
Before him, shivers, ere he springs and kills.

And Pelleas overthrew them, one to three;
And they rose up, and bound, and brought him in.
Then first her anger, leaving Pelleas, burned
Full on her knights in many an evil name
Of craven, weakling, and thrice-beaten hound:
"Yet, take him, ye that scarce are fit to touch,
Far less to bind, your victor, and thrust him out,
And let who will release him from his bonds.
And if he comes again"--there she brake short;
And Pelleas answered, "Lady, for indeed
I loved you and I deemed you beautiful,
I cannot brook to see your beauty marred
Through evil spite: and if ye love me not,
I cannot bear to dream you so forsworn:
I had liefer ye were worthy of my love,
Than to be loved again of you--farewell;
And though ye kill my hope, not yet my love,
Vex not yourself: ye will not see me more."

While thus he spake, she gazed upon the man
Of princely bearing, though in bonds, and thought,
"Why have I pushed him from me? this man loves,
If love there be: yet him I loved not. Why?
I deemed him fool? yea, so? or that in him
A something--was it nobler than myself?--
Seemed my reproach? He is not of my kind.
He could not love me, did he know me well.
Nay, let him go--and quickly." And her knights
Laughed not, but thrust him bounden out of door.

Forth sprang Gawain, and loosed him from his bonds,
And flung them o'er the walls; and afterward,
Shaking his hands, as from a lazar's rag,
"Faith of my body," he said, "and art thou not--
Yea thou art he, whom late our Arthur made
Knight of his table; yea and he that won
The circlet? wherefore hast thou so defamed
Thy brotherhood in me and all the rest,
As let these caitiffs on thee work their will?"

And Pelleas answered, "O, their wills are hers
For whom I won the circlet; and mine, hers,
Thus to be bounden, so to see her face,
Marred though it be with spite and mockery now,
Other than when I found her in the woods;
And though she hath me bounden but in spite,
And all to flout me, when they bring me in,
Let me be bounden, I shall see her face;
Else must I die through mine unhappiness."

And Gawain answered kindly though in scorn,
"Why, let my lady bind me if she will,
And let my lady beat me if she will:
But an she send her delegate to thrall
These fighting hands of mine--Christ kill me then
But I will slice him handless by the wrist,
And let my lady sear the stump for him,
Howl as he may. But hold me for your friend:
Come, ye know nothing: here I pledge my troth,
Yea, by the honour of the Table Round,
I will be leal to thee and work thy work,
And tame thy jailing princess to thine hand.
Lend me thine horse and arms, and I will say
That I have slain thee. She will let me in
To hear the manner of thy fight and fall;
Then, when I come within her counsels, then
From prime to vespers will I chant thy praise
As prowest knight and truest lover, more
Than any have sung thee living, till she long
To have thee back in lusty life again,
Not to be bound, save by white bonds and warm,
Dearer than freedom. Wherefore now thy horse
And armour: let me go: be comforted:
Give me three days to melt her fancy, and hope
The third night hence will bring thee news of gold."

Then Pelleas lent his horse and all his arms,
Saving the goodly sword, his prize, and took
Gawain's, and said, "Betray me not, but help--
Art thou not he whom men call light-of-love?"

"Ay," said Gawain, "for women be so light."
Then bounded forward to the castle walls,
And raised a bugle hanging from his neck,
And winded it, and that so musically
That all the old echoes hidden in the wall
Rang out like hollow woods at hunting-tide.

Up ran a score of damsels to the tower;
"Avaunt," they cried, "our lady loves thee not."
But Gawain lifting up his vizor said,
"Gawain am I, Gawain of Arthur's court,
And I have slain this Pelleas whom ye hate:
Behold his horse and armour. Open gates,
And I will make you merry."

And down they ran,
Her damsels, crying to their lady, "Lo!
Pelleas is dead--he told us--he that hath
His horse and armour: will ye let him in?
He slew him! Gawain, Gawain of the court,
Sir Gawain--there he waits below the wall,
Blowing his bugle as who should say him nay."

And so, leave given, straight on through open door
Rode Gawain, whom she greeted courteously.
"Dead, is it so?" she asked. "Ay, ay," said he,
"And oft in dying cried upon your name."
"Pity on him," she answered, "a good knight,
But never let me bide one hour at peace."
"Ay," thought Gawain, "and you be fair enow:
But I to your dead man have given my troth,
That whom ye loathe, him will I make you love."

So those three days, aimless about the land,
Lost in a doubt, Pelleas wandering
Waited, until the third night brought a moon
With promise of large light on woods and ways.

Hot was the night and silent; but a sound
Of Gawain ever coming, and this lay--
Which Pelleas had heard sung before the Queen,
And seen her sadden listening--vext his heart,
And marred his rest--"A worm within the rose."

"A rose, but one, none other rose had I,
A rose, one rose, and this was wondrous fair,
One rose, a rose that gladdened earth and sky,
One rose, my rose, that sweetened all mine air--
I cared not for the thorns; the thorns were there.

"One rose, a rose to gather by and by,
One rose, a rose, to gather and to wear,
No rose but one--what other rose had I?
One rose, my rose; a rose that will not die,--
He dies who loves it,--if the worm be there."

This tender rhyme, and evermore the doubt,
"Why lingers Gawain with his golden news?"
So shook him that he could not rest, but rode
Ere midnight to her walls, and bound his horse
Hard by the gates. Wide open were the gates,
And no watch kept; and in through these he past,
And heard but his own steps, and his own heart
Beating, for nothing moved but his own self,
And his own shadow. Then he crost the court,
And spied not any light in hall or bower,
But saw the postern portal also wide
Yawning; and up a slope of garden, all
Of roses white and red, and brambles mixt
And overgrowing them, went on, and found,
Here too, all hushed below the mellow moon,
Save that one rivulet from a tiny cave
Came lightening downward, and so spilt itself
Among the roses, and was lost again.

Then was he ware of three pavilions reared
Above the bushes, gilden-peakt: in one,
Red after revel, droned her lurdane knights
Slumbering, and their three squires across their feet:
In one, their malice on the placid lip
Frozen by sweet sleep, four of her damsels lay:
And in the third, the circlet of the jousts
Bound on her brow, were Gawain and Ettarre.

Back, as a hand that pushes through the leaf
To find a nest and feels a snake, he drew:
Back, as a coward slinks from what he fears
To cope with, or a traitor proven, or hound
Beaten, did Pelleas in an utter shame
Creep with his shadow through the court again,
Fingering at his sword-handle until he stood
There on the castle-bridge once more, and thought,
"I will go back, and slay them where they lie."

And so went back, and seeing them yet in sleep
Said, "Ye, that so dishallow the holy sleep,
Your sleep is death," and drew the sword, and thought,
"What! slay a sleeping knight? the King hath bound
And sworn me to this brotherhood;" again,
"Alas that ever a knight should be so false."
Then turned, and so returned, and groaning laid
The naked sword arthwart their naked throats,
There left it, and them sleeping; and she lay,
The circlet of the tourney round her brows,
And the sword of the tourney across her throat.

And forth he past, and mounting on his horse
Stared at her towers that, larger than themselves
In their own darkness, thronged into the moon.
Then crushed the saddle with his thighs, and clenched
His hands, and maddened with himself and moaned:

"Would they have risen against me in their blood
At the last day? I might have answered them
Even before high God. O towers so strong,
Huge, solid, would that even while I gaze
The crack of earthquake shivering to your base
Split you, and Hell burst up your harlot roofs
Bellowing, and charred you through and through within,
Black as the harlot's heart--hollow as a skull!
Let the fierce east scream through your eyelet-holes,
And whirl the dust of harlots round and round
In dung and nettles! hiss, snake--I saw him there--
Let the fox bark, let the wolf yell. Who yells
Here in the still sweet summer night, but I--
I, the poor Pelleas whom she called her fool?
Fool, beast--he, she, or I? myself most fool;
Beast too, as lacking human wit--disgraced,
Dishonoured all for trial of true love--
Love?--we be all alike: only the King
Hath made us fools and liars. O noble vows!
O great and sane and simple race of brutes
That own no lust because they have no law!
For why should I have loved her to my shame?
I loathe her, as I loved her to my shame.
I never loved her, I but lusted for her--
Away--"
He dashed the rowel into his horse,
And bounded forth and vanished through the night.

Then she, that felt the cold touch on her throat,
Awakening knew the sword, and turned herself
To Gawain: "Liar, for thou hast not slain
This Pelleas! here he stood, and might have slain
Me and thyself." And he that tells the tale
Says that her ever-veering fancy turned
To Pelleas, as the one true knight on earth,
And only lover; and through her love her life
Wasted and pined, desiring him in vain.

But he by wild and way, for half the night,
And over hard and soft, striking the sod
From out the soft, the spark from off the hard,
Rode till the star above the wakening sun,
Beside that tower where Percivale was cowled,
Glanced from the rosy forehead of the dawn.
For so the words were flashed into his heart
He knew not whence or wherefore: "O sweet star,
Pure on the virgin forehead of the dawn!"
And there he would have wept, but felt his eyes
Harder and drier than a fountain bed
In summer: thither came the village girls
And lingered talking, and they come no more
Till the sweet heavens have filled it from the heights
Again with living waters in the change
Of seasons: hard his eyes; harder his heart
Seemed; but so weary were his limbs, that he,
Gasping, "Of Arthur's hall am I, but here,
Here let me rest and die," cast himself down,
And gulfed his griefs in inmost sleep; so lay,
Till shaken by a dream, that Gawain fired
The hall of Merlin, and the morning star
Reeled in the smoke, brake into flame, and fell.

He woke, and being ware of some one nigh,
Sent hands upon him, as to tear him, crying,
"False! and I held thee pure as Guinevere."

But Percivale stood near him and replied,
"Am I but false as Guinevere is pure?
Or art thou mazed with dreams? or being one
Of our free-spoken Table hast not heard
That Lancelot"--there he checked himself and paused.

Then fared it with Sir Pelleas as with one
Who gets a wound in battle, and the sword
That made it plunges through the wound again,
And pricks it deeper: and he shrank and wailed,
"Is the Queen false?" and Percivale was mute.
"Have any of our Round Table held their vows?"
And Percivale made answer not a word.
"Is the King true?" "The King!" said Percivale.
"Why then let men couple at once with wolves.
What! art thou mad?"

But Pelleas, leaping up,
Ran through the doors and vaulted on his horse
And fled: small pity upon his horse had he,
Or on himself, or any, and when he met
A cripple, one that held a hand for alms--
Hunched as he was, and like an old dwarf-elm
That turns its back on the salt blast, the boy
Paused not, but overrode him, shouting, "False,
And false with Gawain!" and so left him bruised
And battered, and fled on, and hill and wood
Went ever streaming by him till the gloom,
That follows on the turning of the world,
Darkened the common path: he twitched the reins,
And made his beast that better knew it, swerve
Now off it and now on; but when he saw
High up in heaven the hall that Merlin built,
Blackening against the dead-green stripes of even,
"Black nest of rats," he groaned, "ye build too high."

Not long thereafter from the city gates
Issued Sir Lancelot riding airily,
Warm with a gracious parting from the Queen,
Peace at his heart, and gazing at a star
And marvelling what it was: on whom the boy,
Across the silent seeded meadow-grass
Borne, clashed: and Lancelot, saying, "What name hast thou
That ridest here so blindly and so hard?"
"No name, no name," he shouted, "a scourge am I
To lash the treasons of the Table Round."
"Yea, but thy name?" "I have many names," he cried:
"I am wrath and shame and hate and evil fame,
And like a poisonous wind I pass to blast
And blaze the crime of Lancelot and the Queen."
"First over me," said Lancelot, "shalt thou pass."
"Fight therefore," yelled the youth, and either knight
Drew back a space, and when they closed, at once
The weary steed of Pelleas floundering flung
His rider, who called out from the dark field,
"Thou art false as Hell: slay me: I have no sword."
Then Lancelot, "Yea, between thy lips--and sharp;
But here will I disedge it by thy death."
"Slay then," he shrieked, "my will is to be slain,"
And Lancelot, with his heel upon the fallen,
Rolling his eyes, a moment stood, then spake:
"Rise, weakling; I am Lancelot, say thy say."

And Lancelot slowly rode his warhorse back
To Camelot, and Sir Pelleas in brief while
Caught his unbroken limbs from the dark field,
And followed to the city. It chanced that both
Brake into hall together, worn and pale.
There with her knights and dames was Guinevere.
Full wonderingly she gazed on Lancelot
So soon returned, and then on Pelleas, him
Who had not greeted her, but cast himself
Down on a bench, hard-breathing. "Have ye fought?"
She asked of Lancelot. "Ay, my Queen," he said.
"And thou hast overthrown him?" "Ay, my Queen."
Then she, turning to Pelleas, "O young knight,
Hath the great heart of knighthood in thee failed
So far thou canst not bide, unfrowardly,
A fall from him?" Then, for he answered not,
"Or hast thou other griefs? If I, the Queen,
May help them, loose thy tongue, and let me know."
But Pelleas lifted up an eye so fierce
She quailed; and he, hissing "I have no sword,"
Sprang from the door into the dark. The Queen
Looked hard upon her lover, he on her;
And each foresaw the dolorous day to be:
And all talk died, as in a grove all song
Beneath the shadow of some bird of prey;
Then a long silence came upon the hall,
And Modred thought, "The time is hard at hand."
 
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BRUNOR LE NOIR

Brunor le Noir (La Cote Male Taile)-Ariosto

Present-

Waiting For Information From Ariosto

Past-

After all the reasearch, I only came up with him mentioned briefly in a poem as Mordred looks at him and asks him a question and the descrtiption 'one of the best knights of the old table'.

HOWEVER I am now thourghly convinced that he and La Cote Male Taile are the same. I mean they have the same name. We can treat them as separate if you like (there are two different names on the round table) or we can simply say they are one in the same. Let me know what you prefer.

Also dubbed 'La Cote Male-Taile' by Sir Kay because of his illfitting clothes. He came to Camelot as a poor man and was made a scullion. After many adventures he married the damsel Maledisant and became the Overlord of Pendragon Castle. He shares many of the attributes of Gareth and is probably a later shadow of the Orkney knight.


La Cote Male Taile



The Knight of the Ill-Shapen Coat


Upon a day of spring when the skies were bright, and the earth was fair with promise, there came to the court of King Arthur a young man of whom no knight present knew anything, and, making due reverence to the King, he besought him that he would make him one of his knights.

King Arthur looked upon the youth, and he saw that he was of a fair presence, and a likely form, and held himself nobly withal. And upon his back he bare a coat fashioned of cloth of gold, but which fitted him so ill that it mattered little what form lay beneath.

Said the King: "Tell me, thou valorous youth, what is thy name?"

The youth replied: "Sir, my name is Brewnor-le Noyre; and if thou wilt make me a knight of thine, thou wilt discover the quality of my blood."

Then said Sir Kay, who was the Seneschal: "Let thy name be what it may, the name thou meritest is La-Cote-Male-Taile; for never have I seen a less well-shapen coat."

Now King Arthur was ever a gentle knight, and he would not have it that this comely boy should be mortified. Wherefore he questioned him: "Tell me the meaning of the coat, for I trow it is not worn without a reason."

The youth replied: "Sir, I had a father, a good and gentle knight. And on a day it chanced that he fell asleep, wearing this coat. And, while he slept, one whose name I know not fell upon him, and hacked him to pieces--a foul deed! Wherefore as the coat was then, so I wear it; and it shall be upon me till I have avenged my father's death."

When this story was related, and the youth related it right well, there spake two of King Arthur's knights, pleading for the boy, that he should be made a knight. "For he hath a pleasing presence," said they, "and an eye that falls not; and we say that there lies in him the making of a right noble knight."

Therefore the King consented, saying that on the morrow he would grant their prayer.

Now on the morrow, the King went a-hunting, taking a goodly company of his knights with him. And with those that were left behind, he left the stranger, whom Sir Kay had named La-Cote-Male-Taile; and they were, all of them, with the Queen Guenever.

And as they attended her in the King's absence there brake loose from its tower of stone, a great lion that was caged there, and came after the Queen and her knights very furiously.

Then the knights fled all but twelve of them; and these twelve knew not how to serve the Queen and themselves.

But the stranger, whom Sir Kay had so mock-named, drew out his sword, and without more ado he set himself upon the lion, granting it so lusty a blow upon the head that it fell dead.

Whereupon he betook himself to his place, and uttered no word.

Now when King Arthur was returned from the chase, he was told how the stranger had guarded the Queen in the absence of the older knights; how with his own hand, and with little consciousness of courage, he had slain the lion; and how no knight had thought to do this thing.

Said the King: "It was a true word which he spake to me that I should discover his blood's quality. This lad will prove a knight of renown." And with that he made him knight.

Then craved the youth permission that he should be known only by the name of La-Cote-Male-Taile. And that prayer the King granted him, though he was ill-pleased that the knight had been so named.

Later, but on the same day, there came to King Arthur's court, a damsel with eyes of fire, and a mouth of sweetness, who bare with her a great black shield. And the only device upon this shield was a white hand that held a sword.

When King Arthur beheld her, he asked her what her errand was; and she replied:

"Sir, I have travelled many nights and days, to bring this shield to thy court. For it belonged to a knight who had vowed to perform a great deed of arms. But an adventure fell upon him, wherein he was wounded full sore so that he died. Now he was a knight of a great purity and courage. Wherefore I seek one like unto him that he may take upon himself the quest of the shield; but I trow that it is an arduous quest."

Now no knight spake that he would take the quest upon himself.

Then reached forward Sir Kay, and took the shield in his hand and held it.

And the damsel asked of him what his name might be, and when she had heard it, she said: "The quest is not thine, for it requires a better knight than thou, Sir Kay."

Whereupon Sir Kay replied with anger: "I but took the shield to feel the weight of it, for I like not thee nor thy quest."

But the damsel little heeded him or his wrath; and having looked long at the knights, she said not that she liked any of them.

Then proffered Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile, saying that he would take the quest upon himself with great joy, since he had but that day been made a knight and sought adventure.

"What name is thine ?" asked the damsel, fixing her glance upon him.

He replied, "My name is La-Cote-Male-Taile." "'Tis an apt title," said she, "for never have I seen such a coat. As for the adventure, it is likely that it will bruise thy skin to match thy coat, if thou take it upon thee."

"Nevertheless," said the knight, "I will take it, and whithersoever it leadeth me, thither will I go. Wherefore, I pray thee that we set forth speedily."

And immediately she made ready to go; and there was brought to the knight a great horse, and his armour, and his spear. And when he was ready, he bade them all farewell for a time; and with the damsel he set forth upon the quest.

And she, riding beside him, shed upon him the fire of her eyes; and from the sweetness of her mouth she sent out words that were not sweet, but passing sour. And the knight thought that she bare him contempt for his youth's sake, and because he had gone upon no other quest.

Now they had gone but a short distance when Sir Dagonet came riding behind them; and it was he who was the King's fool. And when he had overtaken Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile he called to him that he would joust with him.

Then Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile smote him over his horse's croup; and he left them.

And ever as they rode on, the damsel made greater mock of the knight, telling him that the King had sent a fool after him to joust with him, since he esteemed him worthy of no other knight. But the knight kept himself in patience, and answered her never a word.

Then rode they on, and when they had gone two days' journey they came upon Sir Bleoberis, who proffered to Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile that he would joust with him. And when Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile had agreed to this, Sir Bleoberis rained upon him blows of such a violence that they speedily sent him off his horse and laid him upon the ground.

"By my word," cried Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile, "thou shalt finish the fight on foot!" And he made himself ready in a fury.

"Nay," said Sir Bleoberis, "I am not minded to fight on foot, nor did I so proffer." And with that he rode away.

Then did the damsel cast the fire of her eyes anew upon Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile, and twisting the sweetness of her mouth, she said, "Thou hast failed in a new thing, coward knight!"

"Misname me not !" cried he. "Surely it were no cowardly thing to be unhorsed by such a knight as Sir Bleoberis! In a while I shall prove to thee that no craven's blood cools in my veins."

But the damsel would not be quieted; and she poured out upon him continually a flood of bitter speech. Thus they journeyed on, having no great pleasure in each other's company, I trow.

And when they had gone another two days' journey, they came upon Sir Palomides, a goodly knight, who proffered to Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile that he would joust with him.

"Now shall we see the same thing as before!" cried the damsel in the knight's ear. And indeed so it proved, for Sir Palomides gave the younger knight so violent a blow that he sent him from his horse blundering to the ground.

Then was Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile again angry, the more so as he expected the damsel's derision; and he would have fought with Sir Palomides on foot, but the knight would have none of that. Therefore they parted.

And the damsel's speech waxed even more bitter against the knight of the ill-shapen coat.

Now they had gone on but a little way when they came upon Sir Mordred, who had been but a short distance in advance of them; and he journeyed with them.

"Now," thought Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile, "she will cease to beshrew me, being ashamed in another's company."

But not so: the damsel had no heed for Sir Mordred; and, if possible, her speech was less sweet than before. Whereat Sir Mordred wondered.

The three had journeyed another three days when they came upon the castle Orgulus. Now in passing this castle a knight shall either joust, or be taken prisoner. For such is the custom.

Then Sir Mordred and Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile made ready, and when they were abreast of the castle, there came out two knights, riding with skill, and being of a sinister presence.

"Now shall we see again that which we have seen!" said the damsel.

But the younger knight took no heed of her, and as for Sir Mordred, he understood not the speech.

Then came the knights of the castle Orgulus upon them; and one of them flew upon Sir Mordred, and so beset him that he laid him upon the ground. And the other flew upon Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile, and they fought so furiously that they came both of them upon the ground.

Now Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile sprang upon his opponent's horse, and rushing upon that knight who had unhorsed Sir Mordred, he wounded him so that he fought no more. Then returned he to his own man--who had mounted the horse of Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile and fell upon him. And, having unhorsed him, he killed him. But this knight had taken flight into the castle ere he met his death, and Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile after him; and when he was dead, there came close upon one hundred knights and assailed Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile.

And he set his back against the wall of a lady's chamber and fought with them. Then came a lady and took the horse of Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile which he had left behind him; and she led it away while he fought with the hundred knights, and tied it to the postern.

Then came she near to him and whispered: "Knight, thou doest well, but how wilt thou gain thy horse and escape, for I have tied it to yonder postern; and all these knights lie in the way."

When Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile heard this whisper of the lady, he set his shield to cover him, and threw himself upon the knights where they were thickest, and won his way through them. And when he reached the postern, he saw four knights there, and two of these he slew, and the other two he put to such confusion that they fled. Then he mounted his horse, and rode away.

And having come upon the damsel and Sir Mordred where they stood talking of him, for the damsel was well certain that he was slain, he told them how he had won his way out, despite the hundred knights and the device of the lady.

But the damsel professed not to believe him. And she called to her a courier in whom she had a great trust, who went with her on all her journeys; and before the face of the two knights, she bade the courier ride to the castle, and ask how the knight fared who had fought there.

Now the courier was not a long time gone; and when he returned he spake out, telling how the knights had cursed him, saying that never had they seen a knight such as that knight about whom he questioned, and how he had slain twelve of them, and had won his way to the postern, and had ridden away. "He is a fiend," they said, "and no earthly knight."

Then looked Sir MoMred sideways at the maiden; but Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile forbore to look at her. As for that ill-spoken wench she hung her head, and said not one word.

Now they rode on; and as they rode, Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile being silent, and wrapt in his thoughts, Sir Mordred thought well to rebuke the maiden for the wrong she did her knight. And, regarding the matter of Sir Bleoberis and Sir Palomides, he reminded her how easy it was for an older knight to unseat one younger, who was yet unused to his steed. And of the refusal of the knights to fight with Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile on foot, he told her that it might well be that they so refused lest they should be overcome by the young knight, who doubtless was better able to show his valour when his horse no longer hampered him.

To these speeches the damsel listened, making no reply; but when the day was over she was as uncourteous to the young knight as before.

For seven days they journeyed. At the end of that time there overtook them that knight, most renowned of all King Arthur's Round Table, Sir Launcelot du Lake.

Then went Sir Mordred from them, pursuing his own way, and Sir Launcelot was instead their companion; but they knew not who he was.

Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile thought: "Will she revile me again before this stranger?"

And indeed, the damsel began at once so to do, twitting him with all the untoward events that had happened in their journey; and as for such things as had happened to do the young knight honour, she either made no mention of them, or else twisted them to suit her mood.

Then was Sir Launcelot wroth, for he liked little this humour of the damsel, and he rebuked her sharply that she behaved so uncourteously to her knight.

Not a whit cared she. True she let Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile rest in peace for a time; but that was because her tongue's energy was directed toward Sir Launcelot. And, knowing him not, she stung him with the same reproofs as she had given her knight.

And when they had gone some distance in this fashion, Sir Launcelot left them for a time, to go upon a quest of his own.

Then came Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile and his damsel to the castle Pendragon. And from the castle there came riding out six knights, and one of them proffered that Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile should joust with him.

Thereupon Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile smote him, and he had no sooner done so than the other five knights fell upon him in a body and all unexpectedly, in unknightly fashion; and they smote him from his horse, and took him prisoner into the castle, and the unkind damsel with him.

And after a little time came Sir Launcelot riding that way, for he had accomplished his quest, and would fain find Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile. And on the way, ere he had yet reached the castle Pendragon, he came upon a knight who proffered him to joust. And they fell to.

Then Sir Launcelot smote the knight from his horse, and they fought on foot, and that right mightily, till at last Sir Launcelot brought the knight to his knees.

Then the knight yielded himself, and he besought Sir Launcelot that he would tell him his name, for he had never before been brought to yield, nor had he endured such a fight as this with Sir Launcelot.

Sir Launcelot told him that he was Sir Launcelot du Lake. And the knight related to him how a knight had been taken prisoner at the castle Pendragon and a damsel with him.

"I trow well that he is my comrade," said Sir Launcelot; "and I must go and rescue him ;" and with that he departed. And the knight could scarce bring himself to believe that he had fought with that great Sir Launcelot; and he thought it small shame to be defeated by such a noble knight.

When Sir Launcelot reached the castle Pendragon there came out six knights to meet him; and they fell upon him, all at one time, and with great fury. Then Sir Launcelot drove his spear with such a skill that he sorely wounded three of them, and left them upon the ground; and as he went on he encountered the other three, who had drawn aside the better to fall upon him anew, and he wounded them also. And after that, he rode furiously into the castle. Then came the lord of the castle to do battle with Sir Launcelot; and they flew together with a great noise, and with such force that their horses fell to the ground.

Therefore they betook themselves to their swords, and fought on foot, and their strokes fell with such a swiftness that they could not be counted.

Then gave Sir Launcelot a blow so great that he brought the lord of the castle to his knees; and he pulled his helmet from him. Therefore the lord, seeing that he would be slain, yielded himself to Sir Launcelot; and Sir Launcelot bade him that he should release all the prisoners that he held within his castle.

When this was done, there was found among them the knight Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile and his damsel. And when they found themselves released, the knight sought his horse and harness that he might go on his way.

Then came into the castle a messenger from that knight with whom Sir Launcelot had jousted on his way to the castle Pendragon; and the messenger wished to know how Sir Launcelot had fared. But Sir Launcelot had already ridden from the castle.

Then was the lord of the castle exceedingly glad that he had been overcome by a knight of such great fame as Sir Launcelot. And Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile knew who it was who had ridden with them, and he was right joyful; but the damsel was heavy with shame and uttered not one word.

Now when the damsel and her knight had left that castle named Pendragon, and had journeyed on, they came upon Sir Launcelot, who was ahead, and overtook him.

Then they thanked him right courteously, for he had done many mighty deeds for them; and they implored him that he would still be their companion.

"For a while yet will I ride with ye," said Sir Launcelot; "but on this condition be it; that the damsel shall no more upbraid her knight with evil words. For I esteem him a right noble knight; and it is for his sake, and to save him from destruction, that I go with ye now."

"Alack," cried the damsel, "think not that I reproved him because in my heart I thought ill of the knight! Nay, rather, was my heart filled with love. For that reason I chided him sorely, for I knew the quest to be a dangerous one; and I would fain have driven him away by my bitter speech."

And from that moment she chided him no more. Now they had done some days' journey when they came upon the borders of the country of Sursule, and they found there a village with a strong bridge like a fortress. And upon the bridge were gathered knights and yeomen who stopped the way.

When they beheld Sir Launcelot and Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile, they called to them how, because of the black shield which one of them carried, they might not enter within the bridge, excepting one at a time.

Then said Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile to Sir Launcelot: "I pray thee, let me enter first, for I would fain take upon me this adventure. If I fare well in it, then will I send for thee; and if I die, I die as should a knight."

Now Sir Launcelot was unwilling to suffer him to go; but after a time he granted his prayer.

Then Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile entered within the bridge; and there met him two brothers, and these were named Sir Plaine de Force and Sir Plaine de Amours; and they did battle with him. Now Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile smote first Sir Plaine de Force and afterwards Sir Plaine de Amours from his horse. Then did they seize their swords and rush upon him; and he, having alighted also from his horse, met them; and they rained upon him heavy blows with a great fury. And upon the head, and shoulders, and on his breast they wounded him.

"The pain of my wounds is bitter, but the pain of defeat were worse!" thought Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile; and he drew together what strength was within him. And falling upon them anew, with a mighty courage, he brought both knights to their knees, so that they had to yield them or be slain.

So they yielded them. And Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile chose that horse which was the best, and rode on. And having reached another bridge and fortress, he encountered another brother whose name was Sir Plenorius; and with him he fought till their horses fell. Whereupon they continued the fight on foot, and with their swords. And for two long hours they fought, and longer, and gave mighty strokes.

And Sir Launcelot as he stood watching, was filled with fear for the young knight, for he had already fought one battle with great skill, receiving many wounds.

At last Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile fell to the ground through weakness and the pain of his wounds.

But Sir Plenorius had pity on him, saying: "Hadst thou been fresh as I was when I met thee, this thing had not come about. Thou hast endured right well, and I will tend thee with all gentleness till thy hurt be cured."

And he carried him into the tower.

Then came a voice calling to Sir Plenorius, bidding him that he should give up his prisoner, or else do battle with the knight who called him. And Sir Plenorius got upon his horse, and rode violently to that spot where Sir Launcelot stood calling; and like two mighty rushing winds the two knights flew together.

Then smote they great blows with their spears, till their horses fell with the fury of them.

And when the horses had fallen, they left them there, and fell upon each other with their swords. And they fought with a fury so great that no man has ever seen the like.

As for the damsel, she perceived that Sir Launcelot thought her knight of right good account, thus to fight for him.

And after a time, Sir Launcelot brought Sir Plenorius to his knees, but that after many sad blows, for he was a valorous knight and well-skilled.

And when Sir Plenorius had yielded himself, Sir Launcelot met three other of his brethren, and defeated these also. When he had done this he would have given to Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile the fortresses and the bridges.

But the knight would have none of them. "Nay," said he, "I will not take these from Sir Plenorius, for he is a right valiant knight, and of a generous heart. My lord, I pray thee instead to let them remain with Sir Plenorius and his brethren, bearing this condition that he come to King Arthur's court and be a knight of his, and his brethren with him."

Now Sir Launcelot agreed to this condition, for he had liking for Sir Plenorius, believing him to be a brave knight and of a pure life.

And Sir Launcelot remained in that country till Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile was recovered of his wounds; and he fared well, having pleasure in abundance, and many good games.

And when the days were passed of the knight's sickness they returned to the court of King Arthur, the quest of the black shield being accomplished. And as they passed the castle of Pendragon Sir Launcelot gave that castle to Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile, since the lord of it would not become King Arthur's knight.

At Pentecost following, Sir La-Cote-Male-Taile was made a knight of the King's Round Table; and he proved a mighty knight and noble.

For his wife he chose that damsel who had brought to him the black shield. And she twisted no more the sweetness of her lips; but gave him kindly words.
 
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AGRAVAINE

Sir Agravaine-BadForm

Present-

Sir Archibald "Archie" Grenville
Age: 37
Height: 6'0
Color: Hair/eyes brown, skin permenant tan
Physically very fit
Works as a newspaper reporter for the Times in London reporting on current affairs and notably war correspondence. Received a knighthood for bravery during the falklands war - if it was not for his action, Britain would have lost three trucks to friendly fire due to a miscommunication. He has also been known to report on political figures acting immorally. He does not glorify the scandals as do the gutter press. He is known for accuracy, truth and an inability to be bought. In fact, he has reported more abuses of power than sexual scandals etc.



Past-

Sir Agravain was the son of King Lot of Orkney and Morgawse. Agravain was also the brother of Gawain. Chretien de Troyes knew him as Agravain the Proud Knight. It was Agravain who tried to prove to his uncle, King Arthur, that Queen Guinevere was committing adultery with Lancelot. When Agravain tried to catch the adulterous lovers in bed.

Agravain was famous for plotting with 'Mordred' to reveal the adulterous actions of 'Guinevere' and 'Lancelot'. Agravain was then slain by Lancelot as he attempted to halt the proceedings of the elicit affair in Guinevere's chamber. Believed to have been developed during the Norman Arthurian romances.

He was also, acording to the other bios, a part of Lamorak's death.

Important Relationships:

Son of Morgawse

Nephew to King Arthur

Brother of Gawaine, Gaheris and Gareth

Half-Brother to Mordred

Uncle to La Bel Desconneu
 
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LIONELL

Lionell-Morganna

Present-

Tanya is a 25 year old black girl She is a historian just out of collage. She is currently working on a newly discoveded city where atlantas had suposidly been. She is single and had just moved into a new place in New York.


Past-

Sir Lionel was the son of King Bors of Gaunes and Evainne. Lionel was also the brother of Bors de Ganis (Grail hero). He was the cousin of Lancelot. He was named Lionel at birth, because his mother Evainne saw a strange birth mark his chest, in the shape of lion and the baby strangled it. Lionel became Lancelot's squire during Arthur's war against Galehaut. Lionel was knighted after Arthur's war against the Saxons at La Roche (the "Rock"). Melehan, the son of Mordred, had killed Lionel in the Battle of Winchester according to Mort Artu.

Important Relationships:

Sone of King Bors

Brother of Bors de Ganis

Cousin to Lancelot

Related to Galahad through Lancelot
 
ECTOR

Ector (Hector) de Maris-Available

Sir Hector (Hestor, Ector de Maris or Mares or Hector of the Marsh) was the illegitimate son of King Ban and the daughter of li Sires des Mares (or Maris). Hector was the half-brother of Lancelot. He died before his brother, when Lancelot took the monk's habit.

He succeeded his father as King of Benwick.

Important Relationships:

Son of King Ban

Half-Brother to Lancelot
 
BLEOBERIS

Bleoberis-Lynelle

Present-

Modern name is Randall Parks and please dont call him Randy. His nickname is PoolCue because that is the weapon he favors in a bar fight of which he is usually into.

A truck driver, he is very tall and beefy. He stands 6' 4" tall and is very muscular though you can see the beer belly forming at his waist. Some mistake this as a sign of sagging and many have injured their hands trying to hit what they think is his soft spot only to discover his body is pretty hard.

His beer belly is aptly named. He cant pass up a drink or a pretty lady. He has some success with women, especially in bars where they are drunk enough not to take offense at his come on lines and macho attitude. Outside of that, though, women would slap him for his chauvanistic approach-if they could reach his face.

His dress consists of cowboy everything. Hat, boots, shirt, pants and especially a rattlesnake head belt with a HUGE belt buckle. It is the bigest belt buckle he could find and is emblazoned with the (overdone) symbol of the confederate flag
Round Table Knight who, with his brother Blamore, supported Lancelot in the quarrel with Arthur.


Past-

A noble knight and godson of Bors. Bleoberis carried Bors' standard.

Knight of the Round Table, brother of Blamore. He was defeated by Tristan when he abducted Segwaride's wife from Mark's court. He supported Lancelot, who was his relation, when the latter quarrelled with Arthur. He became Duke of Poitiers and eventually a Crusader.


Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK VIII CHAPTER XVII
Sacred Texts Legends and Sagas Index BOOK VIII Previous Next



How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Bleoberis for a lady, and
how the lady was put to choice to whom she would go.

THEN Sir Tristram rode more than a pace until that he had
overtaken him. Then spake Sir Tristram: Abide, he said, Knight
of Arthur's court, bring again that lady, or deliver her to me.
I will do neither, said Bleoberis, for I dread no Cornish knight
so sore that me list to deliver her. <307>Why, said Sir
Tristram, may not a Cornish knight do as well as another knight?
this same day two knights of your court within this three mile
met with me, and or ever we departed they found a Cornish knight
good enough for them both. What were their names? said
Bleoberis. They told me, said Sir Tristram, that the one of them
hight Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and the other hight Dodinas le
Savage. Ah, said Sir Bleoberis, have ye met with them? so God me
help, they were two good knights and men of great worship, and if
ye have beat them both ye must needs be a good knight; but if it
so be ye have beat them both, yet shall ye not fear me, but ye
shall beat me or ever ye have this lady. Then defend you, said
Sir Tristram. So they departed and came together like thunder,
and either bare other down, horse and all, to the earth.

Then they avoided their horses, and lashed together eagerly with
swords, and mightily, now tracing and traversing on the right
hand and on the left hand more than two hours. And sometime they
rushed together with such a might that they lay both grovelling
on the ground. Then Sir Bleoberis de Ganis stert aback, and said
thus: Now, gentle good knight, a while hold your hands, and let
us speak together. Say what ye will, said Tristram, and I will
answer you. Sir, said Bleoberis, I would wit of whence ye be,
and of whom ye be come, and what is your name? So God me help,
said Sir Tristram, I fear not to tell you my name. Wit ye well I
am King Meliodas' son, and my mother is King Mark's sister, and
my name is Sir Tristram de Liones, and King Mark is mine uncle.
Truly, said Bleoberis, I am right glad of you, for ye are he that
slew Marhaus the knight, hand for hand in an island, for the
truage of Cornwall; also ye overcame Sir Palamides the good
knight, at a tournament in an island, where ye beat Sir Gawaine
and his nine fellows. So God me help, said Sir Tristram, wit ye
well that I am the same knight; now I have told you my name, tell
me yours with good will. Wit ye well that my name is Sir
Bleoberis de Ganis, and my brother hight Sir Blamore de Ganis,
that is called a <308>good knight, and we be sister's children
unto my lord Sir Launcelot du Lake, that we call one of the best
knights of the world. That is truth, said Sir Tristram, Sir
Launcelot is called peerless of courtesy and of knighthood; and
for his sake, said Sir Tristram, I will not with my good will
fight no more with you, for the great love I have to Sir
Launcelot du Lake. In good faith, said Bleoberis, as for me I
will be loath to fight with you; but sithen ye follow me here to
have this lady, I shall proffer you kindness, courtesy, and
gentleness right here upon this ground. This lady shall be
betwixt us both, and to whom that she will go, let him have her
in peace. I will well, said Tristram, for, as I deem, she will
leave you and come to me. Ye shall prove it anon, said
Bleoberis.

Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK IX CHAPTER XXX
Sacred Texts Legends and Sagas Index BOOK IX Previous Next


How Sir Tristram behaved him the first day of the
tournament, and there he had the prize.

NOW turn we unto Sir Tristram de Liones, that commanded
Gouvernail, his servant, to ordain him a black shield with none
other remembrance therein. And so Sir Persides and Sir Tristram
departed from their host Sir Pellounes, and they rode early
toward the tournament, and then they drew them to King Carados'
side, of Scotland; and anon knights began the field what of King
Northgalis' part, and what of King Carados' part, and there began
great party. Then there was hurling and rashing. Right so came
in Sir Persides and Sir Tristram and so they did fare that they
put the King of Northgalis aback. Then came in Sir Bleoberis de
Ganis and Sir Gaheris with them of Northgalis, and then was Sir
Persides smitten down and almost slain, for more than forty horse
men went over him. For Sir Bleoberis did great deeds of arms,
and Sir Gaheris failed him not. When Sir Tristram beheld them,
and saw them do such deeds of arms, he marvelled what they were.
Also Sir Tristram thought shame that Sir Persides was so done to;
and then he gat a great spear in his hand, and then he rode to
Sir Gaheris and smote him down from his horse. And then was Sir
Bleoberis wroth, and gat a spear and rode against Sir Tristram in
great ire; and there Sir Tristram met with him, and smote Sir
Bleoberis from his horse So then the King with the Hundred
Knights was wroth, and he horsed Sir Bleoberis and Sir Gaheris
again, and there began a great medley; and ever Sir Tristram held
them passing short, and ever Sir Bleoberis was passing busy upon
Sir Tristram; and there came Sir Dinadan against Sir Tristram,
and Sir Tristram gave him such a buffet that he swooned <404>in
his saddle. Then anon Sir Dinadan came to Sir Tristram and said:
Sir, I know thee better than thou weenest; but here I promise
thee my troth I will never come against thee more, for I promise
thee that sword of thine shall never come on mine helm.

With that came Sir Bleoberis, and Sir Tristram gave him such a
buffet that down he laid his head; and then he caught him so sore
by the helm that he pulled him under his horse's feet. And then
King Arthur blew to lodging. Then Sir Tristram departed to his
pavilion, and Sir Dinadan rode with him; and Sir Persides and
King Arthur then, and the kings upon both parties, marvelled what
knight that was with the black shield. Many said their advice,
and some knew him for Sir Tristram, and held their peace and
would nought say. So that first day King Arthur, and all the
kings and lords that were judges, gave Sir Tristram the prize;
howbeit they knew him not, but named him the Knight with the
Black Shield.



Important Relationships:

Was related to Lancelot but not known how.

Godson of Bors


Note:

http://camelot.celtic-twilight.com/plays/adeler1.htm

Here is an ebook that mentions the knight. It may be good reading for anyone wanting to take him on.
 
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LUCAN

Lucan-available

Name: Lucan
Homeland: Lindsey
Culture: Roman Religion: Christian
Father's Name: Corneus
Father's Class: Duke Son Number: 3
Lord: Arthur
Current Class: Officer to the Pendragon
Current Home: Camelot
Year Born 393

Lucan the Butler

Lucan was better known as Lucan the Butler. Lucan was the wine-steward in Chretien de Troyes' Erec and Enide.

Lucan was one of the surviving knights of King Arthur in the war against Mordred. However, Lucan died, when the mortally wounded king crushed him in an embrace. (Hows THAT for irony?)

Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK IX CHAPTER XXXVII
Sacred Texts Legends and Sagas Index BOOK IX Previous Next


How Sir Tristram, Sir Palomides, and Sir Dinadan
were taken and put in prison.

NOW will we speak of Sir Lucan the butler, that by fortune he
came riding to the same place thereas was Sir Tristram, and in he
came in none other intent but to ask harbour. Then the porter
asked what was his name. Tell your lord that my name is Sir
Lucan, the butler, a <418>Knight of the Round Table. So the
porter went unto Sir Darras, lord of the place, and told him who
was there to ask harbour. Nay, nay, said Sir Daname, that was
nephew to Sir Darras, say him that he shall not be lodged here,
but let him wit that I, Sir Daname, will meet with him anon, and
bid him make him ready. So Sir Daname came forth on horseback,
and there they met together with spears, and Sir Lucan smote down
Sir Daname over his horse's croup, and then he fled into that
place, and Sir Lucan rode after him, and asked after him many
times.

Then Sir Dinadan said to Sir Tristram: It is shame to see the
lord's cousin of this place defoiled. Abide, said Sir Tristram,
and I shall redress it. And in the meanwhile Sir Dinadan was on
horseback, and he jousted with Lucan the butler, and there Sir
Lucan smote Dinadan through the thick of the thigh, and so he
rode his way; and Sir Tristram was wroth that Sir Dinadan was
hurt, and followed after, and thought to avenge him; and within a
while he overtook Sir Lucan, and bade him turn; and so they met
together so that Sir Tristram hurt Sir Lucan passing sore and
gave him a fall. With that came Sir Uwaine, a gentle knight, and
when he saw Sir Lucan so hurt he called Sir Tristram to joust
with him. Fair knight, said Sir Tristram, tell me your name I
require you. Sir knight, wit ye well my name is Sir Uwaine le
Fise de Roy Ureine. Ah, said Sir Tristram, by my will I would
not have ado with you at no time. Ye shall not so, said Sir
Uwaine, but ye shall have ado with me. And then Sir Tristram saw
none other bote, but rode against him, and overthrew Sir Uwaine
and hurt him in the side, and so he departed unto his lodging
again. And when Sir Dinadan understood that Sir Tristram had
hurt Sir Lucan he would have ridden after Sir Lucan for to have
slain him, but Sir Tristram would not suffer him. Then Sir
Uwaine let ordain an horse litter, and brought Sir Lucan to the
abbey of Ganis, and the castle thereby hight the Castle of Ganis,
of the which Sir Bleoberis was lord. And at that castle Sir
Launcelot promised all his fellows to meet in the quest of Sir
Tristram.

<419>
So when Sir Tristram was come to his lodging there came a damosel
that told Sir Darras that three of his sons were slain at that
tournament, and two grievously wounded that they were never like
to help themself. And all this was done by a noble knight that
bare the black shield, and that was he that bare the prize. Then
came there one and told Sir Darras that the same knight was
within, him that bare the black shield. Then Sir Darras yede
unto Sir Tristram's chamber, and there he found his shield and
showed it to the damosel. Ah sir, said the damosel, that same is
he that slew your three sons. Then without any tarrying Sir
Darras put Sir Tristram, and Sir Palomides, and Sir Dinadan,
within a strong prison, and there Sir Tristram was like to have
died of great sickness; and every day Sir Palomides would reprove
Sir Tristram of old hate betwixt them. And ever Sir Tristram
spake fair and said little. But when Sir Palomides saw the
falling of sickness of Sir Tristram, then was he heavy for him,
and comforted him in all the best wise he could. And as the
French book saith, there came forty knights to Sir Darras that
were of his own kin, and they would have slain Sir Tristram and
his two fellows, but Sir Darras would not suffer that, but kept
them in prison, and meat and drink they had. So Sir Tristram
endured there great pain, for sickness had undertaken him, and
that is the greatest pain a prisoner may have. For all the while
a prisoner may have his health of body he may endure under the
mercy of God and in hope of good deliverance; but when sickness
toucheth a prisoner's body, then may a prisoner say all wealth is
him bereft, and then he hath cause to wail and to weep. Right so
did Sir Tristram when sickness had undertaken him, for then he
took such sorrow that he had almost slain himself.


Important Relationships:

Brother: Bedivere
 
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DAGONET

Dagonet-Neale

Present-

His current incarnation is Dirk Gently, paranormal investigator, proprietor of the Holistic Detective Agency. At least that is what it says on his business card. Actually, Dirk is a tremendous con-man. He is brilliant, but very lazy, and investigating the impossible has proven to be very lucrative. Despite the huge fees he charges, he lives very modestly in a London flat, mainly because he only takes cases when his secretary threatens to quit if she doesn't get paid sometime soon.

Dirk is a rather large fellow, at least 50 pounds overweight, prematurely balding, and absolutely against any form of physical exertion.


Past-

Name: Dagonet
Homeland: Norgales
Culture: Cymric Religion: Christian
Father's Name: Unknown
Father's Class: Unknown
Lord: Arthur
Current Class: Court Fool, Knight of the Round Table
Current Home: Camelot
Year Born 490

Coat of Arms: A silver serpent twined about a black staff upon a blue background.


The fool at Arthur's court. Arthur eventually makes him a knight. In Tennyson, he is portrayed, especially in the tale of Tristan, as the only member of the court who has faith left in Arthur.

But for the most part he exhibits great
courage and loyalty to Arthur. He seems to take his role as a knight rather seriously. He is sent by Kay to joust with La Cote Male Taile. He is defeated. He and two squires cross a mad Tristram near a well. He is defeated. Dagonet finally has some manner of victory when he rides upon King Mark disguised in Mordred's armor. King Mark flees from the fierce fool (who has donned Mordred's armor), having been told by Sir Dinadan that the coat of arms is Lancelot's. But as Palomides happens upon the scene Dagonet is once more defeated, along with a good portion of other Round Table knights.

He seems to be a complex man, at once dedicated to the principles of knighthood, yet dedicated to his own well-being as well. You might want to think of Dagonet as less a fool, and more as a Dark Ages con-man. How else would a combat deficient fool become knighted by the King himself, if not through a bit of smooth talk and trickery?
Imagine this smooth-talking "fool" as a courtly contrast to the caustic Sir Kay. Kay would not dare exact any revenge upon the fool... for not only is Dagonet beloved by Arthur and much of the court, but fools, clowns, bards, and the like are allowed a greater freedom of speech than regular folk. Kay is the stern authority figure trying to keep order in the court, and Dagonet is the wild card, always causing mischief and always working on some wild
scheme (if not an illegal scheme, then some kind of an elaborate prank).



THE PLEADING OF DAGONET
by
OSCAR FAY ADAMS
ARGUMENT.

The King of Spades,
He kiss'd the maids,
Which vex'd the Queen full sore.
The Queen of Spades,
She beat those maids,
And turn'd them out of door.
The Knave of Spades
Grieved for those jades,
And did for them implore.
The Queen so gent,
She did relent,
And vow'd she'd ne'er strike more.

The time had come when slowly-dying Rome,
Feeling the death-chill creeping near her heart,
Call'd all the legions home from far-off lands
That haply they might save the life of her
Who once was nam'd the mistress of the world.
So they, home summon'd, swarm'd from over seas,
Climb'd Alps or cross'd the drifting sands that stretch'd
Between them and the much-lov'd mother land,
And left their hard-won conquests to their fate,
An easy prey to lustful heathen hosts.
And bitter was the lot of Britain's isle,
Deserted by the legions seeking Rome,
Till Arthur came and drave the heathen back
That swept from out the North, and made secure
A realm of peace and reign'd there as its king.

But ere such happy ending had been reach'd,
The land was torn with battle, and the streams
Ran blood, and all the fertile fields were waste,
For none were had to till, and all the isle
Seem'd likelier to be the home of beasts
Than quiet kingdom of a peaceful king.
And once eleven fierce and wolfish kings
'Gainst Arthur join'd their strengths and prest him sore
And gave his arméd men no rest by night
Or day, and truly, as it seem'd, the light
Of Christ had been extinguish'd in the isle,
Had Arthur sent not out a cry for help
That rang across the straits and echo found
In wave-beat Brittany and distant Gaul.
King Ban of Benwick--counted bravest knight
In all the world, had not his brother king
And brother in the flesh, Bors, King of Gaul,
Been reckon'd equal in men's sight--first heard
The cry, and sent a messenger to Bors
To bid him arm his hosts and speed with him
To aid the king of Britain in his need.
So these twain, Ban of Benwick, Bors of Gaul,
Past o'er the straits and sprang to Arthur's help,
And all the might of the eleven kings
Was broken, and themselves were slain, and none
Were left who own'd not Arthur for their lord.

Now when the powers of the eleven kings
Were scatter'd, and the noise of battle ceas'd
King Ban of Benwick, with his brother Bors,
Laden with Arthur's many grateful gifts,
Again past over straits each to his realm.
A wifeless palace was the home of Bors,
But Ban was wedded unto Margaret,
A peasant's daughter who her first estate
Had long ere this forgot, and fair was she
As many women are, yet not so fair
But there were those with whom her face compar'd
As canker in the hedge to garden rose,
Or moonlight unto dazzling ray of sun;
And this she knew, and rag'd for jealousy
Within when women fairer than herself
Caught even a passing glance from Ban, her lord.

Now when King Ban return'd from Britain's isle,
His dark face darker yet from sun and wind
Than when he left his realm at Arthur's need,
It chanc'd that in the tale of those who serv'd
Within the palace were two lately come,
Sisters in blood, in age the same, and fair
To look upon as sunlight on gold waves
Of crinkling wheat. Not yet Queen Margaret
Was 'ware that they were of her retinue,
And therefore was it that Ban saw them first.
The time was summer, and a morn of June
Made music in the veins, the scent of flowers
Past down the breeze; the birds for very joy
Stopt in their songs to circle in mid air,
Began once more and once more broke the strain
For gladness' sake, so full their happy hearts,
While joy and summer reign'd o'er all the world.
It was the morning of a royal hunt,
And Ban the King, array'd as for the chase,
Was passing hastily to palace hall,
To join his knights and squires who stay'd him there,
When sudden music checkt his kingly haste,
And leaning from a window that o'erlookt
The palace court, he saw the sisters twain
At work and singing, like the birds, for joy.
No man but might not at that sight have felt
His heart beat quicker, were he old or young;
And all forgetting those his waiting knights,
Ban, being human, stay'd to gaze and list.
It was a simple song they sang, of joy
And dole, and ever as one sister paus'd,
The other caught the music's flying thread
And answer'd her, and these the words they sang:--

"In life and love, if love in life be ours,
Smiling and weeping ne'er were equal powers;
Yet smiles thro' tears are sweetest smiles of all.

"It is the little tear that smiles confute,
That soon or late makes lovers' voices mute,
Yet ever gathering surely saddens all.

"It is the little tear no smiles refute,
Or fleeting smiles of joy all destitute,
That in the heart's life surely saddens all.

"Love is not worth your weeping: let it go.
Ah, is it? Tell me, dearest, is it so?
Dear love is richest when 'tis all in all."

Sweet were the voices of the sisters fair,
And he who listen'd might not say which voice
Had most of music in it, more than might
One hark'ning to two nightingales that sing
Out of their full hearts in a moonlit night,
All blossom-scented, of the waning May.
So, with the music ringing in his ears,
King Ban past down the stairway to the court;
But ere he came within the sister's sight,
One of the twain had taken up the song
Again, and intermingling with the words,
And like a buttress to some lofty wall,
There ran along beside the singer's notes
Her sister's murmurous monotones of song,

"My life, once mine, now thine, is surelier mine,
For love, if love be thine, such love were mine,
And death, if death be thine, that death were mine,
Dear love is richest when 'tis all in all."

The song was ended and the maids arose,
And rising turn'd, and turning saw the King.
Then on the cheek of either flusht the white
To red that slowly pal'd again to white,
And flee they might not, rooted there by fear.
Then he, who saw their fear and sought to calm,
Said gently:--
"Maids, I pray you, be of cheer,
Such songs as yours are sweet unto mine ears,
And therefore make I payment in such wise
As best beseems a king when maids are fair."
So saying, Ban of Benwick stoopt and kiss'd
The rounded cheeks that seem'd for kisses made,
So like the peach-bloom in their tenderness,
Then lightly turn'd away to join his knights,
His lips still playing with the song's refrain,
"Dear love is richest when 'tis all in all."
Scarce had the echo of his footsteps died,
And still the wonder linger'd in the eyes
Of these King Ban had kiss'd, when Margaret,
The Queen, swept down upon the sisters twain;
For she from out her bower had seen the King
Salute the maids, and like an angry sea
Her rising tide of temper swell'd and surg'd,
To break in fury on the heads of these.
No word spake Margaret, but with a hand
Made hard by anger smote the maids on arm
And shoulder, and full harshly drave them forth
From palace doors, and all in dole they went.

Now in the palace of King Ban was there
A bitter-tongued yet not unkindly dwarf,
Dark-haired and swart of hue, one Dagonet,
Who oft at royal banquets flasht his wit
Like nimble lightnings thro' the heavy clouds
Of dullness that opprest the wine-soakt brains
And chase-worn limbs of stalwart squires and knights,
And he returning from some trifling quest
Beheld the weeping damsels driven forth,
And in a moment's space had guess'd the cause,
While all his heart was mov'd and pitiful.
But these on whom the anger of the Queen
Had fallen heavily beheld him not
Thro' mists of tears till he full kindly spoke
And question'd of their grief, and so drew forth
In fragments, marr'd with many sobs and tears,
Their woful tale. This heard, Sir Dagonet,
Eying them tenderly as mothers eye
A child heart-broken for some pleasure lost,
Shook merrily his cap and bells, and made
Some jest that brought the laughter to their lips,
And gave thereafter counsel they should bide
Nigh to the palace till the queen had ruth.
Then Dagonet made haste and sought and found
The Queen, and shaking gleefully his bells
Broke into sudden laughter. Then the Queen:
"Why laugh you now, Sir Fool?"
And quickly came
The answer back, "I laugh, good mistress fool,
To think a queen should be a woman too."
Then Margaret, starting quick aside as one
Who finds a stinging insect on his arm
And would be freed from it, said scornfully,
"Why call me 'fool'? I am no kin of thine."
"Thou art my sister fool," quoth Dagonet,
"For Queens are gracious unto all that live,
But baser women know no note but hate
To sound in presence of their waiting maids
Who win a fleeting favour from their lord.
And therefore do I call thee sister fool,
And therefore is it that I laugh so loud."
When Dagonet had ceas'd, a silence came
Upon the jester and the jealous Queen,
And either fear'd to speak: the one for shame
That she, a Queen, had so her state forgot
And beaten cruelly two harmless maids
For no fault greater than a simple song,
The other doubtful if his words were wise.
But ere the shadow of the dial mov'd
A hair's-breadth onward toward the close of day,
The dwarf found voice again and begg'd the Queen
To pity those her wrath had driven forth;
And mov'd by pleadings of the sharp tongued dwarf,
Or by repentant working of her soul,
The Queen melted to pity and the maids
Forgave, and in the rush of feeling vow'd
Her hand should ne'er strike more. Thus Dagonet
O'ercame the wrath of Margaret and saw
The maids restor'd, and in the next year went
As sign of friendly bonds between the kings
To dwell at Arthur's court in Camelot.


SIR DAGONET'S QUEST
by
F. B. MONEY-COUTTS


I
King Mark came riding, in great despite,
Seeking Sir Tristram to slay,
And chanced on a merry and courteous knight,
But knew him not for that jesting wight
Sir Dinadan, brave and gay.

II
As saddle to saddle they paced along,
Hoving afar they saw
Horses and knights in a gallant throng
Under the forest shaw.

III
Said Dinadan, "Lo! by yon cloth of gold
Launcelot rides this way!"
And Mark, like a man that shakes with cold,
Said, "Launcelot here? Then I cannot hold
Longer with you today!"

IV
When Dinadan spied he might scarce abide
For terror, he cried, "I see
Sir Launcelot's shield! On a silver field
Three lions and lilies three!"

V
But he said it to shape a jest and jape,
That cowardly King to school;
For lions and lilies emblazoned thrice
He wist full well were the new device
Of Dagonet, Arthur's fool.

VI
Now Mark had turned him about, to slip
Back, like a snake, for fear;
But Dinadan rode to his fellowship,
Who made of him passing cheer.

VII
He told them his craft and all agreed;
So Dagonet, armed to fight,
Adventured his spear and spurred at speed,
Crying, "Ho! ye caitiff of Cornish breed !
Keep ye, ye craven knight!"

VIII
Now out, now in, through thick and through thin,
Mark fled from that shield aghast;
Through thick and through thin, with dindle and din,
Sir Dagonet followed fast!

IX
Then the knights chased after, with Ho! and Yield!
And he ran like a rated hound;
And the cry rose high and the laughter pealed,
Till wood and water and forest and field
Rang with the noise and sound.
 
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DEGORE

Degore-Available

I have no information on this knight. If anyone can find some it would be much appreciated. If anyone would like Sir Degore (he was a knight, his name is engraved upon the Round Table) than they are free to make up his past as they see fit.
 
LA BEL DESCONNEU

Le Bel Desconneu-(Guinglain)-Jocelyn

Le bel Inconnu

Present-

I think it would be fun to have Gawain's son come back as a woman. I know his [Gawain's] person now is a girl but I think I will make his "son" just the opposite of his librarian "father".

Name: Candace "Candi" Derning
Occupation: Stripper (though she teaches self defense classes in the day time its mostly volunteer for those living in the underprivalaged areas)
Description: Red hair and green eyes, slim yet muscular, she is quick to laugh and very pretty. She is even tempered ( quite the opposite of the usual idea of a quick tempered red head) and quite the looker. (I figured with a name like "The Fair Unknown" I would have that carry over into her life now.


Past-

Guinglain (Gwing'-lin): le Bel Inconnu/le Beau Inconnu ("the Fair
Unknown"). Gawain's son by his wife Lady Ragnall (his only legitimate offspring -- Gawain and Ragnall have been separated for years). Not knowing his heritage and raised in ignorance of knighthood (similar to Percival), he comes to Arthur's court and asks three favors: that he be squired for a year, be knighted at the end of the year, and be awarded the first adventure he requests. Arthur grants his request, putting Kay in charge of his training. Kay puts him to work in the kitchens. At the end of the year, he is knighted by Arthur. A maiden comes to court,
asking that a knight be sent to free her mistress. Guinglain begs and receives the quest. Kay rebukes him, and Gawain is sent after to observe how he fares. Guinglain defeats the sorcerer and frees the mistress from enchantment. She turns out to be his mother, who reveals his identity. He returns to court and is acclaimed not only as Gawain's son, but also a great knight. Much later, he is accidentally slain by Lancelot escaping the Queen's chamber.



The Beautiful Unknown to Renaud de Beaujeu is a novel in worms written in second half of the XII E century. It belongs to the four texts which, with times and very different geographical places, treated the history of a young knight named Guinglain in the French and English version, Carduino in Italian work and Wigalois in the German novel [ 1] With the difference of the later versions, the work of Renaud, while being integrated in the tradition of the kind of the novel arthurien, is made conspicuous by repeated interventions of the narrator in the account and by an incompletion of the history. However, if the form is unusual and original, the frame remains typically romantic and typically arthurienne since consisted of the adventures chevaleresques and in love with the hero.

The history starts with the arrival of a young unknown knight at the court of Arthur which requests the king to grant the first gift to him that it will ask him. Arthur accepts and the occasion will not be long in arising so that the king can hold his word: Hélie, a beautiful messenger arrives at the court and request a champion of the Round Table to release its bewitched mistress, Blonde Esmerée, which is kept captive in the City in Ruins. In spite of the protests of Hélie, the Beautiful Unknown will be indicated by the king to achieve this task thus sealing the beginning of a series of adventures marked by twelve engagements. The Beautiful Unknown will overcome in the Blïobliéris order, the guard of the Perilous Ford, two giants, the three companions of Blïobliéris, Orgueilleux of the Moor, Giflet, Malgier the Gray, Lampart, the seneshal of Esmerée Blonde and the two magicians, Mabon and Evrain, which ruined Sinaudon. To break definitively enchantement, it will undergo the Proud Kiss of a snake delivering Blonde Esmerée thus.

The marriage of the hero and the released princess will not follow this principal adventure immediately bus Guinglain (named by error " the Beautiful Unknown") will turn over in the Virgin to the white hands, mistress of the Gold Island, which offered before its love and its kingdom to him. But Guinglain will not be able to resist the call of Arthur and it will leave the fairy to take part in tournaments at the court of the king. Its victory will be rewarded by the general social recognition and a marriage with Blonde Esmerée who will bring crown and kingdom to him.

Since the XIX E century, many critics of different schools are leaning on this novel to establish its origins, of the reports/ratios of intertextuality or to analyze it from the point of view structuralist, symbolic system or narratologic. The article below, which belongs to a longer study, will have like ambition to release an additional direction of work in the light of analytical psychology. It will examine how the adversaries in the first part of the novel, i.e. before the return of the Beautiful Unknown at the fairy, reflect or personify unconscious contents of psyché of the hero showing this psychological process thus that C.G.Jung named " individuation ". Our study is thus based primarily on work of Jung and its collaborators as on the rare critical works which analyze medieval accounts according to the same method.

After having left the court of Arthur, for a first adventure, the Beautiful Unknown crosses the Perilous Ford, where " Li pasages is dolereus " (v.324), and thus crosses the border which separates this world from the Other World. Symbolically speaking, it starts the way of individuation which consists to differentiate the contents from unconscious (this one is symbolized by the Other World) and to integrate them into the conscience to succeed, in the best of the cases, with the widening of the field of conscious, the realization of a psychic balance. But why a " ford " and why " perilous " at the beginning of the path which leads to Gaste Cité?

The ford is a place which facilitates the passage through a river and the rivers separate, in the novel arthurien in general, the marvellous world of this world. The crossing is then inevitable for the Beautiful Unknown since the bewitched princess is in prison in the other world. Blonde Esmerée symbolizes here this female component of psyché male that Jung named Anima and that the Beautiful Unknown, the hero, must release from the influence of the malefic forces.

The ford received the " perilous " epithet because the knight who defends it is wild and perfidious, it killed many adversaries.

" Many knight trové it hard
That it avoit ocis Al ford.
Molt estoit lime pits of cruelty,
Blioblïeris avoit not,
Molt ot the cuer to trust and felon;" (vv.336-340)

In other words, the first meeting with the unconscious one is dangerous because the depth of this one which can absorb the subject, and because on its attractive side which can imprison it.

Blioblïeris, the guard of the ford, defies the Beautiful Unknown in the name of the habit [ 2 ] By its attitude, he recalls the type of the knight brigand who awaits the passers by to plunder them with his companions. The Beautiful Unknown says itself of the habit: " It is robery " (v.427). Like all the other adversaries, the defender of the ford represents for the hero an obstacle to be surmounted before achieving the goal, the delivery of Esmerée Blonde. The engagements preceding the fight counters Evrain and Mabon is qualifying tests which make it possible to show the chevaleresque perfection of the Beautiful Unknown. He is already a knight achieved at the beginning of the novel [ 3 ] but, in fact, nobody knows anything precis on him. That it does not have a name, that means that it does not occupy yet its place in the company. While arriving at the court of Arthur it is defined compared to his mother who called it " Biel Fil " (v.117). To replace this too evocative denomination of a strong attachment to the mother, the king gives him the name of " Biaus Descouneüs " (v.131). This name shows well that this young knight is completely ignored by the company arthurienne and that at this moment, i.e. before its departure in adventure, it is only its physical appearance which can hold the attention. The formula of Hélie is very right:

" OJ swages you quis Li millor,
And you gave me the pïor,
That you his is not worth itself nïent: " (vv.231-233)

To have " a true " name, it must initially show of prowess and courtesy. From where need for leaving in adventure and for facing the most different adversaries, of which first is Blioblïeris.

Psychologically speaking this one reflects, as in a mirror, the attitude of the hero with respect to its first contact with the unconscious one. The behavior of the Beautiful Unknown is resolutely hostile [ 4 ] since its principle of Logos, by its nature " discriminatrice and cognitive " [ 5 ] defends with eagerness the domination of the conscience against any element which can emerge from the unconscious one. This rational reaction is symbolized by the duel (warlike virtues evoking this world, the chevaleresque company) and by the colors of the shield of Blioblïeris:

" a escu ot has the uis in front;
Li cieés fu of gold, Li piés of money." (vv.329-330)

The character shining and luminous of gold and the money, which respectively brings closer these metals with the radiation the sun and the moon, evokes the light of knowledge, the clearness of the conscience and the spiritual height that only the spirit (Logos) can reach [ 6 ]

While waiting for the passengers with the ford, in virile company, Blioblïeris is distracted with the failures. This play, entertainment par excellence intellectual, seem to join the value symbolic system of the shield. The figure of the knight shows us the completely rational attitude of the Beautiful Unknown opposite the world of the impulses and the instincts. We will see throughout novel that the adversaries, like a mirror, reflect the degree at which the hero arrived in the integration of the unconscious contents [ 7 ] Accordingly, Blioblïeris represents the inappropriate and harmful reaction Ego, center of the field of the conscience, with the idea of the release of the imprisoned princess, figure of Anima, which is subjected in this beginning of the novel with the capacities of two magicians [ 8 ]

After " having delivered the step " (v.493), the Beautiful Unknown penetrates with his/her companions in a forest where two new adventures will take place. This place, surdéterminé by its opaque and obscure mass [ 9 ] lets predict sinister events. The forest is a place of treasons and " infringements of the chevaleresque code " [ 10 ] several adversaries can attack only one knight. It is within this framework, which cause the fear in oneself, and in the darkness of the night that the hero will deliver his combat against the two giants then against the three companions of Blioblïeris.

The fallen night, BI fell asleep in grass at the sides of the messenger:

" Li Descouneüs dormoit
Sor the erbe fresce, U it gisoit;
Dalés him gist the demoissele,
Desor his braç gist the pucele;
Li ones dalés the other dormoit,
Li lousignols sor els cantoit." (vv.623-629)

This calms idyllic is abruptly disturbed by cries of help and the young knight hastens towards the place from which the voice comes. While arriving at a large fire in company of Robert, Hélie and of the dwarf, it sees two giants of which one prepares a roast close to fire, whereas the other wants " has force foutre " (v.714) a beautiful young lady. Without delaying more, the Beautiful Unknown tackles this second and kills immediately it, then faces the first to split to him the head at the end of a hard combat.

These two creatures of big size, in which it medieval tradition saw forces of the evil [ 11 ] respectively represent the two fundamental instincts at the man in a hypertrophied form: that of the conservation of the species (sex act) and that of survival (nutrition). Moved away from the human beings, they live in a cave from where they leave to ensure their existence by devastating the neighbourhoods. One finds in their figures " the most horrible crimes of a knighthood given up with his instincts " [ 12 ] or, in general, the defects and excesses which characterize a bad knight


Important Relationships:

Son of Gawain
 
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