When we last left Perceval, he had forgotten God: “April and May passed by five times…without him setting foot inside a church or worshipping God or His cross” (237). However he eventually gets baptized, bids his uncle farewell, and sets off to embark on other chivalrous adventures. One day, while riding along through a forest, Perceval stumbled upon a wasteland where he was forced to trudge on for two days without food or drink. On the third day, he found an open plain and continued walking.
The Lord of the Horn:Perceval discovers a mighty castle with high walls and an ornately crafted gate. Fixed to the gate was a gold ring with a magnificent ivory and gilded horn hanging from it. Haughty boy that he is, Perceval blows the horn. He immediately hears people within the castle walls marveling at the sound he produced and even catches a glimpse of inside through a crack in the gate, but since no one opens it, he blows the horn a second time, even louder than before. The people inside marvel once more at his strength and valiance but Perceval is forced to blow the horn a third time. Then a knight emerges from the hall, bedecked in wondrous gear and followed by a procession of others. Perceval makes his way to an almond tree in a nearby field to wait for the procession to pass. The knight turns out to be the king of Ireland and Norway. He spies Perceval and his shield and exclaims that it is the shield of his beloved friend. Anguished, the king challenges Perceval—who never backs down from a battle. Perceval is impressed by the Lord of the Horn’s fighting prowess and worries that he may be defeated. The battle ensues fiercely for an extended period before the Lord of the Horn finally calls for a pause and asks for Perceval’s name. He praises Perceval’s skills then offers his own sword to Perceval, who accepts. Perceval is then invited into the castle and remains there until he hears word of a “marvelous pillar on the high peak of Mount Dolorous” (239), where only the best knight can tether his horse to it. He instantly decides he must seek out the pillar.Meanwhile, the Lord of the Horn submits himself to King Arthur and informs him that Perceval has announced he will never “stay two days in any one place, until…he has found the lance that bleeds” (240). Ecstatic, King Arthur declares that he is going to go find Perceval.
The Castle of the Magic Chessboard: On his journey to find the marvelous pillar, Perceval runs into a great river, impossible to cross by boat. He is reminded of the Fisher King and is certain that this is the same river, so he prays to God to help him find a crossing place. Perceval rides along the river for some time, noticing a castle on the other side. He continues onward until he stumbles upon some castle ruins, where a girl greets him and offers to help him cross the river. Just as he is about to board a little dinghy with her, his horse refuses to move forward and a ferryman warns him that the girl will drown him. Perceval goes instead with the ferryman, who gives him directions to the Fisher King’s castle. Yet Perceval strays off the path nonetheless, interested in exploring the smaller castle he noticed earlier.Strangely enough, Perceval couldn’t find a living soul in the handsome castle. He notices a door in the hallway and opens it, only to find a magnificent room with a luxurious gold and blue chess set in the very center. Mesmerized, Perceval sits down next to the set and moves a pawn; he finds that the chess board makes a move in response. After testing it once more, Perceval plays a game but loses. He tries two more times and loses each time. Enraged, Perceval takes the chess pieces and tells the board that it will “never defeat another knight—it’s not right!” (242). Just as he’s about to throw the pieces in the water he spies a damsel who begs him not to throw the pieces away. He agrees to put them back if she will come up and join him. They speak for a bit then Perceval falls in love with her and kisses her. She tells him that he is the first to love her but also says that if he really wants her love, he must hunt the white stag that resides in the park near the castle. She gives Perceval her dog for assistance, and tells him that if he loses her dog, he will never have her love.
The Knight of the Tomb:Perceval deftly finds and kills the white stag, but while his attention is diverted, an evil girl emerges and steals the little dog. He chases after her and asks her to return the dog, but she refuses, insisting that since Perceval killed her stag, it’s only a fair trade. However she tells him that if Perceval seeks out a knight by a rock and ask what he’s doing there, then the girl will grant Perceval the dog back. Perceval rides to the rock and finds a vaulted tomb in the cleft, with the knight residing within, wearing black armor. The knight had promised his sweetheart to remain there until he found another knight who could vanquish him in combat. They engage in ferocious combat and while they’re both distracted, another knight in full armor steals the stag head and the dog. Furious but still locked in battle with the Black Knight, Perceval sliced the Black Knight’s ear off. Terrified, the Black Knight retreated back into his cell. Perceval then set off after the other knight but ran into the evil girl once more. He asks her the name of the other knight, and of the Black Knight whom he defeated. Stubbornly she refused, and Perceval was forced to ride off. He finds a huntsman and inquires both about the knight who stole the dog and the Fisher King. The huntsman has no answers but offers Perceval lodging for the night. Perceval accepts then heads off again in the morning.
The Murdered Boy:As Perceval was trying to find his way out of the forest, he hears a cry and runs into a mangled boy whose face is covered in blood. The boy doesn’t stop to talk but continues fleeing, and is followed closely by a hound and a knight, who catches up to him and swiftly kills him. Perceval confronts the knight, who is rude and condescending. The knight refused to explain why he killed the boy and instead dealt a blow to Perceval. This outraged Perceval, who engaged him in combat and slaughtered him in vengeance for the boy, since the knight didn’t ask for mercy. Frustrated and regretful, Perceval continued on until he came upon a hermitage, where he spent the night.
The Search for the Stolen Dog: While continuing on his search, Perceval stumbles upon an aged knight who accuses him of slaying his brother (the Red Knight) years ago. The aged knight forgives him, however, since Perceval only killed him under King Arthur’s permission. He then reveals that he knows Perceval is in search of answers and mentions that the girl Perceval met earlier was actually the Fisher King’s daughter. She set up the elaborate chain of events to test Perceval. Perceval is happy to hear this and asks for directions to the Fisher King’s castle. The old knight tells him to keep to the path and don’t give in to fear along the way, or he will never find the castle. Perceval sets off but eventually gets lost in his own thoughts and doubts, straying off the path. He finally finds a castle and believes it is the right one. He enters the castle and finds every door open, but the castle itself is devoid of life. In the castle he finds a Danish axe, which he picks up, and he spies a beautiful enclosed meadow out of a window. In the very center was a spring of water, a tent, and a cypress tree. Beneath the tree lay a colossal lion. He wants to get down into the meadow but the windows are too thin to climb through. He finds his horse untethered and missing. He makes it to the meadow, defeats the lion, then finds a maiden in the tent. She screams for help and wakes up a knight that was sleeping in a bed next to her. Perceval tries to keep the peace but only enrages the knight further when he reveals that he killed the knight’s lion. They fight until finally, Perceval wins. The maiden begs Perceval to spare her lover. The knight regains consciousness and Perceval asks him to go submit to King Arthur. The knight agrees then tells Perceval that he has won himself great honor for defeating him. He then reveals that he is Abrioris of Brune Mons. They all have a stroll through the meadow then dine together. Perceval asks Abrioris if he knows anything of the knight that took the dog, but Abrioris declines. The next day Abrioris invites Perceval to stay awhile longer but he declines and says he must be off. Abrioris and his sweetheart ride with Perceval until they must part ways to head for Carlion. Once he and his sweetheart arrived at King Arthur’s court, Abrioris was highly honored and inducted as a knight of the Round Table.
The Dead Knight Odinial: Perceval finds a knight lying dead, which he mourns briefly. Then he continues onwards and finds tree near a spring, where a girl is sitting. She was upset because she’d lost her sweetheart, who had left her beneath the tree yesterday evening and never returned. Perceval realizes that the maiden’s sweetheart is the dead man he passed while journeying, and tells her so.
Perceval and the Giant: Perceval rode on until he came across a river and saw a tower on the other side. He went downriver in search of a place to cross and found a bridge of stone. He traveled across then went inside the tower, where he found the most beautiful lodgings. There were no other people around so he made himself at home and began eating. Then he spied a woman in a wretched state standing in the doorway. She reveals to him that the lord of the tower is a cruel giant who kills knights that come to his tower. The girl is his prisoner. Despite her warnings that no knight can defeat the giant, Perceval decides to confront him and insists that he will only be forced out of the tower. The giant clubs Perceval’s horse and kills him. Perceval dodged the mighty blows of the giant’s massive club and finally slaughtered the giant. Perceval replaces his horse with a black steed that was being kept in the tower. The next morning Perceval tells the girl that she may stay and become the lady of the house. He then departed once more.
The Amorous Ford: As Perceval rode along on a beautiful spring day, he came across a scared Welshman who said he was running from a serpent he had seen. Perceval inquired if the man had seen any knights and the Welshman replied that “if you carry on the way I’ve come, you’ll come to a place where you’ll find a knight—and maybe a terrible surprise!” (256). He pressed on in that direction and found a tree on the bank of a river, beneath which was a block of marble inscribed with gold letters, and a pitched tent. A white shield and destrier stood in front of the tent. Perceval decides to lodge in the tent for the knight and starts making his way over there but then he notices a knight on the other side of the river beginning to arm himself. The knight tells him he’s got “nerve, watering [his] horse in the ford” (256) and challenges him to a battle. The White Knight deals a blow that’s nearly fatal to Perceval, but Perceval prevails and his opponent begs for mercy. The knight agrees to submit to King Arthur then tells Perceval that he has been here for three days after reading the inscription on the marble stone, which says that in the Amorous Ford no knight should enter to water his horse. Then the knight tells Perceval that a long time ago ten fair maidens stopped by the tree and remained for eight years. Many lords came to seek their love and test their prowess. If knights crossed the ford and watered their horses, the maidens’ knights slaughtered them without mercy. But if they refrained from watering their horses, the knights were spared. The maidens and their knights eventually left and placed the inscription. The inscription also stated that any knight who could guard the ford for seven years would be deemed the finest knight in all the land. The White Knight insisted it was now Perceval’s turn to guard the ford, but Perceval declined. The White Knight then traveled to King Arthur, where he joined his company and was renowned throughout the world.
2. Shelby Anderson – (pg. 258-278):
The Fair Unknown- Perceval left his tent and travels a narrow path into open country and feels uncomfortable with out the woods for protection. He stopped to rest in the forest once night fell, letting his horse graze and riding off again once the sun rose. Perceval comes across a beautiful woman and asks if she is alone. She explains her love is nearby, a knight that then emerges from the forest and challenges Perceval to a duel. They battled each other and seemed to be equally matched until Perceval reveals his name. The night is elated and then explains he is “The Fair Unknown” and is Sir Gawains son. They all ride off together and The Fair Unknown reports that King Arthur is in good health and that Sir Gawain is doing well though only wanted to show up in court if Perceval would also attend. They come across the house of the noblemen Eliadus, where they dine and rest for the night. The next morning they depart and come to a fork in the path where they go their separate ways.
Perceval Returns to Blancheflor- Perceval finds himself in a land that is plentiful. He sees a castle in the distance surrounded by the sea and the Humber, within its walls is a bustling city populated with knights nobles and merchants. He is awestruck by the city and rode through the gate and towards the palace. He was led into the hall and met by a maiden. The maiden quickly recognizes him as Perceval but he does not recognize her until she gives him her name, Blancheflor. She then announced to the palace that Perceval has returned and the city celebrated extravagantly. That night Blancheflor snuck into Percevals bed and they spent the night together. She discusses how the castle was rebuilt and tells Perceval they shoud marry in the morning, Perceval says he cannot for he has to continue his quest but agrees to stay for two more days. The next day they went to mass together, then they feasted and joined in celebrations. Perceval left on the fourth day promising to return and then never leave again.
The Handsome Knight and the Ugly Damsel- Perceval rides through the forest and over a mountain, where he runs into a hideous maiden and a knight accompanying her. Perceval laughs at the sight and the knight challenges him to a duel. They fight and come to an impasse, the knight then explains his love for the maiden to a shocked Perceval and they go on their separate ways, the fair bad knight to Arthurs court as a prisoner. When Kay spots the knight heading toward the castle, he exclaims the wretchedness of the maiden and calls the queen and other knights to the hall to greet them. Kat laughs at the knight to which king Arthur chastises him. Arthur lets the knight stay as a member of the household, and in time somehow the maiden turns beautiful.
Perceval Returns to His Sister- Perceval rides through the forest until he comes across a tree and recognizes he is close to his mothers house. He weeps for his mother and rides to his childhood home. There he meets his sister who explains how her mother died of grief and only once she asks him does he admit to being her brother, Perceval. They celebrate with a feast and Perceval asks his sister to take him to see their uncle, on their way they run into a knight. The knight challenges Perceval for his sister and Perceval kills him with his lance. They arrive at the hermitage and spend the night, rising in the morning for mass. The hermit recognizes his niece and she explains how Perceval has returned, and they visit the tomb of their mother. As Percevsl weeps for his mother again, he reports to his uncle all about his adventures since being knighted by King Arthur, to which his uncle chastises him for killing to freely. Before they leave, they have a feast and the hermit reminds Perceval of the important of repenting. They then return to their home in the woods and Perceval leaves the next morning much to his sisters dismay.
The Castle of the Maidens- After traveling through the forest for several days, Perceval comes across a beautiful castle that doesn’t appear to have anyone inside it. Outside the castle there is an extravagant hammer, which Perceval proceeds to bang on the table three times until a maiden appears in the window and tells him he is allowed to lodge for the night. Three maidens come to great him and lead Perceval to the lady of the castle. The lady of the castle explains that he has come to the only place of lodging in a weeks ride and the many maidens of the castle set the tables for a feast. The lady also explains that the castle is called the Castle of Maidens and will only lodge knights that are brave enough to hit the hammer. After the meal the lady urges Perceval to sleep and when he awakes he is under an oak tree with no sign of the castle.
3. Sophia Heard- (p.278-298):
Recovering the Dog and the Stag’s Head- In the opening scene Perceval is searching for a maiden’s dog and the magical head of a stag, each stolen from him. While riding he came across a beautiful field and in the field was a huge tree, so big that: “100 knights could have sat in its shade,” (p. 278). Adjacent to the large tree was an elaborate tent and two huts of welsh influence. Like many abodes in the middle ages the tent was described as being elaborately decorated and magnificent. As Perceval approached the tree he saw a girl in lovely clothes(later, learn her name is Criseuz) standing just underneath its' branches and hanging beside her was the head of the stag. As soon as Perceval was within reach, Criseuz called out to shame him, relayed that she wished he was dead, and thrusted upon him a “day of woe,” (p.278). Perceval, seeing the head of his stag, unbound it from the tree while Criseuz looked on in distress. Criseuz, looked out into the distance and saw a knight (later, learn his name is Garsallas) and a dog hunting down a stag. Once Garsallas caught the stag he rode towards Perceval and Criseuz. In a frantic state she told Garsallas what Perceval had done. Angry that Perceval had upset his fair maiden and taken down the stag head he challenged Perceval to a duel. After a long and evenly matched fight Perceval overcame Garsallas. After the fight Perceval joined Garsallas and Criseuz in their tent. Garsallas then relayed to Perceval the story of how he stole the stag head and dog while Perceval was fighting his half brother (later, learn his name is The Black Knight of the Vaulted Tomb). Garsallas told Perceval that many years ago his brother and a beautiful woman fell in love. She promised she would always stay with him if he would do as she asked. While traveling they came across a beautiful grove and Black Knight promised that he would guard the land for twelve years. Over night the woman built a castle and a tomb and for ten years the night had bravely guarded the woman and their home until Perceval defeated him. After the story Perceval departed on his journey determined to return the dog to the beautiful maiden who had first given it to him.
Crossing the Bridge of Glass- Perceval continued his journey and came across a beautiful girl chasing after her pure white mule. Perceval caught the mule, returned it to the girl and then began to travel alongside her. As the night grew dark and stormy Perceval saw five burning lights in the distance. While Perceval was focused on the lights the girl disappeared into the storm. Unfortunately, Perceval lost sight of the lights, but in the morning he once again found the maiden. She then told Perceval that the lights in the forest were from The Fisher King and his Holy Grail. The maiden relayed to Perceval that in order to find The Fisher King he must first cross the Bridge of Glass. She then gave him her mule and ring in order to help him cross the bridge.
The Unfinished Bridge- After crossing The Bridge of Glass Perceval met Briol of the Burnt Forest whom told him about another bridge which no man could cross. Whomever were to cross the bridge would achieve the highest glory and honor, thus enabling him to find The Fisher King. Perceval stayed with Briol at his home and in the morning the two made their way to the bridge which was only halfway completed. Here Briol told Perceval the story of Carimedic. Carimedic was in the woods hunting down a boar when he came across a woman whom told him she would help him cross the river and end the war. Carimedic then took the woman as his wife and she began to build the bridge. While in the woods Carimedic tragically died. In despair the woman refused to finish the bridge, making it uncrossable. Perceval decided that he would cross The Unfinished Bridge in order to go to The Great Tournament and prove his worth.
The Tournament at the Proud Castle- Perceval made his way to the tournament where many knights awaited to gain honor and riches. Kay wanting to be the first to fight challenged Perceval and lost. After the fighting finished for the day Perceval returned over the bridge to where Briol was waiting. They stayed the night with a holy hermit (no mention of it being Perceval’s uncle). The next day Perceval went to the tournament, but he wore different armour causing no one to recognize him. Perceval fought with and defeated many knights including Lancelot and Agravain. Many knights were there including men from Scotland, The Isles and Ireland. At King Arthur’s request Gawain asked Perceval to cease fighting. This enraged Perceval and a new round of fighting commenced. After the battle all of the knights once again searched for Perceval to no avail. Perceval had returned to Briol’s home where he rested, gathered his belongings and once again set off to complete his quest.
4. Ariel Craine- (p. 298-317):
Trapped at the Tomb- Perceval comes across a tomb covered by a marble slab. There, he finds a knight and asks if the knight is on God’s side when he discovers the poor knight is trapped under the marble slab. Perceval lifts him out but the knight tricks him and as he does, he pushes the slab onto Perceval, saying he has to guard the tomb now. The knight tries to leave but finds that neither Perceval’s mule or horse will move. Finally the knight gets off and apologizes, telling Perceval that he couldn’t hurt him for it is clear that Perceval is a worthy and refined knight. The knight and Perceval switch places. Perceval asks him why he’d returned to the tomb and the knight replied that Perceval would learn in due time.
Perceval rides off and comes across a maiden in a tree, wearing a fancy gown and a wimple. She tells Perceval that she wants her white mule and her ring back. She also asks if he’d been to the Fisher King’s court and whether he knew about the lance and what the grail was. Perceval tells her that he has not been there. He says that he crossed a bridge of glass and met a most worthy man, stayed with him for a night and learned about the high bridge nobody could cross. He apologizes for not having been there and says he will go there at once. He returns the mule and ring to her and she rides off. Perceval decides to stay the night in the woods before leaving for the Fisher King’s court.
The Magic Chessboard- Perceval rides along, happily going to see the Fisher King and he ponders about the handsome chessboard and chessman made of gold and precious stones. He hears a voice telling him to let his dog down and follow him wherever he goes. Perceval cannot find where this voice is coming from, but he does what he says. He lets the dog down and follows him until he sees a beautiful castle next to a river. Perceval walks in, dismounts his horse and strides into the empty great hall. The author spends some time discussing how beautiful the hall is before simply saying, “ I cant tell you how gorgeous it was” (300). He finds the chessboard again and he is very excited. Just as he sits down and is about to move a pawn, he looks over to see a beautiful girl that almost seemed a spirit. He greets her and she smiles and seems very pleasant. The young girl welcomes the dog and chides Perceval for taking her dog without her permission. The knight tells her that she should pity him, not chide him and gives her the prized head of the white stag. She takes it gladly and asks a young boy to stable Perceval’s horse. Young men come to take off Perceval’s armor and give him rich, fancy clothing, then treat him and the young maiden to a dinner with “every fine, fresh dish” (301). After they eat, the girl asks Perceval for his name and what adventures he had. He tells her he is Perceval and begins his story of the wicked maiden stealing the dog. He tells her of the large knight in black who fought him and how he followed the other knight in pursuit of the dog and stag’s head, for fear of returning to the maiden without them. The maiden is very pleased to hear this story and gives him two kisses. Then, Perceval asks the maiden about the golden chessboard. She begins her own story and tells him that there was once a girl who was schooled in magic. She was riding in the woods one day when she meets Morgan the Fay (King Arthur’s sister) and a knight, who were playing with the most beautiful chessboard. They offer to give it to her and she accepts, offering a chessboard whose pieces move on their own in return. Morgan the Fay gladly accepted the gold chessboard and the two parted, returning to their own lands. The maiden continued, saying how Morgan came to the court of the maiden’s cousin, the Queen of King Brandigan, and was sent to go with Morgan. They spent fifteen years together, until one day when the maiden grew angry and decided to leave. Before she did, the maiden asked for Morgan’s chessboard and pieces. The maiden finishes her story by saying that she left, came upon the river she and Perceval were near and built the castle where they were now staying. After the maiden finishes her story, Perceval sees a group with a beautiful woman and goes into it. The author says the room is beautiful and luxurious, and inside it there are seven beautiful maidens making orfrey with silk and gold. Perceval and the maidens eat dinner together until they retire for bed. He stays in the great hall and the maiden joins him in bed. The next day Perceval decides he must leave and continue to the Fisher King’s court. The maiden sees him out, giving him a boat and directions. He crosses the river and begins his journey. The Madness of Mount Dolorous- Perceval decides to leave the path and goes down on a tough and overgrown road. He goes all day without meeting any living person, until he comes across a knight hung by his feet from a tree. The knight begs him to help and Perceval takes him down and asks his name. He tells him that his name is Bagomedés. The knights tells Perceval that he had come across Kay and three other nights. They had just come from Mount Dolorous, where they had led their horses and tied them to the pillar on the mount. Bagomedés tells Perceval that no knight can tie a horse on that pillar unless he is the finest knight in the world. The four knights, he continues, came and beat him up. Kay was the one who tied him to the oak tree. He thanks Perceval again for saving his life and asks him for his name. Perceval tells him and decides that he must go the the pillar. Bagomedés leaves to go to King Arthur’s court and charge Kay with treachery. The narrator then decides to tell the audience he will be switching to Bagomedés’s story as he goes to King Arthur’s court.
Revenge upon Sir Kay- Bagomedés rides to a castle and dines there. Instead of staying the night, he claims he must not rest until he avenges himself against Sir Kay and fetches his horse and arms. He leaves, enters a forest and meets a young girl who had just come from King Arthur’s court. She tells him where to find the court and remarks that Kay seemed “possessed by demons” (307). Bagomedés rides until he finds the court. There he finds King Arthur and other kings. At the table were “mamelots”, knights who had never risked his life or saved his lord from death or saved a young maiden. Sir Gawain notices King Arthur was quiet and the king replies that he is upset because there is no sign of Perceval, the “most true-hearted of knights” (307). Bagomedés rides in on his horse and tells the king of his mission. The king is overjoyed to hear about Perceval and says he will hear his case against Kay after they dine. Afterwards, Bagomedés tells his story of being attacked by Kay and his knights. Kay is furious and demands to fight now, but King Arthur cautions him to wait. Kay ignores him and they decide to begin the battle. The court goes to a garden outside of the city where the fight will take place. The joust begins, in front of a massive audience, and both knights shatter their lances. They are given new ones and the ladies comment that they hope Kay will lose. They go again and Kay’s lance breaks. As Bagomedés is about to strike another blow with his sword, King Arthur steps in and tells them to stop the fight. Both are unhappy about this but they obey. Arthur has the Queen have the two make peace and they acquiesce and decide to become friends. King Arthur is told about Perceval’s journey to the pillar and shows concern for him. Sir Gawain, Yvain, Lancelot and many others rise to pledge that they will search for Perceval. The next morning, they rise and begin their journey. Gawain says he was going to go in search for Perceval and also seek the Fisher King and ask about the grail and the broken sword. The men split up and Sir Gawain decides to delve into a thick forest with Yvain and Lancelot. They come across an old road that divides into three and decide to split up. The story follows Gawain.
The Little Knight’s Shield- Gawain stays at a hermit’s home for a night and then continues his journey. He find a young woman near a spring, combing her golden hair. On a tree above the pond, there is a shield stuck on the branch. Gawain introduces himself and she invites him to come to her house. As they are about to go, a very small but handsome knight rides up to them. He is so small he looks like a child. He greets Gawain and tells them that he stayed at a castle just ahead. The girl tells Gawain that that knight is her brother and her only family. She tells her brother that the knight is Gawain and the knight is overjoyed, then pulls out a horn from his boot and blows four blasts. Pages come on horses and give the maiden lavish clothing. They invite Gawain for dinner. Before they leave, Gawain asks about the shield stuck on the tree. The tiny knight explains that the shield can only be taken by a man not only endowed with intelligence and strength, but he must also have a sweetheart who loves him truly. The maiden remarks that she has seen a hundred men try to take it, only to be dishonored and lose faith in their love. They set off for the castle and dine together. As they dine, a messenger comes in and tells him that the lord Idier is hosting a tournament and wants the Little Knight’s shield. The Little Knight happily agrees. The damsel teases Gawain and says that he should not trust women’s love, for a woman is “like a child” and “ever changing, ever fickle” (315). After dinner the Little Knight introduces himself and his sister, Tanree. The Little Knight leaves to go sit by the tree to test any who comes to claim the shield. Meanwhile, Gawain and Tanree talk about love. Tanree admits she is in love with a very famous knight and has been for over a year. Gawain is shocked and asks his name. Tanree admits that the knight is Gawain himself. They declare their love from each other and have sex. Afterwards, The Little Knight returns and tells Gawain that he hopes his sister was pleasant company. Gawain assures him she as and discovers that The Little Knight had not come across any one who was interested in the shield. They dine again and go to bed.
5. Aranza Garza (p. 317-337)
The Tournament in the Blanche Lande - Sir Gawain, The Little Knight and two pages were dressed, mounted their horses, and rode off to the tournament. They reached the spring where the silver shield was hung, and the two knights ordered one of the pages to take it down and hang it around his neck. They spent the night at the house of a vavasor, which treated them well. The next day they continued their journey until they reached the edge of the Blanche Lande. Gawain told the Little Knight to have the shield sent to King Arthur. The Little Knight ordered his squire to deliver the shield to Idier the son of Nu, who would then deliver it to King Arthur. Whoever can joust with the shield on twice without being unhorsed would be the winner of the tournament. Idier sent two squires to deliver the shield. King Arthur was lodged in the forest with three thousand knights, and they all admired the shield. Kay wanted to carry the shield the entire tournament, which made King Arthur and King Lot laugh. But, King Lot pointed out that it would be improper for King Arthur to not let Kay have the first joust, since he really wanted to. Everyone got ready for the first joust. Kay's opponent would be the Little Knight. The Little Knight landed a blow, which unhorsed Kay. He was humiliated in front of a hundred knights. The Little Knight took Kay's horse. King Arthur ordered the shield to be removed from Kay. The second joust was between King Arthur's nephew Mordred, who had the shield, and Idier son of Nu. Mordred's lance shattered into seven pieces, and he was sent flying off his horse. Ling Arthur ordered everyone to try the shield, but one by one they were toppled from their mounts. All of this made Kay overjoyed. As the tournament went on, Gawain looked like the master, although no one but the Little Knight knew who he was. When the King and his men were about to leave, Gawain put the silver shield on, which made King Arthur's men think they could unmount him, but he still managed to defeat them all. Gawain and The Little Knight went back to their encampments, where their pages had prepared for their arrival. King Arthur, back at his camp, asked if anyone knew who the winning knights were, but no one recognized Gawain and The Little Knight. The next day, the tournament continued between Idier's men and King Arthur's men, but Gawain and The Little Knight set off, bringing the shield with them. Once they arrived home, food was ready and the damsel was delighted to see them. At night time, the damsel was upset that Gawain and the Little Knight's beds were set up side by side. In the morning, Gawain left even though The Little Knight and the damsel begged him to stay. The damsel lamented about her foolishness to her brother.
Sir Gawain and the Pensive Knight - Gawain set off through the forest, but found no adventure. He spotted a little castle, and the vavasor whose home it was greeted him, and he spent the night there. The next morning Gawain set off, and ran into a knight in the middle of his path how held his head low. Even though his horse ran off, afraid of Gawain, he still held his head low. Gawain followed the knight, until they reached a valley. The knight didn't acknowledge Gawain. So, Gawain decided to leave, but then stayed because it would be shameful to not learn about the knight he found. Gawain shook the knight, which upset him, as he was thinking about his sweetheart. The knight revealed his name to be the Pensive Knight of the Forest of the Maiden, and that his maiden was taken from him by a wicked knight. So Gawain prompted a search for said knight in order to take the Pensive Knight's maiden back. They rode on until they reached a beautiful tent, where the knight they were looking for sat outside of. Gawain greeted the damsel, and the knight confronted him. The only way he would give the damsel back was with a fight. So, Gawain and the knight jousted, and Gawain knocked him off his horse. The knight surrendered the Pensive Knight's sweetheart, and Gawain ordered the knight to surrender as a prisoner to King Arthur. He then asked for his name, which is Brun of the Glade. The damsel was handed back to the Pensive Knight. They ate, then Gawain, the Pensive Knight, and the damsel set off. The next morning Brun fulfilled his promise and went to King Arthur, where he was pardoned of his imprisonment and was invited as a member of the household. Gawain and the Pensive Knight went their separate ways. Gawain didn't find shelter that night, so he didn't sleep comfortably.
The War against King Carras - Gawain rode on until he spotted a handsome knight. He hailed Gawain, and asked for his name, which Gawain didn’t conceal. The knight reveled himself to be Ginglain, Gawain’s son. Gawain was filled with joy. When asked about the King, Ginglain told him that King Arthur wanted to wage war against King Carras, and has assembled an army that he want Gawain to lead. Gawain, although wanting to find the fisher king, agreed to go to King Arthur. He then explained why he had been away for so long. Ginglain told Gawain that he has spoken to Perceval less than a year ago. They set off down a forest path, until they rode into Cardigan to a joyous welcome. But, King Arthur was at Escavalon, so Gawain rode on. King Arthur was overjoyed to see Gawain, and explained to him why he’d gathered an army. At daybreak, the army set off until they arrived in their enemies’ land. King Carras took refuge in a castle by the sea, where King Arthur laid siege to him. After more than two months of trying to take the castle, King Carras sent word to Gawain that they wanted to make peace. King Arthur agreed, and the hostility was forgiven. Each man returned to their own country, but King Arthur was sad that he only had three hundred knights, the smallest amount he’s had in all his days.
The Pillar on Mount Dolorous - Perceval rode for nearly a fortnight until he reached a tree where a child was sitting on a branch holding an apple. Perceval asked the boy to come down, but he refused. The boy would not answer Perceval’s questions, but did tell him that if he went to the pillar on Mount Dolorous tomorrow he would have pleasing news. The boy climbed the tree, and disappeared. Perceval spent the night in the house of a hermit, and took the road in the morning. He reached the foot of Mount Dolorous, and a saw a girl approaching. She warned Perceval not to climb the mountain, as those who do never return alive, except tormented. Perceval wouldn’t leave with the girl, so she rode off into the woods. Perceval rode to the top of Mount Dolorous, and marveled at the pillar and crosses that surrounded it. He attached his horse to the ring on the pillar, then a girl appeared riding a white mule. She went and greeted Perceval’s horse, which upset him. She insisted Perceval come to her pavilion, and he agreed. They set off. Once they reached the tent, everyone greeted Perceval. The woman was the Damsel of the High Peak of Mount Dolorous. She revealed she had her pavilion set on the mountain because a boy told her that the finest knights vowed to come to the pillar. The woman told Perceval the story of the pillar, which had to do with the birth of King Arthur. Merlin had make the crosses and pillar by magic. She also told him that Merlin was her father. She asked how Perceval got there, and he told her about how he tried helping a cunning knight in a tomb, but he tricked him and tried to steal Perceval’s mule. When the mule wouldn’t move, he had to fetch Perceval from the tomb, then told him to go straight to the pillar. The two went to their separate beds. In the morning, Perceval and the damsel mounted and set out from the tent. He told her he was going to the court of the Fisher King, and she told him to follow the path in front of him, and he would get there.
Perceval Nears the Grail Castle - Perceval followed the trail until a storm swept down. But, Perceval did not stop despite the weather. He thought about the grail, and vowed to ask the king the truth about it if he ever found the house again. He looked ahead and saw a tree with more than a thousand candles, but when he got closer to the tree there was not a single candle on it, but there was a chapel near it. In the chapel was the body of a dead knight, but there was no one else. Out of nowhere, a light appeared then disappeared. A black hand and arm appeared. The candle was snuffed, and Perceval was left in darkness. He left the chapel, and rode away. A horn rang three times, then huntsmen appeared. They were in the service of the Fisher King. They rode away, then a girl appeared. He recounted the story of what happened to him the night before, and the damsel told him it was a sign he would learn the truth about the grail and the lance. He asked the girl about the boy in the tree, but she didn’t tell him anything. The girl rode away, and Perceval set off towards the Fisher King’s court.
Perceval and the Fisher King - Perceval rode on until he saw the castle by the river. Servants greeted him, disarmed and dressed him. He saw the King, and he seated Perceval at his side. Perceval told the king about what he saw the night before, about the boy in the tree, and about Mount Dolorous. Perceval asked about the boy in the tree, but the king wouldn’t give him a direct answer. They sat to eat, then a girl appeared holding the Holy Grail. Another girl came in holding the lance, then a boy appeared holding a sword broken in two. Perceval asked the king about the grail and lance. The king then told him the truth about the boy, which was that he was a divine being that wouldn’t talk to Perceval because of the wicked sins that stained him. He also told him that by climbing the tree, the boy was symbolically telling Perceval to turn his thoughts to the creator above. Perceval then asked about the sword, to which the king replied that only a worthy man can set the two halves to be made whole again. The king urged Perceval to hold the sword to see if it would be repaired. Perceval took the two halves, and they rejoined leaving only a tiny notch. But, this was not enough to deem Perceval worthy, which surprised him. He sighed, and the king looked at him and asked him to be the lord of his house. This cheered Perceval.