Lancelot and the Lord of the Distant Isles

by Patricia Terry

  No one came against the Black Knight without being unhorsed. His six companions did their best to keep up with him, inspired by his example. He began to find the way open before him. Galehaut’s men thought they could not outdo those who had faced the Black Knight already; their armor had protected them no better than naked skin. Meanwhile the battalion led by the King of the Hundred Knights was retreating before King Yder. But driven into the First Defeated King’s battalion, they turned around and, together with their allies, began again to prevail. The field was crowded with battling men and fierce melees; knights lay dead and dying everywhere, and frantic horses galloped riderless. Yet in both armies they talked of nothing but the Black Knight, and Galehaut went to see the one who was “winning the war all by himself!”

  Again the Black Knight’s horse was killed under him. His six companions began to fare less well, and Sir Kay sent an urgent message to Hervi de Rivel, who, with banners flying, arrived with reinforcements, although he was well over eighty years old. By noon there were four battalions on each side, but in Galehaut’s there were two thousand more men. And these would have made all the difference, had it not been for the Black Knight, whose prowess gave strength to those on Arthur’s side and disheartened the enemy. When Galehaut saw his knights running shamefully back to their camp, he led a large company to turn them around. In his presence, his knights recovered their confidence and began shouting his battle cry.

  The fighting became even fiercer, but still the Black Knight managed to prevent the rout of Arthur’s army. Then his last horse was killed, and the fighting was so thick around him that the squire could not get through. On foot now, like a war flag fixed in the ground, his sword slashing left and right, he was soon surrounded by dead and wounded knights, their helmets broken, their shields in pieces, their chain mail in tatters, arms cut off at the shoulder. Galehaut, watching in wonder, thought that no kingdom he might ever conquer could be worth the life of such a knight. His skill was matchless; he was superb, as invincible as any man could be. Galehaut spurred his horse through the press, forcing his men to give way and stand back.

  Thus there came to be a lull in the fighting, and in the silence the Black Knight saw approaching him a warrior taller than any on the field. He was wearing armor that shone golden in the sunlight and was riding a red-gold charger that carried him with ease. There was such majesty about him that the young knight knew he was in the presence of a king as he had dreamed a king might be, a ruler even more regal than King Arthur. Galehaut’s voice, too, deep and clear, expressed an absolute authority, and with it, solicitude: “Sir, do not be afraid.”

  “Nor am I,” was the reply.

  “Let me tell you what I intend. Not one of my men will raise a hand against you as long as you are on foot. You shall not be taken prisoner unless you try to leave the field. My squire will bring you a new horse. If that one is killed, you shall have another, no matter how many you need. If I can’t wear you out, then no one ever will!”

  So the Black Knight, freshly mounted, began fighting again as if he had not struck a single blow the whole day. Galehaut rejoined his troops, ordering one thousand men to attack immediately, “and you,” he said to his liege man King Bademagus, “will wait until every last man on the other side has begun to fight – I’ll bring you word. They will think all my troops are already in the field.”

  To have the horsemen appear more numerous, he had them spread out as much as possible, and when they were close to the battle, the sound of their horns and trumpets shook the ground. The Black Knight gathered King Arthur’s men around him and said, “My lords, I don’t know all your names, but I know that you are thought to be most valiant. Now we will see how well you deserve your reputations.”

  Sir Yvain, confident that Galehaut’s whole army was on the field, said, “From the looks of them there’s no way for us to lose!” But Gawain, who had a better view, realized that only a portion of Galehaut’s forces had arrived. These knights attacked with such energy that many of Arthur’s were killed in their first charge. But Yvain rallied the others to such effect that Galehaut rode back to where his reserves were concealed, and ordered them to “ride as you have never ridden before! Strike down every one of them! You have done nothing here but rest and preserve your strength. Now is your chance to use it.”

  King Arthur’s knights had nearly put Galehaut’s to rout, thanks to the valiant efforts of Yvain – and his feats of arms were as nothing compared with those of the Black Knight. They could do little, however, against Galehaut’s fresh battalion, and the Black Knight, like the six companions who had fought at his side all day, was soon unhorsed. Galehaut’s squire was there in an instant, bringing another mount, and the Black Knight galloped back into the melee. All afternoon he fought so brilliantly that Galehaut thought no man had ever shown such courage or such skill.

  When dusk brought an end to the fighting, the Black Knight slipped away as quietly as he could, riding through the meadow between the hillside and the river. But Galehaut saw him go, and spurring his horse, followed him for a moment, then rode up beside him. In the lordly presence of this man, unlike any other he had seen, the Black Knight felt his own youth. But Galehaut said only, “God be with you, good sir!” The knight glanced at him and returned his greeting, though not without a moment’s hesitation. Galehaut asked, “Who are you?”

  “My lord, I am a knight, as you can see.”

  “Indeed you are, the best in the world, and I honor you for that. I have never seen an invincible knight until now. I would like to know you better and hope you will agree to be my guest this evening. I am Galehaut, the son of the Giantess and ruler of all those noble lords you have fought in defense of Logres. If not for you, that kingdom would now be in my power.”

  “How is it that King Arthur’s enemy cares to give me hospitality? God forbid that I should accept it!”

  “I have already shown my friendship for you on the battlefield, and I trust that is only the beginning. Once you have been my guest, you may ask of me anything at all, and I will not refuse.”

  At that the Black Knight stopped his horse and looked hard at Galehaut: “You are known as a man of honor, my lord. I think you would not make such an offer unless in good faith.”

  “You may be sure of that! You shall have from me whatever you desire, if I can have your company tonight. Indeed, I would gladly have it for longer.”

  “Will you swear to this in the presence of the two men you trust the most?”

  Galehaut said he would do so. “Will you now tell me who you are?”

  “I am Lancelot of the Lake, son of King Ban of Benoic.”

  “So the son of King Ban is fighting for King Arthur?”

  Lancelot was puzzled by Galehaut’s surprise. “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t you know that your father lost his kingdom because Arthur had no time to come to his help?”

  Lancelot was too startled to respond immediately. Then he said, “I fight with a sword that was given to me by the queen.”

  From his vantage point, Gawain had seen the Black Knight leaving the field with Galehaut. He called to the queen, who was close by, and sent someone in haste to find the king. They saw how Galehaut had his hand on the Black Knight’s shoulder, and watched as the two men slowly rode where Arthur’s troops would have to see them. Gawain spoke bitterly to the king, reproaching him for the unworthiness which, as his wise men had predicted, was clearly exacting a high price. Was it not costing him the loyalty of the one knight who could have saved his kingdom? “All day long he fought for your honor and your lands, and now you have let him go with no thanks from you! Look what your foe has had the wisdom to win! Galehaut will better know how to value his service!” Gawain was in anguish as he spoke. “Your time has come, my lord, for you see what a treasure you are losing!”

  Weeping, the king offered his nephew what little comfort he could. The queen was in such despair she could not speak. Arthur retired to his quarters to grieve for his
fate, and, as the news spread, no one in his army failed to lament their now inevitable defeat. Without the Black Knight they would quickly be overrun by Galehaut’s forces, and the Lord of the Distant Isles would take Arthur’s place as the ruler of Logres.

  At Galehaut’s camp, the King of the Hundred Knights and the First Defeated King were summoned to join their liege lord. They were delighted to see the Black Knight in their midst, but objected when Galehaut asked them to witness an unconditional pledge. He told them, sharply, “Don’t try to change my mind! I know very well what I am doing. I have also agreed that should I break my promise, you will both renounce your fealty to me, and give him your allegiance instead.” They were reluctant but said they would do as he wished.

  Then Galehaut drew the First Defeated King aside: “Go to all my liege men and ask them to come to my tent in their most splendid attire. Tell them that I have accomplished something wonderful, and want to have a great celebration.”

  Cleolas went to do his bidding, while Galehaut and the King of the Hundred Knights kept the Black Knight in conversation until everything was made ready. Before long, two hundred knights were gathered before Galehaut’s pavilion, all of them his vassals, with thirty kings among them, along with dukes and counts and barons. They gave the Black Knight a warmly enthusiastic welcome, calling him, to his great embarrassment, “the flower of knighthood.” His armor was replaced by a sumptuous silken robe that Galehaut pressed upon him. The festivities that evening at Galehaut’s pavilion were beyond telling; jongleurs had already learned new songs of victory, and the meal of game and river fish, of cider, ale, and wine, would not be soon forgotten.

  When it was time to rest, the Black Knight was led to a chamber in which there were four beds. The largest of these was draped in silk and piled high with furs and soft pillows; this bed, Galehaut insisted, would be for his guest, and the other three for servants. He himself would spend the night in another tent. Thinking of the noble welcome he had been given, and with great esteem for Galehaut in his heart, the knight was soon fast asleep. Then, accompanied by two other knights, Galehaut came in and very quietly lay down next to him. He stayed awake through the night, watching the young man rest and dream, listening to his steady breathing, but puzzled time and again to hear him moaning in his sleep. Galehaut wondered what might be the cause of such great sadness, but for him, filled with admiration and affection, the overriding question was how to keep the Black Knight by his side. He left the chamber at dawn, before his guest could be aware of his presence.

  That morning after mass, the Black Knight asked for his armor. “Dear friend,” said Galehaut, “tell me how I can persuade you to stay longer. There is nothing I wouldn’t do. You may well meet men more powerful than I am, but never one who cares for you as much. And since I would do the most to have you with me, I can claim to be the one you should be with!”

  “There is no one, my lord, whose friendship I would prefer to yours, and I will stay with you gladly, but only if you grant me what I am about to ask.”

  “If it is within my power, you shall have it.”

  The knight asked the two kings who had witnessed Galehaut’s oath to come forward. Then he said, “My lord, when you have won your war with King Arthur, leaving him no recourse but to declare himself defeated, and when I tell you that the time has come, you must go to him and ask for mercy, putting yourself in his power.”

  No one could have foreseen such a request. Galehaut was too astonished to speak, and the two kings looked at each other as if seeking confirmation of what they had just heard. In the silence, one of them protested: “What are you waiting for, my lord? You have gone so far you can’t turn back now!”

  “Do you think I am sorry I made that promise? If the world were mine to give, he should have it gladly! I was overcome by the beauty of his words, for no one has ever understood friendship so well. Good sir, may God turn away from me if I fail to grant your wish! You could ask nothing of me that would be to my dishonor. I ask you in return not to deprive me of your company.”

  And so the knight stayed on. They all went to have a festive meal, Galehaut’s army celebrating the Black Knight’s presence in their midst, while those in Arthur’s camp, not knowing the agreement that had been made, lamented bitterly.

  The next morning, Galehaut asked his guest if he would join them on the field. “Gladly,” was the reply, and he also agreed to wear Galehaut’s own armor, except for the coat of mail and greaves which were too large. The men on both sides prepared for battle. King Arthur said that no one was to cross the river before he gave the order, but nothing could restrain the younger knights, and soon there were jousts here and there on the field, and then melees, and finally both armies were fully engaged. King Arthur stood by his standard with four trusted knights who were to escort the queen to safety should things go badly.

  A knight rode out into the field, and those on Arthur’s side recognized Galehaut’s armor. But Gawain, who had a keener eye, shouted, “No! That’s the Black Knight!” The cry demoralized the king’s army, and his men began to flee, with Galehaut’s much greater forces close behind them. The Black Knight, however, stood between the two armies and allowed King Arthur’s men to make good their retreat. When they were safely inside their own lines, he called to Galehaut, who spurred his horse and was instantly at his side, saying, “What do you wish, my friend?”

  “Something impossible.”

  “Just tell me.”

  “My lord, would you say you have won?”

  “Without a doubt.”

  “Then it is time to fulfill your promise.”

  “And so I will.”

  When the Black Knight saw that Galehaut was willing, for his sake, to make such a sacrifice, he knew that he could never find a better, truer, friend. Tears ran down his face, and he murmured, “Dear God, could anyone be worthy of this?”

  Galehaut was galloping straight toward the king, who stood near his standard, ready to die with the shame of his defeat. For Arthur, all hope was lost. The queen was already riding away with her escort. They had wanted to carry Gawain on a stretcher, but he refused, saying that he preferred death to the loss of all joy and honor. He fell unconscious, and it seemed that he was indeed very near his end.

  Galehaut rode up to the royal standard, and asked to speak with the king. As Arthur came toward him, believing that he was about to lose all the honor he had in the world, Galehaut dismounted and, kneeling on the ground with the palms of his hands pressed together, said, “My lord, I repent the wrong I have done you. I have come to make amends, and to place myself entirely at your mercy.”

  Surprise and relief flooded the king’s heart at these words, and he raised his hands toward heaven. Could he believe what he had just heard? He replied hesitantly and humbly, asking the Lord of the Distant Isles, the very image of chivalric honor, to rise. The two men embraced. Galehaut said, “My lord, I am yours to do with as you will. With your permission, I will order my men to withdraw. Then I’ll come back to you.”

  “Do so, and return as soon as you can. We have much to speak about.”

  While Galehaut attended to this, the king sent messengers on fast horses to bring back the queen. Once she was convinced that their report was true, she felt overwhelmed with relief and happiness. The king went himself to tell Gawain, who, shocked back into full consciousness, asked, “My lord, how can this have happened?”

  “I have no idea, except that it must have been God’s will to save us.”

  Galehaut went to the Black Knight and said, “My friend, what is your pleasure? I have done as you asked. Shall we return to the king now?”

  “My lord, let the king enjoy your company alone! What you have done today is far more than I could ever deserve. But I must beg you not to tell anyone where I am.”

  Galehaut agreed, and they rode on toward their tents. Word spread through the army of how the peace had been made, but many were discontent, as they would have preferred the excitement and danger of
war.

  The two companions disarmed, and Galehaut put on his most splendid robes to wear to court. He gave his knights permission to return to their homes if they wished, except those of his own household. Then he summoned the two kings, in whom he had absolute confidence, and asked them to take good care of the Black Knight, who was his friend and should be treated as if he were Galehaut himself.

  When the Lord of the Distant Isles arrived at court, King Arthur, disarmed as well, came to welcome him. The queen was there too, as were Blaye and other ladies. They went to the gallery where Gawain was lying, and, weak as he was, the king’s nephew greeted Galehaut warmly, saying that he had wanted to meet him and aspired to have his friendship, since “no one in the world is so worthy of esteem, so greatly loved by his people, and so capable of recognizing true nobility – as you have just now so clearly shown us.” When Galehaut inquired about his health, Gawain replied, “I was very close to death, my lord, but now I am fully restored by the joy and love that, by God’s grace, you have come to share with the king. No one could be in good health as long as there was enmity between the two worthiest men on earth!”

  Galehaut spent the whole day with the king and queen and Gawain. They spoke of many things, but the Black Knight was never mentioned. They shared a tacit understanding that it would be indelicate to touch on the strange behavior of that mysterious figure. Their curiosity could wait for another time.

  Toward evening, Galehaut asked leave to go and see his men. King Arthur allowed it, on condition that he return before long. Galehaut told this to his friend as soon as he saw him, “but I don’t want to be where you are not. You are dearer to me than everything I have aspired to in the world.”