| [Contents.] [List of Illustrations] |
The Story of
KING ARTHVR
and his Knights
Written and Illustrated
by
HOWARD PYLE.
NEW YORK:
CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
1903.
Copyright, 1903,
By CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS.
———
Published, November, 1903
After several years of contemplation and of thought upon the matter herein contained, it has at last come about, by the Grace of God, that I have been able to write this work with such pleasure of spirit that, if it gives to you but a part of the joy that it hath afforded me, I shall be very well content with what I have done.
For when, in pursuing this history, I have come to consider the high nobility of spirit that moved these excellent men to act as they did, I have felt that they have afforded such a perfect example of courage and humility that anyone might do exceedingly well to follow after their manner of behavior in such measure as he is able to do.
For I believe that King Arthur was the most honorable, gentle Knight who ever lived in all the world. And those who were his fellows of the Round Table—taking him as their looking-glass of chivalry—made, altogether, such a company of noble knights that it is hardly to be supposed that their like will ever be seen again in this world. Wherefore it is that I have had such extraordinary pleasure in beholding how those famous knights behaved whenever circumstances called upon them to perform their endeavor.
So in the year of grace one thousand nine hundred and two I began to write this history of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and, if I am able so to do, I shall endeavor, with love of that task, to finish the same at some other time in another book and to the satisfaction of whosoever may care to read the story thereof.
| [The Book of King Arthur] | |
|---|---|
| [PART I THE WINNING OF KINGHOOD] | |
| [Chapter First] | |
How Sir Kay did Combat in a Great Tournament at London Townand of How He Brake His Sword. Likewise, How Arthur Found aNew Sword For Him | [9] |
| [Chapter Second] | |
How Arthur Twice Performed the Miracle of the Sword Before SirEctor and of How His Birthright Was Discovered Unto Him | [21] |
| [Chapter Third] | |
How Several Kings and High Dukes Assayed to Draw the SwordOut of the Anvil and How They Failed. Likewise How Arthur Madethe Assay and Succeeded Therein | [29] |
| PART II [THE WINNING OF A SWORD] | |
| [Chapter First] | |
How There Came a Certain Wounded Knight Unto the Court ofKing Arthur, How a Young Knight of the King’s Court Sought ToAvenge Him and Failed and How the King Thereupon Took ThatAssay Upon Himself | [41] |
| [Chapter Second] | |
How King Arthur Fought With the Sable Knight and How HeWas Sorely Wounded. Likewise How Merlin Brought Him SafeAway From the Field of Battle | [53] |
| [Chapter Third] | |
How King Arthur Found a Noble Sword In a Very WonderfulManner. And How He Again Fought With It and Won That Battle | [65] |
| [PART III THE WINNING OF A QUEEN] | |
| [Chapter First] | |
How King Arthur Went to Tintagalon with Four of His Court,and How He Disguised Himself for a Certain Purpose | [79] |
| [Chapter Second] | |
How King Ryence Came to Cameliard and How King ArthurFought With the Duke of North Umber | [91] |
| [Chapter Third] | |
How King Arthur Encountered Four Knights and of WhatBefell Thereby | [101] |
| [Chapter Fourth] | |
How the Four Knights Served the Lady Guinevere | [113] |
| [Chapter Fifth] | |
How King Arthur Overcame the Enemies of King Leodegrance, andHow His Royalty Was Proclaimed | [125] |
| [Chapter Sixth] | |
How King Arthur Was Wedded in Royal State and How theRound Table Was Established | [139] |
| [The Book of Three Worthies] | |
| [PART I THE STORY OF MERLIN] | |
| [Chapter First] | |
How Queen Morgana le Fay Meditated Evil Against King Arthurand How She Sent a Damsel to Beguile the Enchanter, Merlin | [163] |
| [Chapter Second] | |
How Merlin Journeyed With Vivien Unto the Valley of Joyousnessand How He Builded for Her a Castle at That Place. Also, HowHe Taught Her the Wisdom of Magic and of How She CompassedHis Downfall Thereby | [173] |
| [Chapter Third] | |
How Queen Morgana le Fay Returned to Camelot and to the CourtWith Intent to Do Ill to King Arthur. Also How King Arthur andOthers Went a-Hunting and of What Befell Thereby | [181] |
| [Chapter Fourth] | |
What Befell Sir Accalon, and How King Arthur Fought an Affair-at-ArmsWith Swords, and How He Came Nigh to Losing HisLife Thereby | [191] |
| [PART II THE STORY OF SIR PELLIAS] | |
| [Chapter First] | |
How Queen Guinevere Went a-Maying and of How Sir PelliasTook Upon Him a Quest in Her Behalf | [205] |
| [Chapter Second] | |
How Sir Pellias Overcame a Red Knight, Hight Sir Adresack,and of How He Liberated XXII Captives From That Knight’sCastle | [215] |
| [Chapter Third] | |
How Sir Pellias Did Battle With Sir Engamore, Otherwisethe Knight of the Green Sleeves, and of What Befell the LadyEttard | [227] |
| [Chapter Fourth] | |
How Queen Guinevere Quarrelled With Sir Gawaine, and HowSir Gawaine Left the Court of King Arthur For a While | [241] |
| [Chapter Fifth] | |
How Sir Gawaine Met Sir Pellias and How He Promised toAid Him With the Lady Ettard | [255] |
| [Chapter Sixth] | |
How the Lady of the Lake Took Back Her Necklace From SirPellias | [267] |
| [PART III THE STORY OF SIR GAWAINE] | |
| [Chapter First] | |
How a White Hart Appeared Before King Arthur, and HowSir Gawaine and Gaheris, His Brother, Went in Pursuit Thereof,and of What Befell Them in That Quest | [281] |
| [Chapter Second] | |
How King Arthur Became Lost in the Forest, and How HeFell Into a Very Singular Adventure in a Castle Unto Which HeCame | [295] |
| [Chapter Third] | |
How King Arthur Overcame the Knight-Enchanter, and How SirGawaine Manifested the High Nobility of His Knighthood | [305] |
