The Death of King Arthur by Peter Ackroyd

Author:Peter Ackroyd
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781101545904
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 2011-10-12T10:00:00+00:00

Learn of Tristram’s victory over Arthur

The next morning Tristram took leave of his host, and rode to the Castle of the Hard Rock. When he reached it, he saw five hundred tents pitched before it. The jousts began soon after, with the King of Scotland and the King of Ireland battling against the knights of King Arthur. Tristram took part, also, and carried the shield that Morgan le Fay had given to him. He performed many marvellous deeds of arms, so that the eyes of everyone were upon him. King Arthur saw the shield, and wondered what its device meant. He could not guess. But Guinevere knew at once, and was downcast. A female servant of Morgan le Fay was present, in the same pavilion, and came up to Arthur quietly. ‘You ask about the shield, sir? It is a reminder of the shame and dishonour due to you and the queen.’ And, with that, she disappeared no one knew where. Morgan le Fay had cast a spell so that she vanished.

Guinevere called one of her ladies to her. ‘I fear,’ she told her, ‘that Morgan le Fay has made this shield to spite me and Lancelot. I am afraid that I may lose my life.’

Arthur was still watching Tristram, and wondering who he was. He knew well enough that he was not Lancelot. He had been told that Tristram was in Brittany with Isolde of the White Hands. He did not know who this brave knight might be. He scrutinized the shield again and again. And the queen grew ever more fearful. Tristram was by now beating all others back. The King of Scotland and the King of Ireland retreated. When he saw that, Arthur decided that he himself would challenge the unknown knight. He called Sir Uwain to him, and asked him to arm himself. Then the two of them rode out, and called to Tristram, ‘Stranger knight, where did you get that shield?’

‘I received it from the king’s sister Queen Morgan le Fay.’

‘If you are a worthy knight,’ the king replied, ‘you should be able to explain its meaning to me.’

‘I will answer you as best I can. Morgan le Fay gave me the shield. I did not ask for it. I do not understand the meaning of it. I am expected to bear it with honour. That is all.’

‘Surely every knight should know what arms he bears? Well, at least tell me your name.’

‘Why?’

‘I want to know.’

‘Not for the time being.’

‘In which case, you must do battle with me.’

‘Is it good to do battle for the sake of a name?’ Tristram asked him. ‘Is it important? If you were a valiant man, you would not challenge me. You have seen how much I have laboured already. Never mind. I will take you on. I do not fear you. You may think you have me at an advantage, but I will prevail.’

They rode against one another. Arthur’s spear was broken to pieces against the shield of Tristram,

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