The Death of King Arthur Read Free Page B

rejoicing. They were conveyed in a chariot to the great stone circle on the plain of Salisbury, where the kings of England were always wed, and the people gathered around them with sprigs of laurel newly cut.
    At the same time the king ordained that the new queen’s daughters should also be wed. King Lot of Lowthean and Orkney married Morgause, and from their union came Gawain. King Nentres of the land of Garlot wed Elaine. Igraine’s third daughter, Morgan le Fay, was put into a nunnery where she learned the mysteries of the magic stone as well as other secret arts. In later years Morgan le Fay was married to King Uriens of the land of Gore; they bore a son who became known as Sir Uwain of the White Hands. Much trouble was being stored for the future of the kingdom.
    Day by day Igraine grew greater with child. Uther lay with her one night and asked her, on the faith she owed to him, whose offspring it was. She was too ashamed to answer. ‘Do not be dismayed,’ he told her. ‘Tell me the truth. I shall love you all the more for your honesty.’
    â€˜I will speak the truth to you, my lord. On the night that my husband died a stranger came to Tintagel in his shape; he had the same speech, and the same countenance, as the duke. There were two companions with him, whom I thought to be Sir Brastias and Sir Jordanus. So I was deceived. I did my duty, and lay beside him in our bed. I swear to God that, on the same night, this child was conceived.’
    â€˜I know, sweet wife, that you are speaking the truth. It was I who came to the castle. I entered your bed. I am the father of this child.’ Then he told her of the magic of Merlin, and she marvelled at it. But she was overjoyed, too, that Uther Pendragon was the sire of her offspring.
    Merlin came to the king a little while later. ‘Sire,’ he said, ‘you must keep your promise. You must hand the child to me.’
    â€˜If that is your wish, then so be it.’
    â€˜I know a lord in your land who is true and faithful. His name is Sir Hector, and he holds territories in England and in Wales. I have chosen him to take care of your child. He will guard it well. Send for this lord, sir, and ask him to bring up your child in love and honour; let his wife nourish your baby as her own. When the child is born, bring it to me unbaptized at the postern gate here.’
    All was done as Merlin had ordained. Sir Hector came to court and, having pledged faith to the king, consented to raise Uther Pendragon’s child as his own. The king rewarded him with many gifts. When Igraine was delivered of her baby it was wrapped in cloth of gold; the king then ordered two lords and two ladies to take it to ‘whatever poor man you find at the postern gate of the castle. Ask no questions of him.’ So the child was carried to Merlin, who with his finger traced the secret sign on the baby’s forehead. Then he took the boy to Sir Hector’s castle, where he was baptized by a priest and given the name of Arthur. And Arthur was nourished by Hector’s wife.

Here we will tell of the sword in the stone
    Two years later, Uther Pendragon suffered a severe illness. Even as he lay upon his sickbed, sighing, his enemies attacked his kingdom and devastated his armies. ‘Sir king,’ Merlin said to him, ‘you must not lie here. You must advance into battle, even if you are carried in a litter. The king is the strength of the land. You will never get the better of your enemies unless you go against them in person. Only then will you gain the victory.’
    â€˜I will do as you wish,’ the king replied. ‘I know that your spells will surround me.’
    The king’s men carried him in a litter, at the head of a great host, and at Saint Alban’s he won a great victory over his enemies from the North. His armies slew many people, and put the rest to flight. Uther Pendragon returned to Winchester in triumph, the banners of