Chapter I: Front Matter

King Arthur of Britain.

_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

Foreword.

_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._

Contents

The Book of King Arthur

PART I

THE WINNING OF KINGHOOD

Chapter First

_How Sir Kay did Combat in a Great Tournament at London Town and of How He Brake His Sword. Likewise, How Arthur Found a New Sword For Him_ 9

Chapter Second

_How Arthur Twice Performed the Miracle of the Sword Before Sir Ector and of How His Birthright Was Discovered Unto Him_ 21

Chapter Third

_How Several Kings and High Dukes Assayed to Draw the Sword Out of the Anvil and How They Failed. Likewise How Arthur Made the Assay and Succeeded Therein_ 29

PART II

THE WINNING OF A SWORD

Chapter First

_How There Came a Certain Wounded Knight Unto the Court of King Arthur, How a Young Knight of the King’s Court Sought To Avenge Him and Failed and How the King Thereupon Took That Assay Upon Himself_ 41

Chapter Second

_How King Arthur Fought With the Sable Knight and How He Was Sorely Wounded. Likewise How Merlin Brought Him Safe Away From the Field of Battle_ 53

Chapter Third

_How King Arthur Found a Noble Sword In a Very Wonderful Manner. 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 Arthur Fought With the Duke of North Umber_ 91

Chapter Third

_How King Arthur Encountered Four Knights and of What Befell Thereby_ 101

Chapter Fourth

_How the Four Knights Served the Lady Guinevere_ 113

Chapter Fifth

_How King Arthur Overcame the Enemies of King Leodegrance, and How His Royalty Was Proclaimed_ 125

Chapter Sixth

_How King Arthur Was Wedded in Royal State and How the Round 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 Arthur and How She Sent a Damsel to Beguile the Enchanter, Merlin_ 163

Chapter Second

_How Merlin Journeyed With Vivien Unto the Valley of Joyousness and How He Builded for Her a Castle at That Place. Also, How He Taught Her the Wisdom of Magic and of How She Compassed His Downfall Thereby_ 173

Chapter Third

_How Queen Morgana le Fay Returned to Camelot and to the Court With Intent to Do Ill to King Arthur. Also How King Arthur and Others Went a-Hunting and of What Befell Thereby_ 181

Chapter Fourth

_What Befell Sir Accalon, and How King Arthur Fought an Affair-at-Arms With Swords, and How He Came Nigh to Losing His Life Thereby_ 191