Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 264 summary
Chapter 264 of 503 · 2 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 264, King Arthur dismisses suspicions concerning Queen Guenever and Sir Launcelot but grows angry at King Mark’s threat against Sir Tristram, while Guenever and Launcelot resent their insulting letter. Sir Dinadan answers Launcelot’s anger by composing a hostile lay about Mark, which harpers carry to Wales and Cornwall at Arthur’s and Launcelot’s bidding.
What happens
- King Arthur considers Morgan le Fay’s claims about Guenever and Launcelot, then dismisses them because Morgan hates them and opposes him.
- Arthur grows angry at Mark’s promised revenge against Tristram, while Guenever secretly sends Launcelot the letter insulting them both.
- Dinadan takes and reads the letter while Launcelot sleeps, then gains his confidence when he wakes.
- Dinadan advises Launcelot to ignore Mark’s threats and composes a lay attacking Mark.
- Eliot learns the lay and teaches other harpers, who travel to Wales and Cornwall at Arthur’s and Launcelot’s bidding.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Dinadan turns Launcelot’s private anger into a plan for a sung attack on Mark. The song becomes the unit’s main response to the insulting letter.
Quick check
Who first learns Dinadan’s lay and teaches it to other harpers?
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