Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 457 summary

What happens

1. Fighting stops at the queen’s command, and the wounded knights are placed on horses under Sir Meliagrance’s guard.
2. The queen secretly sends a mounted page with her ring and a plea for Sir Launcelot du Lake’s help.
3. The page escapes pursuit, while Meliagrance stations about thirty archers to kill Launcelot’s horse without attacking its rider.
4. At Meliagrance’s castle, the queen keeps her knights and ladies close, and fear of Launcelot restrains her captor.
5. The page reaches Westminster, delivers the message, and describes the knights’ resistance and the queen’s agreement to save them.
6. Launcelot arms himself, rides out, and asks the page to send Sir Lavaine after him.

In this chapter

What to notice

Launcelot links his honor to the queen’s safety. Her message immediately moves him to prepare a rescue.

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