Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 493 summary
Chapter 493 of 503 · 4 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 493, a knight draws his sword against an adder, accidentally triggering a battle that destroys both armies despite an agreed peace. Arthur ignores Sir Lucan’s warning and kills Mordred, but receives a terrible head wound; his surviving companions carry him to a chapel while robbers plunder the battlefield.
What happens
- Arthur and Mordred agree to peace, but each orders his army to attack if anyone draws a sword.
- A knight draws his sword to kill an adder that bites him, and both armies charge.
- By nearly nightfall, a hundred thousand men lie dead, and only Lucan and Bedivere remain alive from Arthur’s army.
- Arthur rejects Lucan’s plea to stop, spears Mordred, and receives a sword blow through his helmet and skull.
- Mordred dies, and Lucan and Bedivere carry the repeatedly fainting Arthur to a nearby chapel.
- Lucan discovers robbers killing wounded men for their possessions and advises moving Arthur to a town.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Arthur accepts either outcome rather than abandon his attack on Mordred. His refusal to stop leads directly to their final exchange of wounds.
Quick check
What causes both armies to attack despite the peace agreement?
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