Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 308 summary
Chapter 308 of 503 · 4 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 308, Sir Launcelot accepts Sir Palamides’s plea for mercy and allows him to keep his tournament honor, despite an insult that provokes his anger. King Arthur and the other kings award Palamides the prize for endurance, though Launcelot maintains that another knight surpasses him.
What happens
- Sir Ector de Maris unhorses Sir Palamides, and Sir Tristram immediately unhorses Ector.
- Sir Launcelot threatens revenge, but Palamides begs mercy and promises lifelong service; Launcelot spares him and warns him about his love.
- Launcelot recovers his horse and fights fiercely, while he and Tristram spare each other and Palamides avoids him.
- King Arthur ends the fighting, and the kings award Palamides the prize because he begins first and endures longest without resting.
- Sir Dinadan fetches Queen La Beale Isoud; Palamides, Gareth, and Dinadan rejoice to learn that the red-armored knight is Tristram.
- At the lodgings, Launcelot endorses Palamides’s prize but claims another knight is better, while Dinadan teases Tristram.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Launcelot turns from revenge to restraint. He treats respect for Palamides’s effort as more honorable than taking away his achievement.
Quick check
Why do Arthur and the kings award Palamides the prize?
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