Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 39 summary
Chapter 39 of 503 · 3 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 39, Balin promises to obtain Garlon’s blood to heal his host’s son and finds his enemy at King Pellam’s feast. After Garlon strikes him, Balin kills him and pierces his body with a broken spear shaft, making the blood available to his host without showing whether the son recovers.
What happens
- A wealthy host explains that an invisible knight wounds his son, whose healing requires the attacker’s blood.
- Balin identifies the knight as Garlon and promises to obtain his blood at King Pellam’s feast.
- After fifteen days of travel, the host is denied entry without a lady, while Balin enters and insists on keeping his sword.
- Balin identifies Garlon among the guests and weighs the danger of killing him against allowing him to harm others.
- Garlon strikes Balin’s face, and Balin answers by splitting his head with his sword.
- Balin drives his lady’s broken spear shaft through Garlon’s body and tells his host to collect the blood.
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What to notice
Balin connects Garlon’s death to his promise of a cure. The statement makes the blood available but does not establish that healing occurs.
Quick check
Why is Balin’s host refused entry to the feast?
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