Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 401 summary
Chapter 401 of 503 · 3 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 401, Sir Bors refuses a lady’s demand for love despite threats that she and twelve gentlewomen must die, and their apparent fall gives way to a vanished scene. He thanks God for his escape and reaches an abbey, where the abbot hears his account but postpones counsel until tomorrow.
What happens
- Sir Bors refuses the lady’s demand for love and says his brother lies dead.
- The lady climbs a battlement with twelve gentlewomen, who threaten to jump unless Bors grants her wish.
- Bors pities them but chooses to protect his own soul, and all thirteen fall.
- He crosses himself, hears a terrible cry, and finds that the women, tower, and chapel disappear.
- Bors thanks God, rides toward a clock’s sound, and receives shelter from monks at an abbey.
- The abbot hears his account, praises his strength in grace, and delays advice until tomorrow.
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What to notice
Bors understands the vanished scene as a danger he escapes through God. His response shifts from astonishment to gratitude.
Quick check
Why does the abbot postpone advising Bors?
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