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Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 409 summary

Chapter 409 of 503 · 3 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 409, Galahad and his companions enter a richly furnished ship, where a remarkable sword resists Percivale and Bors and warns against being drawn. The gentlewoman identifies Galahad as its only permitted user and recounts how King Hurlame uses it to kill King Labor, bringing devastation before dying himself.

What happens

  1. Galahad, the gentlewoman, Bors, and Percivale enter the ship and discover a splendid bed with a sword at its foot.
  2. The sword contains stones and animal bones with extraordinary powers, but only one exceptional man can grasp its hilt.
  3. Percivale and Bors fail to grasp it, while Galahad reads its warning and refuses to draw it.
  4. The gentlewoman says Galahad alone has permission, then recounts King Hurlame’s defeat and discovery of the sword.
  5. Hurlame draws the sword and kills King Labor and his horse with one blow, bringing devastation to both kingdoms.
  6. Hurlame dies when he sheathes the sword aboard the ship, and a maiden removes his body.

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In this chapter

Galahad

What to notice

The warning explains Galahad’s hesitation. The gentlewoman’s account of Hurlame gives a concrete example of the danger.

Quick check

What happens when King Hurlame puts the sword back into its sheath?

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