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Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 439 summary

Chapter 439 of 503 · 3 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 439, Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine reach Winchester secretly and wait behind the side opposing King Arthur as the tournament begins. Arthur keeps Sir Gawaine beside him, while the fighting shows the strength of Arthur’s knights and draws Launcelot’s attention to their tightly gathered opponents.

What happens

  1. After King Arthur departs, Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine leave Sir Bernard and his daughter and ride to Winchester.
  2. Sir Lavaine arranges secret lodging with a wealthy townsman, and the companions remain unknown.
  3. At the tournament, Arthur watches from a platform and keeps Sir Gawaine beside him because Launcelot repeatedly disgraces him in disguise.
  4. Launcelot fastens the red sleeve onto his head, then waits with Lavaine in a wood behind Arthur’s opponents.
  5. Kings and knights exchange falls, and both sides help their leaders remount.
  6. Round Table knights drive back their opponents, and Launcelot compares the tightly gathered knights to hunted boars.

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In this chapter

ArthurLauncelotGawaine

What to notice

The comparison stresses the knights’ tight formation under pressure. It also shows Launcelot closely judging the fight while remaining outside it.

Quick check

Where do Launcelot and Lavaine wait when the fighting begins?

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