Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 492 summary

What happens

1. Arthur buries his dead knights, treats the wounded, and leads his army toward Salisbury for an appointed battle with Mordred.
2. Mordred gathers strong support, including knights who love Sir Launcelot, while Arthur welcomes the chance for revenge.
3. Arthur dreams that a wheel overturns his chair and drops him into dark water filled with dangerous creatures.
4. Gawaine appears with ladies he once defended and urges Arthur to delay battle until Launcelot comes within a month.
5. Arthur sends Lucan, Bedivere, and two bishops to negotiate, allowing them to offer generous gifts of land and goods.
6. Mordred accepts Cornwall and Kent during Arthur’s life and all England after Arthur’s death.

In this chapter

What to notice

Arthur gives his envoys broad freedom to bargain. His command shows how urgently he seeks to avoid the battle after Gawaine’s warning.

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