Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 8 summary

What happens

1. In London, Merlin warns Arthur and his barons that their enemies have gained reinforcements and cannot be defeated without outside help.
2. Merlin proposes asking Ban and Bors for military support in exchange for Arthur’s help against King Claudas.
3. Ulfius and Brastias carry Arthur’s letters across the sea and overcome attacks by Claudas’s knights near Benwick.
4. Ban and Bors warmly welcome the messengers, accept Arthur’s request, and send them home with gifts and an answer.
5. The two kings arrive with three hundred knights by All Saints’ Day, and Arthur welcomes them outside London.
6. After the feast, seven hundred knights prepare to joust while the kings and other spectators gather to judge.

In this chapter

What to notice

The warning makes outside help necessary. It gives Arthur a clear reason to seek an alliance rather than trust his existing strength.

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