Then Sir Agravaine advised that the king go hunting, and send word that he should be out all that night, and he and Sir Mordred, with twelve knights of the Round Table should watch the queen.  So on the morrow King Arthur rode out hunting.

And Sir Launcelot told Sir Bors that night he would speak with the queen.  “You shall not go this night by my counsel,” said Sir Bors.

“Fair nephew,” said Sir Launcelot, “I marvel me much why ye say this, sithence the queen hath sent for me.”  And he departed, and when he had passed to the queen’s chamber, Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, with twelve knights, cried aloud without, “Traitor knight, now art thou taken!”

But Sir Launcelot after he had armed himself, set the chamber door wide open, and mightily and knightly strode among them, and slew Sir Agravaine and twelve of his fellows, and wounded Sir Mordred, who fled with all his might, and came straight to King Arthur, wounded and beaten, and all be-bled.

“Alas!” said the king, “now am I sure the noble fellowship of the Round Table is broken for ever, for with Launcelot will hold many a noble knight.”

And the queen was adjudged to death by fire, for there was none other remedy but death for treason in those days.  Then was Queen Guinever led forth without Carlisle, and despoiled unto her smock, and her ghostly father was brought to her to shrive her of her misdeeds; and there was weeping and wailing and wringing of hands.

But anon there was spurring and plucking up of horses, for Sir Launcelot and many a noble knight rode up to the fire, and none might withstand him.  And a kirtle and gown were cast upon the queen, and Sir Launcelot rode his way with her to Joyous Gard, and kept her as a noble knight should.

Then came King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, whose brothers, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, had been slain by Sir Launcelot unawares, and laid a siege to Joyous Gard.  And Launcelot had no heart to fight against his lord, King Arthur; and Arthur would have taken his queen again, and would have accorded with Sir Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine would not suffer him.  Then the Pope called unto him a noble clerk, the Bishop of Rochester, and gave him bulls, under lead, unto King Arthur, charging him that he take his queen, Dame Guinever, to him again, and accord with Sir Launcelot.  And as for the queen, she assented.  And the bishop had of the king assurance that Sir Launcelot should come and go safe.  So Sir Launcelot delivered the queen to the king, who assented that Sir Launcelot should not abide in the land past fifteen days.

Then Sir Launcelot sighed, and said these words, “Truly me repenteth that ever I came into this realm, that I should be thus shamefully banished, undeserved, and causeless.”  And unto Queen Guinever he said, “Madam, now I must depart from you and this noble fellowship for ever; and since it is so, I beseech you pray for me, and send me word if ye be noised with any false tongues.”  And therewith Launcelot kissed the queen, and said openly, “Now let me see what he be that dare say the queen is not true to King Arthur—­let who will speak, and he dare!” And he took his leave and departed, and all the people wept.