Next he came to a river, where he was ferried across, and repaid the boatman by giving him the bracelet he had taken from Orilus’s wife.  Then, hearing that Arthur was holding his court at Nantes, he proceeded thither without further delay.

On entering the city, Parzival encountered the Red Knight, who mockingly asked him where he was going.  The unabashed youth immediately retorted, “To Arthur’s court to ask him for your arms and steed!”

[Sidenote:  Parzival at Arthur’s court.] A little farther on the youth’s motley garb attracted much attention, and the town boys made fun of him until Iwanet, one of the king’s squires, came to inquire the cause of the tumult.  He took Parzival under his protection, and conducted him to the great hall, where, if we are to believe some accounts, Parzival boldly presented himself on horseback.  The sight of the gay company so dazzled the inexperienced youth that he wonderingly inquired why there were so many Arthurs.  When Iwanet told him that the wearer of the crown was the sole king, Parzival boldly stepped up to him and asked for the arms and steed of the Red Knight.

Arthur wonderingly gazed at the youth, and then replied that he could have them provided he could win them.  This was enough.  Parzival sped after the knight, overtook him, and loudly bade him surrender weapons and steed.  The Red Knight, thus challenged, began to fight; but Parzival, notwithstanding his inexperience, wielded his spear so successfully that he soon slew his opponent.  To secure the steed was an easy matter, but how to remove the armor the youth did not know.  By good fortune, however, Iwanet soon came up and helped Parzival to don the armor.  He put it on over his motley garb, which he would not set aside because his mother had made it for him.

Some time after, Parzival came to the castle of Gurnemanz, a noble knight, with whom he remained for some time.  Here he received valuable instructions in all a knight need know.  When Parzival left this place, about a year later, he was an accomplished knight, clad as beseemed his calling, and ready to fulfill all the duties which chivalry imposed upon its votaries.

[Sidenote:  Parzival and Conduiramour.] He soon heard that Queen Conduiramour was hard pressed, in her capital of Belripar, by an unwelcome suitor.  As he had pledged his word to defend all ladies in distress, Parzival immediately set out to rescue this queen.  A series of brilliant single fights disposed of the besiegers, and the citizens of Belripar, to show their gratitude to their deliverer, offered him the hand of their queen, Conduiramour, which he gladly accepted.  But Parzival, even in this new home, could not forget his sorrowing mother, and he soon left his wife to go in search of Herzeloide, hoping to comfort her.  He promised his wife that he would return soon, however, and would bring his mother to Belripar to share their joy.  In the course of this journey homeward Parzival came to a lake, where a richly dressed fisherman, in answer to his inquiry, directed him to a neighboring castle where he might find shelter.