In the course of his journeys, he encountered a lady in chains, led by a knight who seemed to take pleasure in torturing her.  Taught by Gurnemanz to rescue all ladies in distress, Parzival challenged and defeated this knight.  Then only did he discover that it was Sir Orilus, who had led his wife about in chains to punish her for accepting a kiss from a strange youth.  Of course Parzival now hastened to give an explanation of the whole affair, and the defeated knight, at his request, promised to treat his wife with all kindness in future.

As Parzival had ordered all the knights whom he had defeated to journey immediately to Arthur’s court and tender him their services, the king had won many brave warriors.  He was so pleased by these constant arrivals, and so delighted at the repeated accounts of Parzival’s valor, that he became very anxious to see him once more.

[Sidenote:  Parzival knighted.] To gratify this wish several knights were sent in search of the wanderer, and when they finally found him they bade him come to court.  Parzival obeyed, was knighted by Arthur’s own hand, and, according to some accounts, occupied the “Siege Perilous” at the Round Table.  Other versions state, however, that just as he was about to take this seat the witch Kundrie, a messenger of the Holy Grail, appeared in the hall.  She vehemently denounced him, related how sorely he had failed in his duty, and cursed him, as the gate keeper had done, for his lack of sympathy.  Thus reminded of his dereliction, Parzival immediately left the hall, to renew the quest which had already lasted for many months.  He was closely followed by Gawain, one of Arthur’s knights, who thought that Parzival had been too harshly dealt with.

[Sidenote:  Gawain’s quest.] Four years now elapsed,—­four years of penance and suffering for Parzival, and of brilliant fighting and thrilling adventures for Gawain.  Seeking Parzival, meeting many whom he had helped or defeated, Gawain journeyed from land to land, until at last he decided that his quest would end sooner if he too sought the Holy Grail, the goal of all his friend’s hopes.

On the way to Montsalvatch Gawain met a beautiful woman, to whom he made a declaration of love; but she merely answered that those who loved her must serve her, and bade him fetch her palfrey from a neighboring garden.  The gardener told him that this lady was the Duchess Orgueilleuse; that her beauty had fired many a knight; that many had died for her sake; and that Amfortas, King of the Holy Grail, had braved the poisoned spear which wounded him, only to win her favor.  Gawain, undeterred by this warning, brought out the lady’s palfrey, helped her to mount, and followed her submissively through many lands.  Everywhere they went the proud lady stirred up some quarrel, and always called upon Gawain to fight the enemies whom she had thus wantonly made.  After much wandering, Gawain and his ladylove reached the top of a hill, whence they could look across a valley to a gigantic castle, perched on a rock, near which was a pine tree.  Orgueilleuse now informed Gawain that the castle belonged to her mortal enemy, Gramoflaus.  She bade him bring her a twig of the tree, and conquer the owner of the castle, who would challenge him as soon as he touched it, and promised that if he obeyed her exactly she would be his faithful wife.