And so all Sir Lancelot’s deeds and great adventures were made known; how the four sorceress-queens had him in prison; how he was delivered by the daughter of King Bagdemagus, and what deeds of arms he did at the tournament between the King of North Wales and King Bagdemagus.  And so, at that festival, Sir Lancelot had the greatest name of any knight in all the world, and by high and low was he the most honoured of all men.

CHAPTER X

Adventures of Sir Beaumains or Sir Gareth

Again King Arthur held the Feast of Pentecost, with all the Table Round, and after his custom sat in the banquet hall, before beginning meat, waiting for some adventure.  Then came there to the king a squire and said, “Lord, now may ye go to meat, for here a damsel cometh with some strange adventure.”  So the king was glad, and sat down to meat.

Anon the damsel came in and saluted him, praying him for succour.  “What wilt thou?” said the king.  “Lord,” answered she, “my mistress is a lady of great renown, but is at this time besieged by a tyrant, who will not suffer her to go out of her castle; and because here in thy court the knights are called the noblest in the world, I come to pray thee for thy succour.  “Where dwelleth your lady?” answered the king.  “What is her name, and who is he that hath besieged her?” “For her name,” replied the damsel, “as yet I may not tell it; but she is a lady of worship and great lands.  The tyrant that besiegeth her and wasteth her lands is called the Red Knight of the Redlands.”  “I know him not,” said Arthur.  “But I know him, lord,” said Sir Gawain, “and he is one of the most perilous knights in all the world.  Men say he hath the strength of seven; and from him I myself once hardly escaped with life.”  “Fair damsel,” said the king, “there be here many knights that would gladly do their uttermost to rescue your lady, but unless ye tell me her name, and where she dwelleth, none of my knights shall go with you by my leave.”

Now, there was a stripling at the court called Beaumains, who served in the king’s kitchen, a fair youth and of great stature.  Twelve months before this time he had come to the king as he sat at meat, at Whitsuntide, and prayed three gifts of him.  And being asked what gifts, he answered, “As for the first gift I will ask it now, but the other two gifts I will ask on this day twelve months, wheresoever ye hold your high feast.”  Then said King Arthur, “What is thy first request?” “This, lord,” said he, “that thou wilt give me meat and drink enough for twelve months from this time, and then will I ask my other two gifts.”  And the king seeing that he was a goodly youth, and deeming that he was come of honourable blood, had granted his desire, and given him into the charge of Sir Key, the steward.  But Sir Key scorned and mocked the youth, calling him Beaumains, because his hands were large and fair, and putting him into the kitchen, where he had served for twelve months as a scullion, and, in spite of all his churlish treatment, had faithfully obeyed Sir Key.  But Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain were angered when they saw Sir Key so churlish to a youth that had so worshipful a bearing, and ofttimes had they given him gold and clothing.