CHAPTER XV

How sir Galahad fought with the knights of the castle, and destroyed the wicked custom

When Sir Galahad heard this he thanked God, and took his horse; and he had not ridden but half a mile, he saw in a valley afore him a strong castle with deep ditches, and there ran beside it a fair river that hight Severn; and there he met with a man of great age, and either saluted other, and Galahad asked him the castle’s name.  Fair sir, said he, it is the Castle of Maidens.  That is a cursed castle, said Galahad, and all they that be conversant therein, for all pity is out thereof, and all hardiness and mischief is therein.  Therefore, I counsel you, sir knight, to turn again.  Sir, said Galahad, wit you well I shall not turn again.  Then looked Sir Galahad on his arms that nothing failed him, and then he put his shield afore him; and anon there met him seven fair maidens, the which said unto him:  Sir knight, ye ride here in a great folly, for ye have the water to pass over.  Why should I not pass the water? said Galahad.  So rode he away from them and met with a squire that said:  Knight, those knights in the castle defy you, and defenden you ye go no further till that they wit what ye would.  Fair sir, said Galahad, I come for to destroy the wicked custom of this castle.  Sir, an ye will abide by that ye shall have enough to do.  Go you now, said Galahad, and haste my needs.  Then the squire entered into the castle.  And anon after there came out of the castle seven knights, and all were brethren.  And when they saw Galahad they cried:  Knight, keep thee, for we assure thee nothing but death.  Why, said Galahad; will ye all have ado with me at once?  Yea, said they, thereto mayest thou trust.  Then Galahad put forth his spear and smote the foremost to the earth, that near he brake his neck.  And therewithal the other smote him on his shield great strokes, so that their spears brake.  Then Sir Galahad drew out his sword, and set upon them so hard that it was marvel to see it, and so through great force he made them to forsake the field; and Galahad chased them till they entered into the castle, and so passed through the castle at another gate.  And there met Sir Galahad an old man clothed in religious clothing, and said; Sir, have here the keys of this castle.  Then Sir Galahad opened the gates, and saw so much people in the streets that he might not number them, and all said:  Sir, ye be welcome, for long have we abiden here our deliverance.  Then came to him a gentlewoman and said:  These knights be fled, but they will come again this night, and here to begin again their evil custom.  What will ye that I shall do? said Galahad.  Sir, said the gentlewoman, that ye send after all the knights hither that hold their lands of this castle, and make them to swear for to use the customs that were used