08 - Story of King Arthur, in Twelve Tales by Winona Caroline Martin

A retelling of the classic Arthurian legends, this collection of twelve tales captures the grandeur, mystery, and moral depth of King Arthur’s court and the quest for the Holy Grail. Designed for young readers and educators, it brings timeless ideals to life.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Story of King Arthur in twelve Tales by Winona Caroline
Martin Taiale Seven Adventures of Launcelot. His honor rooted in
dishonour stood, and faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. Tennyson's
Launcelot and E Lane. With prancing steeds and waving plumes

(00:20):
and glittering arms, King Arthur and his gallant knights had
ridden away to Camelot, where the last great Diamond joust
was to be held for eight years past. This joust
had been an annual occurrence for Arthur long before he
became king. Once, while roaming through the trackless realms of Lyonesse,
had stumbled, unawares in the misty Moonshine, upon the skeleton

(00:41):
of a long forgotten king. Still wearing his crown. This
diadem of richly wrought gold, decorated with nine diamonds, one
in front and four on each side, he had placed
upon his boyish head, and as he did so, had
seemed to hear within him the murmur of a voice saying, Lo,
thou likewise shalt be king. And years after, when that

(01:03):
mystic prophecy had been fulfilled, he had removed the gems
from the crown, and showed them to his knights, exclaiming,
these jewels which I chanced upon are the kingdoms, not
the kings. Therefore let there be once every year a
joust for one of them. Thus, by nine years proof
we shall learn which is the mightiest man among us.

(01:24):
So for eight years the tourney had been held, and
Launcelot had won the diamond each time, with the intention
of presenting the entire nine to the Queen when all
should be his. But a rumor had gone abroad, doubtless
started in jealousy, that it was no longer by his
prowess alone that the mighty Launcelot was able to perform
such feats of arms, but by the terror which his

(01:45):
very name inspired. Whereupon the proud knight had decided upon
a course that should forever silence that slander. When the
king and his knights rode off, therefore, Launcelot remained behind,
pleading as his excuse a wound lately received in battle,
which had not yet healed. But toward noon he got
himself quickly to horse, and, avoiding the beaten thoroughfare, chose

(02:06):
the green, unfrequented paths, until, as the sun was setting
he saw on a far hill outlined against the golden
glory of the west the towers of Astealac castle to
this old fortress. Realizing that he must needs seek harbridge
for the Knight, he made his way and wound the
great horn that hung by the gate. Presently there appeared
in response an old, wrinkled servitor, who, without speaking a word,

(02:29):
yet made the errant Knight feel he was welcome, and
disarmed him. Thereupon, there issued from an inner apartment the
Lord of Astealat himself with his two stalwart sons, Sir
Tor and Sir Lavaine, and close behind them shyly stepped
the one lady of the house, Lord Astealat's motherless daughter,
the lily maid Elaine. Whence do you come, my guest,

(02:50):
and what is your name? Inquired the master of the castle. Surely,
judging by your appearance, you are one of the knights
that follow the great White King, to which Launcelot replied, yes,
I come from Arthur's Hall, and I am one of
the round Table. But I beg you not to ask
my name, for I am at this moment on my
way to Camelot to joust for the great Diamond, and

(03:11):
for certain reasons I wish to enter the lists in disguise.
Yet I made the mistake of bringing with me my shield,
by which I should be immediately recognized. I pray you, therefore,
if you have such a one, lend me a scutcheon
that is still blank, or at least that bear some
other device than my own. Willingly, stranger Knight, said the

(03:32):
Lord of Baslot. Here is my son Tors, who was
hurt in his first tilt, so that his shield is
blank enough. You can have that. Presently, all five passed
into the castle and sat down to a board, where
the very best of meats and vintage had been brought
forth for the entertainment of the guest. There at the
earnest request of Lavaine, who had suddenly become fired with

(03:52):
boundless admiration for the great man, Launcelot was led to
talk of Arthur and his round table and his wonderful wars.
And while he talked, the lily maid sat by, a
silent listener, until his princely bearing and gracious courtesy had
completely won her heart. At last she raised her eyes
to his face, bronzed and worn with care and scarred
with many a sole conflict between right and wrong and

(04:14):
loved him with that love which was her doom. It
had been decided, much to Lavain's delight, that he should
accompany the Stranger to the lists and himself take part
in the tournament. Early the next morning. Therefore, Elaine arose,
endeavoring to deceive herself into the belief that she wished
to bid farewell to her brother before his departure. So

(04:35):
it happened that as she glided down the tower stairs,
she passed Lavain on his way to get his brother's
blank shield, and thus came upon the stranger Knight alone.
As he stood with his back toward her, stroking the
glossy shoulder of his proud charger. At the sound of
her light footfalls, he turned suddenly more amazed to see
the maiden standing there in the dewy light of dawn
than if seven men had set upon him at once.

(04:56):
In fact, he had not dreamed before that she was
so beautiful, and now a sort of sacred fear took
possession of him, for though he greeted her, she still
remained silent, with her rapt gaze fixed upon him, as
if she were looking into the face of a god.
And at that look coming through her innocent eyes straight
from her spotless soul. A swift flush mantled Launcelot's cheek,

(05:17):
for he knew that he was unworthy of such homage,
and murmured sadly to himself, alas I am not great,
save it be some far off touch of greatness to
know well I am not great. Presently, mustering all her courage,
the maiden began to speak, Great Lord, whose name I
do not know, although I believe it is the noblest,

(05:39):
will you wear my favor in this tourney? Then Launcelot
scarcely knew how to answer her, for before his eyes
there passed the radiant vision of another, whose favor he
might never wear. Presently, he said, turning away, that he
might not see her disappointment, fair damsel, that would be
against my custom. I never yet have worn in the

(06:00):
token of another lady in the lists, as all who
know me are well aware, than in wearing mine, continued Elaine,
made strangely bold by her great desire, there will be
the lesser likelihood of your being recognized. That is true,
my child, replied Launcelot, suddenly perceiving wisdom in the suggestion,

(06:21):
I will wear it, run and fetch it for me.
So she disappeared, to return presently with a red velvet sleeve,
beautifully embroidered with shining pearls, which she bound upon his helmet.
When this was done, he looked down upon her, smiling
and said, never yet have I done so much for
any maiden living, At which words the color sprang into
her cheeks with delight, but quickly vanished again, leaving her

(06:44):
a lily maid. Indeed, by this time, however, Lvain had
returned with tors shield, and the two knights made ready
to depart. Do me the grace, my child, to keep
my shield till I come back, said Launcelot, taking the
unblazoned scutcheon and handing his own, upon which there gleamed
the famous azure lions and jeweled splendor to the fairy lane.
Then Levan kissed his sister's pale cheek, and the stranger

(07:06):
knight kissed her hand in curtier fashion, after which they
spurred their charges and were soon lost to sight as
they dipped below the downs. Thus it came about Elaine,
the fair, Elaine, the lovable Elaine, the lily maid of Astelad,
high in her chamber up a tower to the east,
guarded the sacred shield of Launcelot, and there spending her

(07:26):
days in sweet dreams and vain imaginings. She placed the
shield where the first glint of sunrise might strike the
jeweled lions and awaken her with its glory. After a while, however,
fearing that the precious thing might become rusted or soiled,
she fashioned for it a silken cays, upon which she
embroidered the devices which were blazoned on the scutchen itself.
And as she worked, she made a story to herself

(07:47):
of every dint a sword had beaten in it, and
every scratch a lance had made upon it. Meanwhile, the
two knights rode on their way to Camelot, and as
they drew near to the lists, Launcelot thought it best
reveal his name to his companion, Launcelot of the Lake.
The Great Launcelot, murmured the youth in an awed voice.

(08:08):
At last, I have my wish. I have seen Britain's
greatest knight, and now if I might also behold her
white King, the Mighty Arthur Bendragon, though I were stricken blind,
the next moment I should be satisfied. Launcelot smiled at
this boyish enthusiasm, but made no reply save to wave
his hand toward the jousting filled which they were already entering. There,

(08:32):
Lavain beheld like a rainbow fallen upon the grass, a
great half round gallery filled with gorgeously attired spectators. But
his eyes wandered past all this until they rested upon
the royal throne, where the clear faced king sat, robed
in red samite, easily distinguished by the presence all about
him of the emblem of the House of Pendragon. For
to his crown the golden dragon clung, and down the

(08:53):
robe the dragon writhed in gold, and from the carbon
work behind him crept two dragons, gilded down to make
arms for his chair, while all the rest of them,
through knots and loops and folds innumerable fled through the
woodwork till they found the new design, wherein they lost themselves,
yet with all ease, so tender was the work. Above

(09:14):
his head was set a costly canopy ornamented with a
carbon flower, whose heart was the wonderful diamond, which was
to be the prize of the day. Presently, the trumpets blew,
and both sides, those that held the lists and those
that were the assailants set their spears in rest, struck
their spurs, and suddenly moved forward to meet in the
center of the field, with such a furious shock that
the hard earth shook beneath them. Launcelot, however, remained apart

(09:38):
for a while until he saw which side was the weaker.
Then he hurled himself against the stronger, which happened to
be his own order of the round table. And little
need is there to speak of his prowess, for King
Duke Earl Count Baron. Whoever he smote he overthrew. There were, however,
in the field that day many of his own relatives.

(09:58):
These strong men now became angered at the thought that
the stranger should do, and almost outdo, the deeds of
their valiant kinsmen. But one of them said, do you know,
I believe it is our cousin Launcelot in disguise, to
which another replied, no, that can't be, for Launcelot's never
yet warn a lady's token in the lists. Then a
fury seemed to seize them, a fiery family passion for

(10:21):
the glory of the mighty Launcelot, And suddenly, like the
wild waves of the North's sea, they pricked their steeds
and bore down upon the knight with the red sleeve,
seeking by weight of men and horses to overwhelm him. Presently,
Launcelot's noble charger was lamed, and he himself wounded by
a lance which pierced through the shield and mail, and
then snapped, leaving its head buried in his side. Fortunately, however,

(10:43):
Lavain had seen his beloved hero fall with one terrible blow.
Therefore he overthrew a knight of old repute and brought
the man's horse to where Launcelot lay, who, despite the
agony of his wound, mounted and managed, in a way
that seemed to onlookers like a miracle, to drive his
kith and kin, and all the round table back to
the barrier. Thereupon the herald's blue, proclaiming that the prize

(11:05):
belonged to the stranger knight who wore the scarlet pearl
embroidered sleeve. At this his side cried aloud in triumph,
advance and take your prize, the largest diamond of the nine,
to which the victor replied, do not talk to me
of diamonds, but give me air nor of prizes. For
my prize's death, and with that he and young Lavain

(11:26):
suddenly willed their horses and vanished from the field into
a nearby poplar grove. There, Launcelot slid from his horse
and sat gasping until a kindly hermit who lived near
carried him into his grotto, where he and Lavain managed
to staunch the wound. So, in that peaceful spot, far
from the world's rumor, the mighty Launcelot, the darling of

(11:47):
the court, lay for many weeks in daily doubt whether
he would live or die. But on that day, when
the victor had thus fled the lists, Arthur, sorely troubled
because the valiant stranger had been too badly wounded to
take his prize, and fearing in his heart that the
disguised knight was Launcelot after all, called Sir Gawaine to
his side, and said, the victor must not go uncared

(12:09):
for ride forth therefore and find him, for wounded and
wearied as he is, he cannot have gone far. And
take also the diamond and deliver it into his hands.
Then return and bring me word how he fares. So
Gawaine rode through the region round about, touching all points
except the poplar grove, until he was wearied of the quest.

(12:29):
In his wanderings. However, it chanced that he came one
day to Astalad. The moment the fairy Lane's eyes rested
upon his arms, she guessed him to be one of
Arthur's knights, and cried out, what news from Camelot, Lord?
What of the knight with the red sleeve you won?
I knew it broke in the maiden, but deported from

(12:50):
the lists with a great wound in his sword, continued Gawaine,
at which she caught her breath as if she herself
felt the pain of the cruel lance. At that moment, however,
the Lord of Astelat appeared, who, having heard Gawain's story, said,
kindly stay with us, noble prince, and give up this
tiresome search. The knight whom you seek was here just
before the tournament, and has left his shield with my daughter. Furthermore,

(13:14):
my son Lavain is with him, so that sooner or
later we shall surely learn his whereabouts. Then Gawaine, hearing
that the mysterious knight's shield was here in Astalot, asked
to see it, and when he perceived the familiar azure
alliance crowned with gold, He cried mockingly, right was the
king our launcelot after all, to which the maiden smilingly answered,

(13:35):
And I was right too, for I dreamed that my
knight was the greatest of the round table. Your knight,
exclaimed Gawaine in surprise. Then the lily Maid's cheek turned
rosy red, and she replied, I call him mine because
he wore my token, my scarlet sleeve embroidered with pearls.
At this Gawain perceived that the damsel loved the mighty

(13:56):
Launcelot with all her heart, and, suspecting though quite wrongly,
that she knew where he was hidden, said to her,
fair maiden, let me leave my quest with you, and
the diamond also, for if you love it will be
sweet to give it, and if he love it will
be sweet to have it from your own hand. And
whether he love or not, a diamond is a diamond. Farewell,

(14:19):
perhaps some day we shall meet at court and learn
to know each other better. Then, kissing the white hand
which received the gem, he leapt on his charger, and,
faithless to his trust, caroling a love ballad, lightly rode away,
after which the maid of Astalac crept to her father's side, and,
gently stroking his gray hair, said father, you call me wilful,
but the fault is yours, for you have always allowed

(14:42):
me to have my own way. Now I have come
to ask you to let me go in search of
Lavaine and of the other to whom I must deliver
this diamond. Otherwise I should be faithless as that proud
prince who left his quest to me. Long the old
man hesitated, but at last he said, yes, you you
are indeed a wilful child. Yet I myself would like

(15:03):
to learn of the Knight's welfare. And besides, as you say,
you have the diamond. So, having won her suit, the
wilful Maiden, one fair morning, with her brother Torre as
a guide, rode towards Camelot, before whose mystic gait they
met Lavain. At his sister's earnest request, he led her
across the poplar grove to the cave of the hermit,
upon the rough wall of which she beheld Launcelot's helmet,

(15:25):
with her scarlet sleeve now cut and torn, streaming from it.
Still in an inner room lay the great Knight, himself
gaunt and wasted, scarcely more than a skeleton of his
former self, so that at the sight a cry of
pity burst from Eline's lips. Then, through many a weary
day and wearier night, she ministered to him, until at

(15:46):
last there came a glad hour when the wise hermit
told her that her faithful care had saved his life
and all. During that time, Launcelot reproached himself bitterly, because
it was impossible for him to repay her with aught
but a brother's love. When he was able to sit
in the saddle, he rode with Lavaine and the maiden
to Astalad to stay until he had regained a little

(16:06):
more of his former strength. At last, however, the time
came when he felt that he must return to the
king's service, and, wishing to give as little pain as
possible to one whom he owed so much, he reminded
Elaine gently of the great difference in their ages, and
told her that this love of hers was but the
first flash in youth, which she would soon forget when

(16:26):
her own true knight should appear. And if this knight
of yours should be poor, he added, I will endow
you with broad land and territory, even to the half
of my realm beyond the sea, and in all your quarrels,
I will be your champion. But more than this I cannot.
While he was speaking, the lily maid growing paler, and
Paler had leaned for support against the garden seat. At

(16:50):
his last words, she exclaimed, of all this will I
have nothing. Then she fell swooning, and was borne away
to her chamber in the tower. It happened, however, that
the Lord of Astolat had overheard their conversation, and although
he knew that Launcelot's conduct had been blameless, nevertheless he
said to him sorrowfully, you are too courteous, my lord.

(17:10):
If you would use some roughness before you go to
blunt or break her love, all might yet be well,
to which the chivalrous Launcelot replied, the ut were against me,
But what I can do I will accordingly. Toward evening
he sent for his shield. Then, although he knew by
a little clinking sound that Elaine's casement was flung back,

(17:30):
and that she was gazing down upon his helmet, from
which her sleeve was now gone, yet he did not
glance up, nor wave his hand, nor bid farewell, but
sadly rode away and This was the one discourtesy that
he used. Then a dark cloud settled down upon the
once sunny home at Astealat for the lily maid sitting
alone in her tower, gazing at the case of Launcelot's shield,

(17:53):
as empty now as her own life drooped day by day,
And during that time she made a little song, which
she sang in the evenings to the accompaniment of the
moaning winds. Sweet is true love, though given in vain,
in vain, and sweet is death? Who puts an end
to pain? I know not which is sweeter?

Speaker 2 (18:12):
No not?

Speaker 1 (18:13):
I love? Art thou sweet? Then bitter death must be love?
Thou art bitter sweet as death to me, O love,
If death be sweeter, let me die, Sweet love that
seems not made to fade away, Sweet death that seems
to make us loveless, Clay, I know not which is sweeter?

(18:34):
No not, I I fain would follow love if that
could be. I needs must follow death. Who calls for
me call and I follow, I follow, Let me die.
So her heart broken father and brothers watched her growing
hourly more like the ethereal blossoms whose name she bore,
until tor broke out in bitter words against him who

(18:57):
had brought all this trouble upon their house, to which
his gentle sister replied, brother, it is no more Launcelot's
its fault not to love me than mine to love
him as I do. It is my glory to have
loved the greatest and the most stainless of all King
Arthur's knights. So I am not altogether comfortless, although my
love has no return. Then she besought Lavain to write

(19:19):
a letter, word for word as she dictated it to him,
And when it was done, she made her last request. Father,
a little while before I die, place this letter in
my hand. I pray you. Then, when the breath has
left my body, clothe me in my richest raignment, and
deck my bed with coverings as beautiful as the queen's.
Then drape our barge like a funeral pall, and lay

(19:41):
me upon it to be rode by our old dumb
servitur to King Arthur's court, and let us go alone.
I beseech you, for none could speak for me so
eloquently as my own silent self. Her father, able less
and less to deny his wilful child, promised, and, eleven
days later, with her thin hand hold holding her precious letter,

(20:01):
she closed her eyes for the last time, and that
day there was dole in Astalat one beautiful morning, therefore,
when the blue of the skies was mirrored in the
waters of the river that flowed by Camelot, the two
armed soldiers who guarded the palace doors were amazed to
behold a black barge come sailing toward them. On this
barge in a shroud of purest white, wrapped to her

(20:23):
waist in a cloth of gold, bearing him one hand
the letter, and in the other a fair white lily,
with her beautiful face framed in her unbound hair, lay
a maiden who seemed to be fast asleep. In their wonder,
they attempted to question the oarsmen, but when they found
out he would not or could not answer, they cried
in alarm, remembering a prophecy of Merlin's which had been

(20:44):
whispered about in court. He is enchanted, he cannot speak,
and she look how she sleeps. Surely she is the
fairy queen who has come to take our king to fairyland.
But while they babbled thus the king himself appeared, and
with some of his knights, who at his command reverently
lifted the maiden and bore her into the Great Hall.

(21:04):
Presently Gawaine came to gaze sadly upon her beautiful face.
Then Launcelot, in bitter remorse, saying to himself, would to
God Elaine that I had died for thee and last
of all the Queen with her maidens. It was Arthur, however,
who first discovered the letter in her hand, and two,
having broken the seal, read aloud, most noble Lord, Sir

(21:26):
Launcelot of the Lake, I sometimes called the maid of Astolat,
come for you left me, taking no farewell hither to
take my last farewell of you. I loved you, and
my love had no return. And therefore my true love
has been my death. And therefore to our lady Gwinevere,
and to all other ladies, I make moan, pray for
my soul and yield me burial. Pray for my soul.

(21:48):
Thou too, Sir Launcelot, as thou art a knight peerless.
While he read, the ladies of the court wept bitterly,
and many, the Queen among them turned reproach glances upon
the sorrow stricken Launcelot, who, when he had recovered himself
sufficiently to speak, said, sadly, my liege Lord and all

(22:09):
you that here, let me tell you how much I
grieve for this gentle maiden's death. For she was true
and sweet and beyond even my old belief in womanhood,
and loved me with a love beyond the love of
any other woman I have ever known.

Speaker 2 (22:23):
Yet at my years, however it may be in youth
to be loved, does not cause one to love in return.
And I swear, my King, by the honor of my knighthood,
that I gave her no cause willingly for such affection,
as her own father and brothers will testify. Yet, Sir Knight,
interrupted the Queen. It seems that you might have shown

(22:45):
her some little kindness that would have prevented her death.
Your majesty, replied Launcelot. You force me to speak plainly,
she would not be content unless I wedded her. That I,
who long ago took the King's most holy vow to
love one only, could never do all that I could.
I offered her, but she would none of it, and

(23:06):
so at last she died.

Speaker 1 (23:09):
Then, at Arthur's command, the purest Sir Perceval lifted the
maiden and bore her to the richest shrine in all
the realm, and with gorgeous obsequies to the rolling music
of the mass. While the king and his court stood around,
they lowered her beautiful head into the dust of half
forgotten kings. Later, a costly tomb was raised above her
resting place, upon which was set her image, with a

(23:30):
carved lily in her hand and the shield of Launcelot
at her feet. While blazoned in letters of gold and azure,
was the account of her sad voyage for all true
hearts to read, such as the story of Elain and
the mighty Knight, Sir Launcelot of the Lake, whose honor
rooted in dishonor stood, and whose faith, unfaithful, kept him
falsely true. For when he turned away from the tomb,

(23:52):
he passed out alone into the night to mourn and
to wrestle with his troubled spirit, not knowing he should
die a holy man. End of til seven, The Adventures
of Launcelot,