Chapter 14

Summary and Notes

Arthur receives a letter from LancelotÂ’s father that asks for his help against an invader. Arthur owes LancelotÂ’s father from his help at the Battle of Bedegraine, and he must answer his call. Arthur asks Lancelot if he would stay, and Lancelot, clearly not comfortable with the idea that he is betraying Arthur, protests. Arthur, oblivious, ignores his protests.

Lancelot and Guenever are then left together alone for a year while Arthur helps Lancelot’s father. It is their honeymoon period, sweet and sorrowful. Lancelot is preoccupied with the idea that he is not holy anymore. Jenny doesn’t take his distraction seriously, and laughs at him when he tries to explain that his whole life he has wanted nothing more than to perform miracles, and now that he has sinned, that possibility is diminished. Her feelings are hurt eventually in the conversation because she believes that he regrets loving her. He appeases her by telling her “I have given you my hopes, Jenny, as a present from my love.”

LancelotÂ’s inner conflict is reemphasized here, and it is important his struggle between religious purity and his love, which is necessarily visceral.

Chapter 15

Summary and Notes

Arthur returns to Camelot and with him he has Sir Bors, LancelotÂ’s cousin. Bors immediately tells Lancelot privately that he has heard that Elaine has given birth to a son, whom she has named Galahad.

Guenever gets wind of the news and is understandably furious and hurt. She confronts Lancelot and calls him a liar, a seducer. Furthermore, she mocks his sorrow over the loss of his virginity and loss of miracles. Lancelot tries to explain that he was made drunk and tricked, but the Queen wonÂ’t hear of it. In their mutual grief, they come together and understand each other once more.

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