The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-06

Launcelot, and requiring that he make treaty with him to depart the realm.
 Sir Lucan, the butler, met the damsel as she alighted at the pavilion of King Arthur, and said to her: Alas, fair lady, King Arthur would love Sir Launcelot but that Sir Gawaine will not let him." He led the maiden to the King, to whom she told her tale and the lords. except ing only Sir Gawaine. advised that a treaty be made with Launcelot. But Gawaine cried out. My uncle and my King, surely having come so far with this great host, we were shamed to turn back" and much other did he say until the King returned by the damsel a naughty answer to Launcelot and the Kings army laid siege to the town of Payonne The followers of Launcelot soon tired of remaining shut up within the walls and said to him that 1t was shame upon their knighthood to suffer the enemy to lay outside and not to at- tack them. So Louncelot, overpersuaded, reluctantly agreed upon a sortie, and many sorties did they made and many knights were killed. Twice did Sir Launcelot have Sir Gawaine at his mercy and each time did he refuse to kill him {; although Gawaine begged him to take his life for that he would, if he should re- cover from his wounds, fight Launcelot again and would give him no quarter if he got him where Launcelot now had himself, Sir Gawaine. No knight would in all the fighting hurt King Arthur, for they would not raise sword or spear, if they could help it, against the person of the royal prince who had made them knights.
 And so passed away many months. when there came from Britain news which made Arthur raise the siege and, making treaty with Sir Launcelot, to return quickly to his own country. Modred, that false knight, had taken advantage of the ab- sence of the King and his office of regent to proclaim himself King and de- throne Arthur. And so slSillfully had he plotted that many great lords and a large part of the people had he seduced to his cause He had himself crowned at Can terbury and feasted there seven days, spreading report that Arthur was dead. Then he went to Winchester, where was tuC ~SdCCH 1ucHcNeT, ana SdlQ to neT plainly that she must wed him. Guenever heavy at heart and affrighted, spo <e Modred fair and said that sine must go up to London to purchase many things which were necessary for her nuptials Suspect
 ing nothing. Modred let her go
 But as soon as the Queen arrived in London she threw herself into the Tower, which she caused to be supplied with great store of provisions, and summoning to her all whom she could trust, she closed the gates and bid defiance to Modred When Modred heard of this he went with a large army and laid siege to the Tower, against which also he made many fierce assaults, but without carry ing it, the Queen defending the place valiantly and sending word to Modred that he might take and slay her, if he could, but his wife she would never be.
 As the false knight lay before the Tower there came to him a courier bear ing news that Arthur had raised the siege of Bayonne and was coming with bis army to have vengeance of the usurper. The Archbishop of Canterbury also came to Modred and bade him for bear, saying that if he sought by force to marry the Queen he would curse him with bell, book and candle. Peace, thou false priest cried Sir Modred, If you chafe me any more I will have thy head stricken off thy body" Then the Arch bishop of Canterbury went away and did curse Modred in the most solemn man ner that might be done. Hearing of this Modred came after him to slay him; but the archbishop fled and established him.