Lamorak

Lamerake of Wales or Lamorak de Galis is a son of Pellinore. He and his brother Percivale are passing good men, without a match in prowess and good living, save one. (1,xxiv) He is a knight of King Arthur. (8,xxxvii)

One time Belliance le Orgulus saved his life, but had to slay his own sons for his sake and hated Lamorak ever since. (8,xli)

## Jousting

One time King Mark of Cornwall had daily hunting and jousting beside a river in a forest, and there were 30 knights to joust with all that came that time. By fortune came Sir Driant and Lamorak. After Driant fell, Lamorak proffered to joust and defeated all of them, and hurt them sore. The king marvelled at him and Tristram told his name. Mark said he shouldn't leave like this and ordered Tristram to fight him. (8,xxxiii)

### Fight with Tristram

As Tristram came forth,m Lamorak clashed with him, but because of the might of his own (and Tristram's) spear, his horse fell down, with him stillin the saddle; immediately he avoided the saddle and horse, dressed his shield and drew the sword, and challenged Tristram. Tristram refused to harm him more, and Lamorak said that since they jousted on horse, if he is Tristram, to fight on foot. Tristram said he fought against his will and he is shamed of what he did already. Lamorak told him to bear his shame if he wants, and although a horse failed himself, a queen's son will not fail Tristram, and required to fight if he is as strong as they say. Tristram repeated that it's no honor for a fresh knight to fight with one already weary and refused. Lamorak said that he will repay him if he has the chance. (8,xxxiii)

He left with Driant and they met a knight from Morgan bearing a horn to King Arthur. By force Lamorak made the knight to ask about that horn, and learned that it is magic and betrays an unfaithful woman, intended against Guenever and Launcelot. Lamorak threatened his life and ordered him to deliver it to King Mark against Tristram, and tell him it is sent by Lamorak to test his wife, queen Isoud. (8,xxxiv)

## Isle of Servage

One time Lamorak was sailing near Wales when his ship fell ona rock and all perished. Lamorak and his squire swam mightly until fishers of the Isle of Servage rescued him, but his squire was drowned. The shipmen tried hard to save his life for all the comfort that they could.

They told him that the lord of the island is Sir Nabon who is enemy of King Arthur and destroyed all his knights; the last one was Sir Nanowne who was Lamorak's cousin. Lamorak was sad to hear that his cousin died shamefully and promised revenge as soon as he could. The fishers dvised him to remain silent or Nabon will kill them all before he leaves the island. Lamorak said that once he will be healed, he will reveal to him who he is, because he was never so afraid as to forsake King Arthur. (8,xxxvii)

One morning he was dressed with fisher's raiment and the fishers brought him to the place of a Cornish lady. Aman told him that he seems diseased and wanted to meet him. Asked his name, he wanted first to know if theman is Nabon. The man siad that he is Nabon's enemy so Lamorak said his name. Tristram said he knew his name and revealed who he is. Lamorak remembered the fall he gave him and then refused to fight. Tristram repeated that he didn't refuse by fear but because he was shamed to fight someone who already had enough, and that for his despite he troubled the ladies with Morgan's horn. Lamorak said that he woudl do it again because better to bring strife in Mark's court than Arthur's because their honour is not the same. Tristram forgave him and said that they should work together to destroy Nabon. Lamorak recognised his knighthood and nobility that all people talk about, and is sorry for the ungentleness he showed him. (8,xxxviii)

### Tournament

Nabon made cry of jousts in his castle. Lamorak with Tristram, Kehydius and Segwarides were brought by the locals because nobody dared to do otherwise. Nabon lent to Lamorak horse and armour as he needed. Lamorak won most of the 500 who were there and nobody felled him, and Nabon and all people admired his deeds. (8,xxxix)

#### Fight with Nabon

Impressed with him, Nabon suggested to fight with him for sport, although Lamorak complained he was weary and bruised. They took a spear and Nabon soon slew his horse. Lamorak stoonon foot, turned his shield and pulled the sword and began battle on foot; but his breath was short and he traced back. Nabon suggested to continue with one of his fellows; hearing that Tristram stepped forth.

Soon Tristram slew Nabon, and his son, and all the country said they would hold of Sir Tristram. Tristram refused and said that Lamorak did great deeds and who should be lord of the country; but Lamorak also refused because Tristram deserved it more, and told him to give it to someone else; so the lordship passed to Segwarides. (8,xxxix)

## Return to King Arthur

Lamorak rode toward Arthur's court and rode out of the forest to a hermitage. Asked by the hermit, he said he came from the valley, surprising him as the last 20 years no knight passed safe that country. Lamorak said that those evil customs finished because Nabon and his son were slain by Tristram, and the hermits were glad. (8,xl)

The next day he departed and saw 4 knights fighting one until he fell. Lamorak went between them and asked the reason for that shame. The knights said that their foe was false and Lamorak wished to hear his say. The knight said that he can prove his knighthood fighting one, but they refused to risk, and said not even King Arthur would save him from them. Lamorak said it was too much to say behind Arthur what they wouldn't dare say to his face; and that he is one of the simplest of his court, and in their despite he will rescue the knight in the name of Arthur. They lashed against him, but immediately he killed two, and the others fled. The knight said he was Sir Frol of the Out Isles, and kept him company. As they rode, they saw a seemly knight in white riding towards them in noble countenance. Frol said that they jousted before and smote him, and wants to joust again, but Lamorak dissuaded him, and asked what was their quarrel. Frol said he had requested to joust, and Lamorak counseled Frol to ignore him as he seemed a noble knight, even from the Round Table. This motivated Frol who challenged him and once more was felled. As the White Knight paced away, Lamorak overtook him and asked his name, as he seemed from the Round Table. The White Knight made him promise to keep his name a secret and tell his. Saying that he is Lamorak, the White Knight said that he is Launcelot. They put up their swords and kissed heartily making joy. Lamorak offered to do him service but Launcelot refused as he was on a quest by himself, they bid farewell and departed. He returned to Frol and horsed him again, and refused to say who was the White Knight despite his insistence as it was not either's business. Frol said he was uncourteous and left his company; Lamorak said that by his company he saved the fairest flower of his garland, and parted. (8,xl)

Within 2-3 days he reached a well where was sleeping a knight (who was Frol) and a lady sitting by. Then Gawaine came and took the lady. Lamorak rode after him and told him to turn, but Gawaine refused saying that he is Arthur's nephew. Lamorak said that he will spare him, but he should return the lady or joust with him. Gawaine instead turned against the knight, who smote Gawaine down and took his lady back. Seeing this Lamorak he felt obliged to avenge his fellow or Gawaine would dishonour him in the court. So he returned to Frol and asked to joust. They came together and Lamorak smote him through both sides, killing him. (8,xli)

One day a young man came wearing over-thwartly a rich coat, and asked from Arthur to be knighted. Lamorak and Gaheris talked to his favor, saying that he seemed well of person and countenance, and would prove a good man and mighty knight; and reminded how Launcelot came like to the court, and became the most worshipful knight in the world. (9,i)

## Tournament

Dame Lionesse announced a jousts between Arthur and her knights on the Assumption of our Lady so the brothers went to Castle Dangerous with Arthur (there they are mentioned to be Arthur's nephews). (7,xxvii) During the tournament they enountered with two other brothers, Sirs Turquine and Carados; Turquine and Lamorak both smote down each other's horse to the earth, and their parties came to rescue and horse them again. (7,xxviii)

Then there was a drawing of swords and Lamorak did marvellous deeds of arms, and began a strong battle with Ironside. (7,xxix)

He was invited to Gareth's wedding in Kink Kenadon on Michaelmas. On the first day of the jousts he jousted best, and he overthrew 30 knights, and did marvellous deeds of arms. But when these jousts were done, he and Tristram departed suddenly without notice displeasing Arthur and the court. (7,xxxv)