apters. The
Sixth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel, and marvellous
adventures, and containeth xviii chapters. The Seventh Book treateth of
a noble knight called Sir Gareth, and named by Sir Kay Beaumains, and
containeth xxxvi chapters. The Eighth Book treateth of the birth of Sir
Tristram the noble knight, and of his acts, and containeth xli chapters.
The Ninth Book treateth of a knight named by Sir Kay Le Cote Male
Taille, and also of Sir Tristram, and containeth xliv chapters. The
Tenth Book treateth of Sir Tristram, and other marvellous adventures,
and containeth lxxxviii chapters. The Eleventh Book treateth of Sir
Launcelot and Sir Galahad, and containeth xiv chapters. The Twelfth Book
treateth of Sir Launcelot and his madness, and containeth xiv chapters.
The Thirteenth Book treateth how Galahad came first to king Arthur's
court, and the quest how the Sangreal was begun, and containeth xx
chapters. The Fourteenth Book treateth of the quest of the Sangreal,
and containeth x chapters. The Fifteenth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot,
and containeth vi chapters. The Sixteenth Book treateth of Sir Bors and
Sir Lionel his brother, and containeth xvii chapters. The Seventeenth
Book treateth of the Sangreal, and containeth xxiii chapters. The
Eighteenth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and the queen, and containeth
xxv chapters. The Nineteenth Book treateth of Queen Guenever and
Launcelot, and containeth xiii chapters. The Twentieth Book treateth
of the piteous death of Arthur, and containeth xxii chapters. The
Twenty-first Book treateth of his last departing, and how Sir Launcelot
came to revenge his death, and containeth xiii chapters. The sum is
twenty-one books, which contain the sum of five hundred and seven
chapters, as more plainly shall follow hereafter.

BOOK I

CHAPTER I. How Uther Pendragon sent for the duke of Cornwall and Igraine
his wife, and of their departing suddenly again.

IT befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all
England, and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that
held war against him long time. And the duke was called the Duke of
Tintagil. And so by means King Uther sent for this duke, charging him to
bring his wife with him, for she was called a fair lady, and a passing
wise, and her name was called Igraine.

So when the duke and his wife were come unto the king, by the means of
great lords they were accorded both. The king liked and l