CliffsNotes on

Le Morte d'Arthur

Search this CliffsNote

About the Author

The Life of Malory
Malory and the Legend of Arthur

About the Work

Introduction
A Brief Synopsis
List of Characters
The Text

Summaries and Commentaries

Book I. The Tale of King Arthur: Merlin
Book I. The Tale of King Arthur: The Knight with the Two Swords
Book I. The Tale of King Arthur: Tor and Pellanor
Book I. The Tale of King Arthur: The Death of Merlin and the War with the Five Kings; Arthur and Accolon; Gawain, Ywain, and Marhault
Book II: Arthur and King Lucius
Book III: Sir Launcelot Du Lake
Book IV: The Tale of Sir Gareth
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Isode (Isolde) the Fair
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Lamerok of Wales; Sir La Cote Male Tale
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Tristram’s Madness and Exile; The Castle of Maidens
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: The Round Table
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: King Mark
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Alexander the Orphan
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: The Tournament at Surluse
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Joyous Gard
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: The Red City
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: The Tournament at Lonezep
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Sir Palomydes
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Launcelot and Elayne
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Conclusion
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: The Departure
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: The Miracles
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Percival
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Launcelot
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Gawain
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Bors
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Galahad
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: The Castle of Corbenic
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: The Miracle of Galahad
Book VII. Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere: The Poisoned Apple
Book VII. Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere: The Fair Maid of Astalot
Book VII. Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere: The Great Tournament
Book VII. Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere: The Knight of the Cart
Book VII. Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere: The Healing of Sir Urry
Book VIII. The Death of King Arthur: Slander and Strife
Book VIII. The Death of King Arthur: The Vengeance of SirGawain
Book VIII. The Death of King Arthur: The Siege of Benwick
Book VIII. The Death of King Arthur: The Day of Destiny
Book VIII. The Death of King Arthur: The Death of Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere

Study Help

Quiz
Essay Questions

Cite this Literature Note

What should be his first order of business once President-elect Obama takes office?

Cutting taxes/economic recovery.
Promoting peace in Israel/Gaza.
Ending the war in Iraq.
Creating jobs/dealing with unemployment.
Addressing climate change/environmental issues.

View Results

Summaries and Commentaries

Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Galahad

After many adventures, Galahad comes to a castle where there is a great battle going on. He helps the weaker party, giving Gawain the worst wound of his life and thus fulfilling the curse of which Launcelot spoke when lie saw the sword in the floating stone.

Galahad then goes to a castle and there it lady asks him to follow her to the “highest adventure that ever any knight saw.” She takes him to the ship of Percival and Bors. They travel until they come to another ship. When they board it they find it splendidly adorned but empty. It is the ship of faith, and none but steadfast believers are safe there. The lady who has led the knights here is Percival’s sister; she warns Galahad not to enter unless he is sinless. He enters, saying he will be glad to die if he is found tainted, and finds a splendid sword and crown. Neither Bors nor Percival is proved fit to grip the sword, but Galahad achieves it. Percival’s holy sister tells the three knights the history of the sword and scabbard and they leave with it.

They come to it castle where they miraculously slay many enemies of God. A holy man tells them the story of the castle, directs them to the Wasteland, and dies. On the way the three knights have further visions, then come with their guide to the castle of the sick lady and are forcefully urged to yield to the custom of the castle—a silver dish of blood from the maiden’s arm. The three knights fight, but when Percival’s sister understands the custom she yields to it. Knowing she is dying, she asks to be placed on a ship, saying, she will be found tinder a tower at the holy city of Sarras, where all of them will be buried. A voice then tells the three knights they are to be parted until they arrive at the hall of Pellam, the Maimed King. Sir Bors rides away to rescue a wounded knight.; Percival and Galahad ride on.


Video Interviews with Real Students
Get to know your top college picks without stepping foot on campus.
Watch now!
Study Guides To-Go!
Get the complete text from CliffsNotes guides on your video iPod®.
Learn more!
cover
Learn the Words You Should Know
Vocabulary Puzzles is the fun way to ace the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT & more!
The Ultimate Learning Experience!
WATCH the film and READ the lit note for a fast way to study!
Learn more!