Yvain, or the Knight With the Lion

During the time of King Arthur, when duty and romantic love were the most noble traits, a group of Arthur’s knights gather after a banquet to share stories of their adventures. One of them, Calogrenant, notices that the Queen has quietly joined the group, and he salutes her and offers to tell of an embarrassing event in his life, “One not to his honour, but his shame” (8).

Knight Kay, the royal manager—embarrassed that he and the others failed to notice the Queen’s arrival until Calogrenant did so—ridicules him, but the Queen rebukes Kay: “His custom is to speak ill of all” (10). She commands Calogrenant to tell his story, and he obeys, declaring that what he is about to tell is true.

Seven years earlier, Calogrenant, while traveling on horseback through the densely overgrown forest of Brocéliande, comes upon a fortified estate, where he begs entry. The manor lord welcomes him; his lovely and educated daughter chats with him, and they take a strong liking to one another. Calogrenant is fed and housed; in the morning, thanking the lord and promising to return, he continues on his journey in search of a great challenge.