Knight of the Cart

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Chretien de Troyes
( While reading the summary below keep in mind that the original story was written in Old French and verse)
King Arthur (her husband), Queen Guinevere , and Sir Lancelot (her lover), form the most celebrated love-triangle

“ Meleagant seizes Queen Guinevere and takes her to Gorre , his fathers country. Kay attempts to save her, but fails miserably. Gawain sets out for the rescue. On the way he meets a nameless knight who is very eager to retrieve the Queen. A dwarf invites both knights to ride a cart ( a very shameful thing in those days) in order to reach their goal, and where Gawain refuses, the nameless knights only hesitates for a few seconds before he mounts the cart.
Gawain and the nameless knight part a crossroad. Gawain will try to reach Gorre through the underwaterbridge, the other knight heads for the swordbridge.
After a lot of delays the knight reaches the swordbridge and crosses it although it is sharp as a razor.
The Knight arrives in Gore and Agrees to fight Meleagant. Queen Guinevere recognizes him as Lancelot. When he is about to win the duel, it is postponed
Afterwards the queen treats him as if he has failed her. Lancelot has no idea what he has done wrong. With an aching heart he rides on to find Gawain, but is attacked by Meleagant’s men.
Only after rumor has it that Lancelot is dead, Guinevere is sorry about giving him the cool treatment. She forgives him the short hesitation before mounting the cart, which was the reason for her animosity. When Lancelot turns up again , the lovers enjoy a passionate night together.

Meleagant accuses the queen of adultery with Kaye, but it is Lancelot who defends her honor. Again the duel is stopped when Lancelot has the upper hand. They agree to fight again in one years time at king Arthurs court.
Treacherous Meleagant tricks Lancelot into a tower from which there is no escape” . ( Chretien left the story unfinished at this point, but it was continued by Godefroi de Leigni).” Lancelot escapes from the tower and reaches king Arthur’s court just in time for the duel. He finally defeats Meleagant.”

( Knight of the Cart - Chevalier de la Charette by Chretien de Troyes)

grazie michaela x avermi regalato la gioia di poter rileggere la storia del grande re arthu! ho sempre amato questa leggenda e mi sono spesso immedesimata nei vari personaggi! grazie ancora....... :D

E' sempre un'emozione leggere i versi dei cavalieri della tavola rotonda... evoca visioni di un mondo magico e lontano in cui spaziare con la fantasia...Complimenti per i tuoi gusti letterari, cara Michaela

Thank you. I always go to my world of imagination and sometimes I wish I lived back in the middle ages...