The Story of Sir Launcelot and His Companions facts for kids

The Story of Sir Launcelot and His Companions is an exciting adventure book written by Howard Pyle in 1907. This novel tells many tales about Sir Launcelot, one of the most famous knights of the Round Table. You'll also meet his friends, like the Lady Elaine, Sir Ewaine, and Sir Gareth. Get ready to dive into a world of brave knights and daring quests!

Adventures of Sir Launcelot

This book is full of different stories about Sir Launcelot and his friends. Each part shares a new challenge or journey they face.

The Knight and the Cart

One day, Queen Guinevere and others from the court were captured. A knight named Sir Mellegrans took them away. Sir Launcelot quickly rode to save the Queen. But along the way, archers attacked him. He lost his horse and his heavy armor made it hard to walk.

The fastest way to reach Sir Mellegrans' castle was to ride in a cart. This was a very shameful thing for a knight to do back then. Even so, Launcelot rode in the cart to save the Queen. He was successful and rescued Guinevere! However, people kept making fun of him for riding in the cart. Launcelot felt annoyed by this. He decided to leave King Arthur's court for two years.

The Story of Sir Gareth of Orkney

Gareth was the young and much-loved son of King Lot of Orkney and Queen Margaise. When he was old enough, his mother sent him to King Arthur's court. She wanted him to become a knight. She sent a grand group of people with him to show his high status.

But Gareth decided he wanted to appear as a regular person. So, he left everyone behind except his closest friend, Axatalese. Gareth asked King Arthur for two special favors during a big feast called Pentecost. He wanted to stay at the court for one year. After that year, he wanted to ask for another favor. The King agreed, but many people thought it was strange.

Sir Kay often made fun of Gareth. He called him "kitchen boy" and "Beaumains." However, Sir Gawaine felt a connection to Gareth. He didn't know it then, but Gareth was actually his brother! Sir Gawaine taught Gareth many lessons about being a knight.

A year passed quickly. King Arthur held another feast at Pentecost. During this feast, a young woman named Lynette arrived. She asked the King for a knight to help her sister. Her sister was being bothered by a powerful knight called the Red Knight. He wanted to marry her, but she didn't want to.

The Red Knight was known to be very strong. Even Sir Gawaine said he had trouble fighting him. Because Lynette wouldn't say her sister's name, no knight offered to help. Gareth heard everything. He stepped forward and asked for his second favor: to help Lynette's sister.

Lynette was not happy. Gareth seemed like a simple person, and his reputation at court was not good. But she had no other choice. So, she traveled home with Gareth and Axatalese.

Gareth soon showed her he was more than just "Beaumains the kitchen boy." He bravely defeated many knights. He even defeated Sir Launcelot, who then made him a knight after their battle. When Gareth saw Lynette's sister, the Lady Layonnesse, he was amazed by her beauty. He then won his battle against the Red Knight. Not long after, Gareth became a Knight of the Round Table and married Layonnesse.