hrough the king's enemies durst not ride as
they did to-fore to espy.

CHAPTER XII. How eleven kings gathered a great host against King Arthur.

AND SO within a little space the three kings came unto the castle of
Bedegraine, and found there a passing fair fellowship, and well beseen,
whereof they had great joy, and victual they wanted none. This was the
cause of the northern host: that they were reared for the despite and
rebuke the six kings had at Carlion. And those six kings by their means,
gat unto them five other kings; and thus they began to gather their
people.

And now they sware that for weal nor woe, they should not leave other,
till they had destroyed Arthur. And then they made an oath. The first
that began the oath was the Duke of Cambenet, that he would bring with
him five thousand men of arms, the which were ready on horseback. Then
sware King Brandegoris of Stranggore that he would bring five thousand
men of arms on horseback. Then sware King Clariance of Northumberland he
would bring three thousand men of arms. Then sware the King of the
Hundred Knights, that was a passing good man and a young, that he would
bring four thousand men of arms on horseback. Then there swore King Lot,
a passing good knight, and Sir Gawain's father, that he would bring five
thousand men of arms on horseback. Also there swore King Urience, that
was Sir Uwain's father, of the land of Gore, and he would bring six
thousand men of arms on horseback. Also there swore King Idres of
Cornwall, that he would bring five thousand men of arms on horseback.
Also there swore King Cradelmas to bring five thousand men on horseback.
Also there swore King Agwisance of Ireland to bring five thousand men of
arms on horseback. Also there swore King Nentres to bring five thousand
men of arms on horseback. Also there swore King Carados to bring five
thousand men of arms on horseback. So their whole host was of clean men
of arms on horseback fifty thousand, and a-foot ten thousand of good
men's bodies. Then were they soon ready, and mounted upon horse and sent
forth their fore-riders, for these eleven kings in their ways laid a
siege unto the castle of Bedegraine; and so they departed and drew
toward Arthur, and left few to abide at the siege, for the castle of
Bedegraine was holden of King Arthur, and the men that were therein were
Arthur's.

CHAPTER XIII. Of a dream of the King with the Hundred Knights.

So by Merlin's advice there were