rich crown of gold, and it was
known throughout all the lands that marched with this, that the knight
that should do best at the assembly should have the destrier and the
crown, for the Queen that ware it was dead, and it would behove him to
guard and defend the land whereof she had been Lady. On account of
these tidings had come thither great plenty of folk and of folk. King
Arthur and Messire Gawain and Lancelot set them of one side. The story
saith that at this assembly King Arthur bare the red shield that the
damsel gave him; Messire Gawain had his own, such as he was wont to
bear, and Lancelot a green shield that he bare for the love of the
knight that was slain for helping him in the forest. They struck into
the assembly like lions unchained, and cast down three knights at their
first onset. They searched the fellowships on every side, smote down
knights and overthrew horses.

XXV.

King Arthur overtook no knight but he clave his shield to the boss: all
swerved aside and avoided his buffets. And Messire Gawain and Lancelot
are not idle on the other hand, but each held well his place. But the
more part had wonderment looking at the King, for he holdeth him at bay
like a lion when the staghounds would attack him. The assembly lasted
throughout on such wise, and when it came to an end, the knights said
and adjudged that the Knight of the Red Shield had surpassed all other
in doing well. The knight that had brought the crown came to the King,
but knew him not a whit: "Sir," saith he, "You have by your good deeds
of arms won this crown of gold and this destrier, whereof ought you to
make great joy, so only you have so much valour in you as that you may
defend the land of the best earthly Queen that is dead, and whether the
King be alive or dead none knoweth, wherefore great worship will it be
to yourself and you may have prowess to maintain the land, for right
broad is it and right rich and of high sovranty."

XXVI.

Saith King Arthur, "Whose was the land, and what was the name of the
Queen whose crown I see?"

"Sir, the King's name was Arthur, and the best king in the world was
he; but in his kingdom the more part say that he is dead. And this
crown was the crown of Queen Guenievre that is dead and buried, whereof
is sore sorrow. The knights that may not leave Cardoil lest Briant of
the Isles should seize the city, they sent me to the kingdom of Logres
and charged me with the crown and destrier for