young knight abhorred.

When Michaelmas came near, Dame Lioness with her brother and sister rode
to Kinkenadon, where they were lodged at the expense of King Arthur, who
had prepared for them royally.

And upon Michaelmas day the bishop of Canterbury performed the wedding
ceremony between Gareth and the Lady Lioness with all solemnity, and in
the presence of a noble and splendid gathering of the greatest lords and
highest ladies of England's realm.

And here other weddings took place, for King Arthur devised that Gaheris
should wed the damsel Linet, and that Agravaine should wed Dame Laurel,
a fair lady, niece to the Lady Lioness.

[Illustration: THE JOYOUS WEDDING.]

When these weddings were done another solemnity took place; for there
came into the church the various knights whom Gareth had overcome, each
with his knightly followers, and with them the thirty ladies whom he had
delivered from the brown knight, attended by many gentlewomen. All the
knights did homage and fealty to Gareth, and the ladies kneeled and
prayed heartily that happiness might be his lot throughout his life.

Afterwards there was high feasting, and all manner of games and revels,
with the richest minstrelsy, and jousts that lasted three days. But the
king would not suffer Sir Gareth to joust because of his new bride; for
the Dame Lioness had desired that none who were newly married should
joust at that feast.

On the first day Sir Lamorak won the honor of the lists, for he
overthrew thirty knights and did marvellous feats of arms. And that day
King Arthur made Sir Persant of Inde and his two brothers, Knights of
the Round Table, and gave them great lands.

On the second day Sir Tristram jousted best, and overthrew forty
knights. And on that day the king made Sir Ironside, the Red Knight of
the Red Lawns, a Knight of the Round Table, and gave him great lands.

On the third day the prize of valor fell to Sir Lancelot, who overthrew
fifty knights and did such marvellous deeds that all men wondered at
him. And now King Arthur made the Duke de la Rowse a Knight of the Round
Table, and gave him great lands to spend.

Thus ended the festivities at the marriage of Sir Gareth of Orkney and
the Lady Lioness. But Gareth and his lovely bride lived long and happily
together afterwards, and much knightly renown he won, and great honor
from all men.

BOOK VI.

TRISTRAM OF LYONESSE AND THE FAIR