ith tents, and thronged with knights
challenging others to the combat." "Truly," said Peredur, "let my horse
be made ready." So his horse was accoutred, and he arose, and sallied
forth to the meadow. And there was a knight riding proudly along the
meadow, having raised the signal for battle. And they encountered, and
Peredur threw the knight over his horse's crupper to the ground. And at
the close of the day, one of the chief knights came to fight with him,
and he overthrew him also, so that he besought his mercy. "Who art
thou?" said Peredur. "Verily," said he, "I am Master of the Household to
the earl." "And how much of the Countess's possessions is there in thy
power?" "The third part, verily," answered he. "Then," said Peredur,
"restore to her the third of her possessions in full, and all the profit
thou hast made by them, and bring meat and drink for a hundred men, with
their horses and arms, to her court this night. And thou shalt remain
her captive, unless she wish to take thy life." And this he did
forthwith. And that night the maiden was right joyful, and they fared
plenteously.

And the next day Peredur rode forth to the meadow; and that day he
vanquished a multitude of the host. And at the close of the day, there
came a proud and stately knight, and Peredur overthrew him, and he
besought his mercy. "Who art thou?" said Peredur. "I am Steward of the
Palace," said he. "And how much of the maiden's possessions are under
thy control?" "One third part," answered he. "Verily," said Peredur,
"thou shalt fully restore to the maiden her possessions, and, moreover,
thou shalt give her meat and drink for two hundred men, and their horses
and their arms. And for thyself, thou shalt be her captive." And
immediately it was so done.

And the third day Peredur rode forth to the meadow; and he vanquished
more that day than on either of the preceding. And at the close of the
day, an earl came to encounter him, and he overthrew him, and he besought
his mercy. "Who art thou?" said Peredur. "I am the earl," said he. "I
will not conceal it from thee." "Verily," said Peredur, "thou shalt
restore the whole of the maiden's earldom, and shalt give her thine own
earldom in addition thereto, and meat and drink for three hundred men,
and their horses and arms, and thou thyself shalt remain in her power."
And thus it was fulfilled. And Peredur tarried three weeks in the
country, causing tribute and obedience to