Unfortunate War

'Twas I who attempted to prevent Lancelot from falling into that trap that led to the separation of the Round Table. Yet, listen to me he would not, for his foolish heart was aching to see the Queen. What a malicious spell Guinevere hath cast upon Sir Lancelot. This sinful relationship that they have led for many years has now torn a part the powerful knighthood of Camelot. 'Tis true that I solemnly pledged support to mine king, but mine blood and mine heart will not allow me to abandon Sir Lancelot. After all, he is mine uncle and the greatest knight of all, and our familial ties are stronger than any former pledge that I hath made to King Arthur. He was a great king and he unfortunately married someone undeserving of that honor, which she demonstrates clearly by her infidelity. This war is a terrible one and I truly lament having to participate in it, but I must accept what has occurred and with the help of Jesu, assist our side in achieving victory.

Lancelot over Arthur any day!

Arthur,

I know that thou art angry at me and feel wholly betrayed by my love for Lancelot. I am sorry for it, but dost thou truly not see why it wast so easy for me to run into Lancelot’s arms? Thou seriously took me for granted thought that I wast easily replaceable. Thy walls have ears sweet husband and I know what thou hast said: “I am sorrier for my knights’ loss than for the loss of my fair queen; for queens I might have enow, but such a fellowship of good knights shall never be together in no company.” Thou hast always made it clear to me that thou dost prefer “bros before hos.” Since I wast not gettin' any lovin’ from thee, I had to go lookin’ for it elsewhere. If thee wants someone to blame, look in thy mirror.

Lancelot, on the other hand, hast always made me a priority. He hast rescued me numerous times and hast constantly been willing to die for me. Of course I’m going to pick the guy that wouldst die for me! Thou generally just shrugs thy shoulders when I get kidnapped. How about when the Pope told thee to take me back? Thou didst not even speak to me. Thou barely looked at me. How about my recent kidnapping by Mordred? Thou wast upset that he took over thy castle and kingdom but not me! I even brilliantly tricked him and fled to the Tower of London. Didst thou care?! Didst thee come to visit? Oh no. Thou art sad over Gawain and Lancelot but forget about thy Guinevere. I might as well go stick my head in the sand.

Hello, it is I again! Sir Valven!

Hello, and God’s graces, my fellow knights and ladies!  It is I, Valven!  I’m sure you are all wondering where I’ve been since the Saga of the Mantle.  Well I’ll have you know that just because nobody saw fit to include me in any of the many adventures that Arthur or his knights have been on since, but rest assured, I am still here!  And I think it’s about time I had something to say about all the things that have been happening in our land.

My friends, it is no secret that Lancelot has been taking the Queen to bed, and an affair of such magnitude is both deplorable in all ways, and a sign of the necessity of this message.  I must now tell you all of the great danger that besets any and all unfaithful knights and ladies:  the ravaging plague of syphilis.  

God watches us all, this we know, each and every one of us.  But all too often, the mind slips, and the power of the Lord is forgotten, and the body conspires to act against Him.  And to those who commit infidelity, the punishment from God is syphilis, from a queen to a pauper, none are above the Lord’s judgment.

Even now, as sure as I am of the sun in the sky, Lancelot and our once-noble Queen have been summarily set upon by the all-consuming disease.  Each and every adulterous knight and lady will be made an example of, for the better-making of the minds of the faithful and virtuous.  I can attest that in the months following the incident of the Mantle, that many of the former ladies of Camelot were taken by the disease - made examples by God.

And now I fear that Lancelot and Gweneviere will follow the same path.  It is a true shame, such a noble queen, and the strongest, most famous and capable knight in the land brought low by common lust but alas, none of us are without weakness.  I only wish that this horrible occurance had never been visited upon such a wonderful court, and such a noble knight.  So beware, my fellow men of the Round Table, for if you are unfaithful to your lady, then a death most unpleasant at the cruel methods of syphilis await you!

Interesting

I find this to be an interesting account of what happened. Lancelot was deceiving Arthur, who trusted him, and I offered my assistance. Lancelot continued to lie, spoiling the notion of knighthood. Arthur clearly made a mistake with Lancelot. I think that this is how we should always be portrayed: Arthur being the victim of his own choices, and I giving what aid I can.

Poor Guinevere, though. She seems to be trapped in all of this, in my opinion.

The Round Table has fallen silent!

Since my fair friend Merlin did not appear to comment on the Alliterative Morte Arthure, I feel that it is only just that I report to you all in my old crony's absence.

For it is in this tale that the greatest injustices that the great people of Britain has ever suffered are written. It should truly have never have gotten to this point! We lost everyone who mattered to the overall good of the land and the sovereignty of our great nation.

I had become too hungry with power and by leaving my people behind to approach others whom I thought I should conquer, I left my own homeland open for invasion. And invaded it was, on the inside, by the one person whom I thought worthy enough to rule in my place!

Now Mordred, we both perished because of your insidious deeds! All of the great men that served me so nobly have also suffered the same fate. The blood of great men spilled across the English countryside and all because I was ignorant enough to trust in Mordred.

Of course this is where I went wrong. I should have taken him with me as he desired. I should have left a more trustworthy soul in his position! I was a fool, but forever shall I be known and aveneged. As the kin of Mordred are hunted, I shall be there to watch over those in pursuit as the prey is slaughtered and tossed into the wicked ocean!

Beware fair court...

...something very strange is afoot. For I recently had images of utter destruction whence I layeth down to slumber this past eve. A great, ghastly, ferocious bear had taken up battle with a magnificent, monstrous dragon. I tell you all that this dream was so vivid that I awoke in the purest of panics, having the utmost feeling that this dream was telling me something.

I shall stand to attempt to wipe these images from my mind for the time being as I have taken up with much more important tasks which require immediate consideration. For one thing, Lucius Iberius of the Romans has insisted that I, Arthur, King of the Britons, paya tribute to him as if we, the great, mighty and proud citizens of Britain, would be in line with their rule. PREPOSTEROUS I say, and I shall address this situation directly.

Another thing I have had to tend to is the slaying of a Giant at St. Michael's Mount. For this beast was one who had been spoken of as a hideous human who had devoured over 500 people and had recently taken hold of the Duchess of Britanny. I shall have no such thing, as a beautiful lady of nobility deserves a proper resque and the Giant deserves a proper death for his deeds.

Yet in the back of mind, I can't help but think that thyne dream was something of a forwarning of sorts. Could it be that it is a premonation? I shudder to think of what the dream symbolizes and how in this great world of Lord's that I play into this narrative. I shall hope that it was something or pure fantasy that in time shall be forgotten and placed with other repressed memories that shall remain buried with the dead.

An afterthought...

I am loathsome of all of the court belonging to King Arthur, but what a splendid display of tongues no longer spoken by the men and the troublesome women of this world! Entertaining and educating the audience about the times and trials of Gawain and his hideous lover was fantastic! The recital was indeed fascinating and I was honored to sit in the presence of the company of so many great performers.