63 pages 2 hours read

Thomas Malory, Peter Ackroyd

The Death of King Arthur: The Immortal Legend

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1485

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Book 6

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 6: “The Death of Arthur”

Book 6, Chapter 1 Summary: “The Strife Begins”

One year later, Agravain and Mordred are angrier at Lancelot and Guinevere than ever and conspire to speak about the love affair with the king, despite Gawain’s warnings not to. When Arthur is told, he admits it is a treasonous act but nevertheless regrets learning of it because he loved Lancelot more than any other man. Agravain and Mordred concoct a trap for Lancelot. When he is alone with Guinevere, they assemble to arrest him, but Lancelot kills Agravain and the others (except for Mordred) and escapes.

With the help of Sir Bors, Lancelot rallies a group of knights with whom he plots to rescue the queen, who now faces charges of treason. At the trial, Gawain tries to defend Guinevere but is unsuccessful. The king pronounces judgment, reluctantly sentencing Guinevere to death. On the day of her execution, Lancelot arrives with his knights and saves Guinevere, but in the process he also accidentally kills Gaheris and Gareth, Gawain’s two brothers, who were unarmed. Lancelot takes Guinevere back to his castle stronghold, Joyous Garde.

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