In a short introduction, the narrator mentions that Pellias is called the Gentle Knight. He is beloved by men and women, and the story relates how he won his love, the Lady of the Lake, and went to live in Avalon with her.

Queen Guinevere holds a May party for knights and ladies of the court. They walk around the field looking at flowers, and a damsel in blue with three pages rides up to them. Guinevere has Sir Pellias greet the damsel, who introduces herself as Parcenet. Parcenet tells Guinevere that her mistress, Lady Ettard, sent her to find out if Ettard or Guinevere was more beautiful. One of Parcenet’s pages reveals a painting of Ettard, and Guinevere agrees with Parcenet that Ettard is more beautiful. Pellias believes Guinevere is more beautiful, and offers to fight Ettard’s champion, Sir Engamore, over this belief. Guinevere grants permission and has one of her pages fetch a horse for Pellias, who plans to find armor along the way.

Pellias rides off with Parcenet and her pages. They chat, and Parcenet admits she wants a knight like him to fight for her.