IT befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all
England, and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall
that held war against him long time. And the duke was called the
Duke of Tintagil. And so by means King Uther sent for this duke,
charging him to bring his wife with him, for she was called a
fair lady, and a passing wise, and her name was called Igraine.

So when the duke and his wife were come unto the king, by the
means of great lords they were accorded both. The king liked and
loved this lady well, and he made them great cheer out of
measure, and desired to have lain by her. But she was a passing
good woman, and would not assent unto the king. And then she
told the duke her husband, and said, I suppose that we were sent
for that I should be dishonoured; wherefore, husband, I counsel
you, that we depart from hence suddenly, that we may ride all
night unto our own castle. And in like wise as she said so they
departed, that neither the king nor none of his council were ware
of their departing. All so soon as King Uther knew of their
departing so suddenly, he was wonderly wroth. Then he called to
him his privy council, and told them of the sudden departing of
the duke and his wife.

<2>
Then they advised the king to send for the duke and his wife by a
great charge; and if he will not come at your summons, then may
ye do your best, then have ye cause to make mighty war upon him.
So that was done, and the messengers had their answers; and that
was this shortly, that neither he nor his wife would not come at
him.