CHAPTER XII

How eleven kings gathered a great host against
King Arthur.


AND SO within a little space the three kings came unto the castle
of Bedegraine, and found there a passing fair fellowship, and
well beseen, whereof they had great joy, and victual they wanted
none. This was the cause of the northern host: that they were
reared for the despite and rebuke the six kings had at Carlion.
And those six kings by their means, gat unto them five other
kings; and thus they began to gather their people.

And now they sware that for weal nor woe, they should not leave
other, till they had destroyed Arthur. And then they made an
oath. The first that began the oath was the Duke of Cambenet,
that he would bring with him five thousand men of arms, the which
were ready on horseback. Then sware King Brandegoris of
Stranggore that he would bring five thousand men of arms on
horseback. Then sware King Clariance of Northumberland he would
bring three thousand men of arms. Then sware the King of the <21
CHAP. XIII OF A DREAM>Hundred Knights, that was a passing good
man and a young, that he would bring four thousand men of arms on
horseback. Then there swore King Lot, a passing good knight, and
Sir Gawain's father, that he would bring five thousand men of
arms on horseback. Also there swore King Urience, that was Sir
Uwain's father, of the land of Gore, and he would bring six
thousand men of arms on horseback. Also there swore King Idres