and made his avow to follow for a year and a day the Quest of the Holy
Grail, if perchance he might be granted the vision of it. Immediately
other of the knights followed his example, binding themselves to the
Quest of the Holy Grail until, in all, one hundred and fifty had vowed
themselves to the adventure.

Then was King Arthur grieved, for he foresaw the ruin of his noble
Order. And turning to Sir Gawain, he said: "Nephew, ye have done ill,
for through you I am bereft of the noblest company of knights that
ever brought honor to any realm in Christendom. Well I know that never
again shall all of you gather in this hall, and it grieves me to lose
men I have loved as my life and through whom I have won peace and
righteousness for all my realm."

So the king mourned and his knights with him, but their oaths they
could not recall.




HOW SIR GALAHAD WON THE RED CROSS SHIELD

Retold by Beatrice Clay


Great woe was there in Camelot next day when, after worship in the
cathedral, the knights who had vowed themselves to the Quest of the
Holy Grail got to horse and rode away. A goodly company it was that
passed through the streets, the townfolk weeping to see them go; Sir
Launcelot du Lac and his kin, Sir Galahad of whom all expected great