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    King Arthur and His Knights by Maude Radford Warren King Arthur by Maude Radford Warren    

Chapter 16: The Adventure of King Pellenore

Performer: LibriVox - Robin Cotter


In Arthur's Court, every knight or lady who was found unworthy was banished; yet it often took some time to discover one's real character.

One of the ladies of Arthur's Court was named Vivien. She was very pretty, and as graceful as a willow wand, and so bright and attractive in her ways that no one suspected her of being very wicked.

Among Arthur's bravest warriors was King Pellenore. He had once had a great fight with Arthur, but after that they had become friends, and King Pellenore had been made a Knight of the Round Table. He was not often at court, for he spent much of his time seeking for adventures. Now and then he would return and put away his armor. Then he rode with the ladies or talked to the other knights.

The lady Vivien admired King Pellenore for his valor and his mighty deeds, and whenever she could she talked with him about his adventures. One afternoon she begged him to go for a long ride with her through the forest. So their horses were brought and they set forth. Just as they were passing a thick part of the wood, a beautiful golden-haired lady stepped out.

"Good sir knight," she cried to King Pellenore, "I ask your help. I am here in the wood with the dear lord who is to be my husband. He is sore wounded, for an enemy crept up behind him as we were riding to Arthur's Court, and thrust a sword in his back."

Then King Pellenore turned his horse's head toward the maiden. "Gladly will I help," he said; "lead me, maiden."

But Vivien called him back. "Do not go with her," she said. "She may be a witch. Ride on with me."

"She is no witch, but a good maiden," said King Pellenore.

Then the golden-haired lady spoke again. "Oh, sir knight, help me! I must go to Arthur's Court to see my father. My dear lover is going to ask permission to marry me. Help us or he will die."

"Assuredly I will help you, damsel," said King Pellenore.

Vivien held his arm, but he put her gently aside. When the wicked woman saw that he was going to leave her, she made her horse plunge and throw her to the ground. There she lay as if in a faint.

King Pellenore did not know what to do. He felt as if he must help the beautiful lady, and yet he could not leave Vivien. So he said, "Fair damsel, you shall have my help. I have never wanted to aid anyone so much as I do you. I must save your lover and bring you both to Arthur's Court. But let me first ride back with this lady who has swooned. Then I will return here to you."
Vivien and Merlin

"Alas, alas, I fear it will be too late," cried the damsel, turning back into the forest.

Then King Pellenore lifted Vivien on her horse, and tied her to its back by her long green scarf. At this she opened her eyes and groaned, and said that she was very sick. She made him ride very slowly to the court.

King Pellenore did not talk to her. He was thinking all the time of the golden-haired maiden. As soon as he reached the city gate he gave Vivien over into the care of a knight who was passing, and galloped back to the woods.

When he reached the spot where the beautiful damsel had spoken to him, he turned into the thick part of the wood and followed a narrow path. It was so narrow that the branches of the trees on both sides struck his shoulders, but still he hurried on. The path ended in a glade, and there he saw the lady and her lover lying on the grass.

"Alas, alas!" the lady said, "my dear lord is dead and I am dying."

Then King Pellenore saw that the fair young knight who lay on the ground was very pale and quiet, and that all the grass about was blood-stained.

"Ah, good knight," said the lady, "after you left me, a lion ran out of the wood and slew my lover with one stroke of his paw. He has wounded me so sorely that I too shall die."

Then King Pellenore wept. "I wish that I had made Vivien wait here," he said, "and had helped you. I fear I have done wrong."

He sat down and took her golden head on his knee, and spoke to her gently till she died. Then he put her body and her lover's body on his horse, and walked beside them sorrowfully until he reached Arthur's Court.

Near the great hall he met Arthur and Merlin and several knights. "I am a miserable man," he said.

Then the wise Merlin said, "You are more miserable than you know. This beautiful lady was your own daughter who was stolen from you as a child. Only lately she learned who her father was. She was coming here to seek you."

Then King Pellenore wept loudly. "This is my punishment," he cried, "for not aiding the maiden. The one who needs help most should be given it first, and she needed it more than Vivien. I am indeed punished."

"And you shall be punished yet more," said Merlin; "and in good time, Vivien also for the part she took. Someday the friend whom you most trust shall deceive you, and you shall be betrayed to death."

King Pellenore bowed his head meekly. "I have deserved it," he said. "And now I must bury my dear child and her lover."

The beautiful golden-haired lady and her lover were buried with great mourning, and it was many a day before King Pellenore cared to seek for adventures.

    King Arthur and His Knights by Maude Radford Warren King Arthur by Maude Radford Warren    

Chapter 16: The Adventure of King Pellenore

Performer: LibriVox - Robin Cotter

Directions

Study the chapter for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read and/or listen to the chapter.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Study the vocabulary words.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Answer the review questions.

Synopsis

While the good King Pellenore and the wicked lady Vivien ride through the woods, a golden-haired lady accosts them and begs King Pellenore to help her wounded betrothed. Vivien pretends to fall and faint to keep King Pellenore from helping the damsel. King Pellenore does not know what to do. He takes Vivien back to the castle and rushes back to help the damsel. But it is too late. The lady and her betrothed die. Later, King Pellenore learns from Merlin that the tragic damsel was his own daughter. Merlin also warns King Pellenore that his most trusted friend will betray him to his death.

Vocabulary

Unworthy: or merit.
Banished: Sent away and forbidden from returning.
Character: Strength of mind, resolution, independence, individuality, and moral strength.
Valor: That quality which enables a person to encounter danger with firmness.
Deceive: To trick or mislead.
Meekly: Timidly, quietly, and humbly.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Book Information

  • Recite the name of the author, the title of the book, and the title of the chapter.

Activity 2: Narrate the Story

  • Narrate the events aloud in your own words.

Activity 3: Study the Story Picture(s)

  • Study the story picture(s) and verbally describe the relation to the story.

Activity 4: Discuss Character

  • In the story, we discover the true character of Vivien and King Pellenore.
  • When asked for help, King Pellenore readily offers to assist, but Vivien prevents him from helping, leading to two deaths.
  • Each person say aloud at least five good character traits (loyal, helpful, etc.) and five bad character traits (selfish, boastful, etc.).
  • Describe which good and/or bad character traits you personally possess.

Activity 5: Act Out a Passage

Practice acting out the following passage, with drama and feeling.

  • Good sir knight. I ask your help. (Damsel in distress)
  • Gladly will I help. Lead me, maiden. (King Pellenore)
  • Do not go with her. She may be a witch. (Vivien)

Activity 6: Playact King Pellenore and Vivien

  • One person pretends to be Vivien and faint.
  • A second person looks confused and panicked, not sure whether to help Vivien or the damsel.
  • The second person lifts Vivien onto her horse.

Activity 7: Complete Written Narration   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete page 165 of 'Fourth Grade Prose: Written Narration, Dictation, and Review Questions.'

Activity 8: Complete Copywork and Dictation   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete pages 165-166 of 'Fourth Grade Prose: Written Narration, Dictation, and Review Questions.'

Activity 9: Color the Image   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete page 166 of 'Fourth Grade Prose: Written Narration, Dictation, and Review Questions.'

Activity 10: Answer Written Review Questions   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete page 167 of 'Fourth Grade Prose: Written Narration, Dictation, and Review Questions.'

Review

Question 1

Cite evidence from the chapter of King Pellenore's good character.
1 / 6

Answer 1

Evidence of King Pellenore's good character includes his willingness to help the damsel and Vivien.
1 / 6

Question 2

Cite evidence from the chapter of Vivien's poor character.
2 / 6

Answer 2

Evidence of Vivien's poor character is that she not only forces King Pellenore to take her to the castle, she slows his progress to prevent him from helping the damsel.
2 / 6

Question 3

What kills the damsel in distress and her betrothed?
3 / 6

Answer 3

A lion kills the damsel and her betrothed, although her betrothed is already wounded from an enemy's sneak attack.
3 / 6

Question 4

Discuss whether you think King Pellenore made the right decision to help Vivien.
4 / 6

Answer 4

In hindsight, King Pellenore did not make the right decision. However, at the time, he tried to make the best decision he could.
4 / 6

Question 5

In many good stories, there are one or more twists (surprises). What is the twist in this story?
5 / 6

Answer 5

The sad twist in this story, is that the damsel who perished is King Pellenore's daughter.
5 / 6

Question 6

Does King Pellenore have a happy future to look forward to? Why or why not?
6 / 6

Answer 6

King Pellenore has a depressing future. Merlin warns that his most trusted friend will betray him to his death.
6 / 6

  1. Cite evidence from the chapter of King Pellenore's good character. Evidence of King Pellenore's good character includes his willingness to help the damsel and Vivien.
  2. Cite evidence from the chapter of Vivien's poor character. Evidence of Vivien's poor character is that she not only forces King Pellenore to take her to the castle, she slows his progress to prevent him from helping the damsel.
  3. What kills the damsel in distress and her betrothed? A lion kills the damsel and her betrothed, although her betrothed is already wounded from an enemy's sneak attack.
  4. Discuss whether you think King Pellenore made the right decision to help Vivien. In hindsight, King Pellenore did not make the right decision. However, at the time, he tried to make the best decision he could.
  5. In many good stories, there are one or more twists (surprises). What is the twist in this story? The sad twist in this story, is that the damsel who perished is King Pellenore's daughter.
  6. Does King Pellenore have a happy future to look forward to? Why or why not? King Pellenore has a depressing future. Merlin warns that his most trusted friend will betray him to his death.

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