Erec and Enide

The first of the Arthurian romances written by Chretien de Troyes in c. 1170 was called Erec and Enide. The number of versions written in other languages attested to the popularity of this poem.

The Welsh version can be found under the title, Geraint and Enid, which was one of eleven Welsh tales from the Mabinogion. The dating of Geraint and Enid remains uncertain, but most modern scholars now believe that Chretien's version was the older of the two.

The German writer Hartmann von Aue wrote his version, called Erek (c. 1190). I haven't read this.

I have followed Chretien's version, because it was better written than the Welsh version.

• Stag and Kestrel

• Trials of Loyalty

• Joy of the Court

Stag and Kestrel

The story began on Easter at Cardigan Castle, when King Arthur wanted to hunt for a white stag, reviving a custom where the winner who kills the white stag could kiss the most beautiful woman in court. Gawain informed the king that it was unwise to revive this tradition, since each knight would think that his lady was the most beautiful. This would cause dissent and anger among them. However, with his decision made before the Round Table, Arthur refused to back away.

In the morning, while the king and the knights went into the forest to hunt for the white stag, Erec, the son of King Lac, kept company with Queen Guinevere and her companions. Guinevere saw a knight with azure and gold armour riding with a beautiful lady and a hunchback dwarf. Guinevere asked one of her companions to find out who the knight and lady were.

When the damsel encountered the dwarf, he refused permission for her to talk with the knight and lady. When the damsel defied the dwarf, he slashed his whip at the damsel's face. The damsel was fast enough to catch the blow on the palm of her hand. The injured damsel returned to the queen, upset.

Guinevere asked Erec to try to talk with the knight and the lady. Erec also encountered the dwarf. That day, Erec only had his sword but no armour. Erec received the same treatment as the injured damsel. The dwarf's whip landed on his face and neck. Though Erec wished to attack the dwarf for the assault upon him and the damsel, Erec knew he could not hope to defeat the dwarfish knight with only his sword, since he had not worn armour that day. Therefore Erec returned to the Queen.

Erec informed Guinevere that he wished to follow the knight and lady, until he could find a place to borrow armour from another knight, rather than return to Cardigan. Erec hoped to avenge the injuries done to him and the queen's damsel. Erec left Cardigan and followed the knight and dwarf.

At the end of the day, it was the king who caught the white stag. Arthur would have to kiss his choice of the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. Many of the knights were discontented with this custom, since each believed his love to be the most beautiful. Arthur, recognising that he had a problem, asked the queen for advice. Guinevere recommended that he should wait until Erec returned. Gawain agreed with the queen. This would at least give the king two days to kiss the most beautiful woman in the kingdom.

Erec followed the knight and the dwarf to the fortified town of Laluth. Though the town was fairly poor, there were many knights in the streets. Erec discovered where they lodged for the night, so Erec also went to find accommodation.

Erec arrived at a poor dwelling. The elderly vavasour greeted the hero and offered his home for the stranger. Erec met his host's wife and beautiful daughter. Erec fell instantly in love with the maiden.

Erec learned from his host that he was the cousin of the Count of Laluth, however, he had lost his land after his many wars, which was why they were living in poverty and couldn't properly dress their daughter.

Erec also learned from the vavasour that there was a contest for the beautiful, blue sparrow hawk held each year (kestrel in the Mabinogion's Gerient and Enid). Only a lady of great beauty could claim the prize. If another lady wished to enter the contest, her knight had to challenge the last winner. If the same lady won in three consecutive years, she could keep the bird.

What interested Erec the most was that the lady accompanied by the knight and dwarf that he had been following, had won the sparrow hawk from two previous years. No one had dared to challenge her right to the prize because of her knight, who was known as the Knight of the Kestrel in the Mabinogion.

Erec realised that he had a chance to avenge the injuries done to him and his queen's damsel, if only he had a suit of armour. The old vavasour was willing to offer his own armour to Erec. Erec asked for another boon from his host; he wished to take the vavasour's daughter to the sparrow hawk contest. Erec also told the vavasour of his wish to marry his host's daughter. The father was happy to give away his daughter in marriage to a prince. The mother and daughter were also happy.

In the morning, after hearing the morning mass, Erec armed himself with the vavasour's armour. He rode his charger with his host's daughter at his side, riding the palfrey.

A crowd had already gathered to watch the contest. The knight with azure and gold armour was not expecting any challenge, and told his lady to take the sparrow hawk. Erec immediately challenged the other knight. Neither knight would back away from the impending battle.

The crowd cleared the field, knowing that a battle was about to take place. Both knights equipped themselves with lances and readied their shields before charging towards one another. In the joust, they were equally matched, and they were both unhorsed. The two strong knights leaped to their feet. They discarded their broken lances and drew their swords.

Both knights attacked each other with determination and skill. They fought for hours. Their shields were in tatters, and both knights received many wounds.

Inspired by his love for the girl he had only met the previous night, Erec attacked the other knight with renewed strength. Erec gained the upper hand when he dealt a blow to the other knight's head. When the blow stunned the other knight, Erec seized and ripped the helmet off the other's head.

The other knight pleaded for mercy and allowed himself to become a prisoner of Erec. Erec told the other knight as his prisoner; he must go with his lady and the dwarf to Cardigan Castle. Erec learned that the other knight was Sir Yder, the son of Nut (in the Mabinogion, he was called Edern, the son of Nudd). Yder had to place himself at Guinevere's mercy and become her prisoner. Yder also had to recount what had happened in Laluth. Yder agreed to all of Erec's conditions; he immediately set out for Cardigan with his lady and his hunchback dwarf.

Erec had won the contest; his lady was allowed to receive the prized sparrow hawk. The Count of Laluth recognised his niece who was called Enide. The Count invited Erec to his home, which Erec refused. However, the Count and his family accompanied Erec, back to Enide's home.

There was a celebration in the vavasour's home, not only of Erec's victory, but also that Erec would marry Enide. Erec wanted to set out in the morning with his new bride for Cardigan.

The Count's daughter thought that Enide's dress was too poor for when she would present herself to King Arthur. The Count's daughter offered to give her cousin, one of her own beautiful dresses. Erec immediately refused, for he wanted his queen (Guinevere) to dress his new bride, when he returned to Cardigan. So Enide's cousin decided to give her one of her best mounts as a gift.

Erec promised Enide's parents that they would receive a new home in one his father's strong castles when Erec married their daughter. Everyone was happy.

In the morning, Erec and Enide set out for Cardigan. Enide brought none of her belongings with her except the dress she had worn the previous night and the sparrow hawk Erec had won for her.

When they arrived, Arthur and Guinevere happily greeted them. Guinevere had given her husband good advice, when she told him to delay to the customary kiss to a beautiful lady when a person killed the white stag in the hunt. No one from the Round Table doubted that Enide was one of the most beautiful maidens in the kingdom. Arthur bestowed a kiss to Enide.

Erec was madly in love with Enide, and was impatient to have the wedding as soon as possible. Many lords attended the wedding, which was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

After they married, they stayed in Arthur's court. Erec took part in a tournament in which he distinguished himself in combat. Shortly after the tournament, Erec decided that it was time to return home with his new wife. Erec and Enide travelled to Ester-Gales, where Lac welcomed his son home. His father warmly welcomed Enide into the family.

Trials of Loyalty

Enide was very happy that Erec had married her. In fact, he devoted so much time to her that Erec ignored what a knight normally does: hunting, tournaments and adventure. Erec spent every single hour with her.

Many knights were upset and talked among themselves, that their prince was no longer interested in warfare and adventure. They blamed Enide for Erec's inactivity. Enide, who heard their talk, was hurt by their comments about both her and her husband. However, she feared to say anything to Erec.

One night, she was so troubled by this problem that she broke into tears. Erec managed to persuade her to tell him what was bothering her. Though she told him the truth, he misunderstood Enide. He thought that Enide felt this way; he believed that his wife thought he was inactive and a coward.

The next morning, Erec told his wife to dress, while he armed himself. He had his servant saddle his wife's and his own horses. His father was puzzled and little distressed that his son refused all company for his mysterious journey, except for Enide.

Erec and Enide left that morning. Erec ordered his wife to ride ahead and not say anything to him.

Though Enide obeyed him, she ignored his order when she saw three robbers set about to attack them. She went and warned her husband. Erec immediately rebuked her for not placing more faith in his courage and prowess. Erec easily defeated the three renegade knights, taking their horses.

Again, Erec told her to ride ahead, leading three extra mounts. He again ordered her not to speak to him until he spoke to her.

As they rode away, they had not travelled a league when another five renegade knights decided to kill Erec, and take his wife and his property. Enide, who saw these bandits, became even more concerned for her husband's safety since they outnumbered her husband five to one.

Despite his order, Enide could not keep silent, and warned her husband of another attack. Again, Erec rebuked her for disobedience and her lack of trust in his ability. Again, Erec defeated the bandits, and took their horses.

They travelled until nightfall, when they settled under a tree. Enide refused to sleep. Enide told her husband that she would keep watch while he slept. Enide berated herself for telling Erec what his father's men said. She was feeling sorry for herself.

In the morning, they travelled until they met a squire who brought food to them. The squire had seen them travelling towards the castle of Count Galoain. The squire directed them to an inn in the castle. Erec rewarded the squire with one of the warhorses he had captured.

When Count Galoain saw his squire stabling his new horse, he asked when his squire had acquired the horse. The squire told his lord of the generous knight and the beautiful lady.

Count Galoain went to meet Erec and his lady. Though the Count was courteous to Erec, he lusted after Enide. Galoain tried to seduce Enide, who realised his lecherous intentions. She feared for her husband's life. She pretended to accept his advances. She promised to be his wife, if Galoain would kill her husband in the morning. Galoain immediately agreed.

As Erec slept, Enide was worried about Galoain's determination to kill her husband and force himself upon her. At daybreak, Enide woke her husband and told Erec of Galoain's intentions. Erec realised that she was loyal to him.

Erec told her to ready herself for travel. Erec compensated the innkeeper for waking him by giving him all of the chargers he had captured the previous day. They immediately set out.

Count Galoain arrived where Erec had lodged, but found that they had already left. Galoain realised that Enide had made a fool of him. He immediately ordered his hundred men to pursue the couple.

Before Erec and Enide could reach the forest, Enide warned him again of the men pursuing them. Again he rebuked her for her warning. Erec immediately turned back and ran his lance through Galoain's seneschal, killing him.

Erec then encountered the Count, who struck the hero in the chest, without breaking the links of his hauberk. Erec unhorsed and seriously wounded Galoain, since he had foolishly not worn armour. Erec immediately turned back and headed into the forest with his wife.

Galoain's men thought to avenge their lord and seneschal, but Galoain ordered them to turn back. He believed that was God was punishing him for trying to seduce Erec's loyal wife.

Erec and Enide rode until they came upon the Pointurie Castle that belonged to King Guivret the Short. Guivret immediately challenged Erec. They fought and seriously wounded one another. When Erec defeated Guivret, the king surrendered. He offered his physician to heal him and the hospitality of his home. Erec refused his offers, but asked that if Guivret ever heard that he was in trouble, that he should come to his aid. Guivret agreed.

Erec and Enide left Guivret and travelled until he came to the forest where King Arthur's court was holding a hunting trip.

Sir Kay, who had borrowed Sir Gawain's horse, challenged Erec, whom he did not recognise. However, Erec did recognise Kay and Gawain's warhorse. Erec easily unhorsed Kay. Rather than keep the charger, he ordered Kay to return the horse to Gawain. When Arthur and Gawain knew that it was Erec who had defeated Kay, king sent his nephew to invite them.

Gawain failed to persuade Erec to visit Arthur, because the hero refused to stop until nightfall, even though he was wounded. Gawain sent one of his squires to return to Arthur and tell the king to travel three leagues from where they were camped, and set up a new camp ahead of Erec and Enide. When it was time to rest for the night, Erec realised that Gawain had cleverly made the hero spend the night in Arthur's new camp.

Arthur and Guinevere warmly greeted Erec and Enide. Arthur's sister Morgan le Fay used her ointment and healed Erec. Though Arthur wanted Erec to stay with him for a week so his wounds could fully heal, Erec stubbornly refused to rest his body for more than one night.

In the morning, Erec and Enide left the camp, despite Arthur's and the queen's pleas to stay longer with them.

The couple travelled the forest until they heard a cry from a damsel. Erec told Enide to stay behind while Erec went to investigate the damsel who was in distress.

The damsel told of the plight of her lover, a knight who had been taken prisoner by two giants. Erec promised to help save the damsel's knight.

Erec found that the knight had been stripped naked and had taken a serious beating from the giants. Erec challenged them and after some hard fighting, killed the giants. The hero released the giants' prisoner, and took the injured knight back to the damsel.

Erec then hurried back to Enide, but his wound that he had taken in the previous days, reopened. Erec lost conscious and fell off his horse.

Enide thought her husband had died; she was disconsolate and overwhelmed by her grief. Enide was about to kill herself with Erec's sword when a count arrived. The count took the sword away from her. The count promised that he would have her husband's body interred. The count took the Enide and Erec's body back to his castle.

The Count Oringle of Limors thought that Enide was the most beautiful woman in the world, and that he would marry her, even against her will. Enide rejected the count, but Oringle refused to listen. No one would come to her aid.

The priest was performing the wedding ceremony of the count and Enide, but Enide kept crying that she wanted to die with her husband. The count became angry and slapped her face.

Erec had regained conscious when he heard Enide crying and the count yelling at her. Erec got up, drew his sword and struck off Oringle's head. You can imagine what the wedding guests thought of this. They thought a demon had taken possession of Erec's body. Instead of arresting Erec for the murder of Count Oringle, the people fled in terror from Erec. Even hard-bitten knights would not face Erec. In matter of moments, the church was deserted except for Erec and Enide.

Erec and Enide got on one horse and rode away from the castle. No one had the courage to stop them from leaving.

Erec apologised to his wife for testing her loyalty and faithfulness. He apologised to her for putting her through such stress. Erec told her how much he loved her.

Joy of the Court

Guivret the Short heard news that Erec had been wounded and that Count Oringle was trying to force Enide into marrying him. Since Guivret had promised in friendship to Erec to come to his aid when he was in trouble, Guivret gathered his army to punish the count.

Guivret encountered Erec, but did not recognise his friend. Guivret challenged Erec to joust with him. Erec was unhorsed. Enide prevented Guivret from attacking her husband when she threw herself over Erec. It was only then that he recognised Erec and Enide.

Guivret had the camp set up there, and had his physician heal Erec's wounds. The next day, Guivret returned to Pointurie Castle with Erec and Enide as his guests. They stayed with Guivret until Erec had fully recovered.

When Erec decided it was time to leave and go to Arthur's court, Guivret decided to come along with them.

One day they came upon a town. Guivret wanted to bypass the town, because of the evil custom practised there. Erec could resist any adventure, and insisted that his friend tell him about the evil custom. Reluctantly, Guivret revealed the custom of the Joy of the Court.

Erec then insisted that they stay in the town, and that he wanted to experience the Joy, hoping to win great reputation as a knight. They were greeted by King Evrain, who invited them to stay in his castle called Brandigan.

After a splendid meal, Erec petitioned the king that he would like to visit the Joy of the Court. Everyone in court became upset, especially the king, thinking that Erec was seeking his own death by requesting the custom of the Joy, no matter how much Evrain tried to dissuade Erec from his path.

In the morning, Erec armed himself and was escorted to the Joy of the Court by Evrain. Erec tried to comfort Enide, who was anxious and upset about her husband's forthcoming battle.

Erec came upon the Joy of the Court, and there was only one entry. Within the court there were rows of skulls within their helmets, on the ends of stakes. There was one spare pike and a place which a horn hung around. The king told the hero that if Erec won the battle, he could blow the horn and break the spell and the evil custom surrounding the Joy of the Court. If Erec lost the combat, his own head would hang on the unoccupied end of the pike.

Erec fearlessly entered the Joy of the Court, and saw a lady seated in a lovely bed. Before Erec could go to the lady, he was confronted by a tall, strong knight, who immediately challenged him.

Erec fought the other knight, who wore red armour, until he defeated the practitioner of the evil custom. Erec spared the other knight, who told him why the custom was practised.

The knight told Erec that his name was Maboagrain, and he explained that the lady who Erec had seen on the bed had been trapped in this custom. When they were both young, they were in love, and he promised that he would stay with her. Despite that, he didn't want to take part in the evil custom, but he had no choice but to fight each knight who entered the Joy of the Court. Maboagrain would only be allowed to leave when a knight defeated him and blew the horn.

Maboagrain told Erec that the custom could only be ended when Erec blew the horn. Erec went to the horn and blew it. The spell was broken. Maboagrain was freed to leave the Joy of the Court.

Everyone wept for joy, now that the custom had come to an end. Everyone except the lady on the bed, who cried for the loss of her lover.

Only Enide went to comfort the lady. Her words did bring comfort to the girl, because she found out that Enide was her custom.

For four days, everyone in town celebrated the ending of the custom in the Joy of the Court. Erec decided it was time to leave. Erec and Enide left the town with Guivret the Short.

They arrived in Arthur's court, where the king and Guinevere happily greeted their friends. Arthur asked Erec to stay with them, which the hero only agreed if Guivret was allowed to stay with them. Arthur readily agreed with Erec's proposal and welcomed Guivret the Short to his household.

Seven years later, Erec was staying at Tintagel when he heard news that his father had died. Arthur and the whole court went to Nantes, in Brittany, where Erec was crowned king and Enide as queen.