[p. 101] It is possible to profit greatly in various ways through the constant practice of the telling of stories containing the deeds of nobles who lived long ago. Because I have been presented with the rhymed story of Erec, the son of King Lac, I shall, God willing, devote a little time to transposing it from verse into prose in the way that follows below; and I pray those who will read it to excuse my rough style.

The present tale begins this way: one day at Easter King Arthur, whose glorious renown extended throughout the world, held court at Cardigan Castle, assembling, may God be my witness, many noble barons, for more kings, dukes, princes, counts, lords, and knights were present than he had ever brought together for a day. You must not ask if ladies and damsels of high and noble lineage were present: there were more than five hundred, and you should be aware that it was a noble thing to see their social station. Our account will not stop to speak about the dances, tourneys, and other entertainments; rather, in order to get to the heart of the matter right away, it will start off by saying that at this time, when King Arthur was at Cardigan, nearby in the forest of adventures there was a stag totally different from all the others because it was completely white. Several times it had been the object of a hunt, and the king had issued an edict in order to bestir his barons: whoever took the stag could, without prejudice and at his choosing, have a kiss from the most beautiful lady or girl at court. Thus it came about that, before the festivities were over, since there were many knights on hand, King Arthur planned to go into the forest of adventures to hunt the stag. Sir Gauvain tried to dissuade him from this object, saying that it could cause very great harm, for each and every lady and damsel had a husband, father, brother, or male friend who would try to forbid the kiss if she were the one to be chosen.