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King Gadifer's Wound

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2013

Translated by
Nigel Bryant
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Summary

More than once the author of Perceforest, emphasising the need he sees for strong, sound rule, tells us that ‘when the head is sick, all the limbs suffer’. For a significant period both brothers crowned by Alexander – Perceforest in England and Gadifer in Scotland – are incapacitated and unable to give leadership to their kingdoms. Perceforest is so overcome by grief at the news of Alexander's death that he sinks into a long and debilitating depression, and the following episode tells what happens to Gadifer while hunting.

Six leagues from the castle they passed into a vast forest, and beside a stream from a spring they saw the ground interestingly disturbed. Le Tor was sure they were the marks of ‘the hugest, mightiest boar I ever saw: he's caused me more trouble than any other!’ King Gadifer was eager to see the beast, so Le Tor sent his escort ahead to find lodging while he and the king rode into the woods with some huntsmen and a pack of hounds.

They'd been searching for some time when suddenly, in a ditch in the shade of a massive oak, they saw the boar lying fast asleep.

‘My lord,’ said one of the huntsmen, ‘I'll go and kill him while he's sleeping: he looks so strong that no dogs of ours could bring him down or wear him out in flight – he'd kill them all in his first attack!’

Type
Chapter
Information
A Perceforest Reader
Selected Episodes from Perceforest: The Prehistory of Arthur's Britain
 , pp. 27 - 30
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
Print publication year: 2012

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