The Tragic Defeat of a Visionary

Meleagant

 

Alas, the reprehensible and pathetic Lancelot has bested me in single combat. Of course, this was an unfair battle. It is well known throughout the lands that I am the greatest warrior to have ever lived. Lancelot could have only defeated me through some sort of witchcraft. Perhaps he even utilized the services of Merlin to ensure his victory. No that can’t be it… The naively honorable Lancelot would never lower himself to such sensibly underhanded tactics. Regardless of his methods, I could not have been vanquished in any proper combat, for I am undefeatable. If my cowardly father had not intervened when first I battled him, Lancelot would have surely been dead long ago.

It was clear to all present that I had the upper hand, but my father was too cowardly to watch me finish Lancelot off.

I will haunt my sister from the grave for her part in this. My father is of a similar mind to Lancelot. I have learned to expect such behavior from him, so I have always taken measures to ensure he does not spoil my schemes. However, my sister had no right to seek out Lancelot and enable his release from the prison tower. Who does she think she is parading about on that despicable mule of hers?

She should have been married off long ago. Unfortunately, she has been quite determined to ensure all her perspective husbands beheaded before the ceremony can be held. May she be cursed until her treacherous bones crumble to dust at the end of time!

Ah foolish Lancelot! He is driven by a blinding madness he calls love. What does he know of love? The only love worth anything is the love a man feels for his country. All other forms are simply weakness. A true knight is beholden to no one, certainly not some woman. My intention was to grow Gorre into a great and powerful kingdom that would last a thousand years. To do this, I expanded the population by capturing all travelers to pass within my borders, and I plotted to gain the love of the people through marriage to Guinevere, who is well-loved by all. My father the king lacks the vision to see the world as it truly is. He clings to his outdated principles of honor and chivalry. Arthur’s kingdom is growing in size and splendor. If we do not act now, Gorre will be conquered by Arthur’s army and become just another kingdom to be absorbed by his. Some may view my methods of achieving greatness as radical and excessive, but mark my words: unless drastic action is taken soon, the plague of Arthurian rule will soon infect our lands.

 Lacy, Norris J., and James J. Wilhelm. The Romance of Arthur: An Anthology of Medieval Texts in Translation. London: Routledge, 2013. Print.