ir Gawain, King Arthur plots to do battle with Sir Lancelot. Arthur leaves England and attempts to isolate Lancelot in France by besieging him. In his absence, his bastard son Mordred seizes his empire back home in Britain. After claiming victory over the land, Mordred had announced his intentions to marry Guenevere even though she figures as both his father's and uncle's wife (Malory 117). Guenevere tricks him by suggesting that she must travel to London to prepare a proper bridal trousseau. In London, she sequesters herself with her own powerful retinue in the Tower of London. Here she remains out of the reach of the always-plotting Mordred. Ironically, in this case her ability to be two-faced has protected her as a bit of inviolable property which Mordred cannot obtain.
As Arthur and his retinue attempt to land in Britain, they are viciously attacked by Mordred's army. Both King Arthur and Sir Gawain are mortally wounded at this juncture. Malory depicts the battle where Arthur is mortally wounded as the most "doulefulle battle in Christian land" (Malory 144). Arthur feels both repulsion and remorse to see over one hundred thousand soldiers dead (Malory 144). Eying Mordred in the distance, Arthur cannot keep his distance but feels compelled to do personal battle with his wayward son. Sir Lucan tries to dissuade the king of this foolhearty desire, reminding him of his prophetic dream from Gawain, but to no avail (Malory 144). Arthur runs energetically toward Mordred announcing "Traitor, now is thy death-day come!" (Malory 144). Yet in nearly his last breath, Mordred reaches up and smotes his father with a violent blow (Malory 145). As he lays dying, Arthur is finally moved to repentance saying, "Ah, sir Lancelot, this day have I sore missed thee! And alas that ever I was against thee! For now have I my death, whereof sir Gawain warned in my dream" (Malory 145). Malory indicates that his life and kingdom ...