he shield a ringing blow, and it fell to the ground.”(p. 99) Gryffletteinsults King Pellinore by pulling such a brave act as to knock the King’s shield from a tree. Gryfflette is aware of how experienced King Pellinore is, yet he is still very confident in hiswords. Sir Gryfflette is very sure of himself and repeats why he is there by confidently saying, “I come from the court of King Arthur, and still I mean to joust with you.”(p.99) Having a great deal of courage in Le Morte d’Arthur means that you are a strong knightand are worthy of respect and admiration. The more courage that you possess, the morepeople you have who admire you and who will be loyal to you and your cause.Loyalty is a ever-present aspect of chivalry presented in Le Morte d’Arthur. Loyalty is dispersed throughout the hierarchal feudal system. Along with loyalty there is ashared sense of respect for one another. When Arthur leaves to avenge the loss of honorthat Sir Gryfflette endures at the hand of King Pellinore, Merlin says, “whereas your angerwill certainly not save you from the superior strength of king Pellinore, whom you areabout to challenge.”(p. 100) Merlin realizes that Arthur has no chance of winning againstKing Pellinore, yet he still stays with Arthur because he knows that he must be loyal toArthur even though Arthur might shame himself and Merlin if he looses the battle. Arthurand Merlin return from Arthur’s journey and “they were questioned eagerly on all that hadhappened; and when the story was told, Arthur’s knights rejoiced in the boldness of theirking.”(p. 102) King Arthur’s knights are extremely loyal to him by praising him no matterwhat happens on his journey whether he losses or wins. Loyalty is a very admirablequality and is given much regard in Le Morte d’Arthur The importance of possessing the chivalric characteristics of honor, loyalty, andcourage are...
