Book 5, Canto 1 Summary

Artegall is charged by the Faerie Queene to rescue Eirena, a damsel in distress, from the wicked Grantorto. He has been instructed in the ways of justice by Astraea and has been given a magical sword, Chrysaor (that once belonged to Jove), to aid in his journey. Astraea left the earth because of man's excessive evils, but left behind Talus, the iron Man, who serves as Artegall's squire.

Artegall and Talus come across their first challenge: Sanglier. A squire stands over the headless body of a lady in the woods. He explains that he came across a Knight, Sanglier, who forced a trade of his woman for the squire's woman. When the knight's lady objected, he cut off her head. He then took off with the Squire's woman. Artegall sends Talus to find Sanglier. The iron Man returns with Sanglier and...