Le Morte d'Arthur Chapter Summary & Analysis - Book 7 Summary

Book 7 Summary

Arthur's Round Table has met the full quota of 150 knights at the Feast of Pentecost. While they are at dinner, a young man comes and asks Arthur for three gifts; one that day and other two demanded a year later at the next high feast.

Arthur agrees. The first demand of the young man is just that he would be given food and drink for the next year. However, he will not tell them his name. Sir Kay, acting as the steward of Camelot, is given control of the situation telling him that he should give the man the best, but Sir Kay doesn't like him because he doesn't have armor or horse and hasn't asked for any. Sir Kay makes fun of him, and puts him in the kitchen for a year, naming him Beaumains, or "Fair Hands."

Gawaine and Launcelot are angry with Kay and invite Beaumains...
(read more)