[Sidenote:  Sir Percival perceives a red knight] Now after he had so ridden for a while, he was aware of a knight, very haughty of appearance and bearing, who rode before him upon the same way that he was going.  And that knight was clad all in red armor, and he rode upon a horse so black that I believe there was not a single white hair upon him.  And all the trappings and the furniture of that horse were of red, so that he presented a very noble appearance.  So Sir Percival made haste to overtake that knight, and when he had come nigh he drew rein at a little distance.  Thereupon that knight in red bespake Sir Percival very proudly, saying:  “Sir Knight, whither ride you, and upon what mission?”

“Messire,” quoth Percival, “I ride toward yonder castle, which I take to be the castle of Beaurepaire, and I come hither with intent to succor the Lady Blanchefleur of that castle from a knight, hight Sir Clamadius, who keeps her there a prisoner against her will, so that it behooves any good knight to attempt her rescue.”

Upon this the red knight spake very fiercely, saying:  “Messire, what business is that of yours?  I would have you know that I am a knight of King Clamadius’, wherefore I am able to say to you that you shall go no further upon that quest.  For I am Sir Engeneron of Grandregarde, and I am Seneschal unto King Clamadius, and I will not have it that thou shalt go any farther upon this way unless you ride over me to go upon it.”

“Messire,” quoth Sir Percival, “I have no quarrel with you, but if you have a mind to force a quarrel upon me, I will not seek to withdraw myself from an encounter with you.  So make yourself ready, and I will make myself ready, and then we shall soon see whether or not I am to pass upon this way.”

[Sidenote:  Sir Percival doeth battle with Sir Engeneron] So therewith each knight turned his horse away to such a place as seemed to him to be fitting; and when they were in all wise prepared they rushed together with an amazing velocity and a noise like to thunder.  So they met in the midst of the course.  And in that encounter the spear of Sir Engeneron broke into many pieces, but the spear of Sir Percival held, so that he flung Sir Engeneron entirely out of his saddle and over the crupper of his horse and down upon the ground so violently that Sir Engeneron lay there in a swoon.

[Sidenote:  Sir Engeneron yields himself to Sir Percival] Then Sir Percival dismounted from his horse with all speed, and he rushed the helmet of Sir Engeneron off of his head with intent to slay him.  But with that Sir Engeneron awoke to his danger, and therewith gat upon his knees and clasped Sir Percival about the thighs, crying out:  “Sir, I beseech you upon your knighthood to spare my life.”