Chapter I

The Twelve Knights and their vision

Finding themselves alone together in the garden outside the Franc Palais, the Knight of the Griffon reminded the others of the inspiration and support they’d received from the hermit Pergamon’s twelve granddaughters, and how ‘“a lay was sung1 in the hall before all the knights, telling of the death of the worthy hermit and the decree he made before he died: that the twelve maidens could never leave their castle – the Castle of the Maidens – except through marriage. That’s why, according to the lay, dates have been set on which tournaments will be held, and the prize for the winner of each will be the hand of one of the maidens. This news, my dear lords and companions, has touched me deeply! No mortal danger would keep me from those tourneys – there’s one lot in particular I’d like to bid for! Those who mean to go need to be on their way: I’m going for certain; I don’t know where the castle is, but I’m leaving first thing tomorrow – I’d rather be there too early than too late!”

And all the other eleven said they were as eager to go as he and couldn’t wait to be off.’

Next morning they took their leave of Perceforest and the queen and set out for Scotland where they knew they’d find the Castle of the Maidens.

On the second evening of their journey they were riding through a great forest when ‘they came upon a stone. It was four feet square and on it was the following inscription:

“Any man who sleeps here will see in his dreaming a pleasing sight.”

When they read this the twelve knights all agreed they’d sleep there that night and see what happened. They dismounted and left their horses to graze and lay down around the stone. They were soon asleep, for they were very tired, and as they slept they all shared the same vision: each thought the maiden he loved most in all the world came to him and said: “Rise, my beloved, you’ve slept too long! Come and keep me company: I’m lonely!”’

Still fast asleep they rose and mounted and started riding, though they didn’t know where; and they were so deeply asleep that some had ridden fully six leagues before they awoke.