Introduction

Cor (Horn) is preserved in only one manuscript: Oxford, Bodleian Library, Digby 86. The lay is attributed to Robert Biket (‘Ceo dist Robert Bikez’, v. 589), about whom nothing is known. Cor is one of five Arthurian lays in this collection, the others being Mantel, Melion, Trot and Tyolet.

In order to celebrate Pentecost, King Arthur holds a feast at Caerleon attended by a large number of knights and maidens. A handsome youth arrives bearing a magic ivory horn, which is sumptuously decorated and has golden bells attached to it. When shaken, these bells compel all those who hear them to cease what they are doing and to listen, enthralled. After making the assembled court pause and listen, the youth then addresses the king. He tells him that the horn is a gift from the King of Moray and the king gratefully accepts it. The youth refuses to eat with them, rather he departs, promising to return for his reward. The horn is admired by all and at the king's request the chaplain interprets the inscription on it. He reads it out to the whole assembly: the horn was fashioned by a spiteful fairy who has arranged a spell on it whereby no man can drink from it without spilling its contents down himself if he has been cuckolded or jealous, or has a wife who has ever had lewd thoughts about any man other than her husband. The assembled ladies are disconcerted, but Arthur confidently insists on having the horn filled with wine in order to test it out. When the wine spills all over him, he has to be restrained from stabbing the queen. The queen excuses herself by saying that the strict truth revealed by the horn can be explained by the fact that she had given a golden ring to a youth as a token of love, to thank him for having slain a giant who had wrongfully made an accusation against Gauvain. Yvain proposes that all the men should try it and the king insists that the other kings present do so. Predictably, they all fail. Seeing that the humiliation and mockery are shared by all the kings, Arthur laughs and forgives the queen.