"Of Sir Galahad and how he achieved the Quest of the Holy Grail"

Illustration by Arthur Rackham

This illustration from Rackham appears to be a variant on a published illustration from "Stories of King Arthur" (1910). It seems to be inspired

by the same scene depicted by the published version that is associated with the following text:

The young knight ... at once opened the gates.

The broader context for the illustration is set within the following text:

It was Galahad's custom to pray to God every day for counsel and guidance in his great

undertaking. Not long after he had left his companion he turned aside at a wayside chapel

to perform his devotions, and while he was kneeling before the altar he suddenly heard

a voice that said:

"Rise, Sir Galahad, and go now to the Castle of Maidens which is near

at hand, and there do away with the wicked custom that you will find."

The young knight was overjoyed on hearing this summons, for here was an adventure to

his taste. Mounting once more, he rode down the hill asking his way from all he met.

The castle was well known, for its ill-repute had spread far and wide, and many of those

he encountered sought to deter him from journeying thither. But Galahad laughed, and,

looking to his arms, spurred his horse boldly to the castle gates. Scarcely had he reined up

when seven knights, all brethren, dashed out to meet him.

"Now guard thee, knight," they cried, "fro we promise thee naught but death."

"Why, then," returned Galahad, "will ye all set upon me at once?"

"Even so," cried the others, and couching their spears they charged down upon him.

Then Galahad spurred forward to meet them, and with a mighty thrust of his own lance

he sent the foremost of the seven brethren headlong to the ground. The other six fell upon

him with their swords and spears, but receiving their blows on his shield the young knight

escaped scatheless. Casting aside his lance, Galahad now drew forth his great sword and

dashed fiercely at his adversaries.

So quick and strong were his strokes that the knights were forced to give way before him.

At last they one and all turned tail and fled, Galahad pursuing them for some distance. At

the entrance to the castle an old monk awaited him with the keys in his hands. The young

knight took these and at once opened the gates, to the great joy of all those within, who

had been held captive by the seven brethren.

Galahad now learned how the castle had come to gain its evil name. It had formerly

belonged to Duke Lianour, the lord of the surrounding country, but the seven brethren had

overcome him by treachery and killed him, making his beautiful daughter a prisoner. The

maiden had thereupon prophesied that for their wickedness they should not hold the castle

many years, for by one knight alone should they all be discomfited. The brethren then

vowed that no lady or knight should pass by the castle alive until that knight of whom she

spake appeared. And thus the castle had come by its name, for a great number of maidens

had fallen into their hands.