Reading Notes: Fearie Queen, Part A

Princess Britomart disguised as a knight

(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

While travelling, Prince Arthur and Sir Guyon came across a knight. At this time fighting was not because two people didn’t like each other, it was about strength and those that lost were not always sore losers. Guyon asked the prince for permission to take on the knight instead of the prince himself and he approved. Guyon was immediately thrown the the ground and taken back. He realized the spear of the knight was enchanted, however, he did not realize that the knight was actually Princess Britomart.

Princess Britomart had run off were her servant Glauce to search for Artegall, the knight of justice who she believed was her true love after she saw an image of him in in Merlin, the magicians mirror.

After Guyon accepted being defeated they all decided to travel together as friends. They went a while without any trouble, but eventually came across some obstacles.

They ran into Florimell, a woman whose skin was clear, hair was blond, she wore gold, and her horse was white. She was being attacked and Prince Arthur and Guyon stayed behind to help her. Britomart stayed behind, but when she got tired of waiting she went ahead on her journey. That’s when she came across sic knights. They were attacking a man and she charged in to help him. They were attacking this man for his lady and Britomart overthrew three of them and the rest fell at her feet and traveled with her. They still believe she’s a knight.

They let her into the castle. They entered the Castle Joyous and joined the Lady of Delight, Malecasta, for dinner. Malecasta believed Britomart was a man and took a liking to him. After dinner, Britomart went to bed and took off her armor. Malecasta snuck into her room which caused Britomart to spring up. Malecasta screamed and the knights came to help her. When they saw Britomart had her weapon drawn they shot her. A loyal knight helped her and she decided she could not stay anymore so they both left to continue their journey.

The knight asked her why she was going through and dressing as a man, to get a man, when she was already so beautiful. She said she does not want to be lazy and she wanted to have glory and honor and fight for something.  She tells the knight she is seeking Artegall for different reasons and he believes her. She starts asking the knight questions about Artegall as well.

The princess began to remember the first time she saw Artegall in Merlin’s mirror. She was an emotional wreck. Her nurse, Glauce could not console her.  Glauce tried different things, but the princess could not get over him. That’s when they set off on their journey to the Faerie Queene.

They got caught in a storm and the princess had to find a safe place. She found knights to help her but at first they almost fought. One knight preached for peace and they got over it. They stayed at a bower and were served dinner and the next day she went to continue her journey. Sir Satyrane, the man who stopped the fight went with her.

They came across and knight whose love was taken by the giant. They decided to go after the giant to get her back. The princess was able to walk through fire, but the knight was not. She wandered around and finally came to a read. However, she refused to take off her armor and she refused to sleep in case danger was close.  

Bibliography. Mary Macleod. Faerie Queen. Web Source.