Accolon of Gaul

According to Mallory, Morgan le Fay had another love whom she loved more than her husband Uriens and her brother Arthur.  The man she loved was Accolon.  When Arthur gave her excalibur to take care of, she had a duplicate made and gave the real scabbard to Accolon.

 

After the war with the five kings, Arthur, along with Uriens and Accolon, went hunting.  The three of them rode their horses to death and ended up on foot.  Walking they came to the edge of a great water where there was a boat that was draped in silk.  Night was encroaching and the damosels of the boat welcomed the three ment to come aboard where they fed them and took each one to a separate chamber for the night.

 

Accolon woke to find himself by the side of a deep well with a marble fountain.  He knew that treachery was afoot.  A dwarf came and greeted him with a salute, the sword Excalibur and regards from Morgan.  Reminded that he had promised to do her bidding,  the dwarf told him that to do her bidding he would fight a knight the next day.  A knight and his lady from a nearby manor invite Accolon to rest there.  The knight is Sir Ontzlake, recently wounded with a spear through both his thighs.  Ontzlake's brother, Dammas, has challenged Ontzlake to determine which of them will control the whole of their lands.  Fullfilling his promise to Morgan, Accolon agrees to be Ontzlake's champion and fight the battle for him.

 

During this time, Arthur had been taken to Dammas' prison.  Twenty other knights are being held there, and to gain the release of these knights and himself, Arthur agrees to act as Dammas' champion.  As they ready themselves to take the field, a maiden arrives, sent by Morgan.  The maiden hands Arthur the fake Excalibur.

 

Nimue had learned of Morgans plans and arrived just as the battle began.  Arthur, unable to penetrate Accolons defense, took many blows.  He begins to suspect that he does not have Excalibur, and the more they fight on, the more he believes Accolon has the real Excalibur.  Knowing that he held Ecxalibur, Accolon became bold and would not let Arthur rest.  In anger, Arthur struck Accolon with his sword but it snapped.  He was left with only his shield to defend himself.

 

Accolon demands that Arthur surrender.  Arthur will not because of his own honour and of his promise.  He tells Accolon that he will have the shame if he is slain whilst Arthur has no weapon.  They battle on.  Nimue takes pity on Arthur because of his great courage and intervenes.  At the next attack,  she causes Accolon to lose his grip, letting Excalibur fall.  Seizing the chance, Arthur grabs the sword and realises that it is inteed his own, Excalibur.  He grabs the scabbard from Accolon and throws it as far from them as possible.  He then rushes on Accolon and ripped of his helmet, delivering a blow that was strong enough to cause blood to run from Accolon's ears, nose and mouth.

 

Arthur recognised Accolon as he prepared to slay him.Accolon confesses all about his plans with Morgan le Fay and the realisation dawns on him that the knight he has fought is Arthur.  He cries for mercy from Arthur.  Still considering Accolon a traitor, Arthur knows that his real enemy in this was his sister, Morgan.

 

Arthur revealed himself, stopping the battle, and ruled in favour of Ontzlake.  Accolon is taken to a nearby abbey to have his wounds treated but dies within four days.  Arthur has his body transported in a horse-bier to Camelot, accompanied by six knights, to be presented to Morgan with the word that he had Excalibur back in his possession.