King Arthur was known for his generous gifting to the members of his court, especially during his feasts. Every member of the King's court received gifts except for his knight, Lanval, who was saddened by the King's. Lanval was envied by all of the King's court and was even the son of a king. Lanval went riding on his horse to contemplate his situation.
Lanval was approached by two beautiful and richly dressed women. These women took Lanval to their elaborate homestead to meet the lady who they serve. The lady was very beautiful and Lanval remarked at how lovely the lady's body was. The maiden said she left her kingdom just to seek Lanval and become subservient to him. The maiden and Lanval give their love to each other and the maiden gives Lanval her body. The maiden requests that Lanval not reveal their love to anyone or else Lanval will never see the maiden again. The maiden furnishes Lanval with fine clothes and feeds him a gracious meal. Lanval leaves the maiden's homestead.
Upon his homecoming, Lanval holds a feast for no apparent reason. Lanval's feast was a no expense spared occasion, and according to Marie, "Lanval did all man every honor."
Following Lanval's feast, 30 knights went to play in the land of Queen Guinevere, including the knights Gawain and Yvain. Because the knights did not include Lanval in this outing, they felt very guilty and returned to Lanval to beg him to join them on their outing. Lanval agrees to accompany the knight and upon their arrival, Guinevere brings 30 girls to play with the knights. Lanval retreats by himself far away from others and is followed by Guinevere. Guinevere offers Lanval all of her love and her body. Lanval states he refuses Guinevere's advancements because he does not want to disrespect his King. Guinevere insults Lanval and Lanval's king and says Lanval's king is making a big mistake by keeping Lanval around.
To the Queen's dismay, Lanval says that one of Lanval's maiden's servants is fairer than even the Queen. This conversation between Guinevere and Lanval causes the Queen to retreat to her bed and demand justice be served. The King was angered by the Queen's accusations against Lanval and the King had his barons fetch Lanval. Lanval reveals his love of the fair maiden to attempt to clear his name with the King.
Lanval calls upon the maiden in his chamber with no reply. Lanval is taken from his chamber and asked to appear in court, which he reluctantly agrees to.
Lanval was free until his trial if he surrendered hostages. Gawain offers himself for Lanval's bail and the King strips Lanval's hostages of their possessions. Over 100 knights attended Lanval's trial and many knights asked that Lanval is pardoned. Lanval is allowed to defend himself against the Queen's accusations and before this defense could take place, Lanval's lover's maidens rode in on great beasts, asking the King to prepare a place for their fair maiden. Marie says, "Either of these girls was worth more than the Queen was now, or ever before." The Queen becomes angered by the extended length of the trial.
Just when the court had lost faith in Lanval's maiden's arrival, the fair maiden arrives on a great beast. Marie described the maiden by saying, "My lord, a maiden's come to town, but she's now neither tawny or brown, No--just the most beautiful girl of all girls living in the world." The maiden testifies against the queens accusations and the maiden's account is Lanval's perfect defense. Lanval is acquitted of his charges and rides off with the fair maiden to the land of Avalon.
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