Prelude:
The Death of Arthur
Hit befel in the dayes of Uther Pendragon, when he was kynge of all Englond and so regned, that there was a myghty duke in Cornwaill that helde warre ageynst hym long tyme, and the duke was called the duke of Tyntagil. And so by meanes kynge Uther send for his duk, chargyng hym to brynge his wyf with hym, for she was called a fair lady and passynge wyse, and her name was called Igrayne.
So whan the duke and his wyf were comyn unto the kynge, by the meanes of grete lordes they were accorded bothe: the kynge lyked and loved this lady wel, and he made them grete chere out of mesure and desyred to have lyen by her. But she was a passyng good woman and wold not assente unto the kynge.
And thenne she told the duke her husband and said,
"I suppose that we were sente for that I shold be dishonoured. Wherfor, husband, I counceille yow that we departe from hens sodenly, that we may ryde all nyght unto our owne castell."