'My name is Mabonagrain,' the knight began. 'The lady you saw sitting over there is my love. We have loved each other since we were children. One day she made me promise her something, but she would not tell me what it was. Indeed she made me swear that I would agree to do one thing when she asked it - but still she did not tell me what that thing might be.
Soon after, I was made a knight by King Evrain, my uncle, here
in this orchard before all the knights and ladies of the court.
At once my lady reminded me of my promise.
I must not leave her
and go into the world as a knight, she said. Instead I must stay
here and challenge anyone who came to knightly combat until I
was defeated. She thought in this way to keep me with her always
- for I am a strong knight as you see.'
Mabonagrain waved his hand at the heads on the posts all around him.
'No-one has ever come near to beating me before. I was not happy to kill so many fine knights. Yet I love my lady and know the good in her, and I could not break my promise. So I have challenged every knight who entered this garden and never refused the fight.
Now you have defeated me, I shall be released and there will be great joy at the court of King Evrain, where the people have waited many years for me to be set free. First, though, you must find in this garden a horn and blow it.'
Erec rose quickly to search for the horn and do what he must do.
What was the ceremony for making a knight?
