Your favorite "knightly" moments

[Nekron]

I got alot of responses from the boards to my quintessential knight thread. Many of you mentioned characters from books I have not read. I think it would be great if some of you would post your favorite exerpts from these books. Perhaps the war cry your favorite knight used as he charged into battle, or a fight scene that really said "knightly" to you, really any moment that spoke to you of true knighthood would be great!

-Abyss

 

[MaxKaladin]

One of my favorite 'knightly' moments was in First Knight. It's been a while since I saw the movie, so forgive me if I'm somewhat vague on the details. It is when Guinevere (sp?) is in Camelot before the wedding and, IIRC, Arthur gets the idea she might be marrying him to gain his protection for her people. He goes to her and tells her that he loves her and he wants her to marry him because she loves him. He goes on to say that she need not marry him to gain his protection for her people since they will have his protection no matter what she does.

That, to me, is the act of a true knight.

 

[Teflon Billy]

It's not an excerpt, but the entirety of George R.R. Martin's short story The Hedge Knight has about as much Knightly stuff as one could ask for.

 

[Cugel]

It's not an excerpt, but the entirety of George R.R. Martin's short story The Hedge Knight has about as much Knightly stuff as one could ask for.

I've been wanting to read this for a while. Do you happen to know where I could get it?

 

[Teflon Billy]

It's in an anthology called Legends along with (I think) a Robert Jordan story.

I got mine used. I dpon't think it's particularly rare.

The story is terrific if you've read the three books in the A Song of Ice and Fire[ series, and pretty damn good even if you haven't (I'm told).

 

[Cugel]

The story is terrific if you've read the three books in the A Song of Ice and Fire[ series, and pretty damn good even if you haven't (I'm told).

I have indeed read all three books of A Song of Ice and Fire...which is the main reason I'm looking for the Hedge Knight. I need a Martin fix to tide me over until the next book comes out

 

[Wormwood]

I'm going to assume you've read "The Song of Roland"

If not, may I assume that you're about to?

 

[The Onion Knight]

Gorge RR Martin

It's not an excerpt, but the entirety of George R.R. Martin's short story The Hedge Knight has about as much Knightly stuff as one could ask for.

I have read the books, and the story "The Hedge Knight". They are all excellent. I even thought that The Hedge Knight was better than the books (and I didn't think that was possible). I am in the middle of reading the series for the third time. Good call Teflon Billy.

Knightly quote, from Excalibur:
"You are what is best in men."

 

[ColonelHardisson]

John Steinbeck's Arthurian book has a wonderful portrait of Lancelot, which would help anyone understand why Lancelot did the things he did (including the Guinevere affair). The most memorable part, to me, is his ride with his nephew Lyonel. Lyonel questions Lancelot about the sacrifices and quests he's had to make, and implies it was all pointless. "Was it worth it?" he asks Lancelot. Lancelot snatches at his sword and Lyonel "felt the wind of his death on his cheek." Steinbeck perfectly captures a defining moment, with Lancelot struggling with himself, caught between the soul-crushing realization that, perhaps, indeed, it all may not have ultimately been worth the effort to everyone else, and his confidence in the fact that it all was important because it was important to him.