Here is a list of some of the difficult words taken from The Story of King Arthur and His Knights pages 49-79. I hope that this list will make your reading a little bit easier!
beheld: seen, witnessed (taken from behold)
exalt your spirit: encourage or inspire you
held converse: had a conversation
aforementioned: mentioned before
diluted: distracted (this is not a typical use or meaning of the word, but in this context, it means distracted)
avenge: get revenge on
progression: journey
made pause: stopped
afforded: provided
rushes: plants that have soft thin stems-- long ago, rushes were often used for weaving or the stuffing of mattresses
worthies: brave men (worthy of praise, honor, and being called a knight)
holding converse: having a conversation
woful: woeful, sad
thitherward: to or towards a place or object
sore wounded: seriously injured
upheld: carried by
page: a servant that is one step below a squire in feudal society
apparel: clothing
trappings: the decorations and equipment
plight: situation
saw naught: saw nothing
lamented: mourned, cried out
it wrung the heart: created great sympathy
doeful spectacle: sorrowful sight
hasten ye: hurry!
succor: aid, help, assistance
yonder: over there
do thou go quickly: go quickly (do thou... is an imperative)
mishap: misfortune, accident
hath befallen: has happened to
pavilion: tent
chirurgeon: surgeon
albeit: even though
prithee: I pray thee which is like adding "Please" or "I ask you please to ...."
is entitled: is named
of considerable consequence: he is of a high social birth or high social position
doubtless: undoubtedly
moved thereunto by the lustiness of the Springtime: he was motivated by the energy that comes in Spring
only me for his esquire: only me to assist him as his squire
as beseemed a good knight: as was fitting for a good knight
who would be errant: who wanted to be a knight errant. A knight errant is a knight who wanders around looking for adventures and quests to accomplish so that he can prove his chivalry.
for to attest his valor: to prove his bravery
bedight: arrayed
divers: diverse, different, various
damsels: maidens, young ladies
stinted: stopped, halted
demanding of him whither he went: asking him where he was going
an thou art: if you are
assay it: try it
bade: told, instructed
wended thitherward: went towards that place, went in that direction
multitude: a large amount
smiteth: smites: hits
seizing: taking in his hand
smote: smite: hit
portcullis: the iron gate that covers the castle's entryway
drew rein: pulled up his horse, got his horse to stop
demand of thee: ask you
mayst overcome: can defeat
dressed his shield and put himself into array for an assault at arms: he put his shield in front of himself and got into a battle stance.
drave together with might and main: they smashed into one another vigorously
grievously: seriously, terribly
harborage: a safe place, refuge
tarrying: waiting, stopping
discourteous: rude, dishonorable
crave: desire
boon: a favor given upon request
straightway: immediately
potent: powerful
my heart much misgiveth me: I am worried, my heart warns me
guise: appearance
brazen mall: brass hammer
did not appear of a mind: he didn't look like wanted to...
untried in arms: inexperienced in battle
ere: before
notwithstanding: in spite of
dole: sorrow, suffering
wode: filled with woe/sorrow
for to: in order to
strove to dissuade him: they strived/made great effort to convince him against it
scarce: hardly
for vexation: because of being upset, annoyed, or disturbed
donned: put on
multitudinous is that pretty roundelay: there was so many birds singing their beautiful song
quaint: old and charming
played at ball: were playing ball
hue: shade
damoiselles: maidens
beseemeth: is fitting, appropriate
comely of face: handsome
fain enjoy: gladly enjoy, rather enjoy
raiment: clothing
flagons: large cups
comfits: a sweet treat that is made when you cover fruit, nuts or seeds with sugar.
manchet: small flat circular loaf
athirst: thirsty
discoursing: speaking
mounted his steed: got on his horse
conducted: guided
an thou wouldst enter upon this adventure: if you want to take up this adventure
good hap: good luck
certes: certainly
pleasant of address: pleasant in manners and appearance
plied their trade: worked at their job
something was toward that was sadly amiss: something was happening that seemed odd or wrong
sooty: covered in black soot
sore need: serious need
hold villians!: Stop, you criminals!
What would you be at: what do you think you are doing?
therewith set spurs to his horse and dropped his spear into rest and drove down upon theme: then made his horse go faster by spurring it, putting his spear into its slot so that it stays steady , and charged the men
hither and thither: here and there
condolence: sympathy given to someone who has experienced something painful
in no wise: in no way
in this wise: in this way
but touching: but considering
palfrey: a saddle horse, usually ridden by a woman
dwelt: dwelled: lived
aspect: appearance
dwelling-place of mankind: a place inhabited by humans
forbidding: intimidating, dangerous looking
devices: the symbolic pictures on the front of shields, a coat of arms
cleft: cut in half
splendor of paradise!: Good Heavens!
valiant: brave, courageous
overthrown and cast down: conquered and defeated
mayst be very happy: will be very fortunate
even-tide: evening
writ: written in
skirts: edges
there issued forth: out of there came
frame: body build
sable: black
grim: serious
aspect: appearance
gait: pace of walking/riding a horse
haughtiness of mien: arrogance in disposition and appearance
quoth: said
Wherefore, either deliver thou thy shield unto me without more ado: Therefore, either give me your shield without any more fuss/trouble
gramercy: an expression used to express surprise or gratitude.
redeem: get back, gain back
splinters: small pieces of wood
onset: the assault, the beginning of the assault
guard and truncheon: the base and handle of the spear
extraordinary address: exceptional skill
I do pledge my knightly word: I swear by my honor as a knight
twain: two
bare: bore, carried
wherefrom: from where
he had before essayed: he had started
girths: the straps
bereft of his senses: without his senses, deprived of his senses
vehement: passionate
constrained to void: forced to get off
foined: to thrust with a pointed weapon
smote: hit
traced: move quickly in a path (to have fancy footwork while you are fighting)
parried: blocked
cantels: pieces, segments
hewn: cut off
waxing: becoming more and more, increasing in
withstood: stood up, endured
cast aside: threw away
brain pan: the skull
commingled: mixed together
lather: foam
astounding: shocking
bereft of consciousness: unconscious
unlaced the helm: untied the helmet
countenance: face
aforenamed: mentioned earlier
warred: waged war, fought a war
misericordia: a small dagger that is used to deliver the killing stroke in a fight
heaved himself up: got up quickly
made with fury: crazy with anger
froth: foam
slay: kill
sacrilegious: unholy
estates: property
nigher: nearer
conveyed: carried, moved, transferred
hermit: a person who lives alone, separated from the outside world
hermitage: the house of a hermit
saintliness: being so holy that you are like a saint
ne'theless: nevertheless
remote: deserted
pilgrimage: a holy journey
cell: room
leech: doctor who uses cures from nature
pallet: mattress
tumult: chaos, activity
charm or amulet: an item worn to protect or heal
made gay: made lovely and bright
cropping: cutting, nibbling on
sick nigh unto death: so sick that he is close to dying
mortal: human
alabaster: a precious white stone that is soft and often carved into boxes or other containers or pieces of art
balsam: a perfumed salve or cream
lusty: vigorous
dame: woman
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