The narrator previews the honorable members of King Arthur’s court who are featured in this book: Merlin the Wise, Sir Pellias the Gentle Knight, and Sir Gawaine, son of King Lot. The narrator explains that Merlin’s wisdom will cause his downfall.

One day, a wounded knight-messenger arrives at King Arthur’s Royal Hall in Camelot. He tells the court that the kings of Denmark, Ireland, Soleyse, Vale, and Longtinaise are wreaking havoc. Arthur sends messengers to Pellinore and Urien to bring their armies, and rides with his own army into the forest of Tintagalon. Arthur’s army holds off the enemy until Pellinore arrives. Eventually, their combined forces defeat the enemy, but eight Knights of the Round Table die in battle. Merlin suggests Arthur consult with another knight to choose replacements. Arthur and Pellinore select a combination of young and old candidates. For the final young knight, they struggle to choose between two men: Sir Baudemagus and Sir Tor, eventually deciding on Tor. Once this is decided, all the names of the knights they choose magically appear on the Round Table.

Morgana le Fay is upset that Baudemagus, her son, was not picked, and speaks out against Arthur’s choice.