‘Uther laughed with joy at this, for he believed Merlin more than anyone in his
whole vast land. Then he summoned Merlin to tell him just one thing if he could: how he might identify the finest knight in all his land at enduring battle and combat, and the one endowed with most great qualities. Merlin said he would certainly tell him, but he needed a fortnight’s grace. The king granted him this respite, and Merlin promptly left the court and rode on through forests, over mountains, heaths and plains, up and down, this way and that, until he discovered this high peak. Then he set to work and made the crosses and the pillar – by magic, by the art of necromancy. At that time my mother was still young, no more than twenty; and she joined him there, which proved a grave mistake, for she couldn’t break away from him when she wanted to leave: instead she became his mistress, at his will. And he built for her the fine house I mentioned a while ago.

‘When the time came for him to return to Uther, he found him at Carlion in the land of Wales; and there in his hall, in the presence of a hundred knights or more, and kings and counts and dukes, he told how he’d found a pillar to which none could tether his horse save the finest knight in all his land. Uther was thrilled by this, and took a number of fine knights of high esteem to the pillar – but they suffered grave misfortune there.

Second Continuation of Perceval