Perilous Ford
Perilous fords are recurring trial sites in Arthurian romance. They are defended by hostile knights or bound to strange customs.
Introduction#
Perilous fords are recurring trial locations in Arthurian romance. Situated at rivers and crossings, they often serve as tests of courage, skill, or worthiness, and are commonly defended by hostile knights or bound to supernatural customs.
Alternative Names | Gué Périlleux, Gué Perellos
The Perilous Fords#
Like perilous bridges, these fords mark transitions between worlds, and adventures, and states of being. Knights who attempt them frequently face combat, enchantment, or death.
Several distinct “Perilous Fords” appear across the Arthurian tradition.
Perilous Ford of Galloway#
Gué Perellos
A treacherous ford in the land of Galloway that no knight dared to cross. Gawain reached it during his travels and attempted to leap it on horseback, but the jump failed and he was thrown into the river.
Perilous Ford of Orquenseles#
This seems to be located between Queen Igraine’s Canguin and Guiromelant’s Orquenseles, with an additional stretch of land on Igraine’s side.
The Haughty Maid of Logres maliciously dares Gawain to jump his horse across the Perilous Ford, saying that her dear friend the Haughty Knight of the Rock (whom Gawain had recently defeated) has been in the habit of crossing it every day for her sake. When, thanks to Gringolet, Gawain makes it to the other side, Guiromelant informs him that he is the first knight ever to keep his life while crossing this ford.
This might be identical with the Perilous Ford of Galloway.
Perilous Ford of Bleoberis#
The ford served as Bleoberis’ chosen place of challenge and combat. Gawain’s son, Guinglain, defeated Bleoberis at the Perilous Ford and sent him to King Arthur.
Perilous Ford of Urbain#
A ford where Perceval defeated a knight named Urbain. To honor is fairy lover, Urbain jousted against all knights who attempted to cross the ford.
Sources#
Perlesvaus | Early 13th century
Perceval, or Le Conte del Graal | Chrétien de Troyes, late 12th century
Le Bel Inconnu | Renaut de Bâgé, 1185–1190
