Perilous Pass
A dangerous passage and castle adventure established by Galehaut the Brown.
Introduction#
The Perilous Pass is a fortified location in Arthurian romance guarded by Lord Febus and twenty knights. It forms part of the tradition of knightly passage-adventures, where roads, bridges, passes, and strongholds become sites of formal combat and testing.
Alternative Names | Passage Perilleux
The Adventure of the Pass#
The adventure of the Perilous Pass was established by Galehaut the Brown.
The passage was defended by Lord Febus together with a company of twenty knights, creating a formidable obstacle for any traveler attempting to pass through the region.
Like many “perilous” locations in Arthurian romance, the pass serves less as a geographical landmark than as a structured knightly ordeal. Such places often function as tests of martial skill, demonstrations of knightly reputation, and controlled sites of challenge and combat. The danger lies not in enchantment, but in the martial customs imposed upon travelers.
Significance#
The Perilous Pass belongs to the wider Arthurian tradition of guarded crossings and challenge-adventures, where movement through the landscape requires proof of worth. Its story emphasizes knightly prowess, succession of lordship, and the establishment of honor through combat.
Sources#
Palamedes | c. 1240
