Wicked Neighbor
A horn used to summon combatants to the court of Sir Parsamant.
Introduction#
The Wicked Neighbor was a horn associated with Sir Parsamant, a knight whose treatment of defeated opponents earned him a sinister reputation.
Alternative Names | Male Voisine
Sir Parsamant’s Custom#
The horn formed part of a broader custom maintained by Sir Parsamant.
Knights arriving in his domain could find themselves drawn into combat according to rules established by their host. One of Parsamant’s servants would sound the horn to summon spectators and participants whenever a challenge or combat was to take place.
The practice reflected a recurring theme in Arthurian romance, in which local lords impose strange customs upon travelers until a worthy knight arrives to overthrow them.
Parsamant’s particular custom was regarded as cruel and unjust.
Perceval’s Adventure#
During his travels, Perceval encountered Parsamant and challenged the oppressive practice.
By defeating the knight, Perceval brought an end to the custom and liberated those who had suffered under it.
Like many of Perceval’s adventures, the episode combines knightly combat with the restoration of justice.
The Horn’s Name#
The name Male Voisine, usually translated as Wicked Neighbor, likely reflects the reputation of Parsamant and his household rather than any magical property of the horn itself. The horn served as a symbol of the hostile and oppressive custom maintained at the castle.
Although only briefly mentioned, the horn illustrates a common Arthurian motif in which a symbolic object becomes associated with a local challenge or adventure.
Sources#
Perceval, or Le Conte del Graal | Chrétien de Troyes, late 12th century
