Castle Pendragon is the stronghold where the young La Cote Male Taile is taken prisoner and where Sir Launcelot later frees him and other captives. After defeating the castle’s lord, Launcelot transfers its lands to La Cote Male Taile, making the place a visible sign of how Arthur’s authority is extended through the actions and rewards of his knights.

The Castle and Its Captive

La Cote Male Taile reaches Castle Pendragon while riding with a damsel. At the castle, six knights confront him: one offers to joust, and La Cote Male Taile knocks him from his horse. The other five then attack together, bring him down, and take him inside as a prisoner. The episode turns the castle into a point of interruption in the young knight’s adventure, and the captivity gives Sir Launcelot a personal reason to pursue him.

Sir Nerovens, whom Launcelot had once knighted, warns him that Castle Pendragon is held by a powerful lord with many knights and that a Round Table knight was captured there the previous day. Launcelot recognizes that the prisoner must be his companion and declares that he will rescue him, even at the cost of his own life. The castle’s threat is therefore established not only by its armed defenders but by the loyalty that draws Launcelot toward it.

Launcelot’s Assault and the Release of Prisoners

Launcelot rides directly to Castle Pendragon and is met by six knights who attack together. He defeats them and enters the stronghold, where its lord, Sir Brian de les Isles, arms and meets him. The two fight first on horseback, both being thrown from their mounts, and then continue on foot. Launcelot ultimately overcomes Sir Brian, who yields and places himself at Launcelot’s mercy.

Launcelot orders Sir Brian to release everyone held in the castle. Among those freed are thirty of Arthur’s knights and forty ladies, in addition to La Cote Male Taile. The rescue thus extends well beyond the immediate purpose of recovering a fellow knight: the castle’s prisoners are returned to freedom, and its lord’s surrender ends his control over them. La Cote Male Taile recovers his horse and equipment and rejoins the damsel who had accompanied him.

Transfer of the Stronghold

Launcelot later returns to Castle Pendragon with Sir Kay the seneschal and Sir Brandiles. He removes Sir Brian from his lands because Brian will not submit to King Arthur, and gives the castle and its territory to La Cote Male Taile. Launcelot also summons Sir Nerovens, his former knight, and entrusts him with the administration of the castle and surrounding country under the new lord.

The change in ownership is presented as both a political settlement and a reward for service. The defeated ruler’s refusal to acknowledge Arthur is answered by dispossession; the young knight whom Launcelot rescued is made lord of the conquered estate. The castle’s local rule is placed under Nerovens, while La Cote Male Taile’s position is recognized at Arthur’s court.

From Castle Lordship to Round Table Status

At the next Pentecost, La Cote Male Taile—also identified by his proper name, Sir Breunor le Noire—and Sir Plenorius are made Knights of the Round Table, and Arthur grants them lands. Breunor marries the damsel Maledisant, who is thereafter called Beauvivante. Although he continues to be commonly known as La Cote Male Taile, he becomes a distinguished and powerful knight; he and Plenorius remain for much of their lives in Launcelot’s company. The account also says that, according to the French book, La Cote Male Taile avenges his father’s death.

Castle Pendragon’s significance lies in this sequence of capture, rescue, surrender, and grant. It begins as a place where a vulnerable knight is overpowered, but becomes a seat held by a new Arthurian lord after Launcelot’s intervention. The narrative connects military prowess to governance: defeating the castle’s ruler is followed by freeing its captives, removing a resistant lord, and establishing a replacement whose standing is confirmed through land and Round Table membership.