The Faerie Queene: Book IV: Canto VI Summary & Analysis

After leaving Care’s workshop, Scudamore feels melancholy as he rides the next day. He happens to run into another knight and they almost fight, but the other knight apologizes and asks for Scudamore’s pardon. He says he’s called the Savage Knight (which was a nickname of Arthegall during the tournament in Canto IV).

Arthegall talks about being defeated in a tournament recently by a knight with an enchanted spear, and Scudamore realizes that knight must be Britomart. Arthegall and Scudamore realize they have a common enemy and both vow revenge.

Arthegall and Scudamore ride and eventually come across Britomart. Scudamore charges her first but gets knocked down off his horse. Seeing this only motivates Arthegall to try harder, but he too is shocked to be knocked off his horse. From the ground, he manages to strike the back of Britomart’s horse, causing her to dismount, too.

Britomart is equally strong with just her sword, pushing Arthegall back and wounding him. The two continue to go back and forth, not realizing each other’s identities. Finally, Arthegall works up the strength to deliver what he believes will be a fatal blow. The blow doesn’t harm her, but it knocks her helmet off, and for the first time, Arthegall sees her fair face.

All of a sudden Arthegall feels his desire for vengeance leave him, and it’s like he’s paralyzed. He drops his sword and goes down on his knees before Britomart. Britomart is still angry from being struck and commands Arthegall to either rise and fight or be killed. But Arthegall just asks for pardon and says she can do what she likes.

Scudamore sees Britomart’s true identity and is also amazed. Glauce is happy to see a break in the fighting and asks Arthegall and Scudamore to reveal themselves to Britomart. They do so, and Britomart is surprised to realize she has seen Arthegall’s face before in Merlin’s mirror. She also drops her weapon.

Scudamore says that he’s glad to see Arthegall doesn’t scorn all women. At hearing Arthegall’s name, Britomart is now so amazed that she goes into a fit. Glauce explains to Arthegall that while Britomart has conquered land and sea, she is chaste and won’t rebel against love. Glauce asks both Arthegall and Britomart to put aside their anger for the sake of love.

Britomart and Arthegall agree not to fight and begin to feel passion for each other. Meanwhile, Scudamore is still worried about his Amoretta, so he asks Britomart if she has any news. Britomart says she isn’t sure; after saving Amoretta from Duessa, and traveling with her for a while, one day Britomart woke up and Amoretta wasn’t there.

Scudamore is disappointed and scared to hear of Amoretta’s disappearance. Britomart promises to help him find her and to enact vengeance on whoever took her away, which cheers Scudamore up a little. Arthegall leads them all to a castle where they can tend their wounds and rest.

During their time recovering, Arthegall begins to woo Britomart. He makes promises to be faithful, and she confesses that she also loves him. They make plans to marry, but first Arthegall must finish a quest that he’s already committed to. Britomart is sad but lets him go. Eventually, she, Scudamore, and Glauce head back to the forest where Britomart last saw Amoretta when she fell asleep.