Treason in Arthurian legend peers in the case of a treason accusation, and as an accessory Guinevere would not have been able to be sentenced until Lancelot was apprehended. However, Malory cites instead an “Arthurian treason law of his own invention as his basis for the queen’s death sentence.” Malory writes that in cases where guilt is “manifest and undeniable,” that “hasty judgment is appropriate.” However, this concept of “hasty judgment” is challenged by Sir Gawain when he protests Arthur's quick sentencing. Because Guinevere can only be considered an accessory to Lancelot's treason, “her treasonous guilt rests in the judgment on the guilt of
Treason in Arthurian legend him traitor, and despite announcing that they will take him to Arthur unharmed, instead try to attack him when he opens the door. Lancelot reacts by arming himself and slaying all the knights who come through the door, including Sir Agravain. Lancelot's slayings would not have been defined as treason under the Statute of 1352, which covered “the slaying of the royal chancellor, treasurer, or justices, but only when they are sitting and acting in their public capacity.” Agravain was only given leave to kill Lancelot if his traitorous guilt was made manifest. Thus he was not acting as an