Treason in Arthurian legend caused by the duplicity in his knights. A linking motif throughout a variety of centuries and countries, authors focus on the treasonous destruction of Arthur's court, and the temptation knights face to engage in treason. Queen Guinevere found herself facing accusations of treason several times over the course of recorded Arthurian legend. In Malory's Le Morte d’Arthur, she is accused first in the “Poisoned Apple” episode, when at a dinner she holds for some of the knights of the Round Table, one of the knights, Sir Patrise, dies from eating a poisoned apple intended for Gawain. The real culprit is
Treason in Arthurian legend her knights who was captured with her. Meligaunt accuses her of being unfaithful to Arthur and even of “hyghe treson.” For the French however, the act of adultery would not necessarily have been considered such under the law. In both the case of “the Poisoned Apple” and the “Knight of the Cart,” Guinevere is acquitted of the crime through Lancelot dueling to defend her innocence. This trial by combat is used in lieu of an actual refined judicial proceedings, and Lancelot's ability to fight in place of an actual judicial process undermines the legal procedures of the day. It is