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 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