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

Unlike the true friendship of Cambell and Triamond, the friendship of Blandamour and Paridell is false. When all of them and their ladies meet on the road, Blandamour insults Triamond and Cambell. Cambina, however, tries to keep the peace. She mentions that a tournament is coming up, where the winner will receive a gold belt (from the real Florimell). They all put aside their differences and agree to ride to the tournament.

On the way to the tournament, they run into Braggadochio (who had false Florimell stolen from him by Sir Ferraugh). Braggadochio claims Florimell belongs with him, so Blandamour offers to fight him, with the winner getting Florimell but the loser being stuck with the hag Ate.

Braggadochio, however, feels that having the hag would be worse than nothing, and he doesn’t want to fight. This causes the others to smile and treat him like a coward. Ate and false Florimell try to stir up discord, but Cambell says they should all save their strength for the tournament, and this gets everyone’s approval.

They make it to the tournament, where Sir Satyrane has the gold belt of the real Florimell. He takes up arms against a pagan knight named Bruncheual. A knight called Ferramont joins Satyrane’s side, but Blandamour joins Bruncheual’s.

Soon Paridell joins the fight. Braggadochio sees no need to get involved. Then Triamond enters the fray and wounds Ferramont, causing the knights Sir Devon, Sir Douglas, and Sir Paliumord to join the fight against Triamond, but they can’t take Triamond down. Sir Satyrane sees an opportunity and wounds Triamond, who has to leave the battlefield.

The trumpets sound to indicate the end of the tournament for that day, and Sir Satyrane is judged the best so far. The tournament begins again the next day, but Triamond still is unable to rejoin because of his wound. Cambell agrees to take Triamond’s place.

Cambell and Sir Satyrane fight savagely on horseback. All of a sudden, Satyrane’s horse rears and throws him off. Cambell also dismounts to fight, but he soon finds himself swarmed by other knights on Satyrane’s side. Cambell doesn’t give up, but it seems like he’s going to be taken captive by his more numerous opponents. Triamond hears about this and forgets his wound, leaping up to put on his armor, but he finds that Cambell has taken his armor, so he throws on Cambell’s armor.

Triamond hacks away through the other knights to reach Cambell and free him. The trumpets sound again and everyone agrees the day’s winners are Cambell and Triamond. Triamond tries to yield the victory to Cambell, but Cambell tries to say Triamond is the winner.

The next morning is the final day of the tournament, and Satyrane looks strong. Just then, a strange knight that no one recognizes enters the arena, wearing armor that looks like moss and leaves. This new knight, nicknamed the Savage Knight, is so strong that he immediately strikes down nine other knights. It turns out this new knight is Arthegall (the knight Britomart saw in her vision and fell in love with). 

Arthegall easily subdues Sir Satyrane and his knights and seems likely to claim victory, but just as evening is coming, another strange knight enters. This new knight knocks Arthegall off his horse. Cambell and Triamond both try to confront the new knight and are also knocked down. Blandamour tries too and is also defeated. It turns out the new knight is Britomart, still wielding her enchanted spear. Britomart wins the tournament and everyone goes to a feast.