After a while Sir Crudor raised himself from the ground, but in listless fashion, like to one who can scarcely rouse himself from sleep. But when he saw his adversary, his spirit returned to him as before, and he renewed the fight, hoping that he would fare better on foot than he had fared on horseback. Long did they fight, dealing each to other fearful blows. Not once, so fierce were they, did they pause to take rest. At the last, when, as if by common consent, both lifted their swords high in the air to deal what might be a final blow, and so finish the fight, either for this champion or for that, Sir Calidore, being more nimble and quicker of sight than his adversary, was beforehand with him, and struck him with so sharp a blow upon his helmet that he brought him to his knee. Nor did he fail to follow up his advantage, but redoubling the fierceness of his strokes, brought him altogether to the ground. As he lay there he would have unlaced his helmet, and given him his death-blow, but the vanquished man begged for mercy. Then Sir Calidore, mastering his anger, such was his courtesy, said: “Mercy I grant with all goodwill. Do you learn not to treat strangers with such rudeness. This ill befits a knight, for his first duty is to conquer himself. And now I give you your life on these conditions, that you help to the best of your power all wandering knights, and also give aid as you can to all ladies in need.”
These things the knight, being thus delivered beyond all hope from the fear of death, promised to do, and swore fealty to Sir Calidore as being his liege lord for all his life. All this time the Lady Briana was looking in great dismay and trouble of mind; and now Sir Calidore, bidding her to approach, told all that had been agreed between him and Sir Crudor. She was overcome by so great a courtesy, and thanked him with all her heart, for indeed it was in her inmost heart that she was moved. She threw herself at his feet, and declared herself to be wholly bound to him. After this they all betook themselves to the castle, where the lady entertained them in most joyous fashion.
The banquet ended, she said: “Sir Calidore, I do bestow this castle upon you freely and without price, by way of token of how great is my debt to you.”