A woodsman rescues Calepine and Serena, Calepine rescues a baby from a bear then gives him away. Serena is helped by Prince Arthur, and Turpine is defeated.
Faerie Queene
Sir Calidore is the most courteous and mild-mannered of knights, and sets out on his quest to kill the Blatant Beast.
Prince Arthur rescues Belge from a tyrannical giant with three bodies, and Artegall completes his quest by killing the giant who had been oppressing Irena.
After a bitter fight, Britomart kills the Amazon queen and releases her slaves, including Artegall, who later resumes his quest and disposes of the enemy of Queen Mercilla.
Artegall and his iron servant Talus progress on his quest. They come across Amazons who, led by their queen, capture knights, put them in women’s clothes and force them to perform women’s work like spinning. This fate is in store for Artegall too.
Artegall’s origins and the nature of his quest are revealed. He and his iron servant Talus deal with a knight who killed his lady, a Saracen extorting money as a bridge toll, and a horse thief is revealed at a wedding.
Scudamour tells of his visit to the Temple of Venus, where he met Amoret. Marinell had discovered Florimell, fallen in love, and his mother got her released.
Amoret is held captive by a monster who deflowers virgins and eats them. A giant riding a dromedary captures a young squire and has to be rescued by Prince Arthur.
At Satyrane’s tournament for the golden sash of Florimell, Britomart emerges as the victor, but refuses the prize of the false Florimell. She meets her beloved Artegall at last.
Continuing the stories from the previous book, Spenser adds a sequel to Chaucer’s “Squire’s Tale’ involving Cambell and Triamond.