Lesser Known Knights
"Welcome to the page where you will find out about all the lesser known knights of the Round Table - the ones that no one's ever heard of before. Use the links below to take you to the knight you want.
Sir Aglovale was the first son of King Pellinore. Despite his position at the head of the family, he was destined only to become a minor Knight of the Round Table. It was Aglovale who brought his brother, Percivale, to King Arthur's Court and then joined the King's service himself to serve in the Saxon Wars. Sir Aglovale was later forced to return to his homeland and defend it against King Agrippe whose armies had invaded and killed a number of his brothers. In his personal life, Aglovale had a passionate affair with a Moorish princess and fathered a son named Morien before the two married. They left Britain to live in the Middle East where he became a local monarch. Aglovale returned towards the end of Arthur's reign and was eventually killed by Sir Launcelot during the rescue of Queen Guinevere from her fate at the stake. His death prompted Sir Percivale to enter a hermitage.
Sometimes called "the Arrogant" or "the Proud," Sir Agravaine was the second son of King Lot of Orkney and Queen Morgause, his wife. In his youth, he came to the Court of King Arthur with his brothers and fought in the Saxon Wars, where he liberated the prisoners on the Hill of Wretches. He was rewarded with a knighthood and welcomed into the Order of the Round Table. He managed to put himself about a bit in search of adventure. However, although a very handsome man and a competent knight with sword and axe, he was said to be a most disagreeable character: being described as envious, unsympathetic, hateful and disposed to evil. This view seems to have been largely due to his central role in the movement to expose the torrid affair between Queen Guinevere and Sir Launcelot. Sometimes, in some texts, it is Agravaine, rather than Mordred, who emerged as the chief conspirator and he was only finally killed when Launcelot rescued the Queen from the stake. However, Agravaine may be misrepresented. When Gawaine was accused of treachery by Guigambresil, it was his brother Agravaine who persuaded him not to respond too hastily and even offered to fight on his brother's behalf. Throughout, his actions seem to have been motivated by family loyalty. His desire to harm Sir Launcelot and his participation in the murder of Sir Lamorak is quite understandable when one considers that their family was responsible for the death of Agravaine's father. He must have had a more pleasing side to his character, for he won over the Lady Flor�e (or Laurel) - a niece of the King of Scotland - at a Camelot Tournament and married her. Sir Agravaine was killed by Sir Lancelot some time during the latter's conflict with Arthur.
Almost nothing seems to be known about Sir Alymere, yet he was thought important enough to be included amongst the twenty-five Knights listed on the Winchester Round Table. He did fight with Arthur's forces against the rebellious Sir Mordred.
King Anguish was one of the rebel kings who thought the boy-king, Arthur, was an imposter and rebelled against him at the beginning of his reign. The two made peace, however, after the Battle of Bedegraine. For many years, the Irish had been colonising the Western regions of Britain and Anguish saw himself as overlord of both the Scots (who called him Angusel) and the Cornish. King Mark of Cornwall had given out tribute to the Irish in the past, but eventually decided to assert his independence and refused payment. Anguish retaliated by sending his great champion, Sir Morhaut his brother-in-law, to force the Cornish to obey his demands. Sir Morhaut fought in single combat with King Mark's own champion, his nephew Sir Tristram. Tristram won the battle, killing Morhaut and freeing Cornwall from Irish domination into the bargain. However, before Morhaut's death, Tristram was wounded by his opponent's poisoned sword. King Anguish's Court was famous for its great healers and so Tristram was sent across the Irish Sea in disguise to seek their help. Anguish became such a great friend of Tristram that, when his deception was uncovered, he forgave him for killing his brother-in-law and sent him safely home. His wife, Isolde, was less tolerant, however, and tried to kill Tristram in his bath!
Later, Sirs Bleoberis and Blamore de Gannes summoned Anguish to King Arthur's Court to be charged with the murder of their cousin. Tristram stepped forward as Anguish's champion and won his acquittal. It was probably at this time that the Irish King was elevated to be a Knight of the Round Table. With the two sides reconciled, Tristram travelled again to Anguish's Court in order to escort the latter's daughter, Isolde the Fair, to Tristram's uncle, King Mark, the Lady's prospective husband. Considering the misery that ensued, Anguish only wished that Tristram had asked for her hand himself.
Sir Aristant was one of the Knights of the Round Table who attempted to heal Sir Urre of Hungary. He also appeared at the Sorelais Tournament but nothing else seems to be known about him.
Bagdemagus was the brother of Donadix and Tarsan, and nephew of King Uriens of Gore. He was the eldest of the trio and inherited his uncle's kingdom upon when he died. The brothers were also, apparently, King Arthur's cousins.
Early in Arthur's reign, Prince Bagdemagus was a major opponent of the British King. First, he tried to replenish his depopulated country by preventing all visitors from leaving. He then joined his uncle in open rebellion, only surrendering when Saxon raids forced them to make peace. He moved on to support King Galehaut of Sorelais in his wars against Arthur. But eventually Bagdemagus became a firm supporter of the Arthurian Court and companion of his cousin, Sir Yvain, and also of Gawaine. He had hoped to join the Round Table but, when a seat eventually became available, it was given to Sir Tor. Somewhat put out, he stormed out of Camelot and rode off into the forest. Stopping at a wayside cross, his squire saw an inscribed prediction that he would not return to court until he was an equal of the Round Table Knights. Bagdemagus agreed that he would certainly not go back until he had the respect of the Order which had rejected him.
The young prince then rode off in search of adventure. He found the holy herb that pointed the way to the Holy Grail. He discovered Merlin's rocky prison and spoke to the old wizard but was unable to lift the stone which barred his escape. In all respects, he proved himself a good and honourable knight and, when he finally returned to Camelot, he was indeed made Knight of the Round Table.
As a monarch, Bagdemagus was not so triumphant in subsequent exploits. Sir Kay defeated him in combat and hung him upside down from a tree. He also slept with King Pellinore's wife and was beaten near to death by her angry husband. Perhaps the discovery of the grail herb encouraged Sir Bagdemagus to enter into the search for the Holy Grail. Unfortunately, this too was not altogether successful. He attempted to take up the Adventurous Shield and was struck down by a warrior angel who had reserved it for Sir Galahad. He was later killed during the quest, after an unfortunate misunderstanding. Bagdemagus had come across Sir Mordred in the middle of raping a young maiden. He wounded the wicked knight in combat, but was later pursued by the latter's brother, Gawaine. Ignorant of both the circumstances and Bagdemagus' identity, Gawaine killed him.
King Bagdemagus had several daughters and a son, Sir Meleagant, with whom he was very close. He once hired a knight named Sauseise to unseat him early in a tournament in order to save him from further possible harm. Being a good and just King, Bagdemagus tried to protect Queen Guinevere when she was kidnapped by his son. Yet, poor Sir Lancelot was still very nervous about telling the man that he had killed Meleagant during the lady's rescue.
Balin was known as the Knight of the Two Swords. Balin le Savage was the brother of Balan. Balin and Balan lived in a time before the marriage of King Arthur to Queen Guinevere and the Fellowship of the Round Table. So, though Balin was depict one of the early great knight, Balin was not a knight of the Round Table.
Balin was one of Arthur's early champions, before Merlin and Arthur had organised the fellowship of the Round Table. Balin was the only knight in Arthur's court able to draw the magical sword out of the scabbard, which was carried by Lady Lile. Balin liked the sword too much that he refused to return the sword to Lady Lile of Avalon, earning her hatred. Lile cursed Balin that he would regret ever taking the sword from her. When the Lady of the Lake came to King Arthur, she asked for Balin's and Lady Lile's head as a gift in return for the sword. Arthur refused. Balin beheaded the Lady of the Lake, because she had caused the death of Balin's mother.
"Balin and his brother helped Arthur in the renewed war against the twelve kings. They were best knights on Arthur's side along with Sir Kay the Tall and Sir Pellinore, and helped Arthur win the war. Balin and his brother Balan were tricked into fighting a duel with one another. They only discovered one another's identity too late after they mortally wounded each other.
Sir Blamore was the son of Prince Nestor of Gannes. He is particularly associated with his brother, Sir Bleoberis de Gannes; and the two appeared early at King Arthur's Court having fought for him against the rebels at the Battle of Bedegraine. They were probably made Knights of the Round Table soon afterward.
Family honour quickly brought the brothers into conflict with King Anguish of Ireland when they accused him of killing their cousin. Sir Blamore found himself obliged to fight the King's champion, Sir Tristram, in order to try and prove the monarch's guilt. He was defeated by the great Cornishman, of course, and insisted that Tristram kill him. The judges, however, chose mercy instead and, thenceforth, Sir Blamore and his brother became great friends with both Sir Tristram and his Lord. Blamore was involved in a number of adventures during his career: fighting at the Castle of Maidens Tournament (Edinburgh), searching for Tristram, being defeated by Sir Palomides at the Surluse Tournament (possibly on the Isle of Man). He was also present at the accidental poisoning of Sir Patrise at Queen Guinevere's feast.
Upon Sir Launcelot's downfall, Sir Blamore and his brother followed their cousin into exile. Blamore was made Duke of Limosin in Guienne, but later, after King Arthur's death, he joined the group of former knights who became hermits near Canterbury. He finally travelled to the Holy Land on Crusade, where he was killed fighting the Turks
Sir Bleoberis was the son of Prince Nestor of Gannes. He was standard-bearer to his uncle and godfather, the loyal King Bors of Gannesat the Battle of Bedegraine; and was probably made a Knight of the Round Table by King Arthur soon afterward. He is particularly associated with his brother, Sir Blamore.
Sir Bleoberis seems to have been rather arrogant at times. He once rode into the court of King Mark of Cornwall and demanded a gift. He then chose as the wife of Sir Segwarides to be his 'gift', and rode off with her. Segwarides pursued them but was beaten off. The lady's lover, Sir Tristram, was more successful, but brought about her wrath for being only the second to attempt her rescue. She thus insisted on Bleoberis returning her to her husband who lay wounded at a nearby abbey. Bleoberis later acquired a lover of his own. He declared her the most beautiful of ladies, while recognizing his own bias, in order to prevent Sir Lancelot from entering a fight between Sirs Lamorak and Meleagant concerning the relative beauty of Queens Morgause or Guinevere.
After Lancelot's fall from grace, Bleoberis followed him into exile where he was made Duke of Poitiers. He returned to Britain as a hermit after Arthur's death, finally leaving on crusade with his brother Blamore and their cousins Ector de Maris and Bors.
Sir Brian was the son of Marin the Jealous, brother of Sir Meliot de Logres and an enemy of King Arthur. He fought against him as an ally of the Saxons and, later, at Dame Lyonors' tournament at Castle Dangerous. Brian lived at Dolorous Guard where he would imprison both knights and ladies, including Sir Gawaine, as a form of entertainment. That is until Sir Launcelot forced him to release them and took the castle as his own, renaming it as Joyous Guard. Undeterred, Sir Brian seems to have moved on to Pendragon Castle where he continued in the same leisure pursuits. Amongst his victims was Sir Brunor Le Noir, who Sir Launcelot also avowed to rescue. The Knight of the Lake fought Sir Brian until he pleaded for mercy, thus winning the release of all the prisoners. Upon discovering his opponent's identity however, Brian was greatly honoured to have fought the greatest of the Knight of the Round Table again. Although, in later years, the two became sworn enemies. Lancelot departed but soon returned to oust Sir Brian from his lands, giving Pendragon Castle to Sir Brunor instead.
Sir Brian was briefly the lover of his cousin, the Lady of the Lake, from whom he learnt a number of enchantments. With his brother, he tried to rescue her from Hontsalke of Wendland. Though they failed, their efforts enabled Sir Pellinore to succeed in their place. Later, Brian fell in love with the Lady of the Isles (the Hebrides), but she refused to marry him as she believed Sir Gawaine to be a better knight. Brian set out to prove her wrong and ended up attacking and defeating an unarmed Gawaine. Telling his love that her hero was dead, the marriage proceeded. It is possible that Brian gained the title 'of the Isles' from his wife. Hence it would seem that Gawaine's sudden appearance at the ceremony was too late. However, Sir Brian was sent south to King Arthur's Court.
He seems to travelled instead to Brittany to visit Sir Meliant de Lis. The two joined forces with a disgruntled Sir Kay and invaded Britain while King Arthur was on a pilgrimage to the Grail Castle. They pillaged the countryside and marched on Cardueil, but were defeated by Gawaine and Lancelot. Sir Brian was wounded but, upon recovery, was reluctantly pressed into Royal service. He continued to have little love for King Arthur and secretly entered into an alliance with the evil King Claudas. For a while, Brian tricked Arthur into throwing Launcelot into prison, but this did not last long and he was eventually forced to flee to King Claudas's Court. They invaded Scotland together, but Brian was killed in battle by Sir Lancelot.
Sir Brunor le Noir (La Cote Mal Taile)
Sir Brunor le Noir (Sir Brunor the Black) was the son of Sir Brunor Senior (the 'Good Knight without Fear') and brother of Sirs Dinadan and Daniel. The unlucky knight lost much of his family before he arrived at Arthur's Court. His father was murdered and Sir Lancelot slew his brother, Daniel. The Knight of the Lake thus became his sworn enemy, but the two fought to a draw at Castle Dusbergo and seem to have made a truce, at least, after that.
Sir Brunor travelled to Camelot wearing his dead father's coat which he had vowed not to take off until his murder had been avenged. This was not an elegant garment, though, as his father had been 'cut to ribbons' while sleeping by a 'cowardly knight' who was his enemy and had been wearing the coat. Therefore the piece of clothing was no more than a rag cut into strips. Because of this, when Brunor arrived at King Arthur's court, Sir Kay the Tall scoffed at him, dubbing him "La Cote Mal Tailli�e" or the Knight of the 'Ill-Fitting Coat'.
Such mockery did nothing for his reputation and Sir Brunor was rejected for a position in King Arthur's service. He departed in disgust but, later, Sir Gawaine spoke out on his behalf and a messenger was sent to call him back to Court. Both he and a group of knights failed in this task and the latte were sorely defeated in combat. After a number of adventures however, Sir Brunor did return and King Arthur knighted him.
Sir Kay continued his attempts at humiliating the Black Knight, first by arranging his first joust to be against the King Arthur's jester, Dagonet, whom he easily defeated. However, Sir Brunor soon proved his worth to his peers by rescuing Queen Guinevere from a lion that had escaped from the King's menagerie when no other knights were brave enough to do so. Arthur thus decided, at the request of Ill-Speaking Maiden, to send him to avenge the death of a knight in Sorelais. The Black Knight lacked skill in jousting - being badly defeated by Sir Bleoberis and Sir Palamides on his journey - but, on foot, he was unmatchable and slew a dozen knights at the Castle Orguellous. He was captured and imprisoned at Pendragon Castle by Sir Brian of the Isles, but was rescued by Sir Lancelot. This appears to have caused their reconciliation and the two became good friends. They went to Sorelois together and killed the six evil brothers named in Brunor's quest.
On the home journey, Sir Brian was finally evicted from Pendragon Castle and Lancelot gave it to Sir Brunor. Arthur made him a Knight of the Round Table, he married the Ill-Speaking Maiden, and they lived together in their Northerly fortress.
Sir/Earl Cador (Earl of Cornwall)
Cador was one of the children of Queen Igraine by her first husband, Gorlois, Earl of that Cornwell. Cador's wife is named as Ydain, a lady at the Court of King Caradoc Shortarm of Nantes. Cador spent some time the Breton Court after the King had rescued and then married his sister, Guignier.
At the great Siege of Mount Badon, Sir Cador commanded the British contingent that chased the invaders back to their boats at Thanet, where he killed their king, Cheldric. He took part in further campaigns against the Scots at Loch Lomond and the Gauls & Romans on the Continent. Together with Sir Launcelot, he was responsible for holding off an ambush by the Roman Emperor when taking prisoners back to Paris; and he commanded the rear guard at the Battle of Soissons. Cador was finally killed fighting the rebellious Sir Mordred at the Battle of Camlann.
Sir/King Caradoc Briefbras (King of Nantes)
Sir Caradoc Briefbras or "Short-Arm" was a Knight of the Round Table. He was raised as the son of Caradoc the Elder, the King of Nantes; but his mother had had an affair with a sorcerer named Eliavr�s who was his real father. Sir Caradoc found out the truth of his parentage at the Court of King Arthur when, like Sir Gawaine, he was challenged to a beheading game by a mysterious stranger. Caradoc chopped off his opponent's head, but the corpse replaced it and, explaining that he was Caradoc's biological father, the game ended. Highly humiliated, Caradoc took Eliavr�s back to his own kingdom and hid him away, imprisoned in a tower. In an attempt to escape, the wizard caused a serpent to entwine itself around his son's arm. His best friend, Sir Cador, and the latter's sister, Guignier, managed to pull the creature off, but the attack caused Caradoc's arm to shrivel away and he thus became known as "Briefbras".
Sir Caradoc later married Guignier, but his mother's infidelity made him rather paranoid concerning her faithfulness. She underwent a chastity test while the two were at Camelot, wearing a magic cloak and drinking from magic horn. The lady passed with flying colours and the couple were given the city of Cirencester as a reward.
Sir Caradoc of the Dolorous Tower
Often called "the Huge," Sir Caradoc was a vast man, thought of by some as a giant. He was the son of Mitrides (or Aupatris) and the brother of Sir Turquine. The two appeared together at the Castle Dangerous Tournament. Caradoc had a son named, Karakadin. He had been a Knight at the Court of Uther Pendragon, but did not get on with King Arthur.
Caradoc was perhaps the best known of the evil lords of the realm who liked nothing better than to capture Knights of the Round Table and throw them into the most wretched of prisons. In this case at the, aptly named, Dolorous Tower. The numbers of prisoners grew so large - including Sir Yvain and Sir Gawaine - that King Arthur was forced to declare war on Caradoc. The Dolorous Army held off the King's forces at the Wicked Pass, but Sir Launcelot broke through to engage their leader in single combat. The Lady Flor�e gave Lancelot a magic sword and Caradoc was slain.
Sir/King Carados (King of Scotland)
Carados was the son of King Gwallawc the Battle Horseman of Elmet and would have grown up in the city of Campoduno. Upon inheriting his father's throne, he took a mighty army across St. George's Channel and conquered Ireland, subsequently marrying the Irish King's daughter, Catanance, by whom he was to have three children: Aguisant, Meriadoc and Orwen. He became an early Knight of the Round Table and some say he was King Arthur's nephew, the son of one of his half-sisters. This, however, did not prevent him from joining the first wave of rebellion against his uncle, pledging 5,000 mounted men to the effort and fighting in the Battle of Bedegraine. He was, however, reconciled with the British King before the second rebellion. His lands had been invaded by Saxons and he was forced to swear loyalty to Arthur in order to expel them.
Sir Carados appears as a Knight of the Round Table during the attempt to heal Sir Urre and also sat in judgement of King Anguish of Ireland when Sirs Bleoberis and Blamore accused him for murder. He fought in Arthur's wars against the Roman Empire, King Claudas, King Mark of Cornwall and the treacherous Sir Launcelot. His sojourns at the British Court, led him to relinquish control of his Kingdom to his brother, Griffin, retaining only the ceremonial title for himself. Griffin, however, grew covetous of the throne and joined the rebellion of the evil Sir Mordred. At the Battle of Camlann, Carados fought against Mordred's ally, King Heliades, and each was mortally wounded. After his death, the Saxons quickly overran his defenceless kingdom.
Sir/Duke Chaleins (Duke of Clarence)
Duke Chaleins of Clarence was a Knight of the Round Table who appeared occasionally at the Royal tournaments. He arrived at King Galehaut's meet in Sorelais with a companion named Sir Elis la Noire and was hailed as a great champion, despite having turned up late. At the Candlemas Tournament following the death of Lady Elaine of Astolat, he brought a hundred knights.
Sir/King Clarion (King of Northumberland)
Clarion was the King of Northumberland, with his capital at Belande. He was one of the kings who joined the rebellion against King Arthur at the beginning of his reign. He pledged an army of 3,000 to the cause and they fought at the Battle of Bedegraine. However, after their defeat, his one-time Saxon allies invaded his lands and he was forced to return to repel them with the aid of Duke Escant of Cambernic. Later, defeated again by Arthur at Clarence, he appears to have made peace with the monarch and fought with him in his continental campaigns against Rome. He and his son, Sir Espinogres, were made Knights of the Round Table for their support. He is probably the King of Northumberland who attends a number of Arthurian tournaments including the jousting at Candlemas after the death of Lady Elaine of Astolat. Clarion brought a hundred knights and defeated King Howel of Brittany in the tilts.
Sir Clig�s was the son of the Byzantine Emperor, Alexander, and Sir Gawaine's sister, Soredamor. He was born in Britain during his father's years at King Arthur's court. His father and uncle, Alis, ruled the Eastern Empire under an agreement by which Alis was to remain unmarried and have no children, and the throne was to fall to Clig�s upon the deaths of the brothers. Alexander died first, however, and Alis broke their pact by marrying Fenice, the daughter of the Emperor of Germany. Clig�s accompanied his uncle's wedding entourage and fell in love with Fenice at their first meeting. The feeling was mutual and the bride managed to preserve her virginity by serving Alis a potion that made him believe his dreams of passionate nights were the real thing. During their return to Byzantium (which is today called Greece), they were ambushed by the Duke of Saxony but Clig�s defeated him in single combat.
Tormented by his forbidden love, Clig�s persuaded his uncle to knight him and allow him to leave for Britain to test his prowess at King Arthur's court, as his father had urged before his death. Arriving at Wallingford, he learnt that King Arthur was holding a tournament at nearby Oxford. So he sent his squire to London to buy him three suits of coloured armour. Wearing the black armour, Clig�s defeated Sir Sagremore during the first day's jousting and carried off all the honours. Back at his lodging, he hid the black armour and wore, instead, the green. The next day, he defeated Sir Launcelot and proceeded so well that he was declared far better than the unknown black knight of the day before. He moved unto the crimson armour on the third day, defeating Sir Percivale and repeating his general success. By this time, people were beginning to realise that all these knights were in fact one of the same.
Sir Gawaine modestly decided to try his hand on the last day, but Clig�s matched him so well that Arthur declared the fight a draw. Clig�s revealed his identity and both were delighted to find he was their relative. He stayed with Arthur's court until the following summer, travelling throughout Britain and France performing knightly deeds while Arthur made more of him than of any other nephew. He eventually returned to Byzantium where the lovers developed a plan to unite themselves. Fenice was to feign death, escape from her tomb and live with Clig�s in a secluded tower. Clig�s's servant, John, constructed a tomb from which the lady could get free. The plot worked a treat and Clig�s and Fenice enjoyed a time of bliss before their ruse was discovered by a knight named Bertrand. Forced to flee, the lovers lived abroad until Alis's death, when they returned to claim their crowns.
Sir/King Constantine (King of Cornwall)
Though he was the supposed half-nephew of King Arthur, Sir Constantine was one of the less prominent Knights of the Round Table. His father was Sir Cador, the King of Cornwall. Along with Sir Baudwin, King Arthur entrusted him with the joint-regency of Britain when he left to fight his continental war against Emperor Lucius of Rome. Constantine was therefore in position to receive the throne when Arthur died without an heir. As one of the few survivors of the battle of Camlann, the King gave him the crown of Britain on his deathbed. Sir Constantine was a good king, who restored order to the realm and the Archbishop of Canterbury to his diocese. He faced many problems with the invading Saxons and with the two rebellious sons of the wicked Mordred, but was able to overcome them. When Mordred's sons took refuge in churches in Winchester and London, Constantine pursued them and, disguising himself as a Bishop, killed them both before the high-altars. Constantine tried unsuccessfully to persuade Sirs Bors, Ector de Maris, Blamore, Bleoberis and other former companions to remain with him in England after Launcelot's death and to keep up the Order of the Round Table; but the flower of Arthur's knighthood had either been slaughtered, moved to Gaul or entered the solitary life of a hermit.
Sir Dagonet was King Arthur's well-loved jester. He saw himself as a courageous warrior and would present himself as such. Yet, in reality, he would flee at the slightest provocation. He often battered his own shield so that it appeared that he had been in a fight - telling all that he emerged victorious, of course.
Dagonet's tom-foolery was legendary. He once playfully "captured" Sir Launcelot by leading his horse to Queen Guinevere and the noble knight was dubbed "Dagonet's Prisoner" to great hilarity. During the False Guinevere's reign, the jester took on the administration of the Royal Court and bankrupted the household. Yet, the unfortunate treasurer, Pole, was killed for reproving him. Sir Gawaine even adopted the name Dagonet as an ironic alias during one of his adventures.
The Knights of the Round Table often used Dagonet to play practical jokes on their rivals or their enemies. Sir Kay arranged for Sir Brunor to joust with Dagonet at his first tournament, in order to deprive him of the honour of defeating a true knight. On another occasion, Arthur's men pointed out Dagonet to King Mark of Cornwall and told him he was Sir Launcelot. The cowardly monarch fled screaming into the Forest. Sometimes however, the jester came off a little worse for wear during these episodes. The poor man was beaten by the temporarily insane Sir Tristram and went mad himself, when his wife was abducted by Helior of the Thorn. Sir Dagonet, however, tracked him down and killed him.
Sir Dinadan was the son of Sir Brunor Senior and brother of Sirs Brunor le Noir and Daniel. He seems to have never had a wife or a lover. Dinadan had a very serious side to his character which led him to question the whole notion of courtly love. He saw no reason to try and kill some poor fellow knight over a misperceived insult, and thought hard about the righteousness of the cause and the chances of success before entering a fight. He was, however, a great practical joker, as particularly shown by his lampooning at the Sorelais Tournament.
Dinadan arrived at the jousting in disguise and performed brilliantly at the tilt. On the fifth day, King Galehaut sent Sir Launcelot to unhorse him and a bit of clowning on both sides led to Dinadan being unmasked. The next evening, Galehaut was in a fowl mood after being served fish, which he hated. Sir Dinadan then presented him with great headed fish with bulging eyes and quipped, "Well may I liken you to a wolf, for he will never eat fish, but flesh." The monarch then snapped out of his irritation and all laughed greatly. Again the following day, Lancelot continued the tom-foolery by entered the lists wearing a dress over his armour. He unhorsed Dinadan and, helped by a number of other pranksters, carried him into the forest and dressed him up like a woman too. Everyone was in hysterics, especially Queen Guinevere.
Sir Dinadan saw the good in everyone and had almost no enemies. Sir Tristram was his greatest friend. Unfortunately though, Sirs Mordred and Agravaine took a disliking to him, despite - or because of - his having rescued them both from Breuse Sans Pitie. He apparently also made some rather unfortunate comment concerning Sir Lamorak's death, causing the two to wickedly murder him during the Grail Quest. Sir Palomides brought him back to Camelot for burial.
Sir Dodinel was called 'the Wild' because he liked to hunt game in the Forest and thus often lived in the Wilderness. He had a home in the Shrieking Marshes. He was the son of King Belinant of Sugales by his own niece, apparently the Lady of Malehaut; and his paternal uncle was King Cradelmant of Norgales. Dodinel fought with Arthur in the Saxon Wars and became a companion of Sirs Gawaine and Yvain. He was with the latter when Sir Calogrenant captivated his audience with stories of the adventures to be had in the Broceliande Forest. King Arthur knighted Dodinel for his services and he became one of the Queen's Knights. He was amongst Guinevere's company when she was kidnapped by King Meleagant of Summerland and is also recorded as going a-Maying with her. When promoted to a Knight of Round Table, he is said to have become the ninth in greatness of arms. He often rode with his friend, Sir Sagremore, but his adventures were mostly unfortunate and led to his imprisonment: at Dolorous Guard, Castle Langr�e and the Forbidden Hill. He intended to fight for King Arthur at the Battle of Camlann, but, before he was able, he was killed in a fight with Sir Gareth. His son, Carduin, later avenged his death.
Sir Ector de Maris was the illegitimate son of King Ban of Benwick by the daughter of Lord Agravadain of Castle de Mares. Ector was raised in the Fens by his maternal grandfather until he was old enough to join King Arthur's Court and become a Knight of the Round Table.
Ector's adventures in the name of King Arthur were many and wide-ranging. With Sir Morganore, it was Ector de Maris who welcomed Sir Tristram to Camelot when he was shipwrecked nearby. The two jousted in a friendly competition, but Ector was ashamed to have been beaten by a knight of Cornwall. Other times he was more successful at tournaments, getting the better of both Sirs Palomides and Percivale. He, however, failed to defeat Sir Turquine and became one of the knights he imprisoned before being rescued by Ector's brother, Sir Launcelot. He returned the favour by rediscovering the lost Knight of the Lake after his period of insanity and returning him to Court.
On the Grail Quest, Ector de Maris rode with his friend, Sir Gawaine, for a time. Reaching Corbenic, however, he was refused a viewing of the holy cup and King Pellam sent him away for serving the Devil. Ector had evidently been too popular with the ladies. He is known to have had a long relationship with Lady Perse of the Narrow Borderland, whose fianc� he murdered in order to be with her. Ector later had an affair with the cousin of the Lady of Roestoc, before being reunited with Perse. Ector de Maris, naturally, rallied his brother's side when Launcelot broke from Arthur's Court. He fought for him at the Battle of Benwick and Joyous Guard and helped rescue Queen Guinevere from the stake. Fleeing to the Continent, Launcelot made him King of Benwick and Guienne. He was the last knight to join his brother at the Archbishop of Canterbury's hermitage and apparently died their before the others left on crusade.
Sir Florence was Sir Gawaine's second son, but the eldest by Guilorete, Sir Brandiles' sister. He became a Knight of the Round Table but, like his brother Lovel, he joined the anti-Guinevere conspirators under his uncles, Mordred and Agravaine. When they caught the Queen in bed with Sir Launcelot, he was killed during the fighting which led to the great knight's escape.
Sir Gahalantine was a relative of Sir Launcelot and a Knight of the Round Table. The two chose opposing sides at the tournament between King Bagdemagus of Gore and the King of North Wales. Sir Gahalantine fought for the Welshman, but was sorely beat by his cousin. Gahalantine supported Sir Launcelot during his break with King Arthur and helped him rescue Queen Guinevere from the stake. In return, Launcelot made him Duke of Auvergne. After Arthur's death, Gahalantine joined Launcelot and his companions in their hermitage. He returned home after Launcelot's own demise.
Sir Galehodin was Lord of Penning and Castle Ferelois, and the nephew of King Galehaut of Sorelais and the Distant Isles; and grandson of the King of Norgales.
Galehodin was a Knight of the Round Table and friend of Sir Lanucelot. The two played a practical joke on Sir Dinadan at his uncle's the Sorelais Tournament. At the same meeting, Galehodin tried to win Le Belle Isolde with a force of knights, twenty strong. However, Sir Tristram allowed Sir Palomides to act as his lover's champion and he jousted them all to the ground. Galehodin's knights were well known and feared in his own country. Sir Aglovale once killed a relative of Galehodin in combat. The dead man's brother attacked him when unarmed and the knight was forced to flee. Galehodin sent out his knights to find him, but Aglovale managed to hide at the house of a wealthy burgher, where his brother, Sir Gawaine and a number of friends were staying. The group confronted Galehodin's men and killed sixty of them. The poor burgher was horrified, knowing that he would be blamed for this seemingly unprovoked attack on his lord's men. However, Gawaine promised to sort things out. He went to see Galehodin and impressed him so with his knightly prowess that the lord not only forgave all, but gave the burgher his castle of Penning and made him a knight.
Sir Galehodin naturally sided with Sir Lancelot during the split with King Arthur. He fought for him at the Battles of Benwick and Joyous Guard and later followed him into exile, where he was made Duke of Saintonge. He was again with the Lakeland Knight at his hermitage, but returned home after Lancelot's death.
Sir/King Galehaut (King of Sorelais and the Distant Isles)
Sir Galehaut was the son of Sir Brunor of Castle Pleure on the Giant's Island and his wife, Bagotta. Rather than inherit his father's domain, family tradition insisted that he conquer lands for himself. Thus Galehaut overran some thirty island kingdoms, of which Sorelais and the Distant Isles were his favourites. Galehaut was described as very tall knight, and well-loved king by his people for his chivalry, fairness and generosity.
Galehaut started out as an adversary of King Arthur. As a strong monarch himself, he wanted Arthur to recognise his overlordship. Galehaut was called the Uncrowned King, because he refused to be crowned king, until he conquered Logres, the kingdom of King Arthur. Launcelot had just conquered Dolorous Guard when Galehaut had invaded Arthur's kingdom. Launcelot had so distinguished in his battles against Galehaut's men that he wished to become friend to the unnamed Red or Black Knight (Launcelot). Galehaut managed to befriend Launcelot during the third battle against Arthur. Launcelot agreed to become Galehaut's friend only if the king surrendered to Arthur at the moment of victory in the battle. Galehaut not only surrendered to Arthur, bust stuck new friendship to Arthur, Guinevere and Gawaine. The Queen confided, similarly, with the Lady of Malohaut, and as both she and Galehaut acted as go-betweens they soon became lovers themselves.
It was only through Guinevere that Galehaut learned of Launcelot's name. Galehaut also discovered his young friend's love to the queen. Galehaut then proceeded to arrange Guinevere to return Launcelot's love, where the queen bestowed the first kiss to Launcelot. Galehaut aided Arthur in the war against the Saxons where he, Launcelot and Hector would become the Knights of the Round Table. Galehaut return to his own kingdom with Launcelot, where all his castles collapsed. Galehaut learned that God was angry with him for making war upon Arthur and that his friendship with Launcelot would cause his own death. This made Launcelot upset. They stayed in his kingdom, until he learned that had imposter had imprisoned Guinevere. Arthur fell madly in love with the False Guinevere that he would have executed his real wife, had Launcelot not challenged and defeated three knights from Camelides. Galehaut offered Guinevere refuge and sanctuary in his kingdom, until the queen was reconciled with Arthur.
Launcelot went to rescue Gawaine, when the hero was captured by Morgan le Fay. She stole Launcelot's ring, telling Arthur's court that Launcelot was dying. Galehaut and other knights set out on a quest to find Launcelot. After a long search, Galehaut believed that his friend had died. Griefstricken, Galehaut fell ill, after fasting, dying ten days later. Launcelot would later reburied Galehaut in the tomb at Joyeuse Guard (formerly known as Dolorous Guard). At Launcelot's death he would be beside him. Galehodin, Galehaut's nephew and godson, inherited the lands after Galehaut's death.
Sir Guinglain (Le Bel Inconnu)
Sir Guinglain was Sir Gawaine's eldest son by a fairy named Blanchemal. The lady raised her son in ignorance of his heritage; so when he appeared at the Court of King Arthur, he became known as Le Bel Inconnu , or the "Fair Unknown". Arthur sent him on a quest to restore the city of Snowdon for Esmeree the Blonde, the Queen of Wales, after it had been laid waste by a pair of sorcerers.
The Queen's Lady-in-Waiting messengeress, named Helie, was disgusted to be returning home with such an inexperienced youth as her champion. However, the Unknown Knight soon changed her mind about him when he was triumphant in a number of adventures en route. He overcame the arrogant Sir Bleoberis de Gannes; he rescued the Lady Clarie from a pair of giants; he defeated three attackers and won a sparrowhawk tournament. Defeating the Guardian of the Golden Isle, he fell in love with his fairy mistress, the Maiden with the White Hands. The two wished to marry, but the knight with no name was obliged to sneak away to complete his quest. Arriving at Snowdon, the two sorcerers were soon defeated, but Sir Guinglain had to overcome natural revulsion and kiss the snake into which the Queen had been transformed. The wicked spell was thus broken and the Esmeree returned. She wished to marry her saviour, but he hurried back to the Maiden with the White Hands instead. She reluctantly accepted him back and revealed his real name. But Sir Guinglain could not resist the joust meetings and the fairy finally jilted him when he went off to the tournament at Maiden's Castle. He eventually ended up with Queen Esmeree after all.
Sir Tristram first came to the notice of his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall, whilst jousting with Sir Guinglain at Tintagel. Guinglain's horse was killed from under him and Mark replaced it in order to discover his opponent's identity. Guinglain became a Knight of the Round Table and, with his brothers, Sirs Florence and Lovell, helped in the attempt in entrap Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere in flagrante delicto. Launcelot killed all three for their trouble.
A relative of Sir Lancelot's, Sir Hebes le Renoumes (Herbes the Renwoned) was a messenger at the court of King Faramon of Gaul. He was sent to Cornwall to deliver a love letter to Sir Tristram from the King's daughter; and returned to join the Cornishman's entourage after the Princess had pined away for his love. He became Tristram's squire, but remained in Britain when his lord was sent to incognito Ireland. Hebes followed, later with Sir Gawaine, in order to attend the Lady of the Launds' tournament. He was able to persuade Tristram to knight him when he saw through his disguise but promised to keep quiet. Hebes stayed with Sir Tristram at the Irish Court of King Anguish and was able to watch over him during his very uneasy deception. When Queen Isolde discovered that Tristram was the knight who had killed her brother, Sir Hebes had to bodily intervene to prevent her from murdering him in his bath. He returned to Britain with Tristram and stayed after his death, becoming a Knight of the Round Table at King Arthur's Court. He accompanied his cousin, Sir Lancelot, into exile during the break with Arthur and was made Earl of Comminges as a reward for his support.
A variant story tells how Sir Hebes was tragically killed by Sir Tristram when he was forced to switch shields with Sir Palomides after being defeated in a fight. Tristram was the latter's great rival in their love for Lady Isolde and wanted nothing more than his death. Seeing Hebes ride towards him bearing Palomides arms, Sir Tristram ran his friend through with a lance. Sir Gaheris recovered his body and had him buried.
Sir/King Hoel I Mawr (King of Brittany)
Born : c.AD 491
As a son of Budic II's first marriage, King Hoel I Mawr (King Hoel the Great) was nephew to King Arthur of Britain. Tradition says he spent much of his youth at the King's Court. Hoel lived there in exile as a child and, although he returned to Brittany when his father was recalled, he was soon asked back to help his uncle overcome the Saxon scourge. Hoel supposedly landed at Southampton and immediately moved north with a considerable army to assist King Arthur at the Battle of Dubglas, the Siege of Caer-Ebrauc and the Battle of Celidon Coit, before being besieged himself at Caer-Brithon. Hoel's greatest hour, however, was at the triumphant Battle of Mount Badon. Later he took part in Arthur's continental campaigns, conquering Gaul and enabling Arthur to establish his government in Paris. Hoel then returned to his own Kingdom, where King Tristram of Lyonesse was supposed to have helped him to victory during a Breton Civil War. Hoel probably ruled jointly in Cornouaille with his ageing father. They, apparently, both died in the same year (545) and were succeeded by Hoel's eldest son, Tewdwr Mawr. Literary writers have transformed Sir Howel into a Knight of the Round Table, but as most information about him comes from these and later sources, his historicity is in some doubt.
He was a Knight of the Round Table who fought under Sir Gawaine in the Saxon Wars. He later lived in the Valley of No Return, after promising his wife that he would do so until it was destroyed. However, he was imprisoned in the Dolorous Tower until rescued by Sir Launcelot. Sir Kay the Foreigner made appearances at the Nohaut and Leverzep Tournaments, wielding a fine shield made in Toulouse. He was killed by Launcelot's party when he rescued Queen Guinevere from the stake. He should not be confused with the more well-known Sir Kay the Tall.
Little is known of this Knight of King Arthur's Round Table. He makes the odd appearance in Arthurian tales: notably at the Sorelais Tournament and in the attempt to heal Sir Urre of Hungary. Sometimes he is called Earl Lambale and sometimes the Earl of Lambale. The latter seems to be more correct. It is uncertain where Lambale would be.
Sir Lavaine was the younger son of Sir Bernard of Astolat and the brother of Sir Tirre and Elaine the Lily Maid. Lavaine and his brother had recently been knighted when Sir Launcelot, travelling secretly to a tournament at Winchester, stopped at Astolat and lodged with Sir Bernard. Tirre had been wounded the same day that he was knighted and was still lying in bed recovering from his wounds, so his shield was available for Launcelot to borrow as part of his disguise. His own shield, Launcelot left with Elaine for safekeeping - doing for her what he had never done for any other woman, including Queen Guinevere. With a view to heightening his disguise, he accepted Elaine's token to wear in the lists. The lady, of course, fell deeply in love with him. Sir Lavaine went with Launcelot to the tournament, made a good showing and helped his gravely wounded companion away to the hermit, Baudwin. Sent back to Winchester by Launcelot to seek out the latter's cousin, Sir Bors, Lavaine first encountered his sister Elaine who insisted on going herself to nurse Launcelot back to health. Locating Bors, Lavaine brought them both to the wounded knight. As he would not marry her, Elaine asked to be Launcelot's paramour and even Sir Bors counselled him to love Elaine if he could, but Launcelot remained true to Guinevere. After Launcelot left her, Elaine died of a broken heart. In accordance with her dying instructions, her body was put in a barge and floated down to Westminster, where the King, Queen, Launcelot and the rest of the Royal Court grieved to see the body and read the explanatory letter in its hand, which requested Launcelot to give the Mass-penny for her soul. Sir Lavaine remained at court after Elaine's death. At Arthur's famous Christmas tournament, Lavaine encountered the King himself in the lists and they knocked each other to the ground. Lavaine was made a companion of the Round Table at the same time as Sir Urre of Hungary whose sister, Felelolie, he later married. Remaining in Sir Launcelot's faction during the break with King Arthur, Lavaine accompanied Launcelot into exile and was eventually made Count of Armagnac.
Sir Lionel was the younger son of King Bors of Gannes and Queen Evaine. He was named from a birthmark shaped like a lion. After his father's death at the hands of King Claudas, Lionel and his brother, Bors the Younger, lived as captives at the usurper's court under the tutelage of their father's old friend, Sir Pharien. They were eventually rescued by the High-Priestess, Seraide, who turned them into greyhounds and whisked them away to complete their education with their cousin, Sir Launcelot, at the home of the Lady of the Lake.
Lionel and Bors accompanied Launcelot to Britain, where they became Knights of King Arthur's Round Table. One of his first tasks was to act, along with Bors, Gawaine and Bedivere, as ambassador to the Emperor Lucius during the Roman Wars. Upon his return, Lionel accepted Launcelot's invitation to join him in adventure seeking. However, while Launcelot slept, Lionel tried to help three knights fleeing from a single adversary. All four were defeated by their opponent - a knight named Turquine - and thrown naked into prison. Lionel had to wait some time for release, since his companion was similarly imprisoned by the enchantress, Morgan Le Fay.
At other times, Lionel helped in the search for Sir Tristram; and then for Sir Launcelot, when he ran from the court in a fit of madness, having argued with Queen Guinevere over his extra curricula activities. During the Grail Quest, poor Lionel was captured by two evil knights who stripped him naked, bound him and foot and dragged him along the highway while thrashing him with thorns. His brother, Sir Bors, encountered them, but was obliged to abandon any rescue in order to save a nearby virgin from being raped. Unsurprisingly, Lionel was not best pleased at his brother's actions and, when next the two met, he threatened to run Bors through with his sword. Bors refused to defend himself, until a hermit and then Sir Colgrevance, were slain trying to break the two up. When he finally reached for his sword, a ball of fire descended from Heaven to stop the fight.
Sir Lionel, of course, sided with Launcelot when the schism with King Arthur opened up. He went with his cousin into exile and was crowned King of Gaul. He, however, returned to Britain to put down the last remnants of Mordred's rebellion and was slain by the latter's son, Melehan, with fifteen other knights while travelling from Dover to London in search of Sir Launcelot.
Sometimes called Ilinot or Borre, Sir Loholt was an illegitimate son of King Arthur by Lady Lisanor of Cardigan, with whom he had a brief fling prior to his marriage. Loholt was both a handsome and noble Knight of the Round Table who entered into a number of adventures. He helped his father rescue Queen Guinevere when kidnapped by King Valerin of the Tangled Wood; and fought and killed a giant named Logrin in the Perilous Forest. Sir Loholt fell in love with Lady Florie of Kanadic and died while in her service. He was apparently captured by Sir Caradoc of the Dolorous Tower (or Sir Brian of the Isles) and was locked up in prison. There he contracted a rather unpleasant disease and died soon afterward.
Sir Lovel was the youngest of Sir Gawaine's sons by Guilorete, the sister of Sir Brandiles. He became a Knight of the Round Table but, with his brother Sir Florence, joined his uncles, Agravaine and Mordred, in their attempt to catch Sir Launcelot in bed with Queen Guinevere. Lovel was killed as the trapped Lakeland knight forced his way to freedom.
Sir Lucan was a son of Duke Corneus and probably maternal half-brother of Sir Bedivere. He was a solid and reliable Knights of the Round Table and one of King Arthur's earliest companions. He took on the post of Royal butler - an important position in charge of the Royal Household rather than a serving man. He valiantly defended Arthur's right to the throne at the Battle of Bedegraine and probably against subsequent rebellions. Though he sought adventure, he never came to the fore in Arthurian tales with renowned exploits of his own. He always attended the Royal tournaments and was once hurt so badly by Sir Tristram that Sir Yvain had to escort him to Gannes Abbey for medical assistance. Sir Lucan remained loyal to King Arthur throughout the schism with Launcelot and on occasion acted as their go-between. Similarly during Mordred's rebellion he stayed by the monarch's side and though wounded, with his brother, Bedivere, he was one of the few knights left standing at the Battle of Camlann. He tried to dissuade Arthur from his final attack on his son/nephew, but was unsuccessful and the King received his mortal wound. Worried about looters on the battlefield, Lucan and Bedivere attempted to move the dying Arthur into a nearby chapel for safety; but the strain was too much for Lucan. A severe wound burst open, spilling out his bowels, and he died.
Sir Meleagant probably became a Knight of King Arthur's Round Table at a young age, by virtue of his being the son of good Bagdemagus, king of Gorre. He often attended the tournaments, including Dame Lyonors' at Castle Dangerous, where he defeated Sir Gareth, and King Galehaut's Sorelais meeting, where Sir Sauseyse was employed by his father to beat him quickly and get him to safety off the field. Meleagant was, however, not the most popular of knights at court and appears to have grown resentful of the respect earned by others.
Sir Meleagant harboured a secret love for Queen Guinevere and this was to be his undoing. His feelings were first suspected when he had a ferocious clash with Sir Lamorak concerning the relative beauty of Guinevere and her sister-in-law, Morgause. The two knights fought for some time before Sir Bleoberis was able to intervene and bring them to their senses. Eventually, Meleagant was unable to suppress his burning passions and he was forced to resort to drastic and villainous actions to get what he wanted.
It was early May and Queen Guinevere was staying at the Royal palace in London from which she decided to take a small unarmed party out a-Maying (gathering flowers, particularly May blossom, and generally celebrating the coming of Summer). They went out into the fields of what is now Westminster; but Sir Meleagant had set an ambush there for the Queen. With his band of ruffians, he attacked, wounded several of the Queen's knights and made off with her, back to his own kingdom of the Summer Country. Only a single child managed to escape and ran with the terrible news to Guinevere's lover, Sir Launcelot. The great knight started out after them immediately, but some of Meleagant's archers shot his horse from under him and he was forced to continue in a humble cart: a highly embarrassing mode of transport, but the only one he could get hold of at such short notice. By the time Lancelot caught up with them, Meleagant had his unhappy captive safely locked up within his castle. He already tried to force himself upon the lady but had been pulled away by his aging father. Attempts at rescue by Sirs Kay and Gawaine had failed miserably. However, Meleagant was terrified of Lancelot's wrath and quickly yielded up the Queen rather than face having to fight the greatest of all knights. They all spent the night at the castle, but Lancelot could not bear to be so near and yet so far from his lover and broke into the Queen's bedchamber, wounding his hand in the process. Meleagant thus discovered her in the morning amongst blood-stained sheets and immediately accused her of using one of her wounded followers for sexual gratification. He, however, had more important concerns on his mind. Lancelot had arranged for a trial by combat, which Meleagant was eager to avoid. So he took his opponent on a grand tour of his castle, whereupon, in a particular room, a trap door opened up, throwing Lancelot into a deep dungeon. Luckily, the knight's gaoler was Maleagant's pretty young sister, easily seduced into letting him go in return for a passionate kiss. Lancelot was thus still able to turn up to the scheduled fight. When the battle began, he quickly gained the upper hand and Maleagant tried to surrender. Repulsed by the knight's advances, Guinevere, however, wanted him dead. So Lancelot refused to accept his capitulation. Meleagant similarly refused to continue the fight unless Lancelot tied his left hand behind his back. The great knight agreed but was still able to quickly cleave Meleagant's head in two.
Sir Meliant de Lis was the son of King Norrois of Lis (and Lord of the Waste Manor). He was brother of Lady Guilorete, Sir Brandelis, Gyamoure and Tyrry; as well as nephew of King Bagdemagus of Gore. His father was killed by Sir Lancelot when Meliant was young and his upbringing was entrusted to Sir Tibaut of Tintagel. While he was a squire, Meliant fell in love with Tibaut's eldest daughter, Obie. She would not have him, however, until he became a knight and challenged her father to a tournament. On the appointed day, however, Gawaine arrived and championed Tibaut, unhorsing Meliant and taking him captive to the younger sister, Obilot the Maid with the Little Sleeves. The foster father and son were afterwards reconciled.
Meliant entered the Grail Quest as the squire of his uncle, King Bagdemagus, but deserted him for Sir Galahad at the White Abbey. The latter knighted him and the two rode together until they came to a perilous crossroads. Meliant chose the left fork signposted for honourable knights only; but soon found himself badly wounded by an unknown knight when he stole a golden crown from a woodland bower. Luckily, Galahad turned up to carry him off to the ministrations of an elderly monk. He did recover and was present when Galahad completed the Quest at Corbenic. Back at court, Meliant was made a Knight of the Round Table. He was one of the only knights to ever have crossed to Sorelais via the dangerous North Welsh Bridge. Sir Meliant married Princess Flor�e, the daughter of King Alain of Escavalon. He fought for Arthur at the Siege of Logres Castle; but, later, as with Sir Kay, the two seem to have fallen out. Meliant and Kay joined forces with Brian of the Isles in Brittany and led an invasion of Britain. Sir Lancelot mortally wounded Meliant at Battle of Pennevoiseuse and he died soon afterward. Others versions of his story, indicating that he joined Lancelot's party and was exiled as the Earl of Tursaud, seem unlikely in light of the circumstances of his father's death.
Sir Meliot de Logres was the son of Marin the Jealous and brother of Sir Brian of the Isles. Marin murdered his wife and Meliot thus fled to a hermitage on his uncle's land. He later moved on to the Lion Field, named after his pet which was slain by Sir Clamadoz of the Shadows. Meliot killed him in revenge.
The knight rode with his brother in an attempt to rescue their cousin, the Lady of the Lake, from Sir Hontzlake of Wendland. Unfortunately they failed in their quest, but managed to impede the knight for long enough to enable Sir Pellinore to succeed in their place. It was Nabigan of the Rock, however, who pushed Meliot into the Court of King Arthur, when he murdered the knight's father and then tried to take Meliot's lands. Sir Gawaine became his champion and defeated Nabigan. Meliot repaid the favour some time later when he raised the siege imposed on Arthur and Gawaine by Anurez the Bastard.
In his subsequent battle with Sir Gilbert the Bastard, Meliot was fatally wounded and was only saved by Sir Launcelot braving the Chapel Perilous in order to obtain a holy cloth or sword required to heal him. Not surprisingly, Meliot became a Knight of the Round Table and attended the Winchester Tournament. However, during the dark days of Launcelot's affair with Queen Guinevere, he joined in Sirs Mordred and Agravaine's plans to trap them together. He was killed as Launcelot made good his escape (or else was killed by Sir Brudan). He may be identical to Sir Meliant de Lis, although their fathers differ and they sometimes appear in company together.
Sir Menaduke of Mentoche was a Knight of the Round Table and relative of Sir Lancelot. He, naturally, defected from King Arthur's Court with his cousin after Lancelot and Guinevere's affair was uncovered. He fought well at the Battle of Benwick and Joyous Guard, but went into exile in Francia where he was rewarded with the Earldom of Rouerge. He seems to have returned to Britain to help put down Mordred's rebellion but was killed in the fighting.
This Irish knight was the son of King Morhaut Senior, brother of Queen Isolde of Ireland and father of Sir Golistant. He was an early supporter of King Arthur, brought into the fold by Sirs Gawaine and Yvain. These two discovered his white shield one day, hanging from a tree and being vandalized by twelve maidens who claimed that its owner was a misogynist. Morhaut then returned, recovered his despoiled shield and drove the ladies back to the tower from whence they had come. He greeted Gawaine and the two took part in a friendly joust together. Morhaut won because he grew stronger as the evening approached. He eventually explained that the twelve maidens were wicked enchantresses and that, like any good knight, he would give good service to any lady who asked for it. Morhaut, Gawaine and Yvain then travelled together for a time.
Upon reaching Arroy, the companions met the Damsels of Spring, Summer and Autumn and Morhaut chose to seek adventure with Summer for the next year. With his new partner, he travelled to the South Marches, where Morhaut was challenged to a dual by the ruling Duke. The nobleman had hated the Knights of the Round Table ever since Sir Gawaine had slain seven of his sons, but when Morhaut defeated him, he quickly offered his allegiance to King Arthur. Morhaut next attended the Lady de Vawse's Tournament and defeated some forty knights to win a circlet of gold. Then it was on to the lands of Earl Fergus, where he rid his lordship of a giant named Taulurd. He also rescued the Lady of Plessis from being burnt alive, but less honourably was captured and thrown in prison at the Rock of Maidens until released by Sir Gaheris. At the year's end, Sir Morhaut set off to rendezvous with Gawaine and Yvain once, jousting and defeating Sirs Sagremore, Osanna, Dodinel and Meliot on the way. The three friends were overjoyed to be reunited and returned to Arthur's Court in great triumph. Sir Morhaut was sponsored as a Knight of the Round Table and enrolled on the same day as Sir Pelleas.
Joining Launcelot, Bors, Kay and Marrok, Morhaut became one of the King Arthur's personal bodyguard during his war with the Roman Emperor Lucius. He also became Royal Champion to his brother-in-law, King Anguish of Ireland. A less prestigious period in his life was his second imprisonment, this time by Sir Turquine, though he was eventually rescued by Sir Launcelot. As Champion of Ireland, Morhaut was given the unfortunate task of travelling to Cornwall in order to force King Mark to pay his overdue tribute money to the Irish Exchequer. He was placed in single combat against the then very green Sir Tristram on Saint Samson's Isle. Not wanting the dishonour of killing an inexperienced knight, he kindly suggested that the Cornishman throw in the towel before the battle had begun. In the event, however, the ferocious clash lasted all the day until finally Sir Tristram struck his sword right through Morhaut's helm and embedded it in his skull. Sir Morhaut just managed to stagger to his feet, but barely made it back to his ship and the safety of Ireland. Despite the great efforts of his sister, he died a few days later with a piece of Tristram's sword still protruding from his head. It was perhaps fitting that when Tristram was made a Knight of the Round Table, he was given the seat of this unfortunate knight whom he killed.
Sir/King Nentres (King of Garlot)
Nentres is best known as the husband of Princess Elaine of Tintagel. The couple raised Elaine's little sister, Morgan le Fay, and later had their own children, Sir Galescalain & Lady Elaine Junior. Nentres was amongst the kings who doubted King Arthur's right to the throne and rebelled against him at the commencement of his reign. He pledged 5,000 mounted men to the revolt and fought valiantly at the Battle of Bedegraine. When the rebel kings had to postpone their seditious actions in order to repel the Saxon attacks on Wandesborow, Nentres was place din command of the city of Wyndesan. His wife, Elaine, was kidnapped by the Saxons by rescued by the lady's nephew and Arthur's man, Sir Gawaine. The king thus refrained from entering the second phase of rebellion and felt obliged to make peace with Arthur. He helped crush the enemy at the Battle of Clarence and followed his brother-in-law on his continental campaigns. Nentres was particularly respected for striking down King Alifatima of Spain and was made a Knight of the Round Table for his services to the Crown.
Sir Palomides was a Saracen knight whose nobility and prowess were almost unsurpassed. His father was King Esclabor and his many brothers included Sir Safir and Sir Segwarides. His sister was named Florine. Like Sir Tristram, Palomides loved the beautiful Princess Isolde of Ireland. This led to a number of tense situations between the two knights who, otherwise, respected and admired each other. Among other offences, Sir Palomides kidnapped Isolde after returning to her safety her maid whom he had found lost in the forest. On this occasion, as in others, Tristram and Palomides clashed in battle over Isolde's love. After these conflicts, the two knights were generally reconciled but always remained bitter. In various adventures, Sir Palomides championed a lady against the evil Sir Gonereys, won the love of the King of Baghdad's daughter by killing a malicious knight named Corsabrin, avenged the murder of King Armant of the Red City and defeated Sir Atamas at the Spring of Healing.
Some time before King Mark of Cornwall's invasion of Britain, Sir Palomides had rescued him from attack by striking down Sir Brandiles, the two Sir Yvains, Sirs Ozana, Agravaine and Griflet in rapid succession. Shortly afterwards, he met Sir Lamorak outside Morgan Le Fay's castle, bearing an anonymous red shield as he fought off her knights. Palomides courteously offered to help him but Lamorak took offence and insisted on proving his lack of weariness by fighting Palomides as well. The latter responded in kind, but, at the end of the battle, when they learned each other's identity, they swore everlasting friendship. Sir Palomides was commonly known as the "Knight of the Questing Beast," for he underwent a long quest in search of this demonic monster throughout his career. He eventually slew the creature at the Lake of the Beast. Sir Palomides continually refused baptism until shortly before the instigation of the Grail Quest. He had, for many years, avoided a major encounter with Sir Tristram, but their rivalry finally came to a head through a sudden unprovoked attack by the latter. The two fought for two hours until Tristram was victorious and they at last became friends. Palomides agreed to become a Christian as a condition of his surrender. His new found spirituality then led him to join the Grail Quest and he was present at Corbenic for its completion. Palomides joined Tristram's protector, Sir Launcelot, in the rescue of the adulterous Queen Guinevere from being burnt at the stake. This action forced him to leave Britain, although the Breton knight rewarded him with the Duchy of Provence.
King/Sir Pellinore (King of Listinoise)
King Pellinore was said to be of the Royal line of St. Joseph of Arimathea, the dynasty who guarded the Holy Grail. He was a son of King Pellam and brother of Kings Pelleas and Alain. Pellinore takes on various roles across different Arthurian stories.
First he is called the "Maimed King". This character was wounded by a holy lance after doubting the powers of the Holy Grail. Like their monarch, his lands became sickly and barren; and neither were healed until his grand-nephew, Galahad, achieved his goal in the Grail Quest. Pellinore was father of the first grail-seeker, Percivale, and his brothers.
Elsewhere, Pellinore was the pursuer of the strange 'Questing Beast'. He appeared at the court of the King Arthur and was immediately challenged by the monarch to a fight for the right to undertake this hunt. Pellinore was triumphant and Arthur accepted him into the Order of the Round Table. Later, in the King's service at the Battle of Dimilioc, he killed King Lot of Lothian and unwittingly started the blood feud between the two families, which ultimately led to his death at the hands of Lot's sons.
Sir Pelleas was apparently a knight of extraordinary skill and bravery, but of lowly birth. His life plagued by his love for the arrogant Lady Ettard of Arroy. He defeated sixty knights in a great tournament in order to present her the jousting crown, but Ettard ridiculed him and forbad him from pursuing her. Pelleas ignored these protests and followed her to Arroy. Every day, the lady would send out ten knights to expel him from her lands. He would beat them off, but allow himself to be captured in order that he might catch a glimpse of his love from his prison cell. The next day, he would be released and the process would start again.
Learning of Sir Pelleas' predicament, Sir Gawaine offered to help him. They arranged a scam whereby Gawaine would get into the lady's castle on the pretext that he had killed her stalker - carrying Pelleas' armour as proof. However the plan who supposed to evolve, Sir Gawaine immediately fell for the beautiful Ettard, betrayed Pelleas and seduced her. The deceived knight discovered them asleep together in the summerhouse. He put his sword to their throats but decided against killing them and departed. When Ettard awoke, she realised that Pelleas had been there and must be still alive.
Grief-stricken, Sir Pelleas completely let himself go. Gawaine repented, brought Ettard to him and the two married and had a son named Guivret the Younger. Perhaps the marriage was something of a sham however, for an alternative version of the story, says the Lady of the Lake bewitched Ettard so that she pined away for Pelleas while he fell in love with the Lake Goddess instead. Sir Pelleas eventually married the Lady of the Lake and King Arthur made him a Knight of the Round Table.
While out on a quest to retrieve a white hound stolen from King Arthur's court, Sir Tor encountered and fought Sir Petipace of Winchelsea. In defeat, Petipace was sent to Camelot, where he became a loyal knight and was eventually raised to the Order of the Round Table. Petipace's downfall came when he joined Sirs Mordred and Agravaine in their plot to catch Launcelot and Guinevere in bed together; for he was cut-down by Launcelot outside the Queen's apartments.
A Saracen - though Christian - knight, the son of King Esclabor and brother of Sirs Palomides and Segwarides. He was a great one for touring the tournaments, appearing at the Castle Dangerous, Sorelais, Leverzep, Winchester and the joust held by King Carados.
Disguised as Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Safir fought with Sir Helior le Preuse, defeated him and won his lady who had only recently acquired from Sir Espinogres. Sir Palomides arrived on the scene during the fight. Having planned to win the lady back for Espinogres, he now found himself obliged to cross swords with a new knight. Palomides and his masked brother were locked in combat for over an hour. Eventually, impressed by each other's prowess in the field, they thought to ask each other's identity. Safir was devastated to find he had been fighting his own brother and fell to the ground to beg his forgiveness. Together, they returned the lady to Sir Espinogres. Later on the road, the brothers were challenged by the knights of a lord who Sir Palomides had slain in the lists at Leverzep. They were overwhelmed by mere numbers and thrown in prison for three days before being put on trial. Sir Palomides was sentenced to death, but Safir was set free and forced to leave. He was beside himself with worry until he heard that Palomides had been rescued by Sir Launcelot. With Sir Palomides, gratitude brought Sir Safir into Sir Launcelot's party during his break with King Arthur. The two accompanied him into exile where Safir was made Duke of Landok.
Variously called the Desirous, the Unruly, the Rash, the Impetuous, the Orange or of the Desert, Sir Sagremore was the son of the King of Vlask & Hungary by a daughter of Eastern Emperor Hadrian. Raised in Constantinople as heir to the Byzantine Empire, he was the brother of Lady Clarie and Sir Dinas, as well as the Bishops of Limor and Lumeri. He was presumably also some relative of Sir Clig�s. Upon the death of Sagremore's father, his mother re-married the British King of Estrangore named Brandegoris. Sagremore was thus in a great position to hear tales of the valiant King Arthur and his wars against the Saxons. At the age of fifteen, the draw became too much. He left Constantinople and followed his mother to Britain.
Sagremore arrived at Dover and headed at once for Camelot, where he found himself engaging a Saxon army under one King Oriel. Young Gawaine and his brothers soon came to his assistance and, together, the small band were victorious. The lads all asked to join Arthur's court and Sagremore was amongst those knighted by Arthur. The young knight's appointment was to continued service in the Saxon wars. He did well on the battlefields of Britain and slew a great number of enemy leaders. He further served in campaigns which went on to fight King Claudas, Imperial Rome and King Galehaut of Sorelais. Back in Britain, he became a Knight of the Round Table and a great friend of Sir Tristram. He was a very skilled warrior but somewhat rash and often had to be physically restrained to prevent him from attacking those who offended him.
Sir Sagremore's adventures often included rescuing and then seducing young virgins. Notably, Queen Sebile of Sarmenie whose lover he became after defending her against Baruc the Black; and the Lady Senehaut by whom he had a daughter who was raised by Queen Guinevere. He also liberated the Castle of Maidens from a siege by Tallides of the Marsh, but how grateful the maidens were is not recorded. He was eventually killed by Mordred at the Battle of Camlann.
Sir Segwarides was a Saracen Knight from the Middle East. He was the son of King Esclabor and brother of Sirs Palomides and Safir, but was converted to Christianity well ahead of them. Early in his career, he fell in love with the Lady of Roestoc; but when she rejected his advances, Segwarides' passions forced him to lay siege to her castle. She was successfully defended by Sir Gawaine.
Segwarides later married, but was unfortunate in having a wayward wife who entered into a passionate affair with Sir Tristram at the Cornish Court, some time before his adventures with Isolde the Fair. King Mark also desired Segwarides' wife and ambushed Tristram on the way to a lovers' rendezvous. The wounded Tristram still made love to the lady and the blood-stained sheets revealed their affair. Segwarides squeezed her lover's name from his spouse and sought out Tristram, but was sorely defeated in combat. Later, Sir Bleoberis thought he'd have his wicked way the lady too and made off with her on horseback. The loyal Segwarides pursued them, but was again shamefully beaten. He, however, had the last laugh, when his wife rejected Tristram for turning up too late to challenge Bleoberis first and the couple were reunited.
The cuckolded knight seems to have recognized that the situation had been of his wife's making and, when he met Tristram again near the Isle of Servage, they decided to bury the hatchet. They joined together with Sir Lamorak to defeat the local ruler, the wicked Sir Nabon le Noire, and, after killing him Tristram, made Sir Segwarides Lord of the Isle. As a loyal Knight of the Round Table, Sir Segwarides was killed trying to repel Sir Launcelot's rescue of Queen Guinevere from the stake.
Not very much seems to be known about Sir Tegyr, yet he seems to have been thought important enough to be included - as Sir Degore - amongst the twenty-five Knights listed on the Winchester Round Table. He appears as King Arthur's cup-bearer in the Celtic tale of Culhwch & Olwen.
Sir Turquine was the son of Mitrides and the brother of Sir Caradoc of the Dolorous Tower. Like his brother, he enjoyed defeating Knights of the Round Table in battle and throwing them into prison at his Northern manor in the Impenetrable Forest. For twelve years, he kept a bronze bowl hanging from a lone tree by an important river crossing and passing knights would use it as a bell to summon him into combat with them. Turquine would always win, of course. The knight would be incarcerated for the duration and his shield hung on the tree as a warning to others. He amassed quite a collection until he made Sir Ector de Maris one of his inmates and his brother, Sir Launcelot, came looking for him. Ector, in fact, fought so well that Turquine had offered to set him free, if he agreed to stay at the manor and keep him company. The Knight of the Marshes naturally refused and was thrown into a dismal little pit with sixty-four others and was beaten with thorns on a daily basis.
When Launcelot eventually discovered his brother's gaoler, he engaged him in single combat for over two hours. Turquine was so impressed by his unknown assailant's military skill that he offered to end the fight and release all his prisoners for him, on one condition: that he was not the knight whom he hated above all others. This knight, of course, turned out to be Launcelot, because he had killed Turquine's brother. The two therefore fought on until Launcelot finally struck Turquine down.
Sir/Earl Ulbawes (Early of Sorelais)
Earl Ulbawes was presumably King Galehaut's subordinate, and perhaps regent, in Sorelais; for the monarch ruled many islands and would often have been absent. Ulbawes was welcomed into the Order of the Round Table and fought at the Royal tournaments. He jousted with Duke Chaleins of Clarance, but the two were very closely matched, and were both smote to the ground.
Sir/King Uriens (King of Gore)
Uriens was the husband of Queen Igraine's daughter, Morgan Le Fay. When the young King Arthur came to the throne, he was one of the initiators of the rebel alliance who refused to accept him. He fought in the Battle of Bedegraine and afterwards played host his fellow rebels in his city of Sorhaute. He withdrew from the second rebellion however, and was reconciled with Arthur at the funeral of King Lot of Orkney and the other rebel kings who died at the Battle of Terrabil. On King Pellinore of Listinoise's advice, Uriens was made a Knight of the Round Table when he admonished himself at the Battle on the Humber against the invading Kings of Denmark, Ireland, the Vale, Soleise, and Longtains.
Uriens and Sir Accolon of Gaul accompanied King Arthur on the hunting expedition that led to his wife's attempt on the great King's life. When the three men had fallen asleep aboard the mysterious boat though, Uriens was transferred home and woke up in Morgan's arms in his own bed. She failed in her conspiracy and, in frustration, decided to murder her conformist husband instead. However, their son, Sir Yvain, walked in on her as she raised her sword over his sleeping father. Yvain spared her exposure as long as she promised to keep away from Uriens and a separation does seem to have ensued.
Sir Yvain, the Knight of the Lion
Yvain was the son of King Uriens of Gore and his wife, Queen Morgan Le Fay. Although his father rebelled against King Arthur at the beginning of his reign, Yvain rode off on his horse was called Cloven-Hoof to join the Royal Court. He joined up with his cousin, Sir Gawaine, and their party defeats a number of raiding Saxons at the Battles of Diana Bridge and Arundel. King Arthur made him a Knight of the Round Table for his good work and he joined the monarch in his wars against King Claudas, the Saxons, the Roman Empire and Lord Galehaut. Many adventures follow: He prevented his wicked mother from murdering his father, rescued the Lady of the Rock, slew the Giant Malduit, saved Sir Lanucelot from drowning and, helped by Sir Gawaine, he killed the evil seven brothers of Maidens Castle.
Intrigued by Sir Calogrenant's tales of an enchanted fountain in the Forests of Broceliande, Sir Yvain set out for Brittany and adventure. He quickly discovered the magic fountain and poured some water onto its stone surround. This alerted Esclados, the Lord of the Fountain, to his presence and he appeared in a mighty hail storm. The two fought and Esclados was eventually chased back to his stronghold, not far away. He died of his wounds while Yvain became trapped between the portcullises of his castle. A maidservant, Lunete, gave him a ring of invisibility which enabled him to escape. She presented him to the Lady Laudine - by then Esclados' widow - and Yvain immediately fell deeply in love with her. The fountain needed a protector, so Lunete persuaded the two to marry; and were happy together for a while. However, before long a band of Knights from the Round Table arrive and Yvain longs to return to Court. Laudine lets him go on the condition that he return within the year. Yvain, of course, soon lost track of time and, finding himself denounced by his wife, fled to the hills in a mad frenzy. He was eventually rescued and cured of his insanity by the servants of the Lady of Norison who administer one of Morgan Le Fay's magic potions. Yvain helped the lady beat off the attacks of Earl Alier on her land, before deciding to ask his wife to take him back. On the way home, he rescued a lion from combat with a serpent and the animal became his faithful friend, earning him the name of "Le Chevalier au Lion". Together they had a number of adventures: defeating a giant named Harpin, rescuing the maidens of the Castle de Pesme Aventure and settling a dispute between the daughters of the Lord of the Black Thorn. Eventually, back in Broceliande, Yvain rescued Lunete from imprisonment and was happily reunited with his wife.
Sir Yvain returned to Britain to aid King Arthur during Mordred's rebellion. He led a full battalion at the Battle of Camlann and killed several of the enemy's leading Saxon allies. He was killed by Mordred himself who cleft his skull in two.
Copyright � The Arthurian Kingdom
