List of Arthurian characters

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The Arthurian legend features many characters, including the Knights of the Round Table and members of King Arthur's family. Their names often differ from version to version and from language to language. The following is a list of characters with descriptions.

King Arthur characters
NameOther namesEarliest appearanceWorks featured inDescription
Accolon Post-Vulgate Cycle, 1230s Morgan le Fay's love
Aglovale Agloval, Sir Aglovale de GalisThe Life of Sir Aglovale de Galis, The Once and Future King King Pellinore's eldest son
Agravain Agravaine Lancelot-Grail, Le Morte D'Arthur , The Once and Future King Second son of King Lot and Morgause, joins Mordred's rebellion
Amr Amhar, Amir, Anir Historia Brittonum , c. 820 Geraint and Enid Son of King Arthur
Andred Le Morte d'Arthur Cousin of Tristram
(King) Arthur Arthur Pendragon Y Gododdin , c. 7th centuryMany High King of Britain, ruler of Logres and lord of Camelot
Aurelius Ambrosius Ambrosius Aurelianus De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae c. 540s Historia Brittonum c. 820 Uther Pendragon's brother, High King of Britain before him
Bagdemagus Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart , 1170s Meleagant's father and ruler of Gorre
Ban Lancelot-Grail, early 13th century;, The Once and Future King Lancelot's father
Balan Sir Balan le Savage Post-Vulgate Cycle, 1230s Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte D'Arthur Brother to Balin
Balin Sir Balin le Savage, Knight with Two Swords Post-Vulgate Cycle, 1230s Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte D'Arthur Brother to Balan, kills the Lady of the Lake and strikes the Dolorous Stroke
Bedivere (Welsh: Bedwyr), (French: Bédoier), Bedevere Pa Gur yv y Porthaur , c. 10th century Vita Cadoc , Culhwch and Olwen , Stanzas of the Graves , Welsh Triads, Historia Regum Britanniae , Le Morte d'Arthur , numerous othersReturns Excalibur to The Lady of the Lake, brother to Sir Lucan
Black Knight King Arthur's grandson through Tom a Lincoln. Another Black Knight is an antagonist figure
Blanchefleur Perceval, the Story of the Grail , c. 1181 Percival's wife, niece to Gornemant
Bors the Elder (French: Bohort) Lancelot-Grail, early 13th century; The Once and Future King Brother to King Ban, and an ally of Arthur's
Bors the Younger Son of Bors the Elder, father of Elyan the White
Brangaine Brangaene, Brangwane, Brangien Tristan , 12th century Tristan poems, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'Arthur Handmaid to Iseult
BruinSir Bruin Surnamed the BlackFirst Named in "King Arthur Meets Lady Guinevere" Howard PyleUnknown Family, One of the original 32 Knights of the Round Table
Breunor le Noir Brunor, La Cote Male TaileKnight who wears his murdered father's coat, brother of Dinadan and Daniel
Brutus of Britain Brut, Brute, (Welsh: Bryttys) Historia Brittonum , c. 820First King of Britain, a Trojan
Cador (Latin: Cadorius) Historia Regum Britanniae , The Dream of Rhonabwy Raised Guinevere as his ward, father to Constantine III of Britain, described in some works as Arthur's cousin
Caelia Celia, The Faerie Queene The Faerie Queene , 1590; Tom a Lincoln part 1, 1599 Tom a'Lincoln's lover, mother to the Faerie Knight
Calogrenant Colgrevance, Cynan Yvain, the Knight of the Lion , 1170s Le Morte d'Arthur Cousin to Sir Ywain
Caradoc (Latin: Caractacus), (Welsh: Caradog Freichfras), (French: Carados Briefbras) Perceval, the Story of the Grail , the Mabinogion Rebelled against Arthur when he first became king, but later supported him, sometimes two characters—Caradoc the Elder (a king) and Caradoc the Younger (a knight)
Catigern (Welsh: Cattegirn) Historia Brittonum, 9th century; Harleian genealogies; Historia Regum Britanniae , c. 1134Son of Vortigern, fought alongside his brother Vortimer against the Saxons
(King) Cerdic of Wessex Anglo-Saxon Chronicle , 9th centuryFirst King of Wessex
Claudas Perlesvaus , Lancelot-Grail, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'Arthur A Frankish King antagonistic to Arthur, has two sons, Dorin and Claudin
Claudin Lancelot-Grail, Le Morte d'Arthur Virtuous son of the Frankish villain Claudas, eventually becomes one of 12 knights to achieve the Holy Grail
(King) Constans son of Constantine Based on the historical figure Constans Historia Regum Britanniae Son of Constantine II of Britain, older brother to Uther Pendragon
(King) Constantine II of Britain Based on the historical figure Constantine Historia Regum Britanniae Arthur's grandfather, father to Uther Pendragon, Constans, and Ambrosius Aurelianus
Constantine Historia Regum Britanniae , c. 1136 Historia Regum Britanniae , Le Morte d'Arthur Arthur's nephew and successor to his throne, Cador's son
Culhwch Culhwch and Olwen , c. 11th centuryCousin of Arthur's in early Welsh legend
(King) Cynric of Wessex Anglo-Saxon Chronicle , 9th centurySecond King of Wessex, son of Cerdic
Dagonet Idylls of the King Arthur's court jester
Daniel von Blumenthal Daniel von Blumenthal , 1220A Knight of the Round Table found in an early German offshoot of Arthurian legend
Dinadan Prose Tristan, 1230s Prose Tristan, Le Morte D'Arthur Son of Sir Brunor the Senior
Dindrane (Italian: Agrestizia), (Welsh: Danbrann), Dindraine, HeliabelSister (sometimes half-sister) of Percival, plays a large part in many Holy Grail stories
DurnureSir Durnure, DornarFirst Named in "King Arthur Meets Lady Guinevere" Howard PyleOne of Three Sons of King Pellinore, one of the original 32 Knights of the Round Table
Ector Hector, Antor, Ectorius Lancelot-Grail, early 13th century The Once and Future King , Le Morte d'Arthur Raises Arthur according to Merlin's command, father to Sir Kay
Edern ap Nudd Edern, son of Nudd, Yder, Yver, Isdernus, Knight of the Sparrowhawk Culhwch and Olwen , c. 1100 Erec and Enide , Geraint ac Enid , The Dream of Rhonabwy Brother of Gwyn ap Nudd, rival to Erec/Geraint, originally a hostile figure, later a member of Arthur's retinue
Elaine of Astolat Elaine the White, Elaine the Fair, The Lady of Shalott Le Morte d'Arthur , 1470 The Lady of Shalott Daughter of Bernard of Astolat, classic Arthurian figure of unrequited love
Elaine of Benoic Lancelot-Grail, early 13th century The Once and Future King Wife of King Ban and mother to Lancelot, Evaine's sister
Elaine of Corbenic Amite, Helaine, Helizabel Perceval, the Story of the Grail c. 1181 The Once and Future King ; Perceval le Gallois , 1978Daughter of the Fisher King, mother of Galahad by Lancelot
Elaine of Garlot Daughter of Gorlois and Igraine, sister to Morgan le Fay and Morgause and a half-sister to King Arthur, wife to King Nentres.
Elaine of Listenoise Le Morte d'Arthur Daughter of King Pellinore, lover of Sir Miles of the Laundes
Elaine the Peerless Niece of the Lord of the Fens and wife of Persides the Red of the Castle of Gazevilte
Eliwlod Welsh Triads Nephew to Arthur, son of Madoc, Uther Pendragon's son
Elyan the White (French: Helyan le Blanc)Son of Sir Bors and Claire, King Brandegoris' daughter, helps Lancelot rescue Guinevere and goes into exile with him
Enide Enid Erec and Enide , c. 1170 Idylls of the King , Geraint and Enid Erec's wife
EpinogresSir EpinogresFirst Named in "King Arthur Meets Lady Guinevere" Howard PyleSon of King of Umberland, and brother unto Enchantress Vivien, one of the original 32 Knights of the Round Table
Erec Unclear; first literary appearance as Erec in Erec and Enide , c. 1170see Geraint and Enid Son of King Lac and a Knight of the Round Table
Escanor the HandsomeGirartKing of the White Mountain and nephew of Escanor the large, Gawain defeated him in combat after Escanor tried to abduct Sir Girflct.
Escanor the LargeAtre, GirartSon of a giant and a witch, brother of Alienor, and uncle of Escanor the Handsome, he shared Gawain's power by which his strength waxed and waned with the sun.
Esclabor Father of Palamedes, Safir, and Segwarides
Esclados Yvain, the Knight of the Lion , 1170sDefended a magical fountain in the Forest of Broceliande, married to Laudine
Evaine Lancelot-Grail, early 13th centuryWife of Bors the Elder, mother of Bors the Younger and Lionel, sister of Elaine of Benoic, aunt of Lancelot
Faerie Knight, The Tom a Lincoln part 1, 1599Illegitimate son of Tom a'Lincoln and Caelia, the Faerie Queen, half brother to the Black Knight
Feirefiz Parzival , early 13th centuryHalf-brother to Percival
Fisher King, The The Wounded King, Pelles, Pelias Perceval, the Story of the Grail , c. 1181 Queste del Saint Graal , c. 1220; Prose Tristan, c. 1230, The Once and Future King Guardian of the Holy Grail, Father of Elaine of Corbenic
Gaheris Le Morte d'Arthur , The Once and Future King Son of King Lot and Morgause, brother to Gawain, Agravaine, and Gareth, and half-brother to Mordred
Galahad Lancelot-Grail, early 13th century Lancelot-Grail, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'Arthur , The Once and Future King Illegitimate son of Sir Lancelot and Elaine of Corbenic
Galehault Galehalt, Galehaut Lancelot-Grail, early 13th centuryFormer enemy of Arthur who becomes close friends with Lancelot
Galeschin Galeshin Vulgate Cycle Son of Elaine of Garlot and King Nentres, nephew of Arthur
Gareth Beaumains Le Morte d'Arthur , Idylls of the King , The Once and Future King Also a son of Lot and Morgause, in love with Lyonesse
Gawain (Latin: Walwanus), (Welsh: Gwalchmai), (Irish: Balbhuaidh) Culhwch and Olwen , c. 11th century Conte du Graal , Lancelot-Grail cycle, Prose Tristan, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight , Le Morte D'Arthur , The Once and Future King, many short Middle English romancesAnother son of Lot and Morgause, father of Gingalain
Geneir GwystylOne of King Arthur's knights in the Welsh Arthurian legend [1]
Geraint Geraint and Enid Enid's lover
Gingalain Guinglain, Gingalin, Gliglois, Wigalois, Le Bel Inconnu, Libeaus Desconus [2] Le Bel InconnuGawain's and Blanchemal's son
Gorlois (Old Welsh: Gwrlais) Historia Regum Britanniae Igraine's first husband before she married Uther Pendragon, father of Morgause and Morgan le Fay.
Gornemant Erec and Enide , c. 1170 Perceval, the Story of the Grail Percival's mentor
Guiron le Courtois Palamedes , 1235–1240Palamedes, Guiron CompilationCompanion of Meliodas
Green Knight, TheBercilak, Bertilak, Bernlak, Bredbeddle Sir Gawain and the Green Knight , 1300s The Greene Knight , King Arthur and King Cornwall A knight enchanted by Morgan le Fay in order to test Gawain
Griflet Girflet, Jaufre Jaufré The son of Do (or Don), cousin to Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere
Gringolet (Welsh: Gwyn Calet, Ceincaled) Erec and Enide , c. 1170 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Gawain's horse
Guinevak Gwenhwyvach Culhwch and Olwen , c. 11th century Welsh Triads, Misfortunes of Elphin Guinevere's half-sister
(Queen) Guinevere (Welsh: Gwenhwyfar), (Latin: Guanhumara) Culhwch and Olwen , c. 11th centuryManyHigh Queen of Britain, wife of King Arthur, famous for her affair with Lancelot
Gwyn ap Nudd Culhwch and Olwen , c. 11th centuryOne of Arthur's knights. Brother of Edern ap Nudd, rival of Gwythyr ap Greidawl, lover of Creiddylad
Hector de Maris Ector de MarisQuest du Saint Graal, Vulgate Cycle, The Once and Future King Half-brother of Lancelot, son of King Ban and the Lady de Maris, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel are his cousins
Hengest Hengist The Ecclesiastical History of the English People , 721 Historia Regum Britanniae An Anglo-Saxon king killed by Uther Pendragon, Horsa's brother
Hueil mab Caw Huail Culhwch and Olwen , c. 1110 Vita Gildae , Welsh Triads A Pictish plunderer and chieftain, killed by Arthur, brother to Saint Gildas
Hoel (Welsh: Howel, Hywel) The Dream of Rhonabwy , Geraint and Enid Son of King Budic of Brittany, father to St. Tudwal
Horsa The Ecclesiastical History of the English People , 721 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Brother to Hengest
Igraine (Latin: Igerna), (Welsh: Eigyr), (French Igerne), Ygrayne, Arnive. Historia Regum Britanniae , c. 1136 Vulgate Merlin , Le Morte d'Arthur , The Once and Future King Mother to King Arthur through an affair with Uther Pendragon, mother of Morgause and Morgan le Fay through her first husband Gorlois
Iseult of Ireland Isolde, Yseult, Isode, Isoude, Isotta Tristan and Iseult Wife of Mark of Cornwall and adulterous lover of Sir Tristan
(Queen) Iseult Isolde, Yseult, Isode, Isoude, Isotta Tristan and Iseult Iseult of Ireland's mother
Iseult of the White Hands Isolde, Yseult, Isode, Isoude, Isotta Tristan and Iseult Daughter of Hoel of Brittany, sister of Sir Kahedin, and wife of Tristan
Joseph of Arimathea Joseph d'Arimathie  [ fr ], 12th centuryFirst keeper of the Holy Grail in Arthurian legend
Josephus of Arimathea Josephe, Josephes Lancelot-Grail cycle, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Prose Tristan, Le Morte D'Arthur Son of Joseph of Arimathea
Kay (Welsh: Cai), (Latin: Caius)Pa Gur yv y porthaur, 10th centuryManyFoster brother to Arthur, Sir Ector's son
Kahedin Kahadin, Kahedrin, Kehenis, Kehidius, possibly (Welsh: Kae Hir)Roman de Tristan Prose Tristan, Le Morte D'Arthur Brother to Iseult, son of King Hoel, had an affair with Brangaine
Lady of the Lake Nimue, Viviane, Niniane, NyneveUnclear; a water fay is first mentioned as Lancelot's foster mother in Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart , 1170sManyThere are several related characters called the Lady of the Lake—their actions include giving Arthur his sword Excalibur, raising Lancelot and his cousins as foster children, enchanting Merlin, and taking the dying king to Avalon
Lamorak Prose Tristan, c. 1235 Lancelot-Grail Cycle, The Once and Future King Son of King Pellinore, brother to Tor, Aglovale, Percival, and Dindrane, lover of Morgause
Lancelot Lancelot du Lac, Lancelot of the Lake, Launcelot Erec and Enide , c. 1170 Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart , Lancelot-Grail, The Once and Future King , many othersSon to King Ban and Elaine, most famous for his affair with Queen Guinevere, Arthur's wife, most prominent Knight of the Round Table
Lanval Landevale, Launfal, Lambewell Lanval , late 12th centurySir Landevale, Sir Launfal , Sir LambewellA knight of King Arthur's court who falls in love with a fairy
Laudine Lady of the Fountain Yvain, the Knight of the Lion , 1170s Owain, or the Lady of the Fountain , Iwein Sir Ywain's wife
Leodegrance Leondegrance, LeodegraunceGuinevere's father, King of Cameliard in what is now southwest England
Lionel Lancelot-Grail, early 13th century; The Once and Future King Son of King Bors of Gaunnes (or Gaul), brother of Bors the Younger
Lohengrin Loherangrin, Lorengel Parzival , early 13th centuryParzival, Lohengrin, Lorengel, Richard Wagner's Lohengrin A knight of the Holy Grail, son of Percival
Loholt Possibly Llacheu (similar character in Welsh sources) Welsh Triads Perlesvaus , Vulgate Cycle (as Loholt)Illegitimate son of Arthur
Lot Loth Historia Regum Britanniae , c. 1136 Le Morte d'Arthur , The Once and Future King King of Lothian, father to Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris, and Gareth
Lucan Sir Lucan the Butler Le Morte d'Arthur Servant to King Arthur, Bedivere's brother, Griflet's cousin
Lucius Lucius Tiberius, Lucius Hiberius Historia Regum Britanniae , c. 1136 Alliterative Morte Arthure , Le Morte d'Arthur ,A fictional Roman Emperor and antagonist to Arthur
Lunete (Welsh: Luned), (French: Lunete, Lunet) Yvain, the Knight of the Lion , 1170sHandmaiden and advisor to Laudine
Lynette Le Morte d'Arthur , c. 1470 Idylls of the King Seeks aid from Arthur to rescue her sister Lyonesse, Arthur sends an incognito Gareth, who she berates until he proves his worth
Lyonesse Le Morte d'Arthur , c. 1470 Idylls of the King Entrapped sister of Lynette, rescued by Gareth, whom she eventually marries
Llamrei Culhwch and Olwen, 11th century Culhwch and Olwen , 11th centuryLlamrei was a mare owned by King Arthur
Mabon ap Modron Culhwch and Olwen , 11th century Welsh Triads Son of Modron, kidnapped at birth, rescued by Culhwch
Madoc Madawg Book of Taliesin Stanzas of the Graves Son of Uther Pendragon, brother of Arthur in early Welsh tradition, father of Eliwlod
Maleagant Malagant, Meleagant, perhaps MelwasUnclear, a similar character named "Melwas" appears in the 12th century Life of Gildas Lancelot-Grail, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'Arthur Abductor of Guinevere
Manawydan fab Llyr Manawyddan The Mabinogion Culhwch and Olwen (circa 1100)Originally a British god; appeared as a knight of Arthur's in Culhwch and Olwen
Mark of Cornwall (Latin: Marcus Cunomorus), (Cornish: Margh), (Welsh: March)Possibly based on a historical figure from the 6th century Post-Vulgate Cycle, Prose Tristan, Le Morte d'Arthur , Palamedes , The Once and Future King Tristan's uncle, husband to Iseult
Meirchion Tristan and Iseult Father to Mark of Cornwall
Melehan Historia Regum Britanniae , c. 1136Elder son of Mordred
Meliodas Meliadus Prose Tristan Le Morte d'Arthur Father to Tristan, Tristan's father was named Rivalen in earlier versions
Menw ap Tairgwaedd Culhwch and Olwen c. 1100 Welsh Triads Enchanter, member of Arthur's retinue
Merlin (Welsh: Myrddin), Myrddin Emrys, Merlin Ambrosius, Merlyn Historia Regum Britanniae , c. 1136, but derived from earlier Welsh talesManyWizard, guide to King Arthur
Modron Culhwch and Olwen , Welsh Triads, 11th century Welsh Triads Mother of Mabon, in another folktale, she is the mother of Owain (Ywain) and Morvydd by Urien, Possible source for Morgan le Fay
Mordred Modred, (Welsh: Medrawd, Latin: Medraut) Annales Cambriae , c. 970ManyIn some literature, Arthur's illegitimate son through Morgause (or Morgan le Fay), kills and is killed by Arthur
Morgan le Fay Morgaine, Morgain, MorganaUnclear; first mention as Morgan in Vita Merlini, c. 1150ManySorceress, half-sister and sometime antagonist of Arthur, and (in some traditions) mother of Mordred
Morgause Anna Historia Regum Britanniae , c. 1136 The Once and Future King , many othersArthur's half-sister, wife to King Lot, mother to Gawain, Agravaine, Gaheris, and Gareth, and in some traditions, also the mother of Mordred
Morgan Tud Geraint ac Enid Head physician of Arthur's court
Morholt Marhalt, Morold, Marhaus Tristan , 12th centuryTristan poems, Prose Tristan, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'Arthur Irish knight, rival of Tristan, uncle of Iseult
Morien Moriaen Morien , 13th centuryHalf-Moorish son of Aglovale
Morvydd Welsh Triads, Culhwch and Olwen Owain's twin sister
Nimue see Lady of the Lake
Oberon Auberon, King of Shadows and FairiesKing of the Fairies, sometimes identified as a son of Morgan le Fay
Olwen Culhwch and Olwen , c. 11th centuryDaughter of Ysbaddaden, beloved of Culhwch
Orgeluse Haughty Maiden of Logres Perceval, the Story of the Grail , c. 1181A wife of Gawain
Owain see Ywain Historical figure Owain, or the Lady of the Fountain Son of Urien
Palamedes Palamede, Palomides Prose Tristan, 1230s, Le Morte D'Arthur The Once and Future King Saracen Knight of the Round Table
Parcenet The Story of King Arthur and His Knights A maid from Queen Ettarre's court who helps Sir Pelleas
Pellam King Pellam of Listeneise, Pellehansee Fisher King
Pelleas Pellias Post-Vulgate Cycle, 1230s Le Morte d'Arthur , Idylls of the King A Knight of the Round table in love with Ettarre, later lover of Nimue
Pelles see Fisher King
Pellinore Lancelot-Grail, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'Arthur , The Once and Future King King of Listenoise, friend to Arthur, father to many
Penpingion [3] Culhwch ac Olwen , Geraint fab Erbin A comic character; one of the gatekeepers at Arthur's court, subservient to Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr. [3] Killed in the hunt for Twrch Trwyth. [4]
Petitcrieu Petitcreiu, Petitcru, Pticru Tristan , 12th century Tristan and Iseult A magical dog of Tristan and Iseult
Percival (Welsh: Peredur) Perceval, Parzifal Erec and Enide , c. 1170 Perceval, the Story of the Grail , Lancelot-Grail, manyAchiever of the Holy Grail, King Pellinore's son in some tales
Questing Beast Beste Glatisant (Barking Beast) Perlesvaus , c. 1210 Gerbert's Continuation of Perceval, the Story of the Grail , Post Vulgate Suite du Merlin, Prose Tristan, Le Morte d'Arthur A strange beast quested after by many knights associated with Pellinore and Palamedes
(Lady) Ragnell Sir Gawain's wife, in some legends mother of Percival
Red Knight Perceval, the Story of the Grail , c. 1181 Le Morte d'Arthur Appears in many tales, usually as an antagonist
Rience Ritho, Ryence, Ryons, and Rion Historia Regum Britanniae , c. 1136 Lancelot-Grail, Post Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'Arthur King defeated by Arthur
Safir Le Morte d'Arthur , Prose Tristan Son to Esclabor, brother of Segwarides and Palamedes
Sagramore Sagramor Lancelot-Grail, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Prose Tristan, Le Morte d'Arthur Ubiquitous Knight of the Round Table; various stories and origins are given for him
Segurant Sigurant, Seguarant, SigurantSegurant, the Knight of the Dragon, late 13th century.Prophecies of MerlinKnight of the Isle of Not-Knowing, son of Hector the Brown, Dragon slayer,
Segwarides Le Morte d'Arthur , Prose Tristan Son of Esclabor, brother of Safir and Palamedes
Taliesin Historical figureThe Welsh Triads, Story of Taliesin, Alfred, Idylls of the King Bard to King Arthur, oldest known Welsh poet
Tom a Lincoln The Red Rose KnightTom a Lincoln part 1, 1599; possibly mentioned in Robert Greene's Farewell to Folly, 1591Illegitimate son of King Arthur through Angelica
Tom Thumb Discovery of Witchcraft The History of Tom Thumb, Tom Thumb, The Tragedy of Tragedies A tiny creation of Merlin, later becomes Arthur's court dwarf and an honorary knight
Tor Le Morte d'Arthur Son of King Ars, adopted by Pellinore
Tristan (Latin/Brythonic: Drustanus), (Welsh: Drystan), (Portuguese: Tristão), (Spanish: Tristán), Tristran, TristramRoman de Tristan"Roman de Tristan", the two "Folies Tristans", "Chevrefeuil", Prose Tristan, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'Arthur Son of Blancheflor and Rivalen (or Meliodas), Iseult's lover
Urien UriensHistorical figure Welsh Triads Father of Ywain (Owain mab Urien), husband of Morgan le Fay
Uther Pendragon (French: Uter Pendragon), (Welsh: Wthyr Bendragon, Uthr Bendragon, Uthyr Pendraeg)Pa Gur yv y Porthaur?, c. 10th century Historia Regum Britanniae , c. 1136; Welsh Triads; The Once and Future King Arthur's father
Vortigern (Latin: Urtigernus), Guorthigirn, Vortiger, Vortigen, GwrtheyrnProbably a historical figure, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People , 721King of Britain whose decisions assisted the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain
Vortimer Historia Brittonum , c. 820Son of Vortigern
Ysbaddaden Culhwch and Olwen , c. 11th centuryA giant and antagonist
Ywain (Welsh: Owain), Yvain, Ewain, UwainBased on the historical figure Owain mab Urien Historia Brittonum , Yvain, the Knight of the Lion Urien's son, Morvydd's brother
Ywain the Bastard Ywain the AdventurousUrien's illegitimate son through a seneschal, accidentally killed by Gawain
Indicates a Knight of the Round Table.

See also

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The Matter of Britain is the body of medieval literature and legendary material associated with Great Britain and Brittany and the legendary kings and heroes associated with it, particularly King Arthur. The 12th-century writer Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae is a central component of the Matter of Britain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knights of the Round Table</span> King Arthur and order of chivalry in Arthurian romance

The Knights of the Round Table are the legendary knights of the fellowship of King Arthur that first appeared in the Matter of Britain literature in the mid-12th century. The Knights are an order dedicated to ensuring the peace of Arthur's kingdom following an early warring period, entrusted in later years to undergo a mystical quest for the Holy Grail. The Round Table at which they meet is a symbol of the equality of its members, who range from sovereign royals to minor nobles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bedivere</span> Legendary Arthurian knight

Bedivere is one of the earliest characters to be featured in the legend of King Arthur, originally described in several Welsh texts as the one-handed great warrior named Bedwyr Bedrydant. Arthurian chivalric romances, inspired by his portrayal in the chronicle Historia Regum Britanniae, portray Bedivere as a Knight of the Round Table of King Arthur who serves as Arthur's marshal and is frequently associated with his brother Lucan and his cousin Griflet as well as with Kay. In the English versions, Bedivere notably assumes Griflet's hitherto traditional role from French romances as the one who eventually returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake after Arthur's last battle.

<i>Le Morte dArthur</i> 1485 reworking of existing tales about King Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

Le Morte d'Arthur is a 15th-century Middle English prose reworking by Sir Thomas Malory of tales about the legendary King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table, along with their respective folklore. In order to tell a "complete" story of Arthur from his conception to his death, Malory compiled, rearranged, interpreted and modified material from various French and English sources. Today, this is one of the best-known works of Arthurian literature. Many authors since the 19th-century revival of the legend have used Malory as their principal source.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Percival</span> One of King Arthurs legendary Knights of the Round Table

Percival, alternatively called Peredur, is a figure in the legend of King Arthur, often appearing as one of the Knights of the Round Table. First mentioned by the French author Chrétien de Troyes in the tale Perceval, the Story of the Grail, he is best known for being the original hero in the quest for the Grail before being replaced in later literature by Galahad.

Red Knight is a title borne by several characters in Arthurian legend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancelot-Grail</span> 13th-century French Arthurian literary cycle

The Lancelot-Grail Cycle, also known as the Vulgate Cycle or the Pseudo-Map Cycle, is an early 13th-century French Arthurian literary cycle consisting of interconnected prose episodes of chivalric romance originally written in Old French. The work of unknown authorship, presenting itself as a chronicle of actual events, retells the legend of King Arthur by focusing on the love affair between Lancelot and Guinevere, the religious quest for the Holy Grail, and the life of Merlin. The highly influential cycle expands on Robert de Boron's "Little Grail Cycle" and the works of Chrétien de Troyes, previously unrelated to each other, by supplementing them with additional details and side stories, as well as lengthy continuations, while tying the entire narrative together into a coherent single tale. Its alternate titles include Philippe Walter's 21st-century edition Le Livre du Graal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ywain</span> Legendary character and Knight of the Round Table

In Arthurian legend, Ywain, also known as Yvain and Owain among other spellings, is a Knight of the Round Table. Tradition often portrays him as the son of King Urien of Gorre and of either the enchantress Modron or the sorceress Morgan le Fay. The historical Owain mab Urien, the basis of the literary character, ruled as the king of Rheged in Britain during the late-6th century.

<i>Roman de Brut</i> 12th-century Norman-French literature

The Brut or Roman de Brut by the poet Wace is a loose and expanded translation in almost 15,000 lines of Norman-French verse of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Latin History of the Kings of Britain. It was formerly known as the Brut d'Engleterre or Roman des Rois d'Angleterre, though Wace's own name for it was the Geste des Bretons, or Deeds of the Britons. Its genre is equivocal, being more than a chronicle but not quite a fully-fledged romance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sir Balin</span> Knight in the Arthurian legend

Balinthe Savage, also known as the Knight with the Two Swords, is a character in the Arthurian legend. Like Galahad, Balin is a late addition to the medieval Arthurian world. His story, as told by Thomas Malory in Le Morte d'Arthur, is based upon that told in the continuation of the second book of the Post-Vulgate cycle of legend, the Suite du Merlin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunor</span>

Brunor, Breunor, Branor or Brunoro are various forms of a name given to several different characters in the works of the Tristan tradition of Arthurian legend. They include Knight of the Round Table known as Brunor/Breunor le Noir, as well as his father and others, among them another former knight of Uther's old Round Table and the father of Galehaut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galehaut</span> Fictional character in Arthurian legend

Galehaut is a half-giant knight and sovereign prince in Arthurian legend. He is most prominent within the Lancelot-Grail prose cycle where he is a noble enemy turned an ally of King Arthur as well as an inseparable friend of Arthur's champion Lancelot. The figure of Galehaut should not be mistaken with Lancelot's son, Galahad, and some other similarly named characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwenddydd</span> Character from Welsh legend

Gwenddydd, also known as Gwendydd and Ganieda, is a character from Welsh legend. She first appears in the early Welsh poems like the Dialogue of Myrddin and Gwenddydd and in the 12th-century Latin Vita Merlini by Geoffrey of Monmouth, where she is represented as being a figure in the Old North of Britain, the sister of Myrddin or Merlin, and a prophet in her own right. Geoffrey also makes her the wife of the northern king Rhydderch Hael. She was remembered in Welsh traditions recorded in the 16th century by Elis Gruffydd, and even as late as the 18th century. Since the late 19th century she has occasionally appeared as Merlin's sister or lover in Arthurian fiction, poetry and drama by writers such as Laurence Binyon, John Cowper Powys, John Arden, Margaretta D'Arcy and Stephen R. Lawhead.

References

  1. Thomas, Peter Wynn, D. Mark Smith and Diana Luft (2007). "Rhyddiaith Gymraeg 1350-1425". Cardiff University . Retrieved 1 January 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) "Welsh Prose" project (search within transcription of the Jesus 111 ( Llyfr Coch Hergest ) manuscript).
  2. The University of York. "Libeaus Desconus". Database of Middle English Romance.
  3. 1 2 Stephens, Meic (1986). "Penpingion". The Oxford Companion to the Literature of Wales. Oxford University Press. ISBN   9780192115867.
  4. "Culhwch ac Olwen Part Three". www.maryjones.us. Celtic Literature Collective. Retrieved 2023-01-02.