Le Morte d’Arthur Characters

The true father of Arthur. Uther is the king of England until his death before the beginning of Arthur’s reign.

Arthur’s mother, originally wife to the Duke of Cornwall. She is tricked into sleeping with Uther only hours after her husband’s death and then is convinced that marrying Uther will be best for the kingdom.

Originally Igraine’s husband, until Uther and his men lay siege to the Duke’s castle, and he is killed when attempting to escape.

A good, faithful knight whom Merlin chooses to raise Arthur.

The son of Sir Ector and Arthur’s foster brother. He later becomes one of Arthur’s knights, although he is often a foolish or hotheaded figure.

An ally of Arthur and the father of Guenever.

A sometime enemy of Arthur.

Another sometime enemy of Arthur.

Tristram’s uncle and husband to La Beale Isoud, King Mark is one of the major villains of the book. Although Tristram saves Mark’s kingdom, Mark marries Isoud knowing of his nephew’s love for her, and for much of the book is plotting Tristram’s downfall out of jealousy and spite.

A sorceress who enchants and traps Merlin but often helps Arthur and other knights. In one story, it is she who gives Arthur Excalibur and its scabbard. However, it is sometimes unclear whether the Lady of the Lake is one lady or if the name refers to multiple characters.

Nimue’s cousin and a knight of Arthur’s court.

An ally of King Arthur. He first appears in pursuit of a strange beast (the “Questing Beast”), and later defeats and almost kills Arthur before Merlin reveals Arthur’s identity to him.

A knight in Arthur’s court, and the son of King Pellinore. He is found worthy enough to be permitted to seek the Holy Grail.

King of Lothain and father of Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, and Gareth. He is a rival of Arthur and is killed by Pellinore.

Wife of King Lot and mother of Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, and Gareth. Margawse is also the half-sister of Arthur and mother to their son Mordred.

Son of King Pellinore and brother to Aglovale and Percivale. He is killed by Gawaine and his brothers.

The lord of the Isle of Servage whom Lamorak fights in revenge after Nabon kills his cousin.

A knight who joins some of Lamorak’s adventures, but is later killed by Lamorak.

Frol’s brother, who fights with Lamorak in revenge.

A knight in Arthur’s court who participates (along with his brothers Gawain and Agravaine) in the slaying of Lamorak and Margawse. He is exiled from court, but then returns and is accidentally killed (with his brother Gareth) by Launcelot.

A knight in Arthur’s court who finally reveals to Arthur the details of Guenever’s affair with Launcelot, setting off a series of events that lead to the realm’s downfall.

An enemy of Arthur’s.

An enemy of Arthur’s and brother of Rience.

A knight who kills the Lady of the Lake and is banished for it. He is otherwise an excellent knight and staunch ally of Arthur’s, and goes on several quests early in the book.

Balin’s brother. Balin and Balan kill each other when they don’t recognize each other.

The husband of Morgan le Fay.

The lover of Morgan le Fay. Morgan gives him Excalibur to fight Arthur.

Another lover of Morgan le Fay, killed by Tristram.

A young squire whom Arthur makes a knight. Griflet immediately challenges another knight to fight, and is struck down.

The son of Uriens, a knight in Arthur’s court.

A lady whom Uwaine defends against Sir Edward and Sir Hue.

A knight whom Uwaine fights and kills.

Sir Edward’s brother, whom Uwaine also fights and kills.

A knight who is killed by Balin. His lover then kills herself with his sword.

A knight who can become invisible. He is the brother of King Pellam and is killed by Balin.

The brother of Garlon. He is wounded by Balin and later healed by Galahad.

A knight whom Balin tries to help, though Balin ultimately ends up contributing to his death.

A treacherous knight who briefly imprisons Arthur.

The younger brother of Sir Damas. He becomes one of Arthur’s knights.

Accolon’s cousin and a member of Arthur’s court. Morgan le Fay saves his life.

A knight rumored to hate women. He adventures with Gawaine and Uwaine, and is later killed by Tristram.

A knight who fights with Marhaus and, after losing, has to pledge allegiance to King Arthur.

A giant whom Marhaus fights and kills.

He hosts Marhaus and tells him about the threat of the giant Taulas.

Arthur’s cousin, whose land Arthur saves from a giant.

A knight in Arthur’s court, who assists in the battles against the Romans.

A knight who attacks Launcelot while Launcelot is assisting his wife, whose hawk has disappeared. Launcelot kills him.

A knight who kills his unfaithful lover and whom Launcelot conquers. Guenever sends him to Rome in penance.

Tristram’s tutor and servant.

Tristram’s cousin. He often works against Tristram on behalf of King Mark.

A woman Arthur briefly falls in love with. She bears him the son Borre.

Arthur’s son by Lionors. He becomes a knight of the Round Table.

A knight of Mark, whom Mark kills when he refuses to kill Tristram.

A knight of Mark who witnesses Bersules’ murder and accuses Mark of treason.

A knight whose father was killed by Mark and who tries to avenge this death, but is wounded.

A knight who nurses Launcelot back to health after Launcelot goes mad.

The Roman emperor who fights against Arthur and is killed by him.

A man from Tuscany, descended from Alexander the Great, who fights Gawaine and then allies himself with him.

A knight in Arthur’s court, and half-brother to Launcelot.

A knight in Arthur’s court, the brother of Lionel and son of King Bors. He is one of the three knights to achieve the Sangreal.

A knight that Sir Bors fights against in his quest for the Sangreal.

A knight in Arthur’s court who is killed by Lionel while trying to save Lionel’s brother Sir Bors.

A king associated with the mystical ship that holds the sword belonging to Galahad.

A knight in Arthur’s court, the brother of Sir Bors and the nephew of Launcelot.

A knight in Arthur’s court.

A knight who imprisons many of the knights of the Round Table. He is finally killed by Launcelot.

A knight whom Launcelot fights but who then becomes one of the knights of the Round Table.

Tristram’s father, king of Liones.

Tristram’s mother and sister to Sir Mark.

A knight and supporter of Tristram.

Tristram’s wife and daughter of King Howel in Brittany. Tristram leaves her when he recalls his true love for the other Isoud (La Beale Isoud).

The brother of Isoud la Blanche Mains. He comes to fall in love with La Beale Isoud.

A king in Brittany, and the father of Isoud la Blanche Mains.

A king whom Tristram fights on behalf of Mark, but who is later reconciled with Tristram.

Isoud’s maid.

A Saracen (Muslim) knight who is in love with Isoud. He later converts to Christianity and joins the Round Table.

A king murdered by his two sons, a murder that Palomides avenges.

Hermance’s son, killed by Palomides.

Hermance’s other son, also killed by Palomides.

A knight of Hermance.

A knight who jousts with and loses to Palomides.

A knight whom Palomides defends after Epinogris loses his lover to Helior le Preuse.

A knight whom Palomides defeats.

The King of Benwick, and father of Launcelot.

The brother of Ban, and father of Sir Bors de Ganis.

Merlin’s master and biographer, who writes down details of all of Arthur’s battles.

A woman who sleeps with Launcelot and gives birth to Galahad.

The father of Elaine of Corbin.

A lady of Elaine of Corbin, who tricks Launcelot into sleeping with Elaine.

A knight in love with Elaine of Corbin.

A woman who falls in love with Launcelot and dies of lovesickness.

The father of Elaine le Blank.

The brother of Elaine le Blank and a follower of Launcelot.

A knight in Arthur’s court. He serves Uther before him, and helps Merlin carry out his plans.

A knight in Arthur’s court.

A knight of Arthur. He first loves Ettard, but later is a lover of Nimue.

A lady whom Sir Pelleas loves. She rejects all his advances and sends knights to fight him.

A knight in Arthur’s court.

A knight, and brother to Dinadan.

A knight whom Tristram must fight while taken prisoner.

A knight that fights with La Cote Male Taile.

A knight that captures Gawaine, and is killed by Launcelot.

A knight whom Tristram lodges with.

Pellounes’s son.

A damsel whose name (or nickname) means “Ill-speaking.” She travels with La Cote Male Taile and mocks him constantly.

The enemy of Ban and Bors, as well as of Arthur.

A knight in Arthur’s court, and son of Pellinore.

The illegitimate son of Pellinore.

A knight that fights with Tor.

A woman who travels with Gareth and constantly insults him, though he saves her many times.

Linet’s sister and Lady of the Castle Dangerous.

The brother of Lionesse and Linet.

A knight whom Gareth fights and conquers.

A knight who jousts with and is defeated by Gareth.

The brother of the Knight of the Black Launds. He jousts with and is defeated by Gareth.

The brother of the Green Knight and the Knight of the Black Launds. He jousts with and is defeated by Gareth.

Also known as the Blue Knight, a protector of Gareth. He is the brother of the Green, Black, and Red Knights.

A knight who besieges Lionesse at her castle. He jousts with and is defeated by Gareth.

A knight who is angered when he isn’t chosen to be a part of the Round Table, but who later proves his worth.

Son of Bagdemagus, a knight who kidnaps Guenever.

A knight in Arthur’s court who fights against Tristram.

A knight in Arthur’s court who also fights against Tristram.

Palomides’ brother. His beautiful wife is fought over by several other knights, including Tristram.

Brother to Palomides and Segwarides.

A knight who tries to defend La Beale Isoud against Palomides.

A knight of the Round Table.

A knight in Arthur’s court who is with Arthur at his death, and throws Excalibur into the river.

The brother of Bedivere.

A villainous knight who often flees rather than fighting. His name means “without pity.”

A knight who witnesses Tristram’s descent into madness.

A giant killed by Tristram.

A knight whom Tristram saves from the giant Tauleas.

A sorceress who enchants Arthur out of love for him, and whom he eventually kills.

A hermit and holy man.

A historical figure, the leader of the Church of England based in London.

The fool or court jester in Arthur’s court.

The first keeper of the Sangreal (Holy Grail), a Biblical figure who helped carry Jesus’s body down from the cross.

A man converted to Christianity by Joseph of Arimathea. He lives 300 years until meeting Galahad.

A knight who accompanies Galahad on the Holy Grail quest.

A knight and follower of Launcelot.

A knight healed by Launcelot, who then becomes loyal to him.

Launcelot’s cousin.

Bleoberis’s brother.

The leader of the Sessoins, King Mark’s enemies. He is killed by Tristram.

King Mark’s brother, whom Mark kills in jealousy after Boudwin performs well in battle.

Boudwin’s wife, who escapes after Mark kills her husband.

King Mark’s nephew. Mark kills his father (Mark’s own brother) but Alisander and his mother escape.

The husband of Anglides’ cousin. Anglides and Alisander live with him after escaping from Mark.

A damsel who falls in love with Alisander.

The son of Alisander and Alice, who kills Mark.

A Saracen (Muslim) knight who imprisons a damsel. Palomides cuts off his head and frees her.

A prince who holds jousting tournaments, and becomes jealous of Launcelot.

A king who imprisons Galahad, Percivale, and Sir Bors.

A knight who tries to poison Gawaine.

The knight who mistakenly dies from Pinel’s poisoning.

Patrise’s cousin who tries to avenge his death.

One of Arthur’s governors, and the man who becomes king after Arthur’s death.

A knight of Mark's, who disobeys his king's dishonorable orders.

A lord whose sons are killed by Tristram.

A knight of Arthur.