List of Arthurian characters


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.
The symbol indicates a Knight of the Round Table.
NameOther namesEarliest appearanceWorks featured inDescription
AccolonPost-Vulgate Cycle, 1230sMorgan le Fay's love
AglovaleAgloval, Sir Aglovale de GalisThe Life of Sir Aglovale de Galis, The Once and Future KingKing Pellinore's eldest son
AgravainAgravaineLancelot-Grail, Le Morte D'Arthur, The Once and Future KingSecond son of King Lot and Morgause, joins Mordred's rebellion
AmrAmhar, Amir, AnirHistoria Brittonum, 820Geraint and EnidSon of King Arthur
AndredLe Morte d'ArthurCousin of Tristram
ArthurArthur PendragonY Gododdin, 7th centuryManyKing of the Britons
Aurelius AmbrosiusAmbrosius AurelianusDe Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae 540sHistoria Brittonum 820Uther Pendragon's brother, High King of Britain before him
BagdemagusLancelot, the Knight of the Cart, 1170sMeleagant's father and ruler of Gorre
BanLancelot-Grail, early 13th century;, The Once and Future KingLancelot's father
BalanSir Balan le SavagePost-Vulgate Cycle, 1230sPost-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte D'ArthurBrother to Balin
BalinSir Balin le Savage, Knight with Two SwordsPost-Vulgate Cycle, 1230sPost-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte D'ArthurBrother to Balan, kills the Lady of the Lake and strikes the Dolorous Stroke
Bedivere,, BedeverePa Gur yv y Porthaur, 10th centuryVita 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 KnightKing Arthur's grandson through Tom a Lincoln. Another Black Knight is an antagonist figure
BlanchefleurPerceval, the Story of the Grail, 1181Percival's wife, niece to Gornemant
Bors the ElderLancelot-Grail, early 13th century; The Once and Future KingBrother to King Ban, and an ally of Arthur's
Bors the YoungerSon of Bors the Elder, father of Elyan the White
BrangaineBrangaene, Brangwane, BrangienTristan, 12th centuryTristan poems, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'ArthurHandmaid 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 NoirBrunor, La Cote Male TaileKnight who wears his murdered father's coat, brother of Dinadan and Daniel
Brutus of BritainBrut, Brute, Historia Brittonum, 820First King of Britain, a Trojan
CadorHistoria Regum Britanniae, The Dream of RhonabwyRaised Guinevere as his ward, father to Constantine III of Britain, described in some works as Arthur's cousin
CaeliaCelia, The Faerie QueeneThe Faerie Queene, 1590; Tom a Lincoln part 1, 1599Tom a'Lincoln's lover, mother to the Faerie Knight
CalogrenantColgrevance, CynanYvain, the Knight of the Lion, 1170sLe Morte d'ArthurCousin to Sir Ywain
Caradoc,, Perceval, the Story of the Grail, the MabinogionRebelled against Arthur when he first became king, but later supported him, sometimes two characters—Caradoc the Elder and Caradoc the Younger
CatigernHistoria Brittonum, 9th century; Harleian genealogies; Historia Regum Britanniae, 1134Son of Vortigern, fought alongside his brother Vortimer against the Saxons
Cerdic of WessexAnglo-Saxon Chronicle, 9th centuryFirst King of Wessex
ClaudasPerlesvaus, Lancelot-Grail, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'ArthurA Frankish King antagonistic to Arthur, has two sons, Dorin and Claudin
ClaudinLancelot-Grail, Le Morte d'ArthurVirtuous son of the Frankish villain Claudas, eventually becomes one of 12 knights to achieve the Holy Grail
Constans son of ConstantineBased on the historical figure ConstansHistoria Regum BritanniaeSon of Constantine II of Britain, older brother to Uther Pendragon
Constantine II of BritainBased on the historical figure ConstantineHistoria Regum BritanniaeArthur's grandfather, father to Uther Pendragon, Constans, and Ambrosius Aurelianus
Constantine III of BritainHistoria Regum Britanniae, 1136Historia Regum Britanniae, Le Morte d'ArthurArthur's cousin and successor to his throne, Cador's son
CulhwchCulhwch and Olwen, 11th centuryCousin of Arthur's in early Welsh legend
Cynric of WessexAnglo-Saxon Chronicle, 9th centurySecond King of Wessex, son of Cerdic
DagonetIdylls of the KingArthur's court jester
Daniel von BlumenthalDaniel von Blumenthal, 1220A Knight of the Round Table found in an early German offshoot of Arthurian legend
DinadanProse Tristan, 1230sProse Tristan, Le Morte D'ArthurSon of Sir Brunor the Senior
Dindrane,, Dindraine, HeliabelSister of Percival, plays a large part in many Holy Grail stories
DurnureSir DurnureFirst 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
EctorHector, Antor, EctoriusLancelot-Grail, early 13th centuryThe Once and Future King, Le Morte d'ArthurRaises Arthur according to Merlin's command, father to Sir Kay
Edern ap NuddEdern, son of Nudd, Yder, Yver, Isdernus, Knight of the SparrowhawkCulhwch and Olwen, 1100Erec and Enide, Geraint ac Enid, The Dream of RhonabwyBrother of Gwyn ap Nudd, rival to Erec/Geraint, originally a hostile figure, later a member of Arthur's retinue
Elaine of AstolatElaine the White, Elaine the Fair, The Lady of ShalottLe Morte d'Arthur, 1470The Lady of ShalottDaughter of Bernard of Astolat, classic Arthurian figure of unrequited love
Elaine of BenoicLancelot-Grail, early 13th centuryThe Once and Future KingWife of King Ban and mother to Lancelot, Evaine's sister
Elaine of CorbenicAmite, Helaine, HelizabelPerceval, the Story of the Grail 1181The Once and Future King; Perceval le Gallois, 1978Daughter of the Fisher King, mother of Galahad by Lancelot
Elaine of GarlotDaughter of Gorlois and Igraine, sister to Morgan le Fay and Morgause and a half-sister to King Arthur, wife to King Nentres.
Elaine of ListenoiseLe Morte d'ArthurDaughter of King Pellinore, lover of Sir Miles of the Laundes
Elaine the PeerlessNiece of the Lord of the Fens and wife of Persides the Red of the Castle of Gazevilte
EliwlodWelsh TriadsNephew to Arthur, son of Madoc, Uther Pendragon's son
Elyan the WhiteSon of Sir Bors and Claire, King Brandegoris' daughter, helps Lancelot rescue Guinevere and goes into exile with him
EnideEnidErec and Enide, 1170Idylls of the King, Geraint and EnidErec'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
ErecUnclear; first literary appearance as Erec in Erec and Enide, 1170see Geraint and EnidSon 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.
EsclaborFather of Palamedes, Safir, and Segwarides
EscladosYvain, the Knight of the Lion, 1170sDefended a magical fountain in the Forest of Broceliande, married to Laudine
EvaineLancelot-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, TheTom a Lincoln part 1, 1599Illegitimate son of Tom a'Lincoln and Caelia, the Faerie Queen, half brother to the Black Knight
FeirefizParzival, early 13th centuryHalf-brother to Percival and King Arthur's nephew
Fisher King, TheThe Wounded King, Pelles, PeliasPerceval, the Story of the Grail, 1181Queste del Saint Graal, 1220; Prose Tristan, 1230, The Once and Future KingGuardian of the Holy Grail, Father of Elaine of Corbenic
GaherisLe Morte d'Arthur, The Once and Future KingSon of King Lot and Morgause, brother to Gawain, Agravaine, and Gareth, and half-brother to Mordred
GalahadLancelot-Grail, early 13th centuryLancelot-Grail, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'Arthur, The Once and Future KingIllegitimate son of Sir Lancelot and Elaine of Corbenic
GalehaultGalehalt, GalehautLancelot-Grail, early 13th centuryFormer enemy of Arthur who becomes close friends with Lancelot
GaleschinGaleshinVulgate CycleSon of Elaine of Garlot and King Nentres, nephew of Arthur
GarethBeaumainsLe Morte d'Arthur, Idylls of the King, The Once and Future KingAlso a son of Lot and Morgause, in love with Lyonesse
Gawain,, Culhwch and Olwen, 11th centuryConte 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
GeraintGeraint and EnidEnid's lover
GingalainGuinglain, Gingalin, Gliglois, Wigalois, Le Bel InconnuLe Bel InconnuGawain's and Blanchemal's son
GorloisHistoria Regum BritanniaeIgraine's first husband before she married Uther Pendragon, father of Morgause and Morgan le Fay.
GornemantErec and Enide, 1170Perceval, the Story of the GrailPercival's mentor
Guiron le CourtoisPalamedes, 1235–1240Palamedes, Guiron CompilationCompanion of Meliodas
Green Knight, TheBercilak, Bertilak, Bernlak, BredbeddleSir Gawain and the Green Knight, 1300sThe Greene Knight, King Arthur and King CornwallA knight enchanted by Morgan le Fay in order to test Gawain
GrifletGirflet, JaufreJaufréThe son of Do, cousin to Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere
GringoletErec and Enide, 1170Sir Gawain and the Green KnightGawain's horse
GuinevakGwenhwyvachCulhwch and Olwen, 11th centuryWelsh Triads, Misfortunes of ElphinGuinevere's half-sister
Guinevere, Culhwch and Olwen, 11th centuryManyWife to King Arthur, famous for her affair with Lancelot
Gwyn ap NuddCulhwch and Olwen, 11th centuryOne of Arthur's knights. Brother of Edern ap Nudd, rival of Gwythyr ap Greidawl, lover of Creiddylad
Hector de MarisEctor de MarisQuest du Saint Graal, Vulgate Cycle, The Once and Future KingHalf-brother of Lancelot, son of King Ban and the Lady de Maris, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel are his cousins
HengestHengistThe Ecclesiastical History of the English People, 721Historia Regum BritanniaeAn Anglo-Saxon king killed by Uther Pendragon, Horsa's brother
Hueil mab CawHuailCulhwch and Olwen, 1110Vita Gildas, Welsh TriadsA Pictish plunderer and chieftain, killed by Arthur, brother to Saint Gildas
HoelThe Dream of Rhonabwy, Geraint and EnidSon of King Budic of Brittany, father to St. Tudwal
HorsaThe Ecclesiastical History of the English People, 721Anglo-Saxon ChronicleBrother to Hengest
Igraine,,, Ygrayne, Arnive.Historia Regum Britanniae, 1136Vulgate Merlin', Le Morte d'Arthur, The Once and Future KingMother to King Arthur through an affair with Uther Pendragon, mother of Morgause and Morgan le Fay through her first husband Gorlois
Iseult of IrelandIsolde, Yseult, Isode, Isoude, IsottaTristan and IseultWife of Mark of Cornwall and adulterous lover of Sir Tristan
IseultIsolde, Yseult, Isode, Isoude, IsottaTristan and IseultIseult of Ireland's mother
Iseult of the White HandsIsolde, Yseult, Isode, Isoude, IsottaTristan and IseultDaughter of Hoel of Brittany, sister of Sir Kahedin, and wife of Tristan
Joseph of ArimatheaJoseph d'Arimathie, 12th centuryFirst keeper of the Holy Grail in Arthurian legend
Josephus of ArimatheaJosephe, JosephesLancelot-Grail cycle, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Prose Tristan, Le Morte D'ArthurSon of Joseph of Arimathea
Kay, Pa Gur yv y porthaur, 10th centuryManyFoster brother to Arthur, Sir Ector's son
KahedinKahadin, Kahedrin, Kehenis, Kehidius, possibly Roman de TristanProse Tristan, Le Morte D'ArthurBrother to Iseult, son of King Hoel, had an affair with Brangaine
Lady of the LakeNimue, 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
LamorakProse Tristan, 1235Lancelot-Grail Cycle, The Once and Future KingSon of King Pellinore, brother to Tor, Aglovale, Percival, and Dindrane, lover of Morgause
LancelotLancelot du Lac, Lancelot of the Lake, LauncelotErec and Enide, 1170Lancelot, 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
LanvalLandevale, Launfal, LambewellLanval, late 12th centurySir Landevale, Sir Launfal, Sir LambewellA knight of King Arthur's court who falls in love with a fairy
LaudineLady of the FountainYvain, the Knight of the Lion, 1170sOwain, or the Lady of the Fountain, IweinSir Ywain's wife
LeodegranceLeondegrance, LeodegraunceGuinevere's father, King of Cameliard in what is now southwest England
LionelLancelot-Grail, early 13th century; The Once and Future KingSon of King Bors of Gaunnes, brother of Bors the Younger
LohengrinLoherangrin, LorengelParzival, early 13th centuryParzival, Lohengrin, Lorengel, Richard Wagner's LohengrinA knight of the Holy Grail, son of Percival
LoholtPossibly Llacheu Welsh TriadsPerlesvaus, Vulgate Cycle Illegitimate son of Arthur
LotLothHistoria Regum Britanniae, 1136Le Morte d'Arthur, The Once and Future KingKing of Lothian, father to Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris, and Gareth
LucanSir Lucan the ButlerLe Morte d'ArthurServant to King Arthur, Bedivere's brother, Griflet's cousin
LuciusLucius Tiberius, Lucius HiberiusHistoria Regum Britanniae, 1136Alliterative Morte Arthure, Le Morte d'Arthur,A fictional Roman Emperor and antagonist to Arthur
Lunete, Yvain, the Knight of the Lion, 1170sHandmaiden and advisor to Laudine
LynetteLe Morte d'Arthur, 1470Idylls of the KingSeeks aid from Arthur to rescue her sister Lyonesse, Arthur sends an incognito Gareth, who she berates until he proves his worth
LyonesseLe Morte d'Arthur, 1470Idylls of the KingEntrapped sister of Lynette, rescued by Gareth, whom she eventually marries
LlamreiCulhwch and Olwen, 11th centuryCulhwch and Olwen, 11th centuryLlamrei was a mare owned by King Arthur
Mabon ap ModronCulhwch and Olwen, 11th centuryWelsh TriadsSon of Modron, kidnapped at birth, rescued by Culhwch
MadocMadawgBook of TaliesinStanzas of the GravesSon of Uther Pendragon, brother of Arthur in early Welsh tradition, father of Eliwlod
MaleagantMalagant, Meleagant, perhaps MelwasUnclear, a similar character named "Melwas" appears in the 12th century Life of GildasLancelot-Grail, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'ArthurAbductor of Guinevere
Manawydan fab LlyrManawyddanThe MabinogionCulhwch and Olwen 'Originally a British god; appeared as a knight of Arthur's in Culhwch and Olwen
Mark of Cornwall,, Possibly based on a historical figure from the 6th centuryPost-Vulgate Cycle, Prose Tristan, Le Morte d'Arthur, Palamedes, The Once and Future KingTristan's uncle, husband to Iseult
MeirchionTristan and IseultFather to Mark of Cornwall
MelehanHistoria Regum Britanniae, 1136Elder son of Mordred
MeliodasMeliadusProse TristanLe Morte d'ArthurFather to Tristan, Tristan's father was named Rivalen in earlier versions
Menw ap TairgwaeddCulhwch and Olwen 1100Welsh TriadsEnchanter, member of Arthur's retinue
Merlin, Myrddin Emrys, Merlin Ambrosius, MerlynHistoria Regum Britanniae, 1136, but derived from earlier Welsh talesManyWizard, guide to King Arthur
ModronCulhwch and Olwen, Welsh Triads, 11th centuryWelsh TriadsMother of Mabon, in another folktale, she is the mother of Owain and Morvydd by Urien, Possible source for Morgan le Fay
MordredModred, Annales Cambriae, 970ManyIn some literature, Arthur's illegitimate son through Morgause, kills and is killed by Arthur
Morgan le FayMorgaine, Morgain, MorganaUnclear; first mention as Morgan in Vita Merlini, 1150ManySorceress, half-sister and sometime antagonist of Arthur, and mother of Mordred
MorgauseAnnaHistoria Regum Britanniae, 1136The 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 TudGeraint ac EnidHead physician of Arthur's court
MorholtMarhalt, Morold, MarhausTristan, 12th centuryTristan poems, Tristan, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'ArthurIrish knight, rival of Tristan, uncle of Iseult
MorienMoriaenMorien, 13th centuryHalf-Moorish son of Aglovale
MorvyddWelsh Triads, Culhwch and OlwenOwain's twin sister
Nimuesee Lady of the Lake
OberonAuberon, King of Shadows and FairiesKing of the Fairies, sometimes identified as a son of Morgan le Fay
OlwenCulhwch and Olwen, 11th centuryDaughter of Ysbaddaden, beloved of Culhwch
OrgeluseHaughty Maiden of LogresPerceval, the Story of the Grail, 1181A wife of Gawain
Owainsee YwainHistorical figureOwain, or the Lady of the FountainSon of Urien
PalamedesPalamede, PalomidesProse Tristan, 1230s, Le Morte D'ArthurThe Once and Future KingSaracen Knight of the Round Table
ParcenetThe Story of King Arthur and His KnightsA maid from Queen Ettarre's court who helps Sir Pelleas
PellamKing Pellam of Listeneise, Pellehansee Fisher King
PelleasPelliasPost-Vulgate Cycle, 1230sLe Morte d'Arthur, Idylls of the KingA Knight of the Round table in love with Ettarre, later lover of Nimue
Pellessee Fisher King
PellinoreLancelot-Grail, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'Arthur, The Once and Future KingKing of Listenoise, friend to Arthur, father to many
Percival Perceval, ParzifalErec and Enide, 1170Perceval, the Story of the Grail, Lancelot-Grail, manyAchiever of the Holy Grail, King Pellinore's son in some tales
Questing BeastBeste Glatisant Perlesvaus, 1210Gerbert's Continuation of Perceval, the Story of the Grail, Post Vulgate Suite du Merlin, Prose Tristan, Le Morte d'ArthurA strange beast quested after by many knights associated with Pellinore and Palamedes
RagnellSir Gawain's wife, in some legends mother of Percival
Red KnightPerceval, the Story of the Grail, 1181Le Morte d'ArthurAppears in many tales, usually as an antagonist
RienceRitho, Ryence, Ryons, and RionHistoria Regum Britanniae, 1136Lancelot-Grail, Post Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'ArthurKing defeated by Arthur
SafirLe Morte d'Arthur, Prose TristanSon to Esclabor, brother of Segwarides and Palamedes
SagramoreSagramorLancelot-Grail, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Prose Tristan, Le Morte d'ArthurUbiquitous Knight of the Round Table; various stories and origins are given for him
SegwaridesLe Morte d'Arthur, Prose TristanSon of Esclabor, brother of Safir and Palamedes
TaliesinHistorical figureThe Welsh Triads, Story of Taliesin, Alfred, Idylls of the KingBard to king Arthur, oldest known Welsh poet
Tom a LincolnThe 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 ThumbDiscovery of WitchcraftThe History of Tom Thumb, Tom Thumb, The Tragedy of TragediesA tiny creation of Merlin, later becomes Arthur's court dwarf and an honorary knight
TorLe Morte d'ArthurSon of King Ars, adopted by Pellinore
Tristan,,,, Tristran, TristramRoman de Tristan"Roman de Tristan", the two "Folies Tristans", "Chevrefeuil", Prose Tristan, Post-Vulgate Cycle, Le Morte d'ArthurSon of Blancheflor and Rivalen, Iseult's lover
UrienUriensHistorical figureWelsh TriadsFather of Ywain, husband of Morgan le Fay
Uther Pendragon, Pa Gur yv y Porthaur?, 10th centuryHistoria Regum Britanniae, 1136; Welsh Triads; The Once and Future KingArthur's father
Vortigern, 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
VortimerHistoria Brittonum, c. 820Son of Vortigern
YsbaddadenCulhwch and Olwen, 11th centuryA giant and antagonist
Ywain, Yvain, Ewain, UwainBased on the historical figure Owain mab UrienHistoria Brittonum, Yvain, the Knight of the Lion''Urien's son, Morvydd's brother
Ywain the BastardYwain the AdventurousUrien's illegitimate son through a seneschal, accidentally killed by Gawain