King Arthur characters

Appears from the start

The unrecognized son of King Uther, raised in Sir Ector's household without knowing his birth. As a young man he draws the sword fixed in the stone, the sign that identifies the rightful king of Britain. He must then persuade resistant nobles that birth and the marvel truly give him the crown.

Appears from the start

A magician and counsellor who arranged Arthur's upbringing and understands the meaning of the sword in the stone. He guides the young king with prophecy and strategy, often knowing the dangers around Arthur before the king recognizes them himself.

Appears from the start

The honorable lord who brings Arthur up as a son. When Arthur's claim to the crown becomes clear, Ector accepts the revelation and asks that his natural son Kay should remain close to the new king.

Appears from the start

Sir Ector's son and Arthur's foster brother. His forgotten sword sends Arthur looking for a replacement and thereby leads Arthur to draw the sword from the stone. Kay initially claims the deed, but acknowledges the truth when tested.

First appears in chapter 2

A formidable king and wandering knight devoted to hunting the mysterious Questing Beast. He defeats the inexperienced Arthur in single combat before Merlin intervenes, and later becomes one of the distinguished knights connected with Arthur's court.

First appears in chapter 3

A mysterious woman who appears upon a lake with the sword Excalibur. She grants the weapon to Arthur in return for a future request, placing one of the king's greatest protections in his hands while leaving the price unsettled.

First appears in chapter 4

A fierce knight released from imprisonment at Arthur's court after drawing a sword that no other knight can free. His courage and rash sense of justice begin a chain of adventures shadowed by a curse.

First appears in chapter 4

Balin's loyal brother and fellow knight. He searches for Balin after their separation, unaware that enchantment and concealed identities are drawing both men toward a disastrous meeting.

First appears in chapter 5

The daughter of King Leodegrance, chosen by Arthur as his queen. Her marriage brings the Round Table to Arthur's court as a wedding gift, helping establish the fellowship that will define his reign.

First appears in chapter 6

A young woman associated with the Lady of the Lake who attracts Merlin's devotion. As he follows her, she learns his arts and seeks a way to free herself from his unwanted pursuit, despite his knowledge that she will be the cause of his disappearance.

First appears in chapter 5

One of the most celebrated knights gathered around Arthur's Round Table. His strength, courtesy, and success in battle make him central to the fellowship and a trusted defender of the queen.

First appears in chapter 5

Arthur's nephew and a prominent knight of the Round Table. Proud of his family and his honor, he serves the king loyally, though kinship and vengeance can weigh as heavily with him as the unity of the court.

Also known as Morgan le Fay

First appears in chapter 7

Arthur's half-sister, a queen with formidable knowledge of enchantment. Her hostility becomes open when she arranges magical attempts on Arthur's life and seeks to turn his own sword against him.

Also known as Beaumains

First appears in chapter 8

A young man who arrives at court without declaring his lineage and asks only for food and lodging for a year. Assigned mockingly to the kitchens, he later requests an adventure and proves through repeated combats that his humble place concealed a trained knight.

First appears in chapter 8

A sharp-tongued young woman who comes to Arthur's court seeking a champion for her besieged sister. She objects when the supposed kitchen servant Beaumains is sent with her and repeatedly scorns him even as he overcomes every danger on their road.

First appears in chapter 9

The young knight destined for the highest spiritual achievement of the Round Table. His arrival fulfills prophecies surrounding the perilous empty seat, and his purity marks him as the leader of the quest for the Holy Grail.

Also known as The Fair Maid of Astolat

First appears in chapter 11

A nobleman's daughter who gives Lancelot shelter before a tournament. She falls deeply in love with him and asks him to carry her token when he rides disguised, mistaking his kindness and acceptance of the favor for hope of a future together.

First appears in chapter 12

Arthur's treacherous nephew, who joins the effort to expose Lancelot and Guenevere and uses the resulting division of the Round Table to seek power for himself.