Arthurian Characters
King Arthur Pendragon
King Arthur was the son of Igraine and King Uther Pendragon; he was tutored by the magician Merlin. He became the King of England after extracting the sword Excalibur from a rock. Soon after he was crowned he formed the famous "Round Table" for the best knights of the world on his court in Camelot. Later, despite of Merlin's warnings, he married Gwenivere, who had an affair with the noble Lancelot, this romance lead to the downfall of his realms when his nephew Mordred saw the opportunity to take over Camelot. During the mortal combat between Arthur and Mordred at the battle of Camlan, Arthur kills Mordred with a spear thrust, and was mortally wounded in return. Arthur's last remaining companions, Lucan and Bedivere, helped him from the field, but Lucan dies of his ghastly wounds which burst in the effort. Weakening, Arthur repeatedly begs Bedivere to throw Excalibur into the lake until he has completed the task. The High King is then helped by Bedivere to a mysterious barge containing three queens and many other mourning women. The barge bears him away towards the Isle of Avalon to be healed. Whether he died, and if so where he was truly buried, is all shrouded in mystery. Some say he was buried at Glastonbury. But others believe he survived his wounds and will return again one day. For that reason, Arthur is known as "Rex Quondam Rexque Futurus" -- "The Once and Future King."
Sir Lancelot du Lac
Sir Galahad Lancelot du Lac (of the Lake) was King Arthur's bravest knight. As a baby he was rescued from a lake by Morgan Le Fay, who prepared him to receive his surname--Lancelot. He was descended from kings named Galahad and was the father of Sir Galahad. When grown, Lancelot superseded Sir Gawain, as Arthur's champion. Lancelot committed adultery with Queen Gwenivere. Always a champion of women, he frequently saved her from danger. They eventually left Arthur's court altogether. He had two brothers: Sir Lionel and Sir Ector.
Merlin
Born of a nun and a invisible father, Merlin was a sorcerer and counselor of Uther Pendragon and his son Arthur. It was on Merlin's advice that Uther established the Round Table and found his true heir through the sword-in-the-stone test. He also created the "Siege Perilous", the chair at the Round table destined to be seated by the chosen Grail Knight. Two other people sat on the chair, Sir Pellinore, led by Merlin himself, and another misfortuned knight who's body turned into ashes. When Galahad arrived to take his place on the "Siege Perilous" his name was already crafted on it. Before disapearing, Merlin made another Sword in the Stone, which Galahad withdrew at Camelot prior to the Grail Quest. Merlin disappeared forever when the Lady of the Lake, using magic he taught her, imprisoned him in an enchanted thornbush.
Queen Gwenivere of Cameliard
Gwenivere, wife of King Arthur. Seized by Mordred, her husband's illegitimate son, she is later reunited with Arthur and retires to a convent on his death. She had an adulterous affair with Sir Lancelot of the Lake. Possibly some of Guenever's uneasiness was caused by her suspected infertility. After all, Arthur had illegitimate children , as did Lancelot. To pay for her crimes to the crown Arthur condemns Guenever to be burned as an adulteress. Just before she was to be burned Lancelot breaks in and saves her, killing several of the knights left. Gwenivere lives with Lancelot until she is exchanged as a throphy for peace, she is locked up in Mordred's castle where she learns of Arthur's death and she becames a nun. Later, Lancelot came to her and offers marriage, but declines. She dies shortly before Lancelot.
Sir Gawain
In the Arthurian legends Sir Gawain was King Arthur's nephew, the son of King Lot of Orkney and Morgawse. Upon the death of Lot, he becomes the head of the Orkney clan, which includes in many sources his brothers Aggravain, Gaheris, and Gareth, and his half-brother Mordred. In his most famous story, "Sir Gawain and The Green Knight", he is challenged to cut of the head of the Green Knight, he does so, but instead of dying he picks up his own head and tells Gawain to meet him at his Green Chapel in the New Year. In his journey he is tested many times, including with the Green Knigth's wife.
Sir Perceval of Wales
Sir Parceval, or Persifal, was the fourth son of King Pellinore, and his last son by the Queen of the Isles. Instead of being thought the ways of knighthood, Perceval was instructed in the matters and virtues of Christianity. Percival grew up strong and fine, but the only "weapon" he ever learned was his short hunting javelin, though it was said that he could spear a small bird on the wing. His first contact with a knight, Sir Ywaine, made him want to be just like him, so ill-equipped and under-schooled to his new way of life, Percival rode out into the world to become one of the best knights of the world. When introduced to Arthur a mute Maid told Percivale to follow her to the seat right to the "Siege Perilous", after that she died leaving everybody amazed. Among his greatest battles Percival proves his prowess by battling Lancelot to a standstill for over two hours!. Along with Sir Bor, Percival accompanied Galahad to Sarras where they found the Holy Grail.
Sir Tristan of Lyonesse
Tristan and Isolt are second only to Lancelot and Gwenivere as the great lovers of the Arthurian legends. His fighting abilities were matched only with sir Lancelot. He found Isolt when, wounded, he went to Ireland to get cured. He passed himself as "Tramtris", well he was a little infamous in Ireland, and fell in love with Isolt. Tristram died when one of Isolt suitors, Mark, King of Cornwall and Tristram's uncle, struck him in the back with his sword, Isolt died by his side, of pure grief.
Sir Gareth
Younger brother of Sir Gawain. Was killed by Lancelot when he rescued Queen Gwenivere. Gawain swore revange on him, making Arthur go after Lancelot, thus making way for Mordred to set up his plan. Also brother to Sir Gaheris and Sir Agravain.
Sir Kay
Sir Kay was described as one of the less religious and chivalrous knights of the Round Table, in fact he even ignored the Quest for the Holy Grail. He was often described as a bully, making fun of his defeated enemies. He was also a little selective about his competitor, this lead him to various defeats with less experienced, but far more talented, knights.
Sir Bedivere, the Cup Bearer
According to the legends Sir Bedivere is the third most handsome man in the realms, he also draws blood as quickly as any three other knights, despite his lack of one arm. This may be the reason why Bedivere avoided tournments, so as not to embarrass his friends by being beaten up by an one-armed man. He is also the last man to be with King Arthur before he get into the barge that took him to Avalon, throwing Excalibur back into the lake before, where an arm rose out to receive it. There are some people who say they have found the exact site where this took place.
Mordred
Mordred is the illegitimate nephew of Arthur by his half-sister Morgause. Killed Arthur just after he wounded him mortaly at the Battle of Camlan.
Other Knights
Sir Agravain, Sir Gaheris, Sir Yvain, Sir Lamorak, Sir Griflet, Sir Tor, Sir Cador, Sir Derfel, Sir Lionel, Sir Turquine, Sir Beaumains, Sir Lucan, Sir Palomides, Sir Safer, Sir Segwarides, Sir Ector, Sir Griflet, Sir Dagonet, Sir Dinadan, Sir Marhaus, Sir Sagramore, Sir Pellinore, Sir Balin, Sir Balan, Sir Bors, Sir Taliessin the Bard, plus some 200 knights that made it to the Round Table (Although there were only 150 spaces many of them died and were replaced during the existance of the table).