This shall become a list of all characters in the Caxton Morte D’Arthur. A division is (provisorically) made between MAIN Characters (on top) and minor characters (further below), each within ordered alphabetically (use common sense: (King) Arthur under A, Duke of Tyntagil under T, etc.. Since there are often lots of variants of spellings, alternatives should be given in brackets behind the name. Generally, a spelling with i has been chosen as main spelling, e's at the end were omitted, i.e. the "standard" name follows a somewhat modernised spelling.

(Important) Appearances should be abbreviated in the Book.Chapter format (e.g. I.1). If there are earlier mentions of a special relation to sb., please replace with the earlier mention. If there are contradictions, state both.

Current distinctions are made between kings, knights and others. Special groupings are listed in the end. Crosslinking is currently missing. Suggestion for genealogy: List only the closest relations (i.e.: Gawain: Son of Lot of Lothien and Morgause). Note proper reference as above. Do not list further relations that can be easily deduced, i.e. Gawain being nephew to Arthur due to Morgause being Arthur's half-sister (on the mother's side); UNLESS it is especially important at one point. These suggestions are free to debate. Feel also free to move characters around...especially from unimportant to important. Importance is to be seen not in the whole book but also for high importance in smaller parts.

Characters added for Books: 1 (complete); 13 (complete)

Main Characters

Main Characters take a prominent role in at least one part of the book. Generally, replacing their name would screw up the narrative and/or relation at whole. They are notable for certain feats or deeds (often in other Romaunces of their own) or their genealogical relations. Omitting them or changing their name would create confusion/irritation.

Kings

Arthur

Son of Uther Pendragon and Igraine. Declines allegiance to Rome twice (I.23, V.1) and consequently becomes Roman Emperor, conquering the empire (V). Lets slay all children born on May Day due to a prophecy of Merlin (I.27)

Bans of Benwic

Ally to Arthur by advice of Merlin (I.10ff.); at war with King Claudas.

Bors of Gaule

Ally to Arthur by advice of Merlin (I.10ff.); at war with King Claudas. He is lead to the magic ship and send on a journey by God (meeting Galahad and Percival) (XVII.1-11); As fortold by Percival's sister he is the only knight that returns to Arthur's court and brings news about Percival and Galahad (VII.18) Bors is the father of Helyn le Blank (illegitimate son of King Brandgore´s daughter) who is taken to king Arthur's court and made knight (XII.9). He is also called Sir Bors de Ganys.

King Claudas

At war with Bans of Benwic and Bors of Gaule (I.10).

The King with the Hundred Knights

Wages war against Arthur (I.8ff). Among the 11 kings swearing an oath against Arthur (I.12).

Lot of Lothien and Orkney (Lott)

Husband to Morgause (I.2), father to Gawain (I.2), Gaheris, Aggrevain and Gareth (I.19). Wages war against Arthur (I.8ff). Among the 11 kings swearing an oath against Arthur (I.12).

Pellinore of the Isles (Pellynore)

Hunts the Questing Beast (Beast Glatisant) (I.19). Fights and defeats Arthur who is saved only by Merlin. Prophecied to be father of Parcival and Lamorake of Wales; also prophecied to tell Arthur Mordred's name and thus herald the end of his realm (I.23f)

Royns of North Wales (Ryens, Ryons)

Wages war against Lodegreaunce (I.17), enemy to Arthur. Eventually overcomes the 11 kings and challenges Arthur to accept him as overlord - Arthur declines (I.26) and Royns musters a great host (I.27)

Uriens of Gore (Uryens)

Husband to Morgan le Fey. Father to Ewayns le Blanche Mayn (I.2). Wages war against Arthur (I.8ff); Among the 11 kings swearing an oath against Arthur (I.12); Father of Sir Uwain (I.12)

Uther Pendragon

Father to Artus, married to Igraine after begetting Arthur on her without her knowledge. Is assisted by Merlin. Goes into battle a last time before he dies of illness (I.1-I.5).

Knights

Aggrevain

Son of Morgause and King Lot of Lothien (I.19).

Ector

Foster-father of Arthur, selected by Merlin; father of Kay (I.3). Asks for his son to be made seneschall (I.6). "Hector de Marys" - same guy? Is defeated by Galahad (XVII.1) and (magically) denied entrance to castle "Carbonek" as he has fallen from the service of the Lord and is not a knight of the Quest. He claims to be Lancelot's brother as well. (XVII.16)

Gaheris

Son of Morgause and King Lot of Lothien (I.19).

Galahad

Son of Lancelot du Lake. Knightd by his father (XII.1), destined to draw Balyn's sword out of the stone, which he does (XII.3-5). Therewith he follows his father as most powerful knight in the world. Is resembling Lancelot greatly and stems in the ninth degree from Christ (XII.7). Takes a lance from Arthur's knights but acquires a shield later, which comes from Ioseph of Armathye (XII.9-10). Defeats a fiend assisted by angels (XII.12) Is without sin and therefore defeats their embodiments (XII.13-16) but without slaying them. He duels with Lancelot and Parcival (nobody recognising the other) and is victorious, then flees (XII.17)

He successfully fights Sirs Hector and Gawayn, almost killing the later. (XVII.1) Receives the magic "Sword of the Strange Girdles" (Sword of David) from King Solomons magic ship (XVII. 7). Is a virgin and has therefore special powers. (VXIII.18) Is fortold, by Percival's sister, to be buried near the city of Sarras.(XVII. 1) Receives visons and is said to be destined to end the Quest for the Grail and to learn secrets from God (XVII.9)Furthermore he is deeply devout. (e.g. several mentions of attending mass, praying etc. throughout XVII - .12 for instance)

Gareth

Son of Morgause and King Lot of Lothien (I.19).

Gawain

Son of Morgause and King Lot of Lothien (I.2). Is told to never achieved the grail since he is wicked but refuses to repent (XIII.16).

Sir Kay (Kaynus, Kaynes)

Son of Sir Ector (I.3), foster-brother of Arthur. Asks Arthur to fetch hsi sword upo which occasion Arthur pulls the sword in the stone out of the stone (I.3). Kay himself is claiming to have done it but tells the truth upon oath. He is made seneschall by Arthur and at various occasions portraied as arrogant and condescending, esp. on Gareth.

Lamorake of Wales

Son of King Pellinore (I.24).

Lancelot du Lake

Long time most powerful knight in the world (even if he does not say so himself) until he is followed in this by his son Galahad (XII.5) by whom he is eventually defeated (without first knowing it) (XIII.17). Sinful in his love to Guinevere (adultery). He repents and confesses and swears to avoid her whenever possible after being unable to reach the Grail (XII.17-20). Was led to the grail on Solomon's ship, saw it and was punished (as he sees it) for 25 sinful years with 25 days of "coma" after trying to go nearer (XVII.15-16). Son of King Ban (XII.8), other name: Chevalier Malfet – the knight that has trespassed (XII).

Mordred

Bastard-son of Arthur and Morgause (I.19). Survives the May Day Massacre intended to kill him, is taken up by a foster father and later brought to Arthur's court [a story which Mallory says he will tell later but in fact never tells] (I.27)

Parcival (Percyvall) de Galis

Son of King Pellinore (I.24). Eventually defeated by Galahad (XIII.17) Has an unknown ,deeply spiritual, sister, who seeks him out in the company of Galahad and aids him in his quest. (XVII.4-11) Brother to Sir Lamorak(†) and Sir Agloual (XII.7).

Others

Gwenhyvere

Daughter of King Lodegreaunce of Camylerde (I.17), later wife to Arthur (???).

Igraine (Igrayne)

Wife to the Duke of Tyntagil (I.1), who is said to be wise and evades a seduction by Uther. Later wife of Uther Pendragon (I.2), and mother of Arthur by said Uther through a plot furthered by Merlin (I.2)

Merlin (Merlyn, Merlyon)

Eminence Grise, prophet, magician, generally not liked too much by friends and foes alike; prophecies the end of Arthur's court as well as various events. Reveals Arthur's descent (I.7). Advises Arthur to call for King Ban of Benwic and Bors of Gaule (I.10). Advises Arthur further in his battles against the 11 kings (I.12ff). Explains Arthur's origin (I.21). Advises Arthur to kill all May Day children (I.27). [list them!]; ultimately falls in love with Nineve, a lady of the lake, and becomes trapped by her under a stone (IV.1) where he remains.

Morgan le Fey

Third sister, daughter of Igraine and the duke of Tyntagil (and thus half-sister to Arthur). (I.2). Sister to Elayne and Morgause. Learns Necromancy in a nunnery. Later marries Kyng Uriens of Gore whi is father of Sir Ewain the blanche Mains (I.2).

Morgause (Margeuse, Margawse)

Wife to King Lot of Lothien, mother to Gawain; daughter of Igraine and the duke of Tyntagil (and thus half-sister to Arthur). Siter to Elayne and Morgan le Fey (I.2). Mother of Gaheris, Agrevain and Gareth (I.19). Visits King Arthur's court and begets Mordred on him (I.19)

Groupings

The 11 Kings

The 11 Kings swear an oath to destory Arthur: Duke of Candebenet, Brandegoris of Strangore, Clarihaus of Northuberland, The King with the Hundred Knights, Lot of Lothien, Uriens of Gore, Idres of cornwall, Cradilmans, Anguisshauns, Nentres of Garlot, Carados. (I.12) Eventually subdued by King Royns.

Minor Characters

These characters are often only names without further porminence. They are knights that get defeated, participate in jousts, quests, and battles or ladies offering a quest. Generally they could easily be replaced by any other name and nobody would ever notice.