The Knights of the Round Table
From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change
The Knights of the Round Table were characters in the legends about King Arthur. They were the best knights in King Arthur's kingdom, and lived in King Arthur's castle, Camelot. They were called the Knights of the Round Table because of a special table in Camelot, that was round instead of rectangular. This meant that everyone who sat around it was seen as equal.
(see Round table.)
Contents |
[change] Code of Chivalry
In order to become a Knight of the Round Table, a knight had to prove he was chivalrous (polite) enough. In the legend, the knights swore a Code of Chivalry, which is much like an oath is today. This meant that they promised to uphold the rules given to them once they became a Knight of the Round Table.
Sir Thomas Malory (c. 1405 - March 14th, 1471) was an English writer, who wrote a book based on the legend of King Arthur. It was called Le Morte d'Arthur. In it, he wrote his version of the Code of Chivalry:
- To never do outrage nor murder (not to fight or murder anybody)
- Always to flee treason (not to commit treason, a crime where you go against your country or king)
- To by no means be cruel but to give mercy unto him who asks for mercy (To be fair to people, and not be cruel)
- To always do ladies, gentlewomen and widows succor ('succor' is an old word for food; this means that the knight must promise to give food to women if they need it)
- To never force ladies, gentlewomen or widows (to never do any harm to women)
- Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goods (not to start a pointless fight)
[change] List of the Knights of the Round Table
In different stories, there are different numbers of knights, ranging from 12 to more than 150. The Winchester Round Table says there were 25 Knights. However, the most commonly listed Knights of the Round Table are these:
- King Arthur
- Sir Gawain
- Sir Lancelot (also called Launcelot du Lac)
- Sir Perceval
- Sir Galahad
- Sir Bors
- Sir Kay
- Bedivere
- Lucan the Butler
- Sir Griflet
- Sir Yvain (sometimes called Ywain or Owain)
- Sir Erec
- Cador
- Hoel
- King Pellinor
- Tristan (also written Tristam)
- Morholt (also written Marhaus)
- Palemedes
- Dinadan
[change] Other Knights
This is a list of other knights mentioned as being Knights of the Round Table.
- Sir Aglovale, son of King Pellinore of Listinoise
- Sir Agravaine, son of King Lot of Orkney
- King Enion, Beignon (Benion in Breton, a celtic language spoken in areas of France)
- King Bagdemagus
- Sir Breunor
- Sir Caradoc, called "Caradoc Vreichvras", or "Caradoc Strong Arm"
- Sir Colgrevance
- Sir Constantine, son of Cador, who became king after King Arthur's death
- Sir Dagonet, the court jester
- Sir Daniel
- Sir Ector, Arthur's foster father and Sir Kay's father
- Sir Ector de Maris, the son of a king called King Ban
- Sir Elyan the White, the son of Sir Bors
- Sir Gaheris
- Sir Galehaut, friend of Lancelot
- Sir Galeshin (son of Elaine and King Nentres)
- Sir Gareth, also called Goodhands
- Sir Geraint (see also Erec)
- Sir Gingalain, first named Sir "Fair Unknown". He is Gawain's son
- Sir Lamorak
- King Leodegrance, Guinevere's father and keeper of the Round Table
- Sir Lionel
- Sir Maleagant, who abducted Guinevere
- Sir Meliant de Lis
- Sir Mordred, Arthur's illegitimate son who went on to destroy the kingdom
- Sir Pelleas, husband of the Lady of the Lake
- Sir Sagramore le Desirous
- Sir Safir, brother of Palamedes
- Sir Segwarides, brother of Palamedes
- Sir Tor
- King Uriens
- Sir Ywain the Bastard, also son of Uriens
