Lucan the Butler

Also known as: Sir Lucan / Sir Lucan the Butler · Family: Arthurian court · Role: knight · First appears: Book IX, Chapter XXXV

In Book IX, Chapter XXXV, Lucan the Butler joined Sir Launcelot, Sir Ector, Sir Bors, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Blamore, Sir Uwaine, Sir Galihud, Sir Lionel, and Galiodin in swearing to seek Sir Tristram for a twelvemonth. As friends, they departed King Arthur’s court together, riding on the quest until “there departed the fellowship in four to seek Sir Tristram.”

By Book XVIII, Chapter XXIII, Lucan was a rival of Sir Lavaine, who smote down Lucan and Sir Bedevere. In Book XIX, Sir Bedevere is identified as Lucan’s brother; in Book XXI, Sir Bedivere is again named as his brother when King Arthur commands the two of them to negotiate a month-long treaty with Sir Mordred.

After the battle in Book XXI, Chapter IV, Lucan and Sir Bedivere carried the wounded King Arthur between them to a little chapel beside the seaside. There, by moonlight, Lucan saw and heard robbers looting the battlefield and killing survivors for their armor and riches, while he remained a friend and companion to King Arthur and Sir Bedivere.