Sir Kay

Also known as: Kay / Kay le Seneschal / Sir Kay le Seneschal / Sir Kay the Seneschal / Sir Kay the seneschal / Sir Kay, the Seneschal / the Seneschal · Family: Arthur's court · Role: knight and son of Sir Ector · First appears: Book I, Chapter V

Sir Kay, son of Sir Ector, rode with him to the jousts. On New Year’s Day in London, after receiving the sword from King Arthur, he claimed “wherefore I must be king of this land.” Sir Ector made him swear how he had come by it, and Kay admitted that King Arthur had brought it to him. When Arthur drew the sword from the stone, Sir Ector and Kay knelt before him; Arthur then promised to make his foster brother seneschal of all his lands and appointed him seneschal of England. Kay remained among the trusted knights around King Arthur, with Sir Baudwin, Sir Ulfius, and Sir Brastias.

In Book I, Placidas unhorsed Kay, and Sir Griflet answered by unhorsing Placidas; afterward the three kings gave the tourney prize to Kay, Lucas, and Sir Griflet. Kay later struck down King Nentres and King Lot, returning a horse to Griflet, though the King with the Hundred Knights then defeated him and gave his horse to Lot. At North Wales, Kay warned the unarmed king, and with King Arthur, Sir Gawaine, and Sir Griflet he fought the five attacking kings; Arthur praised him for fulfilling his pledge and promised to honor him. At Saint Michael’s Mount, Arthur commanded Kay to cut off the slain giant’s head and carry it to Sir Howell.

Kay later rode with Sir Lionel and Ector de Maris after Sir Launcelot. When three knights attacked him, Launcelot rescued him, defeated them, and made them yield to Kay’s authority; he then took Kay’s armor, shield, and horse so that Kay could ride safely. Kay told King Arthur what Launcelot had done. At Kynke Kenadonne, Arthur charged Kay with providing for Beaumains as for a lord’s son, but Kay named him Beaumains, saying, “I shall give him a name that shall be Beaumains, that is Fair-hands,” and put him in the kitchen among the boys and lads. He mocked Beaumains despite Sir Gawaine’s anger and Sir Launcelot’s rebuke, and Beaumains defeated Kay, took his shield and spear, and later left him nearly dead; Launcelot had Kay carried home, where he was healed.