King Evelake

Also known as: Evelake / this king · Role: king · First appears: Book XIII, Chapter X

In Book XIII, Chapter X, King Evelake fought his cousin and enemy, Tolleme la Feintes, a rich and mighty Saracen king whose lands lay near his own. During their battle, Evelake revealed the Cross on his shield and, through his belief, defeated Tolleme. At Sarras, Joseph warned him that he would be discomfited and slain unless he abandoned the old law for the new, then taught him the belief of the Holy Trinity; Evelake agreed, was baptized, and saw most of the city’s people converted to Christianity.

Not long after, Evelake left his country with Joseph. When Joseph was departing, Evelake asked him for a token, and Joseph marked Evelake’s shield with a cross made from his own blood: “For thy love I have left my country.” Joseph said the shield should be left where Nacien would later be buried, so that Galahad might receive it after taking knighthood, and Evelake asked where to place it for that worthy knight.

By Book XIV, Chapter III, Evelake was the ancient wounded man whom Sir Percivale learned had been converted by Joseph in Sarras. After pursuing the Sangreal, he suffered God’s displeasure and was struck almost blind. Evelake cried for mercy and asked not to die until the good knight of his blood in the ninth degree had come, so that he might see and kiss him; a voice answered that the knight’s kiss would restore his sight and heal his wounds.