Sir Dagonet

Also known as: Dagonet · Family: Arthur's court · Role: king's fool · First appears: Book IX, Chapter III

Sir Dagonet served at King Arthur’s court as “King Arthur’s fool.” In Book IX, Chapter III, Sir Kay had him horsed and armed to follow La Cote Male Taile and offer him a joust, but La Cote Male Taile smote him over his horse’s croup. Later, Sir Tristram soused him in a well and made him ride away wet.

In Book X, Chapter XII, Sir Mordred gave Sir Dagonet his armor and shield so that Dagonet could impersonate Sir Launcelot. He charged King Mark, who fled believing Sir Launcelot was pursuing him. Sir Griflet called Dagonet “the best fellow and the merriest in the world,” while Sir Uwaine, Sir Brandiles, Sir Dinadan, Sir Mordred, and Sir Griflet rode after him so that he would not be shamed. King Arthur loved Dagonet and knighted him with his own hands.

In Book X, Chapter XIII, Sir Palomides overthrew Sir Dagonet and six other knights with one spear. In Book X, Chapter XX, Dagonet chased King Mark through the forest, but Sir Palomides defeated them all and rescued King Mark.

Relationship record

Life events

• La Cote Male Taile unhorsed Dagonet during their joust.(Book IX, Chapter III)
  • With: La Cote Male Taile
  • “So Sir La Cote Male Taile smote Sir Dagonet over his horse’s croup.”
• Sir Tristram soused Sir Dagonet in the well and forced him to ride away wet.(Book IX, Chapter XVIII · 📍 a fair well)
  • With: Sir Tristram
  • “Right so Sir Tristram came unto them, and first he soused Sir Dagonet in that well”
• Sir Dagonet donned Sir Mordred’s armor and shield to impersonate Sir Launcelot.(Book X, Chapter XII)
  • With: Sir Mordred
  • “Then anon was Dagonet armed him in Mordred’s harness and his shield, and he was set on a great horse, and a spear in his hand.”
• Sir Dagonet charged King Mark, who fled believing Dagonet was Sir Launcelot.(Book X, Chapter XII)
  • With: King Mark
  • “Anon, as King Mark beheld his shield, he said to himself: Yonder is Sir Launcelot; alas, now am I destroyed; and therewithal he made his horse to run as fast as it might through thick and thin.”
• King Arthur knighted Sir Dagonet with his own hands.(Book X, Chapter XII)
  • With: King Arthur
  • “for King Arthur loved him passing well, and made him knight with his own hands.”
• Sir Palomides rescued King Mark after overthrowing Sir Dagonet and six other knights.(Book X, Chapter XX)
  • With: Sir Palomides King Mark
  • “how Sir Dagonet, the fool, chased King Mark through the forest, and how the strong knight smote them down all seven with one spear”