Sir Agravaine

Also known as: Agrabaine / Agravaine · Family: Orkney · Role: knight · First appears: Book II, Chapter XI

Sir Agravaine was a knight of Orkney, one of the four sons of Margawse and King Lot, alongside Sir Gawaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Gareth. In Book VII, he joined Sir Gawaine and Sir Gaheris in kneeling for the blessing of the Queen of Orkney, and King Arthur acknowledged him as kin through his mother. He married Dame Laurel at King Arthur’s command, but was defeated in tournament by Sir Safere and later by Sir Palamides.

At King Arthur’s court, Sir Agravaine joined Sir Dinadan, Sir Uwaine, Sir Brandiles, Ozana le Cure Hardy, Uwaine les Aventurous, and Sir Mordred in welcoming Sir Dinadan into their fellowship. His relations with them later changed: he and Sir Mordred opposed Sir Dinadan, who was eventually slain by the two brothers, and he fought against Sir Palomides, Breuse Saunce Pité, Sir Tristram, and Sir Lamorak. With Sir Gawaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, he was said to have treacherously killed Sir Lamorak; Sir Gareth then left their company, saying, “they be murderers of good knights.” Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris also pursued Sir Tristram for revenge, but Sir Tristram defeated and wounded him before releasing both brothers for King Arthur’s sake.

In Books XVIII and XIX, Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred watched the private relationship between Sir Launcelot and Queen Guenever, while the queen still included him among the knights invited to her dinner and Maying. He rode with Sir Sagramore, Sir Dodinas, Sir Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir Ladinas of the Forest Savage, Sir Persant, Sir Ironside, and Sir Pelleas when Sir Meliagrance attacked the queen’s party; Agravaine was among those badly wounded. He was later repeatedly unhorsed by Sir Launcelot.

In Book XX, Sir Agravaine told King Arthur that Sir Launcelot held the queen and vowed, “I will disclose it to the king.” With Sir Mordred, he gathered twelve knights and hid in Castle of Carlisle to ambush Sir Launcelot and Queen Guenever. When they discovered the pair together, Agravaine led the armed challenge, but Sir Launcelot killed him with his first blow and then slew twelve of his companions. King Arthur afterward blamed the hostility of Agravaine and Sir Mordred toward Sir Launcelot for causing the resulting sorrow.