Galahad

Also known as: Duke Galahad / Sir Galahad · Family: Arthurian · Role: haut prince · First appears: Book II, Chapter XVI

Galahad, also known as Duke Galahad and Sir Galahad, first appears in the quest’s older prophecies and marvels. In Book II, he was destined to heal King Pellam of his long wound; after Balin’s death, Merlin declared that only Sir Launcelot or Galahad could wield Balin’s sword, and Galahad soon brought the scabbard and drew the sword from the marble stone while with King Arthur. In Book VIII, he was identified as Sir Breunor’s son, fought Sir Tristram until they cast each other down, then spared him and condemned the shameful custom of his father’s house.

In Books XI–XII, Galahad’s parentage was revealed: he was born to Elaine, daughter of King Pelles, and fathered by Sir Launcelot. His birth had been foretold, and Elaine said that he would sit in the Siege Perilous and achieve the Sangreal, proving better than his father. At fifteen, he was knighted by Sir Launcelot; in Book XIII, he occupied the Siege Perilous, drew the sword from the stone, received Joseph’s white shield, and began the Sangreal quest. He surpassed many knights, including Sir Gawaine, Sir Launcelot, and Sir Percivale, while King Arthur welcomed him as the knight who would move others to the quest.

During the quest, Galahad knighted and travelled with Melias de Lile, defended him, and later parted from him. He obeyed commands from God, defeated the seven brethren of the Castle of Maidens and freed its prisoners, rescued Sir Percivale from twenty attackers, and joined Sir Bors and Sir Percivale aboard the ship. He also met Sir Launcelot, revealed himself as his son, and asked his blessing; father and son then remained together for half a year before Galahad returned to the forest. With Sir Percivale and Sir Bors, he refused the demand for a maiden’s blood, fought the castle’s defenders, witnessed sacred revelations, and helped complete the Sangreal adventures.

At Sarras, Galahad healed the Maimed King, restored a crippled old man, and was made king after King Estorause’s death. At the end of the year, Joseph came to bear him fellowship, and Galahad received the body of Jesu Christ. His soul then departed to Jesu Christ and was carried to heaven by angels; he was buried in Sarras beside Percivale’s sister, with Sir Bors later telling Sir Launcelot, “Galahad, your own son, saluted you by me.” Later material records further encounters: he and Sir Palomides struck each other down, and during the Candlemas tournament Galahad defeated Chaleins of Clarance.