Sir Bors

Also known as: Bors / Bors de Ganis / King Bors / Sir Bors de Ganis · Family: Gaul · Role: king · First appears: Book I, Chapter XI

In Book I, Sir Bors appears as King Bors of Gaul, brother of King Ban and Gwenbaus, and enemy of King Claudas. He joined King Arthur and King Ban in the war, helping direct the burning of the country before their advance, fighting in the thick of battle, and receiving the recovered goods to reward his knights. With them he rescued Leodegrance at Cameliard before returning to defend his own lands, while Merlin foretold that Arthur would come again to aid him and King Ban against King Claudas.

In Books V through XIII, Sir Bors fought among King Arthur’s knights, was sent with Sir Gawaine, Sir Lionel, and Sir Bedivere against Sir Lucius, and killed Caliburn. He later joined Sir Ector, Sir Driant, Sir Bleoberis, and others in defending and seeking Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram, though Sir Palomides accused him and Sir Ector of treachery. As Sir Launcelot’s nephew and cousin, he was welcomed by King Pelles and Elaine at Corbin, learned that Galahad was Sir Launcelot’s son, endured a serious spear wound, defeated Pedivere of the Straight Marches, and returned to Camelot. At King Brandegore’s house he identified Helin le Blank as his son and took him to King Arthur’s court; he was also the father of Elian le Blank.

During the Sangreal quest in Books XVI and XVII, Sir Bors confessed, accepted fasting and a scarlet penitential coat, and fought Pridam le Noire to restore a lady to her lands. When he found his brother Sir Lionel bound and tortured, he prayed to Jesu Christ to guard Lionel while he rescued a maid, saying, “Fair sweet Lord Jesu Christ, whose liege man I am, keep Lionel, my brother.” A deception then made him believe Sir Lionel was dead, and when the brothers fought, Sir Colgrevance intervened before a supernatural flame separated them. Sir Bors joined Galahad and Sir Percivale, refused with them to surrender a maid to be sacrificed, completed the Sangreal quest, received the restored sword, and buried Sir Percivale and Galahad at Sarras before returning to Camelot, where he told Sir Launcelot of their deaths.