Sir Gaheris

Also known as: Gaheris / Gheris · Family: Orkney · Role: son of King Lot’s wife · First appears: Book I, Chapter XIX

Gaheris, also called Gheris, was a son of Margawse, King Lot’s wife, and brother to Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gareth, and Sir Mordred. In Book III, while still a squire, he urged Sir Gawaine to delay vengeance against King Pellinore until he himself had been made a knight: “Ye shall not so, said Gaheris, at this time, for at this time I am but a squire, and when I am made knight I will be avenged on him.” He later rode with Sir Gawaine, helped kill the white hart, and was taken prisoner with him after four knights attacked them.

In Book VI, Sir Launcelot found Gaheris bound and being led by Sir Turquine, and vowed to rescue him. After Sir Launcelot saved him, Gaheris released the other prisoners and gave his horse to Sir Launcelot, saying, “I will that ye take my horse at your own commandment, for ye have both saved me and my horse.” In Book VII, he asked the Queen of Orkney for her blessing and, at King Arthur’s command, married Linet.

Across Books VIII–X, Gaheris fought and was defeated or victorious in many encounters: Sir Palamides struck him down in a tournament; he defeated Sir Matto le Breune, fought Sir Tristram several times, and joined Sir Palomides, Sir Bleoberis, and Sir Sagramore. He reported Sir Tristram’s prowess to King Mark, condemned Mark’s banishment of Tristram, and opposed Sir Andred and King Mark at the Perilous Lake. He later joined Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, and Sir Mordred in the killing of Sir Lamorak, and was involved in the treacherous slaying of King Pellinore. After Gaheris beheaded his mother, the Queen of Orkney, King Arthur expelled him from court.

Gaheris fought against Sir Launcelot with his brothers, though in Book XX, he and Sir Gareth rejected Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred’s accusations against Launcelot. During the battle at Carlisle, Sir Launcelot accidentally killed the unarmed Gaheris and Sir Gareth; their deaths caused grief to Sir Gawaine and King Arthur. A later account also states that Sir Launcelot rescued Gaheris and slew Turquin.