Balan

Also known as: the Knight with the Two Swords · Family: Arthur's host · Role: knight · First appears: Book I, Chapter XVIII

In Book I, Chapter XVIII, Merlin foretold that Balin and Balan would one day kill eleven kings in a single day, naming them as “Balin le Savage, and Balan, his brother.” Balan and Balin were renowned as exceptionally good knights, and in Book II, Chapter VI, they reunited with joy and pity, embracing and weeping before agreeing to ride against King Rience at Castle Terrabil. Balin also told Balan of the Lady of the Lake’s death and King Arthur’s displeasure.

Balan and Balin recognized Merlin despite his disguise and accepted his counsel. Together they captured King Rience and delivered him to King Arthur’s keep, after which Merlin revealed their identities and praised Balan as a knight of great prowess and worthiness. At Castle Terrabil, Balan fought beside King Arthur’s knights and Knight with the Two Swords against King Lot’s host, helping put it to defeat; he and Knight with the Two Swords fought so remarkably that the king and his knights marvelled at them.

Later, Balan unknowingly fought Balin, and each inflicted seven great wounds upon the other before they recognized one another. Balan died at once, while Balin died at midnight from his wounds; the brothers were buried together in one tomb. Merlin later told King Arthur of their marvellous battle and burial, and Book XIII records that Balin slew Balan with the sword in a dolorous stroke, causing both knights to die.