Modred
Also known as: Prince / Sir Modred · Family: Orkney · Role: son of Bellicent · First appears: The Coming of Arthur 2
In The Coming of Arthur, Modred is one of Bellicent’s two sons, alongside Gawain. In Gareth and Lynette, he serves as judge in Gareth’s encounter; Gareth shakes him in the saddle, and Modred admits, “Thou hast half prevailed against me.”
In Guinevere, Vivien tells Modred of Guinevere and Lancelot’s planned farewell meeting. Modred tries to expose Lancelot, but Lancelot hurls him down; he also stands against Arthur and Guinevere, with his aims sharpened by strong hate for Lancelot. After Arthur leaves him “in charge of all,” a rumor says Modred has usurped the realm and joined with the heathen while Arthur wars against Lancelot. In Guinevere 3, Modred raises a revolt, drawing many knights away from Arthur’s allegiance.
At Lyonnesse, Arthur kills Modred with Excalibur: “while Arthur at one blow, / Striking the last stroke with Excalibur, / Slew him”.
Relationship record
Life events
- Vivien reveals Guinevere and Lancelot’s planned farewell meeting to Modred.(Guinevere 1)
- With: Vivien
- “Vivien, lurking, heard. She told Sir Modred.”
- Modred attempts to expose Lancelot, but Lancelot hurls him down.(Guinevere 1)
- With: Lancelot
- “‘Traitor, come out, ye are trapt at last,’ aroused Lancelot, who rushing outward lionlike Leapt on him, and hurled him headlong”
- A rumor reports that Modred usurped the realm while Arthur warred against Lancelot.(Guinevere 1)
- Modred raised a revolt, drawing many knights away from Arthur’s allegiance.(Guinevere 3)
- With: Arthur
- “And many more when Modred raised revolt, Forgetful of their troth and fealty, clave To Modred, and a remnant stays with me.”
- Arthur kills Modred with Excalibur.(The Passing of Arthur 1 · 📍 Lyonnesse)
- With: Arthur
- “while Arthur at one blow, Striking the last stroke with Excalibur, Slew him”
The Coming of Arthur 2
- parent: Bellicent “With Gawain and young Modred, her two sons,”
- siblings with Gawain “With Gawain and young Modred, her two sons,”
Gareth and Lynette 1
- with Gareth (Gareth defeated Modred in a tilt.) “Modred for want of worthier was the judge. Then I so shook him in the saddle, he said, ‘Thou hast half prevailed against me,’ said so—he—”
Lancelot and Elaine 4
- siblings with Gawain “Gawain, surnamed The Courteous, fair and strong, And after Lancelot, Tristram, and Geraint And Gareth, a good knight, but therewithal Sir Modred’s brother, and the child of Lot,”
Guinevere 1
- rivals with Arthur “For hither had she fled, her cause of flight Sir Modred; he that like a subtle beast Lay couchant with his eyes upon the throne, Ready to spring, waiting a chance:”
- enemies with Lancelot “And all his aims Were sharpened by strong hate for Lancelot.”
- enemies with Guinevere “For hither had she fled, her cause of flight Sir Modred; he that like a subtle beast Lay couchant with his eyes upon the throne, Ready to spring, waiting a chance:”
- with Vivien (Vivien informed Modred of Guinevere and Lancelot's planned meeting.) “Vivien, lurking, heard. She told Sir Modred.”
Guinevere 2
- with Arthur (Arthur left Modred in charge of the realm.) “And Modred whom he left in charge of all,”
Guinevere 3
- enemies with Arthur “And many more when Modred raised revolt, Forgetful of their troth and fealty, clave To Modred, and a remnant stays with me.”
The Passing of Arthur 1
- liege: Arthur “while Arthur at one blow, Striking the last stroke with Excalibur, Slew him”
- enemies with Arthur “then Modred smote his liege Hard on that helm which many a heathen sword Had beaten thin; while Arthur at one blow, Striking the last stroke with Excalibur, Slew him”
- sworn: Arthur “Then spake King Arthur to Sir Bedivere, And whiter than the mist that all day long Had held the field of battle was the King:”
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Extracted from the original text of Idylls of the King. Made with Rho MD.