King Carados

Also known as: Carados / King Carados of Scotland / Sir Carados · Family: opposing kings · Role: king · First appears: Book I, Chapter IX

In Book I, Chapter IX, King Carados joined King Lot and the other opposing kings when they attacked King Arthur from behind, but after King Arthur drew Excalibur, the defeated kings fled. By Chapter XII, King Carados had sworn with Duke of Cambenet, King Brandegoris, King Clariance, King of the Hundred Knights, King Lot, King Urience, King Idres, King Cradelmas, King Agwisance, and King Nentres to remain united against King Arthur: “for weal nor woe, they should not leave other, till they had destroyed Arthur.” Their host besieged Bedegraine and advanced against King Arthur, though in Chapter XV King Bors struck King Carados down before King of the Hundred Knights rescued him. In Chapter XVI, he joined the other kings in swearing that they would not fail one another in life or death.

In Book IV, Chapter XXI, King Carados hosted Sir Gawaine. In Book VII, he accompanied Dame Lionesse and Sir Ironside’s party, then faced Sir Percivale and was defeated by Sir Gareth, who struck him down horse and man. He also joined his brother Sir Turquine against Sir Launcelot, until Sir Gareth separated them. In Book VIII, King Carados served with King of Scots as a judge appointed by King Arthur, granting King Anguish time to answer the treason accusation. Later, he defeated and bound Sir Gawaine, fought Sir Launcelot, and was killed when Sir Launcelot struck off his head.

In Book IX, Sir Launcelot found King Carados imprisoned with other knights and freed them. King Carados then took part in the tournament against King Northgalis, King of the Hundred Knights, and others, with Sir Persides and Sir Tristram joining his side; he was thrown down by King of the Hundred Knights more than once. In Book X, Alisander won the prize made by King Carados and defeated him, Sir Safere, and twenty of his knights. In Book XIX, Constantine is identified as Sir Carados’ son of Cornwall; in Book VI, Sir Turquine identifies Sir Launcelot as the knight who slew his brother, Sir Carados, at the dolorous tower.