Balin

Also known as: Sir Balin · Family: Arthur's court · Role: knight · First appears: Balin and Balan 1

At the fountain-side, Arthur defeated Balin and Balan in combat, then ended Balin’s exile and restored him as a knight of the Order. Balan joined him there and lived more prosperously among its members, while Balin studied courtesy, manhood, and knighthood by observing Lancelot, who seemed far beyond him. Balin admired Lancelot and wished he might worship Guinevere as well, because of the honour she gave him.

At Camelot, Arthur allowed Balin to bear Guinevere’s crown-royal on his shield, telling him, “Thou shalt put the crown to use.” Balin then left the court without seeking permission, riding out in search of strange adventure. At Pellam’s castle, he defended the crown and was mocked by Garlon; angered, Balin struck him down and fled the armed men pursuing him. He later abandoned the shield in the woods, saying, “I have shamed thee so that now thou shamest me, Thee will I bear no more,” and turned away from it.

When Vivien claimed that Lancelot and Guinevere had secretly embraced at Caerleon, Balin heard her account. He and Balan later met in combat, fatally wounding each other; recognizing one another as brothers, they died together, “Goodnight, true brother here! goodmorrow there! We two were born together, and we die Together by one doom:”