Sir Marhaus

Also known as: Marhaus · Family: Ireland · Role: knight · First appears: Book IV, Chapter XVII

Sir Marhaus, a knight of Ireland and of King Arthur’s Table Round, was known to Sir Uwaine as “a passing good knight as any is alive.” In Book IV, Chapter XVII, he killed the first knight of the tower by breaking his neck and the horse’s back, then struck down the second knight of the turret. The next chapter brought him against Sir Uwaine and Sir Gawaine: he overthrew and wounded Sir Uwaine, then cast Sir Gawaine and his horse to the earth. Afterward, he and Sir Gawaine removed their helms, kissed, and swore “either to love other as brethren.”

Sir Marhaus lodged the wounded Sir Gawaine and Sir Uwaine, and the three recovered together for a sennight before choosing their damosels and taking separate roads, promising to meet again at the fountain. When they reunited at the cross-way, Sir Marhaus continued through the forest with Sir Uwaine. He was later lodged by the Duke of South Marches despite the duke’s intention to fight him; Sir Marhaus defeated the duke and his sons and received their promise never to be foes to King Arthur. He won Lady de Vawse’s tournament, severed Taulurd’s arm and killed him, freed twenty-four ladies and twelve knights from the giant’s prison, and gained great riches. He also struck down Sir Sagramore, Sir Osanna, Sir Dodinas, and Sir Felot of Listinoise with one spear. At Camelot, King Arthur welcomed him, and at the next feast Sir Marhaus and Sir Pelleas were made Knights of the Table Round; at the jousts, Sir Pelleas took the prize and Sir Marhaus was named next.

In later chapters, King Anguish, Sir Marhaus’s brother-in-law through the queen of Ireland, sent him to Cornwall to fight for Ireland’s tribute. There he arranged battle with Sir Tristram on an island near his ships. Sir Marhaus wounded Sir Tristram with his spear, but Sir Tristram struck through his helm and brain-pan, after which Sir Marhaus fled to his ships; a piece of Sir Tristram’s sword was later found in his head, and he died. La Beale Isoud and King Anguish remembered him as the brother and servant slain by Sir Tristram, who later occupied Sir Marhaus’s seat at the Round Table; another account says Sir Marhaus died through false leeches after that defeat. His father was Marhalt, the King of Ireland.