Sir Florence

Also known as: Florence · Family: Arthurian · Role: knight · First appears: Book V, Chapter IX

Sir Florence, an Arthurian knight, was called by King Arthur in Book V, Chapter IX, when the king’s forces lacked victual. He rode into the forests with Sir Gawaine, Sir Wisshard, Sir Clegis, and Sir Cleremond to forage, and the knights were friends. In the next chapter, Sir Gawaine and Sir Priamus went to meet the Saracens while Sir Florence remained in the field “to keep the stale as a noble knight.”

In Chapter XI, Sir Florence called Sir Floridas and a hundred knights to drive forth a herd of beasts. He struck Sir Ferant of Spain in the forehead and killed him, then returned with Sir Gawaine to King Arthur, presenting their prisoners and recounting their victory. Later, Sir Gawaine was identified as his parent, and Sir Gingalin and Sir Lovel as his siblings; Sir Brandiles was his elder-kin through Brandiles’ sister.

At the Castle of Carlisle in Book XX, Chapter II, Sir Florence was among the twelve knights whom Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred concealed in a chamber for an ambush against Sir Launcelot. In Chapter VII, Sir Launcelot killed Sir Florence and Sir Lovel while escaping the confrontation.