Gareth

Also known as: Prince Gareth / Sir Chick / Sir Gareth / Sir Knave / kitchen-knave / knave-knight · Family: Lot and Bellicent · Role: son · First appears: Gareth and Lynette 1

Gareth, the last tall son of Lot and Bellicent, received his mother’s permission to seek knighthood only after proving his obedience. He left secretly with two attendants, disguised as a tiller of the soil, and agreed to hide his name while serving among Arthur’s kitchen-knaves. At the hall, Arthur assigned him to Kay for a year and a day; after a month of harsh kitchen-vassalage, Gareth was released from his vow, revealed his jousting ability, and asked to be made a knight in secret, with Lancelot informed. Earlier, Gawain had asked him to tilt, while Modred judged the contest after Gareth shook him in the saddle.

When Lynette came seeking a champion for her sister Lyonors, Gareth claimed the quest despite being called a kitchen-knave. Arthur granted it, gave him arms and a warhorse, and Gareth defeated Kay, ending Kay’s authority over him, before following Lynette despite her rejection. He defeated the kidnappers, freed Baron, and accepted the Baron’s harbourage for himself and Lynette. When Arthur assigned him to face the brotherhood of Day and Night instead of Lancelot, Gareth continued despite the warning to seek Lancelot; he defeated Morning Star and Noonday Sun, spared them, and sent them to Arthur. At the ford he also sent Noonday Sun to the King, promising to plead for him, and later defeated Star of Evening’s brotherhood and the hardened-skin knight.

After Lynette ceased leading him and acknowledged his nobility, Gareth revealed himself as the son of Lot and Bellicent and a knight of Arthur. Lancelot defeated him in combat only to show that he had come to help, then hailed him as a knight and prince of the Round Table; he later lent Gareth his shield and charger. At Castle Perilous, Gareth defeated the opponent guarding Lyonors, won the quest, and saw her household celebrate their deliverance. One account says Gareth wedded Lyonors, while a later account names Lynette. In Balin and Balan 4, as Sir Chick, Gareth declared his love for Vivien, who rejected him.