Sir Lionel

Also known as: Lionel · Family: Britons · Role: knight · First appears: Book V, Chapter VI

Sir Lionel first appears in Book V as one of King Arthur’s knights, sent with Sir Gawaine, Sir Bors, and Sir Bedivere to order Sir Lucius out of Arthur’s land or prepare for battle. He then fought in the victory over the Romans, while Sir Gawaine was badly wounded. In Book VI, Sir Launcelot called him his nephew and rode with him to seek adventures; Lionel was captured, beaten, and imprisoned, later being found among Sir Turquine’s captives by Sir Ector. He and Sir Ector and Sir Kay then rode after Sir Launcelot, and he was later defeated by Pertolepe, the Green Knight.

In Book IX, Lionel joined Sir Launcelot and other knights in the year-long quest to find Sir Tristram. Later, Queen Guenever commissioned him with Sir Bors and Sir Ector to seek the missing Sir Launcelot, though their search failed. He returned with Sir Bors to a joyful welcome at Camelot, and in Book XII received good cheer from King Brandegore. In Book XIII, Sir Launcelot was found lying with his cousins Sir Bors and Lionel, and brought them to Camelot, where King Arthur, Queen Guenever, and the fellowship were glad to see them.

Their kinship turned violently against them in Book XVI. Sir Bors found Lionel naked, bound, and being beaten with thorns, but after Lionel survived an apparent killing, Lionel blamed Bors for abandoning him and attacked him. He killed thehermit-priest and Sir Colgrevance while trying to kill Sir Bors, who defended himself against him. In Book XVIII, Lionel fought among Sir Lamorak, Sir Galihodin, and Sir Pelleas with others of King Ban’s blood; he also joined Sir Bors and Sir Ector against Sir Launcelot, though Sir Launcelot spared them. Lionel later pledged obedience to Sir Launcelot, led the foremost battle against King Arthur, and was crowned King of France by Sir Launcelot. Sir Gawaine twice defeated and severely wounded him, and in Book XXI Lionel was slain at London while searching for Sir Launcelot, along with many of his lords.