Sir Mordred

Also known as: Mordred · Family: Arthur · Role: son of King Arthur · First appears: Book I, Chapter XIX

At Carlion, King Arthur fathered Mordred upon King Lot’s wife, who was King Arthur’s sister on his mother’s side; this made Sir Gawaine, Sir Gaheris, Agravine, and Sir Gareth his brothers. Because Merlin foretold that a child born on May-day would destroy him, King Arthur sent Mordred and other children to sea. The ship was wrecked, but Mordred survived, was raised until he was fourteen, and was then brought to King Arthur’s court. Merlin later foretold that father and son would meet in battle beside Salisbury: “Mordred his own son should be against him.”

As a knight of King Arthur’s court, Mordred fought alongside Sir Mador de la Porte and Sir Gahalantine, and belonged at different times to fellowships with Sir Dinadan, Sir Uwaine, Sir Brandiles, Ozana le Cure Hardy, Uwaine les Aventurous, and Sir Agravaine, among others. He supported La Cote Male Taile against Maledisant and called him a good knight who might become noble, while Sir Launcelot was his rival and defeated him more than once. Sir Persides wounded him but spared his life because of Sir Gawaine and his brother; later Mordred joined Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, and Sir Gaheris in the treacherous killing of Sir Lamorak, after which Sir Gareth left their company. Mordred and Sir Agravaine also became enemies of Sir Dinadan and later slew him.

In the conflict over Queen Guenever and Sir Launcelot, Mordred joined Sir Agravaine in exposing their meeting, hiding twelve knights at Carlisle, and attempting to seize and kill Sir Launcelot. Wounded by him, Mordred escaped and reported the deaths to King Arthur, who said that their hostility had caused the sorrow. At Cardiff, King Arthur made Mordred chief ruler of England and placed Queen Guenever under his governance; Mordred then falsely claimed that King Arthur had died, had himself crowned at Canterbury, and announced that he would wed the queen. Queen Guenever refused and held the Tower of London against him, so Mordred laid siege to it. When King Arthur returned, Mordred fought him at Dover, Barham Down, and finally Salisbury. They briefly reconciled and drank together, but an accidental attack began the battle; King Arthur speared Mordred through the body, and Mordred struck his father on the head before falling dead.