King Idres

Also known as: King Idres of Cornwall · Family: northern host · Role: king · First appears: Book I, Chapter XII

In Book I, Chapter XII, King Idres joined Duke of Cambenet, King Brandegoris, King Clariance, King of the Hundred Knights, King Lot, King Urience, King Cradelmas, King Agwisance, King Nentres, and King Carados in opposing King Arthur. They swore “for weal nor woe” not to leave one another until King Arthur was destroyed, then assembled a vast host, besieged Bedegraine, and advanced against him.

In Chapter XIV, King Idres helped King Brandegoris and King Agwisance put Sir Griflet and Lucas to the earth, while King with the Hundred Knights gave him a horse after he was unhorsed. In Chapter XV, he and his fellowship met Lionses and Phariance in a fierce battle of broken spears and swords, and King Idres was nearly defeated; he also fought amid the six kings opposed by Sir Gwinas, Briant, and Bellias of Flanders, with Sir Kay and Sir Griflet helping hold them hard.

Then, in Chapter XVI, King Idres agreed with the other kings to abandon the footmen, kill anyone who fled, and remain united. Alongside King Brandegoris, King Uriens, King Cradelment, and the others, he swore they would “never fail other, neither for life nor for death.”