Red Knight

Also known as: Red Knight of the Red Launds / the Red Knight / the Red Knight with the white shield · Role: knight · First appears: Book VII, Chapter II

At Carlion in Book VII, Chapter II, a damosel reported that an unnamed lady was besieged and her lands destroyed by the Red Knight of the Red Launds. Sir Gawaine recognized him as exceptionally dangerous: “I know him well, for he is one of the perilloust knights of the world,” recalling that he had once barely escaped him.

In Chapter X, the Red Knight learned that Beaumains had killed his brother the Black Knight and overcome his brother the Green Knight. He fought Beaumains fiercely for two hours, but was defeated and spared at the damosel’s request; he then hosted Beaumains at his castle and pledged homage, fealty, and future service before King Arthur. Beaumains later defeated him again among the Green and Blue Knights, and in Chapters XVI–XVIII defeated him once more. The Red Knight yielded and explained that he had fought to avenge a lady’s slain brother, whom she attributed to Sir Launcelot or Sir Gawaine, while his strength increased until noon: “all this time have I seven men’s strength.”

Beaumains released him on condition that he seek the lady’s forgiveness and make amends for the harm done to her and her lands. The Red Knight submitted to her mercy, restored the damage, and then went to King Arthur’s court, where he placed himself in the mercy of Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine; Sir Launcelot revealed that he had given him his order of knighthood. In Book XIV, Chapter VIII, Sir Percivale learned that the Red Knight had escaped across Mortaise after his horse drowned, and the Red Knight said he wished greatly to meet that knight.