Sir Persides

Also known as: Persides · Family: Arthur's court · Role: knight · First appears: Book IX, Chapter XXVII

In Book IX, Chapter XXVII, Sir Persides went with his friend Sir Tristram to the tournament, choosing to ride armed as knights rather than go in cloaks. There Sir Palomides challenged him, but Sir Persides lost the joust: “there anon they met together, but Sir Persides had a fall.” Two chapters later, after departing from their host Sir Pellounes, Sir Persides and Sir Tristram joined King Carados’ side; Sir Persides was then struck down and nearly slain when more than forty horsemen rode over him. He later wounded Sir Mordred, but would have spared his life because of the love of Sir Gawaine and his brother.

In Book XI, Chapter XII, Sir Percivale cut through the chain binding Sir Persides and freed him. Sir Persides brought Sir Percivale to his own castle and received him generously: “there he made him great cheer all that night.” After Sir Percivale departed, Sir Persides rode to King Arthur to report what had happened, then spoke with Sir Aglovale about his brother and carried Sir Percivale’s greeting to Sir Kay.