Knights of the Round Table

The Knights of the Round Table were characters in the legends about King Arthur. They were the best knights in King Arthur's kingdom, and lived in King Arthur's castle, Camelot. They were called the Knights of the Round Table because of a special table that was in Camelot, that was round instead of rectangular. This meant that everyone who sat around it was seen as equal.

Code of Chivalry

In order to become a Knight of the Round Table, a knight had to prove he was chivalrous (polite) enough. In the legend, the knights swore a Code of Chivalry, which is much like an oath is today. This meant that they promised to uphold the rules given to them once they became a Knight of the Round Table.

Sir Thomas Malory (c. 1405 - March 14th, 1471) was an English writer, who wrote a book based on the legend of King Arthur. It was called Le Morte d'Arthur. In it, he wrote his version of the Code of Chivalry:

• To never do outrage nor murder (not to assault or murder anybody)
• Always to flee treason (do not commit treason, a crime against your country or king)
• To by no means be cruel but to give mercy unto him who asks for mercy (Do not be mean. Grant mercy to those who ask, even in combat.)
• To always do ladies, gentlewomen and widows succor ('succor' is an old word for help; this means that the knight must promise to help women if they need it. Note that this does not necessarily include peasantry.)
• To never force ladies, gentlewomen or widows (never 'harm' women. Note that this does not necessarily include peasantry.)
• Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goods (do not even join in fights over anything less than god or country)

List of the Knights of the Round Table

In different stories, there are different numbers of knights, ranging from 12 to more than 150. The Winchester Round Table shows 25 Knights. Most of the people believe that these are the knights of the round table:

• King Arthur
• Sir Lancelot
• Sir Gawain
• Sir Geraint
• Sir Percival
• Sir Bors De Ganis
• Sir Lamorak
• Sir Kay
• Sir Gareth
• Sir Bedivere
• Sir Gaheris
• Sir Galahad
• Sir Tristan

Other Knights

This is a list of other knights mentioned as being Knights of the Round Table.

• Sir Aglovale
• Sir Agravaine
• King Enion
• King Bagdemagus
• Sir Breunor
• Sir Caradoc
• Sir Colgrevance
• Sir Constantine
• Sir Dagonet, the court jester
• Sir Daniel
• Sir Ector
• Sir Ector de Maris
• Sir Elyan the White
• Sir Gaheris
• Sir Galehaut,
• Sir Galeshin
• Sir Geraint
• Sir Gingalain
• King Leodegrance
• Sir Leon
• Sir Lionel
• Sir Maleagant
• Sir Meliant de Lis
• Sir Morien
• Sir Pelleas
• Sir Sagramore le Desirous
• Sir Safir
• Sir Segwarides
• Sir Septius
• Sir Tor
• King Uriens
• Sir Ywain the Bastard
• Sir Arter

Other characters

This is a list of other main characters in Arthurian Legend that aren't Knights of the Round Table:

• Elaine of Corbenic
• Lady of the Lake
• Merlin
• Mordred
• Morgan le Fay

Related pages

• Round Table

Other websites

• Timeless Myths page for Knights of the Round Table