Discover the Knights of the Round Table names, learn who they were, and read a summary of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Updated: 11/21/2023
King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table | Summary & Names
Table of Contents
- King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table Summary
- Who Were the Knights of the Round Table?
- The Quest for the Holy Grail
- Lesson Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the summary of Knights of the Round Table?
Arthur was appointed king by his father Uther Pendragon, but his right to the throne was established when Arthur pulled the sword Excalibur from a stone. Advised by the magician Merlin, Arthur strengthened his kingdom by fighting off would-be rivals. The best fighters became his Knights of the Round Table. Arthur experienced many betrayals during his reign, the worst coming from his wife who had an affair with one of the knights, Sir Lancelot, and the other betrayal came from Mordred, Arthur's son, who usurped the throne. In a battle for supremacy, Mordred wounded Arthur, who died by the hand of his own son.
How were the Knights of the Round Table chosen?
King Arthur fought many rivals to his throne. Of the most valiant fighters of Arthur's battles, Arthur chose those who fought well, even choosing from those who had been his enemies. The knights came from noble families.
How many knights were at the Round Table?
While the number of Knights of the Round Table varies according to the numerous stories and legends surrounding the Arthur and his knights, the original number that could sit at the table was 150. Other sources name twelve.
Table of Contents
- King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table Summary
- Who Were the Knights of the Round Table?
- The Quest for the Holy Grail
- Lesson Summary
One of the most beloved stories in all of British Literature is the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, a fellowship of knights Arthur chose from the sons of noble families to defend king and country.
An accurate King Arthur timeline is difficult to establish because some sources say the earliest reference to Arthur dates to a Welsh poem in 594, while others say the earliest is 1155 from Wace of Jersey's story entitled Roman de Brut. From these early references, the story of Arthur and his knights has been woven together from legends of French and Celtic sources, though modern readers are most familiar with the 15th-century version entitled Le Morte d'Arthur by Thomas Mallory.
In King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the young Arthur inherits the throne of England from his father, Uther Pendragon. Arthur's rightful ascension to the throne is established when he accomplishes the astonishing feat of pulling the sword Excalibur from a stone (other versions say Arthur received Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake). Throughout his reign, the wizard-like Merlin advises Arthur in matters of kingly decorum.
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A key event in the story is Arthur's marriage to Queen Guinevere. At that time, Arthur receives from his father-in-law a Round Table with seats for 150 knights. Just how many knights of the round table there were depends on the source a scholar might consult, as the number ranges from 12 to more than 1600. The table was round to show how every knight was equally important in Arthur's kingdom. At the table, one place was always vacant.
The significance of the table derives from the legend of Joseph of Arimathea, who is mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible. He was the man who took Jesus's body from the cross and buried Jesus in his tomb. Some sources (not the Bible) place Joseph of Arimathea at the table of the Last Supper, where he took and kept the Holy Grail, the cup Jesus drank from at the supper. The chalice of Christ, or the Holy Grail, became the central symbol of the Arthurian Legend; for when the Grail was lost, Arthur's knights went in search of the missing chalice. Their search is called the Grail Quest.
The vacant seat at the Round Table is for Judas, who betrayed Jesus, symbolic of betrayal in King Arthur's court. There were many betrayals in Arthur's court, the most significant of which was the betrayal of Queen Guinevere, who had an affair with the dashing knight Lancelot. Arthur's own son, Mordred, betrayed Arthur while Arthur was off fighting; in his father's absence, Mordred set up himself as King of England. When Arthur fought Mordred over the kingdom, Arthur successfully won the battle but was mortally wounded by his own son.
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When Arthur received the Round Table from his father, there was room for 150 knights, though later twelve are mentioned. Just how many Knights of the Round Table there were depends on which source a scholar might consult. 12 Knights of the Round Table names include:
- Sir Lancelot
- Sir Gawain
- Sir Geraint
- Sir Percival
- Sir Bors the Younger
- Sir Lamorak
- Sir Kay
- Sir Gareth
- Sir Bedivere
- Sir Gaheris
- Sir Galahad
- Sir Tristan
- Sir Palamedes
Another set of names carved in a table in Winchester Castle lists twenty-four knights, including:
- Sir Lancelot
- Sir Galahad (Son of Sir Lancelot)
- Sir Gawain
- Sir Percivale
- Sir Lionell
- Sir Tristram de Lyones
- Sir Gareth
- Sir Bedivere
- Sir Bleoberis
- Sir Lacotemale Taile
- Sir Lucan
- Sir Palomedes
- Sir Lamorak
- Sir Bors de Ganis
- Sir Safer
- Sir Pelleas
- Sir Kay
- Sir Ector de Maris
- Sir Dagonet
- Sir Degore
- Sir Brunor le Noir
- Sir Lebius Desconneu
- Sir Alymere
- Sir Mordred
The Round Table
Arthur received the Round Table from Guinevere's father as a wedding present. Seeking to establish his kingdom, Arthur, along with his most valiant soldiers, fought rebels who challenged his right as king. Due to his prowess as a solider, Arthur solidified his kingdom at the Battle of Bedegraine. Thereafter, Arthur gathered all the best fighting men—even his enemies—into a group of knights called the Round Table fellowship. They swore an oath to follow Arthur and maintain the kingdom. The fellowship of knights existed at Camelot, the seat of Arthur's court.
Camelot
The fantastic Camelot was full of chivalry and heroism. The knights were armed fighting men who, according to the Song of Roland, swore allegiance to Arthur and his fellowship of knights. Part of the creed involved religious zeal and vows to protect the weak, especially widows and orphans. Knights were to maintain the highest regard for honor and nobility, to refrain from deceit or falsehood, and to protect the honor of fellow knights. The code of chivalry characterized Arthur's reign, stamping it with the mark of high moral character and honor.
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Code of Chivalry
In order to become a Knight of the Round Table, a man had to come from a noble family. Arthur's knights also swore an oath of knighthood, a code of chivalry for honor and service described in Le Morte d'Arthur by Thomas Mallory. According to the rules of conduct, a knight must refrain from:
- murder or violence
- treason
- cruelty
- forcefulness
- fighting for monetary gain
A knight must also practice:
- mercy to those who ask for it
- assistance for those in distress
According to Giovanni Boccaccio's work, De Casibus Virorum Illustrium, knights must also:
- find marvels
- maintain battle readiness
- protect the vulnerable
- eschew violence
- eschew internal strife
- defend England
- sacrifice life and limb for England
- seek integrity
- maintain faith
- exercise religious zeal
- be hospitable
- accurately report their military successes or failures
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One of the most notable Knights of the Round Table was Percival, or Perceval, who occupied the vacant seat symbolically reserved for Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Perceval's character was completely opposite that of Judas's, however; for he was portrayed as an innocent, almost child-like knight. During one of his journeys as a knight, Perceval entered the realm of the Fisher King, where he asked many questions, only one of which would heal the wounded king. Perceval, failing to ask the right question, did not heal the Fisher King's mortal wound. Afterward, he searched for the Holy Grail, a Grail Quest that taught him the nature of chivalry and its religious associations. The story of Perceval became the subject of a more developed story in Wofram von Eschenbach's epic Parzival as well as in Richard Wagner's opera Parsifal.
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A beloved story for centuries, the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table has mesmerized readers of British Literature since medieval times. To protect his kingdom from rivals and rebels, Arthur established the fellowship of knights, men from noble families, who sat at a Round Table Arthur received from his father-in-law when he married the beautiful Guinevere. Although the legend of Arthur and his knights has been woven from many different sources, modern readers are most familiar with the 15th-century version entitled Le Morte d'Arthur by Thomas Mallory. The Round Table could seat 150 knights, with one seat always vacant to symbolize the disciple Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Arthur experiences many betrayals, first by his own wife who had an affair with the knight named Sir Lancelot, then by his own son, Mordred, who usurped Arthur's throne. Although Arthur defeated his son in battle, Mordred wounded Arthur who then died by the hand of his own son.
Throughout the centuries, the exact number of Knights of the Round Table has changed. Some sources record 12 knights, while others state over 1600 knights served Arthur's court named Camelot. The very name of Camelot is synonymous with the highest ideals of nobility and sacrifice. Chivalry marked Camelot, for all the knights swore a strict oath that they would protect king and country. They also swore to help the helpless, show mercy to those who asked, refrain from violence, and remain faithful to their fellow knights. One of the most notable knights, Perceval, is the subject of what is known as the Grail Quest, the search for the Holy Grail, the chalice Jesus drank from at the Last Supper. Perceval, an innocent, child-like knight, after failing to heal the Fisher King, embarked on a quest to find the Holy Grail.
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Video Transcript
Camelot
The Knights of the Round Table were the central component of King Arthur's reign in Camelot. During medieval times, knights were soldiers who were born to noble families, such as the families of kings, dukes, earls, and barons. They were men of honor, courage, and dignity who protected damsels in distress, went on dangerous quests, and fought for their country. They had the best armor and weapons and received great training for battle. During times of peace, knights engaged in various activities including jousting, hunting, and acts of chivalry. The Knights of the Round Table vowed to protect others and live an honorable life.
Oath of the Round Table
The Round Table was known as the order of chivalry for King Arthur's court. In order to become a knight in King Arthur's court, a man had to follow a strict code of honor and service. The expectations of a knight from Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur are listed here:
- To not commit murder or violence
- To not commit treason
- To not be cruel but give mercy to those who ask for it
- To help those in distress
- To not be forceful
- To not battle for love or material things
In De Casibus Virorum Illustrium by Giovanni Boccaccio the twelve basic rules of the Knights of the Round Table were:
- To not lay down arms
- To seek wonders
- To defend the defenseless
- To not hurt anyone
- To refrain from attacking each other
- To fight for the country's safety
- To give one's life for the country
- To only seek honor
- To not break faith
- To practice religion with great effort
- To be hospitable to everyone according to ability
- To be honest about their experiences whether honorable or disgraceful
The Round Table
The Round Table was created by Merlin, a wise wizard, to symbolize the roundness of the universe. Merlin created the Round Table for Uther Pendragon, King Arthur's father. After King Uther died, the Round Table was given to King Leodegrance, Guinevere's father. After King Arthur asked for Guinevere's hand in marriage, the Round Table (along with several knights) was given to King Arthur as dowry.
King Arthur wanted the knights in his court to be considered equal; he did not want them fighting over status or rank. The Round Table was suitable for them because there was no 'head' of the table since it was round. The Round Table represented chivalry in its highest form. To be a knight of the Round Table, you had to be from a noble family and follow the code of honor and service.
Depending on the piece of literature, the size of the Round Table varied. Most literary pieces stated the Round Table had around 150 seats. There was one seat at the Round Table reserved for The Grail Knight, the knight who would find the Holy Grail, which was a dish used by Jesus at the Last Supper; it represented virtue and purity. Only someone of pure heart, who was without sin, could find the Holy Grail. Eventually Sir Galahad found it.
The Knights of the Round Table
The 150 knights of King Arthur's Round Table were assigned in various ways. King Leodegrance gave King Arthur 100 knights when he gave him the Round Table as a dowry for his daughter. The wizard, Merlin, filled 28 seats, and King Arthur named two knights. The remaining 20 seats were left for knights who were deemed 'worthy'.
There were 25 knights whose names were inscribed on the Round Table. They were:
- King Arthur
- Sir Galahad (Lancelot's son)
- Sir Lancelot (Guinevere's lover and King Arthur's best knight)
- Sir Gawain
- Sir Percivale
- Sir Lionell
- Sir Bors
- Sir Kay
- Sir Tristram
- Sir Gareth
- Sir Bedivere
- Sir Bleoberis
- La Cote Male Taile
- Sir Lucan
- Sir Palomedes
- Sir Lamorak
- Sir Safer
- Sir Pelleas
- Sir Ector de Maris
- Sir Dagonet
- Sir Degore
- Sir Brunor
- Le Bel Desconneu
- Sir Alymere
- Sir Mordred (King Arthur's son).
The Search for the Holy Grail
When Sir Perceval was knighted by King Arthur, he was not made a member of the Round Table. One day King Arthur had a festival for 12 knights to sit at the Round Table; he left one seat open to symbolize Judas' betrayal of Jesus at the Last Supper. Perceval asked to sit in the 13th seat (the one left empty to symbolize Judas) and the other 12 knights encouraged King Arthur to let Perceval sit there.
When Perceval sat in it, the seat cracked. A 'voice' told King Arthur that Perceval was saved from death by the good life Perceval's father led before his death. The 'voice' also told King Arthur suffering would come for the knights of the Round Table while they pursued the quest Perceval had once achieved, the Quest for the Holy Grail. Only the best knight, guided by God, could find the Holy Grail and understand its significance. Once the Holy Grail was found, the cracked seat at the Round Table was fixed.
The End of The Knights
For many years the Knights of the Round Table searched for the Holy Grail. Eventually Sir Galahad, Lancelot's son, was able to find it. After The Holy Grail was found, the Knights of the Round Table looked for new challenges. After completing several battles, King Arthur had to go back to Camelot to reclaim his throne after Sir Mordred, his son, overtook it. In battle with Mordred, King Arthur was killed, and Mordred was fatally wounded. Afterward, Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table were no more.
Lesson Summary
When King Arthur married Guinevere, he was given a Round Table and 100 knights as dowry. Eventually there were around 150 knights of King Arthur's Round Table. King Arthur wanted to have equality between his knights and wanted his knights to be honorable men who helped those in need.
To become a knight of King Arthur's Round Table, knights were required to take an oath to be chivalrous. For many years, the Knights of the Round Table were united and did good work. Eventually their bond ended with conflict between one of the knights and King Arthur; shortly afterward, King Arthur died and the Round Table ended.
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King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table | Summary & Names
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