Le Morte d'Arthur Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive vocabulary flashcard set covering key characters, symbols, literary terms, and historical context from Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur.

Sir Thomas Malory

A 15th-century English knight, Member of Parliament, and prisoner who compiled and adapted Arthurian legends into prose while imprisoned in Newgate Prison between 1469 and 1470.

Winchester Manuscript

An Arthurian manuscript discovered in 1934 at Winchester College that revealed an alternative structure to William Caxton's 1485 printed edition of Le Morte d'Arthur.

King Arthur

The son of Uther Pendragon and Igraine who proves his rightful kingship over England by pulling the enchanted sword Excalibur from a stone and establishing the fellowship of the Round Table.

Queen Guenever

King Arthur's wife and queen, whose long-standing love affair with Sir Launcelot du Lake serves as a major catalyst for the ultimate downfall of Arthur's kingdom.

Sir Launcelot du Lake

Widely recognized as the knight of greatest physical prowess in Arthur's realm; his loyalty to Queen Guenever prevents him from achieving the spiritual purity needed for the Holy Grail.

Merlin

A powerful sorcerer with foresight who arranges King Arthur's birth and upbringing, but is eventually outwitted and trapped in a cave by Nimue.

Morgan le Fay

King Arthur's half-sister and a skilled sorceress who continually plots against Arthur, his knights, and Queen Guenever.

Sir Tristram (Tramtrist)

A renowned knight from Liones whose adventures, tragic love affair with La Beale Isoud, and conflicts with King Mark form a major portion of Le Morte d'Arthur.

Sir Mordred

The illegitimate son of King Arthur and his half-sister Margawse, fated to usurp Arthur's throne and mortally wound his father in battle.

Isoud (La Beale Isoud)

The daughter of King Anguish of Ireland, married to King Mark of Cornwall, whose enduring love affair with Sir Tristram parallels that of Launcelot and Guenever.

Sir Galahad

The pure, virgin son of Sir Launcelot and Elaine of Corbin, fated to sit in the Siege Perilous and achieve the spiritual mysteries of the Holy Grail.

Sir Gawaine

Arthur's nephew and knight of the Round Table whose vengeful crusade against Sir Launcelot over the accidental deaths of his brothers Gareth and Gaheris precipitates the realm's final war.

Sir Gareth (Beaumains)

The brother of Gawaine who conceals his noble lineage to work as a kitchen knave at Arthur's court before proving his knightly honor and prowess under Launcelot.

King Mark of Cornwall

Tristram's uncle and husband to La Beale Isoud, depicted as a treacherous, jealous, and cowardly antagonist who repeatedly plots Tristram's death.

Nimue (The Lady of the Lake)

A sorceress who enchants and seals Merlin in a cave, gifts Excalibur and its scabbard to King Arthur, and repeatedly aids Arthur's court.

Sir Percivale

A chaste knight of the Round Table and son of King Pellinore who accompanies Sir Galahad and Sir Bors on the quest for the Holy Grail.

The Round Table

A circular table created by Merlin to symbolize the roundness of the world, representing equality, camaraderie, and the chivalric code among Arthur's knights.

Excalibur

The legendary enchanted sword drawn from a stone by Arthur (and also given by the Lady of the Lake), symbolizing divine fate, royal lineage, and political authority.

The Holy Grail (Sangreal)

A sacred silver vessel from early Christian tradition capable of granting food and revealing divine spiritual mysteries to knights who are entirely sinless and pure.

Code of Chivalry

The oath renewed every Pentecost by the Knights of the Round Table, binding them to grant mercy to defeated foes, defend women, and fight only for righteous causes.

Siege Perilous

A vacant seat at the Round Table reserved exclusively for the knight destined to achieve the Holy Grail; any unsuited person who sits there faces death or doom.

Elaine of Corbin

The daughter of King Pelles who tricks Sir Launcelot into sleeping with her through sorcery, leading to the birth of Sir Galahad.

Sir Bors de Ganis

Launcelot's cousin and Lionel's brother, who endures severe spiritual trials to become one of the three knights to achieve the Holy Grail and return to Camelot to record the quest.

Sir Balin le Savage

Also known as the Knight with the Two Swords, an early knight who slays the Lady of the Lake, strikes the Dolorous Stroke against King Pellam, and unknowingly kills his own brother Balan.

Sir Kay

King Arthur's foster brother and seneschal, known for his foolish hotheadedness and for mockingly giving Sir Gareth the nickname Beaumains.

Sir Lamorak de Galis

A renowned Round Table knight and son of King Pellinore whose romantic affair with Queen Margawse causes him to be slain by Gawaine and his brothers.

King Pellinore

A powerful knight who relentlessly hunts the Questing Beast and slays King Lot in battle, igniting a deadly blood feud with Lot's sons.

Queen Margawse

Arthur's half-sister and wife of King Lot who unknowingly conceives Mordred with Arthur, and is later slain by her son Gaheris.

The Questing Beast (Galtisant)

A monstrous creature featuring a serpent's head, leopard's body, lion's buttocks, and hart's feet, pursued by King Pellinore and Sir Palomides.

Sir Palomides

A Saracen knight who courts La Beale Isoud, rivals Sir Tristram, and eventually converts to Christianity after hunting the Questing Beast.

Sir Agravaine

The brother of Gawaine who maliciously exposes Launcelot and Guenever's affair to King Arthur, setting off the civil war that destroys Camelot.

Sir Bedivere

The last surviving Knight of the Round Table at Arthur's final battle, who throws Excalibur back into the waters to the Lady of the Lake.

Castle of Carbonek

The sacred stronghold ruled by King Pelles where the Holy Grail is housed and where Sir Galahad heals the Maimed King.

King Uther Pendragon

The ruler of England who uses Merlin's sorcery to disguise himself as the Duke of Cornwall, sleeping with Igraine to father King Arthur.

Queen Igraine

The mother of King Arthur who is tricked by King Uther Pendragon into conceiving Arthur while Uther is magically disguised as her husband.

Duke of Cornwall

Igraine's first husband who is killed in battle during a siege while Uther Pendragon secretly sleeps with Igraine at Tintagil.

Sir Ector

The faithful knight entrusted by Merlin to raise the young Arthur as his foster son alongside Sir Kay.

Sir Dinadan

A Round Table knight known for his witty humor, pragmatism, and skeptical views on romantic chivalry and unnecessary jousting.

Sir Meliagrance

The villainous knight and son of Bagdemagus who ambushes and kidnaps Queen Guenever before being slain by Launcelot in trial by combat.

King Ban of Benwick

A French king and early ally of King Arthur who is the father of Sir Launcelot du Lake.

King Bors of Gaul

King Ban's brother and Arthur's ally, father to the Grail knight Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Lionel.

King Claudas

A hostile continental ruler who wages persistent war against Arthur's allies King Ban and King Bors.

King Lot of Lothian

A rebel British king, husband to Margawse, and father of Gawaine, Gareth, Gaheris, and Agravaine, who is slain in battle by King Pellinore.

King Anguish of Ireland

The father of La Beale Isoud who hosts Sir Tristram in Ireland and is later defended by Tristram against charges of treason at Arthur's court.

Sir Marhaus

An Irish champion knight of the Round Table and brother to the Queen of Ireland who is mortally wounded by Sir Tristram in a duel over Cornwall's tribute.

Sir Balan

The brother of Sir Balin le Savage who tragically dies in battle against his brother when neither recognizes the other due to swapped shields.

King Pellam

The Maimed King who is struck by Sir Balin with the Holy Spear and remains crippled until healed centuries later by Sir Galahad.

Garlon

The treacherous brother of King Pellam who uses invisibility to strike down knights unseen until slain by Sir Balin at Pellam's feast.

Breuse Saunce Pité

A notoriously villainous knight whose name means 'Without Pity,' known for attacking defenseless foes and fleeing whenever matched by honorable knights.

Sir Lucan the Butler

The loyal Round Table knight and brother of Bedivere who dies from his own severe wounds while trying to carry the dying King Arthur off the battlefield.

Sir Constantine

The son of Sir Cador who is appointed king of England after the deaths of King Arthur and Sir Mordred.

Linet

A damsel who travels to Arthur's court seeking help for her besieged sister Lionesse and initially mocks Sir Gareth for his kitchen origins.

Dame Lionesse

The Lady of Castle Dangerous who is rescued from the Knight of the Red Launds by Sir Gareth and eventually becomes Gareth's wife.

Sir Accolon of Gaul

Morgan le Fay's lover who is tricked into fighting King Arthur using the real Excalibur and scabbard, resulting in his death.

Sir Uwaine

The son of Morgan le Fay and King Uriens, a Round Table knight who prevents his mother from murdering his father and is mistakenly killed during the Grail quest.

Elaine le Blank

Also known as the Fair Maid of Astolat, a young woman who falls into unrequited love with Sir Launcelot and ultimately dies of grief, floating to Camelot on a funeral barge.

Sir Lavaine

The brother of Elaine le Blank who becomes a devoted follower and knightly companion of Sir Launcelot.

Sir Colgrevance

A Round Table knight who is slain by Sir Lionel while trying to protect Lionel's brother, Sir Bors, during a spiritual trial on the Grail quest.

Sir Lionel

The brother of Sir Bors de Ganis and cousin to Launcelot who is driven to a murderous rage against Bors during spiritual trials on the Grail quest.

Sir Dagonet

The court fool and jester of King Arthur who is knighted and often used in comedic pranks against cowardly figures like King Mark.

Joseph of Arimathea

The Biblical figure who brought the Holy Grail to England and whose lineage leads directly to Sir Galahad.

King Evelake

A pagan king converted by Joseph of Arimathea who is granted a 300-year life to witness the arrival of his descendant Sir Galahad.

Sir Meliot de Logres

A knight of the Round Table healed from a deadly wound when Sir Launcelot retrieves a sacred sword and cloth from the Chapel Perilous.

Sir Priamus

A Tuscan knight descended from Alexander the Great who fights Sir Gawaine in Italy, converts to Christianity, and joins the Round Table.

Emperor Lucius

The mythical Roman ruler who demands tribute from King Arthur, prompting an invasion of Europe where Lucius is killed in battle by Arthur.

Sir Cador

The Earl of Cornwall and loyal Round Table knight who assists in battles against the Romans and whose son Constantine succeeds Arthur as king.

Sir Griflet

A young knight of Arthur's court who is severely wounded in an early challenge against King Pellinore and later fights valiantly in Arthur's wars.

King Leodegrance

The ruler of Cameliard, father of Queen Guenever, and original keeper of the Round Table given to him by Uther Pendragon.

Sir Tor

The first knight made by Arthur after his coronation, who is raised by a cowherd but revealed by Merlin to be the illegitimate son of King Pellinore.

Dame Bragwaine

The loyal maid and companion to La Beale Isoud who accidentally leaves the love potion accessible to Tristram and Isoud on their ship journey.

Gouvernail

The tutor, squire, and loyal servant who accompanies Sir Tristram on his upbringing, travels, and knightly adventures.

Isoud la Blanche Mains

The daughter of King Howel of Brittany whom Sir Tristram marries, though their marriage remains unconsummated due to his love for La Beale Isoud.

Kehydius

The brother of Isoud la Blanche Mains whose unrequited love letters to La Beale Isoud provoke Sir Tristram's temporary descent into madness.

Breunor le Noire

Also known as La Cote Male Taile ('The Ill-Shapen Coat'), a knight who wears his murdered father's bloody coat until he can avenge his death.

Maledisant

A damsel whose name means 'Ill-Speaking' due to her constant insults toward Breunor le Noire, but who later marries him and is renamed Beauvivante.

Sir Segwarides

A knight whose wife is involved in romantic affairs with both King Mark and Sir Tristram, leading to conflict with Tristram.

Sir Alisander

The nephew of King Mark who is raised in hiding by his mother Anglides with his father's bloody shirt to eventually avenge his father's murder.

Anglides

The wife of Prince Boudwin who escapes King Mark's murderous jealousy and raises her son Alisander to avenge his father.

Prince Boudwin

The popular brother of King Mark who is treacherously murdered by Mark out of jealousy after successfully repelling a Saracen invasion.

Sir Pedivere

A knight who decapitates his unfaithful wife in front of Launcelot and is forced as penance to carry her head to Queen Guenever and then travel to Rome.

Chapel Perilous

The sorcery-laden chapel where Sir Launcelot faces terrifying illusions to retrieve a holy cloth and sword to heal Sir Meliot.

Joyous Gard

Sir Launcelot's stronghold castle in northern England where he shelters Queen Guenever after rescuing her from the stake.

The Dolorous Stroke

The catastrophic blow struck by Sir Balin using the Holy Spear against King Pellam, laying waste to three kingdoms and maiming Pellam.

Sarras

The sacred spiritual city across the sea where Sir Galahad, Sir Percivale, and Sir Bors bring the Holy Grail and where Galahad is crowned king.

William Caxton

The English printer who edited, structured, and published Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur in 1485.

Newgate Prison

The London detention facility where Sir Thomas Malory composed Le Morte d'Arthur between 1469 and 1470.

Knight of the Red Launds

The formidable tyrant who besieges Dame Lionesse at Castle Dangerous until defeated in a day-long battle by Sir Gareth.

Sir Turquine

A fearsome knight who imprisons sixty-four Knights of the Round Table in his dungeon out of a vengeful hatred for Sir Launcelot, who eventually slays him.

Sir Urre of Hungary

A knight cursed with unhealing wounds by a Spanish enchantress, whose injuries can only be miraculously cured by the touch of Sir Launcelot.

Sir Mador de la Porte

The knight who accuses Queen Guenever of treason after his cousin Sir Patrise is accidentally poisoned at her feast, leading to a trial by combat against Launcelot.

Sir Patrise

An Irish knight of the Round Table who dies at Queen Guenever's feast after eating a poisoned apple intended for Sir Gawaine.

Sir Pinel le Savage

A knight who attempts to murder Sir Gawaine with a poisoned apple at Queen Guenever's feast to avenge the death of his cousin, Sir Lamorak.

King Rience

A rebel king of North Wales and Ireland who insolently demands King Arthur's beard to trim his mantle alongside those of eleven conquered kings.

King Meliodas of Liones

The father of Sir Tristram who is temporarily trapped in an enchanted castle by a lady enamored with him.

Queen Elizabeth of Liones

The sister of King Mark and mother of Sir Tristram, who dies in a forest shortly after giving birth to her son.

Castle Dangerous

The stronghold belonging to Dame Lionesse that is held under siege by the Knight of the Red Launds.

Sir Bagdemagus

A Round Table knight and father of Sir Meliagrance who briefly leaves Arthur's court in anger after being passed over for a Round Table seat.

Sir Aglovale

A knight of the Round Table, son of King Pellinore, and brother to Percivale and Lamorak, who is slain during Launcelot's rescue of Guenever.

Annowre

A villainous sorceress who traps King Arthur in the Forest Perilous in a plot to have him killed, until she is beheaded by Arthur

Order of the Garter

The English chivalric order established in 1348 by King Edward III, consciously modeled after the legendary fellowship of the Round Table.