Charge Given to the Knights of King Arthur – Knights of the Round Table
Commonplace Book – Pages 13-17
Charge Given to the Knights by King Arthur
God make you a good man and fail not of beauty. The Round Table was founded in patience, humility and meekness. Thou art never to do outrageously, nor murder, and always to flee treason, by no means cruel, and always to do ladies, damosels, and gentle women succor. Also to take no battles in a wrongful quarrel for no law nor for no world’s goods.
Thou shouldst be for all ladies and fight for their quarrels and ever be courteous and never refuse mercy to him that asketh mercy, for a knight that is courteous and kind and gentle has favor in every place. Thou shouldst never hold a lady or gentle woman against her will.
Thou must keep thy word to all and not be feeble of good believeth and faith. Right must be defended against might and distress must be protected. Thou must know good from evil and the vain of glory of the world, because great pride and bobauce maketh great sorrow. Should anyone require ye of any quest so that it is not to thy shame, thou shouldst fulfill the desire.
Ever it is a worshipful knights deed to help another worshipful knight when he seeth him a great danger, for ever a worshipful man should loath to see a worshipful man shamed, for it is only he that is of no worship and who faireth with cowardice that shall never show gentleness or no manner of goodness where he seeth a man in any danger, but always a good man will do another man as he would have done to himself.
“It should never be said that a small brother has injured or slain another brother. Thou shouldst not fail in these things: charity, abstinence, and truth, No knight shall win worship but if he be of worship himself and of good living, and that loveth God and dreadeth God then else he geteth no worship here be ever so hardly.
An envious knight shall never win worship for an envious man wants to win worship he shall be dishonored twice therefore without any, and for this cause all men of worship hate an envious man and will show him no favor.
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Sir Lancelot: Son of King Ban of Benwick and Queen Elaine. Father of Sir Galahad by Elaine of Astolat. As a child, was left by the lake shore and raised by The Lady. Lover of Queen Guenevere.
Sir Gawaine: Nephew of King Arthur. Son of Lot of Orkney and Morgause. Brother of Agravain, Gaheris, and Gareth. Half-brother of Mordred. Defeated the Green Knight.
Sir Geraint: Eldest son of King Erbin of Dumnonia, who was a Knight of Devon. Married Lady Enid of Caer-Teim. Inherited the Dumnonian throne in c. 497. Died at the Battle of Llongborth.
Sir Gareth: Youngest brother of Sir Gawaine. Always acted chivalrous to Lynette and rescued Lyonore.
Sir Galahad: Son of Lancelot and Elaine. Descendant of King David and Nascien. Only one to find the Holy Grail and see its secrets. Pulled the sword from the stone, and later obtained the Sword of David.
Sir Bors de Ganis: Son of King Bors of Gaunes and Evainne. Brother of Lionel and cousin of Lancelot and Hector. Father of Helin le Blanc, later Emperor of Constantinople. Died in the Crusades.
Sir Kay: Foster-brother of Arthur, son of Erector. Married Adrivete, daughter of King Cador of Northumberland. Said to have a sons named Garanwyn and Gronosis, and a daughter named Kelemon.
Sir Bedivere: Butler or cup-bearer and constable of King Arthur. Brother of Lucan the Butler. Son was named Amren and a daughter named Eneuavc. Helped fight the Giant of Mont St. Michel and later became Duke of Neustria. Killed in the Roman Campaign.
Sir Girflet: Son of Do of Carduel. Cousin of Lucan the Wine Steward.
Sir Yvain: Son of King Urien. Husband of Laudine and father of Idrus.
Sir Erec: Son of King Lac of Ester-Gales.
Sir Agravain: Son of King Lot of Orkney and Morgause. Second eldest. Killed Sir Lamorak when he was found in bed with Morgause.
Sir Gaheris: Son of King Lot of Orkney and Morgause. Married Lady Lyonnesse’s sister Dame Lynet.
Sir Yvain the Bastard: Illegitimate son of Urien. His mother was the wife of Urien’s seneschal.
Sir Hector: Illegitimate son of King Ban and the daughter of Li Sires des Mares. Half-brother of Lancelot.
Sir Sagremor: Son of Duke Nabur the Unruly. Killed by Mordred.
Sir Lamorak: Son of King Pellinore and brother of Agloual and Percevale. Killed by Sir Gawaine.
Sir Lionel: Son of King Bors of Gaunes and Evainne. Brother of Bors de Ganis. He was Lancelot’s cousin and squire.
Sir Percevale: Raised in ignorance of arms by his mother. Pure enough to heal Anfortas and to become himself the keeper of the Holy Grail.
