# Sir Launcelot — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide > Sir Launcelot in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Launcelot, the little Launcelot, Sir Launcelot of the Lake, Sir Launcelot du Lac, the inimitable Launcelot **First appearance:** 0002-bulfinch-s-mythology ## Snapshot The Round Table's finest blade, torn between a vow to his king and a love that will not release him. ## Who they are Launcelot is the knight Arthur made, and the knight who will not raise his sword against his maker—even when besieged and called a mortal foe. He charges his own men to spare Arthur and Gawain, then lifts the fallen king back onto his horse and begs him to cease. His divided loyalty, and the court's growing whisper about him and Guenever, is the fault line running beneath every later adventure. ## In the story ### [Bulfinch's Mythology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/bulfinch-s-mythology) Arthurian knight, raised by the Lady of the Lake. ### [King Arthur and His Knights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/king-arthur-and-his-knights) Arthur's greatest knight, whose love for Queen Guenever and failure in the Grail quest are key themes. ### [The Training of a Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-training-of-a-knight) Exemplary knight whose training would have followed this regimen. ### [IV: Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/iv-arthur) Mentioned as one of the most famous knights who attempts to draw the sword from the stone but fails. ### [Guenever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/guenever) Not present in this chapter. ### [King Arthur Gets a Sword from the Lady of the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/king-arthur-gets-a-sword-from-the-lady-of-the-lake) Not directly present; the Lady of the Lake is associated with Launcelot's upbringing. ### [Launcelot of the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/viii-launcelot-of-the-lake) The central figure of the chapter; from his infancy rescued by the Lady of the Lake, to his knighthood, his love for Guenever, and his heroic deeds including slaying Sir Turquine and rescuing fellow knights. ### [Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/sir-launcelot) The protagonist of the chapter, the noblest knight living, who proves his prowess in tournaments and adventures, refuses the enchantress queens, and aids King Bagdemagus. ### [The Adventure of the Cart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ix-the-adventure-of-the-cart) Summoned by the queen's ring, rides in a cart of shame to rescue her, overcomes enchantments and a lion and leopard, duels Maleagans, and flees after Guenever's reproach. ### [X: The Lady of Shalott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/x-the-lady-of-shalott) Disguises himself as an old knight to attend the tournament, wears the Lady of Shalott's scarf, fights incognito, and is wounded by his brother Sir Hector. ### [XI: Queen Guenever's Peril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xi-queen-guenever-s-peril) Returns in disguise as a black knight to defend Guenever, defeats Sir Mador, and reconciles with the queen. ### [XIII: Tristram and Isoude (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xiii-tristram-and-isoude-continued) Admires Tristram's skill at the tournament and declines to dispute the honor of the day with him. ### [XIV: Sir Tristram’s Battle with Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xiv-sir-tristram-s-battle-with-sir-launcelot) Fights Sir Tristram for four hours under a white disguise, then reconciles and embraces him. ### [XV: The Round Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xv-the-round-table) Welcomes Tristram and Isoude, offers his castle La Joyeuse Garde. ### [Sir Tristram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xvii-sir-tristram) Mentioned indirectly through the quest of the Holy Greal; Tristram's oath references the quest. ### [XIX: The Sangreal, or Holy Graal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xix-the-sangreal-or-holy-graal) Beholds his son Sir Galahad with great joy; participates in the tournament and is one of the two knights Galahad does not surpass. ### [Sir Galahad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/sir-galahad) Beholds his son Sir Galahad with great joy and is one of the two knights who surpasses Galahad in the tournament. ### [XX: The Sangreal (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xx-the-sangreal-continued) Rides through the forest, witnesses the Sangreal heal a knight but is unable to partake due to sin, confesses to a hermit and vows to avoid Queen Guenever. ### [Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/sir-launcelot) Confesses his lifelong love for Queen Guenever and his worldly motivations; repents and promises to avoid her company; witnesses the Sangreal but is unable to approach due to sin. ### [XXI: The Sangreal (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxi-the-sangreal-continued) Returns to Camelot after failing to enter the Sangreal chamber; lies unconscious for twenty-four days and later recounts his adventures to King Arthur. ### [Sir Launcelot (Resumed)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/sir-launcelot-resumed) The protagonist of the chapter; he experiences a vision of the Holy Grail, is rebuked for his lack of faith, and after a period of unconsciousness, accepts that the quest is achieved for him. ### [Sir Agrivain's Treason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxii-sir-agrivain-s-treason) Resumes his affair with Queen Guenever, escapes Sir Agrivain's trap, rescues the queen from execution, accidentally kills Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, and later spares Sir Gawain's life in single combat. ### [Morte d'Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxiii-morte-d-arthur) Returns too late to aid Arthur; seeks Guenever at the nunnery and is rebuffed; ultimately becomes a hermit. ### [Hero Myths of the British Isles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/hero-myths-of-the-british-isles) Foremost knight of the Round Table, known for his bravery and his tragic love for Queen Guenever. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/l) Listed as the most famous knight of the Round Table. ### [T](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/t) Referenced as the slayer of Sir Turquine, a great knight and foe of Arthur. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned in connection with Queen Guenever and the episode of Francesca da Rimini. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/launcelot - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters