# Sir Kay — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide > Sir Kay in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Kay, Sir Kay the Seneschal, the Seneschal, Kay the Seneschal **First appearance:** 0002-bulfinch-s-mythology ## Snapshot Arthur's foster-brother and the Round Table's sharp-tongued seneschal, quick to mock and quicker to manage the court. ## Who they are Sir Kay is the seneschal of Arthur's household, the foster-brother raised alongside the king and entrusted with the practical running of the court. His tongue is famously cutting, and he often tests newcomers with scorn before their worth is proven, a habit that makes him both comic and quietly important. Bulfinch uses him to show that not every knight earns glory by the sword; some hold the hall together while others ride out. ## Relationships ### [King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/king_arthur) _family_ King Arthur and Sir Kay are foster brothers, with Kay serving as Arthur's seneschal and often teasing him. ### [King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/king_arthur) _family_ King Arthur and Sir Kay are foster brothers, with Kay serving as Arthur's seneschal and often teasing him. ### [King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/king_arthur) _family_ King Arthur and Sir Kay are foster brothers, with Kay serving as Arthur's seneschal and often teasing him. ## In the story ### [IV: Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/iv-arthur) Arthur's foster-brother; Arthur serves as his squire and retrieves the sword from the stone for him. ### [Arthur Chosen King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/arthur-chosen-king) Arthur's foster-brother, fights in the tournament, breaks his sword, and briefly claims the sword Arthur retrieves. ### [Arthur (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/v-arthur-continued) Arthur's steward; beheads the giant on Arthur's command. ### [King Arthur Slays the Giant of St. Michael’s Mount](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/king-arthur-slays-the-giant-of-st-michael-s-mount) One of the two knights accompanying Arthur; he beheads the giant on Arthur's command. ### [VII: Caradoc Briefbras; or, Caradoc with the Shrunken Arm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/vii-caradoc-briefbras-or-caradoc-with-the-shrunken-arm) Initially refuses the beheading challenge; later in the ballad, his lady fails the mantle test. ### [Launcelot of the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/viii-launcelot-of-the-lake) One of the knights imprisoned by Sir Turquine; freed by Launcelot, and later testifies to the king about Launcelot's generosity and prowess. ### [Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/sir-launcelot) The seneschal whose armor Sir Launcelot borrows, leading other knights to mistake him for Sir Kay. ### [The Adventure of the Cart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ix-the-adventure-of-the-cart) One of the ten knights riding with the queen; later tells the queen about Launcelot's cart. ### [XIII: Tristram and Isoude (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xiii-tristram-and-isoude-continued) Jests at Tristram as a Cornish knight and is overthrown by him in a joust. ### [Perceval](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xviii-perceval) The seneschal who mocks Perceval and strikes the smiling damsel, later being thrown and injured by Perceval. ### [The Lady of the Fountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ii-the-lady-of-the-fountain) Seneschal who provides mead and meat; requests a story from Kynon. ### [Kynon's Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/kynon-s-adventure) The seneschal who provides mead and meat, then demands a story from Kynon. ### [III: The Lady of the Fountain (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/iii-the-lady-of-the-fountain-continued) Mocks Owain's intentions at Arthur's court, but is rebuked by Guenever. ### [Owain's Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/owain-s-adventure) Mocks Owain's resolve but is rebuked by Queen Guenever. ### [The Lady of the Fountain (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/iv-the-lady-of-the-fountain-continued) First to attempt the adventure at the fountain, but is quickly overthrown by the Black Knight. ### [Gawain's Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/gawain-s-adventure) Kay requests to be the first to throw water on the slab and is quickly overthrown by the knight. ### [XII: Kilwich and Olwen (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xii-kilwich-and-olwen-continued) Tricks and slays the giant Gwernach, later helps rescue Mabon from prison. ### [K](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/k) Arthur's steward and a knight, son of Kyner. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/endnotes) Described as the Seneschal and a comic character in Arthur's court. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/sir_kay - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters