# Sir Owain — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide

> Sir Owain in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Owain

**First appearance:** 0002-bulfinch-s-mythology

## Snapshot

Knight of Arthur's court who lost himself in the wilderness and was restored by a lady's balsam and a lion's gratitude.

## Who they are

Owain's story turns on a broken promise: he wins the Lady of the Fountain, then lets his vow to return lapse while he seeks adventure, and her messenger publicly brands him a deceiver. He wanders half-mad among wild beasts until a charitable lady's ointment brings him back to himself. His later rescue of a lion from a serpent, and the lion's devotion, mark the beginning of his slow recovery of honor.

## Relationships

### [King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/king_arthur)

_professional_

King Arthur and Sir Owain are liege and knight, with Owain being a loyal member of the Round Table.

### [King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/king_arthur)

_professional_

King Arthur and Sir Owain are liege and knight, with Owain being a loyal member of the Round Table.

### [King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/king_arthur)

_professional_

King Arthur and Sir Owain are liege and knight, with Owain being a loyal member of the Round Table.

## In the story

### [Perceval](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xviii-perceval)

The knight who first explains arms and armor to Perceval in the forest, and later helps him don the defeated knight's armor.

### [The Lady of the Fountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ii-the-lady-of-the-fountain)

Present in Arthur's chamber; asks Kynon to tell his tale to Kay.

### [Kynon's Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/kynon-s-adventure)

Present in Arthur's chamber and prompts Kynon to tell his tale to Kay.

### [III: The Lady of the Fountain (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/iii-the-lady-of-the-fountain-continued)

The protagonist who undertakes the quest to the fountain, defeats the black knight, and later marries the countess.

### [Owain's Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/owain-s-adventure)

The protagonist who undertakes the quest to find and defeat the knight guarding the fountain.

### [The Lady of the Fountain (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/iv-the-lady-of-the-fountain-continued)

The lost knight; rescues Luned with the lion's help, is healed by a lady, and later returns to Arthur's court with the Countess.

### [Gawain's Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/gawain-s-adventure)

Owain has been missing for three years, is the mysterious knight who fights Gawain, and is revealed to be Arthur's nephew.

### [The Adventure of the Lion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-adventure-of-the-lion)

The protagonist who falls into despair after being reminded of his betrayal, later revives, rescues a lion, and saves Luned.

### [O](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/o)

Knight at King Arthur's court.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/sir_owain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters