# Modred — Idylls of the King character guide

> Modred in Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** young Modred, Sir Modred

**First appearance:** 0002-the-coming-of-arthur

## Snapshot

Arthur's nephew, a subtle beast couchant with his eyes on the throne, waiting for the court to crack.

## Who they are

Modred moves through the later idylls as a silent disparager, chilling the people's praise of Arthur and tampering with the Lords of the White Horse to splinter the Table Round into feuds. His hate for Lancelot sharpens every scheme, and he climbs garden walls in green to spy out the scandal he can use. He is the slow poison in the kingdom's blood, the traitor whose patience makes the final ruin possible.

## In the story

### [Pelleas and Ettarre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/chapters/pelleas-and-ettarre)

Observes the tension between Lancelot and Guinevere, thinking 'The time is hard at hand.'

### [The Last Tournament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/chapters/the-last-tournament)

Modred is glimpsed by Lancelot through a cracked helmet, his narrow face like a vermin in its hole.

### [Guinevere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/chapters/guinevere)

Spied on the Queen and Lancelot, orchestrated their exposure, and later usurped the realm while Arthur was away.

### [The Passing of Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/chapters/the-passing-of-arthur)

Mentioned as leading the rebel forces against Arthur in the final battle at Lyonnesse.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/modred
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters