# Sir Launfal — Lais character guide

> Sir Launfal in Lais by Marie de France.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Launfal

**First appearance:** 0007-the-lay-of-sir-launfal

## Snapshot

A prince of the Round Table whose secret fairy mistress becomes both his greatest joy and the trap the queen uses against him.

## Who they are

Launfal is a knight of proud lineage whose wealth has dwindled until he withdraws from court rather than appear poor among his peers. A fairy lady of surpassing beauty takes him as her lover on the condition that he never reveal her, and her gifts restore his standing. When Guinevere propositions him and he refuses her, her wounded pride turns his secret into a weapon aimed at his life.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

King Arthur is Sir Launfal's liege lord, but their relationship is strained by Arthur's queen and court politics.

### [Isoude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters/isoude)

_romantic_

Isoude and Sir Launfal share a passionate, secret romantic affair that defies courtly conventions.

### [The Dolorous Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters/the_dolorous_knight)

_rivalry_

Sir Launfal and the Dolorous Knight are antagonists, likely clashing over honor or Isoude's affections.

### [Gawain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters/gawain)

_friendship_

Gawain and Sir Launfal are fellow knights and close friends, supporting each other in court and combat.

### [Isoude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters/isoude)

_romantic_

Isoude and Sir Launfal share a passionate, secret romantic affair that defies courtly conventions.

### [Gawain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters/gawain)

_friendship_

Gawain and Sir Launfal are fellow knights and close friends, supporting each other in court and combat.

### [Isoude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters/isoude)

_romantic_

Isoude and Sir Launfal share a passionate, secret romantic affair that defies courtly conventions.

## In the story

### [Lais](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/chapters/lais)

A knight who meets a fairy mistress, loses her through boasting, and is ultimately vindicated.

### [The Lay of Sir Launfal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/chapters/the-lay-of-sir-launfal)

The protagonist, a knight of high birth but fallen into poverty and disfavor at Arthur's court. He is saved by his fairy mistress and ultimately acquitted.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters/sir_launfal
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters