# King Pellinore — Le Morte d’Arthur character guide

> King Pellinore in Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Pellinore, King Pellinore of the Isles

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

A king and knight who pursues the Questing Beast.

## In the story

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxiii)

The knight at the fountain who defeats Arthur in combat and nearly kills him.

### [How Merlin saved Arthur’s life, and threw an enchantment on King Pellinore and made him to sleep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxiv)

Pellinore is put to sleep by Merlin's enchantment; Merlin prophesies he will serve Arthur and father two great knights.

### [How Arthur by the mean of Merlin gat Excalibur his sword of the Lady of the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxv)

Passes by Arthur on the road but does not see him due to Merlin's enchantment.

### [The Battle Against Nero and King Lot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x)

Known as the Knight with the Strange Beast; strikes down King Lot, earning blame for his death, later avenged by Gawaine.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii)

Named as the target of Gawaine's future vengeance for the death of King Lot.

### [How a poor man riding upon a lean mare desired King Arthur to make his son knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii)

Revealed as Tor's biological father, having begotten him before his mother's marriage.

### [How Sir Tor was known for son of King Pellinore, and how Gawaine was made knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv)

Arrives at court, acknowledges Tor as his son, and is assigned a high seat by Merlin.

### [The Wedding of King Arthur and Queen Guenever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v)

Charged with rescuing the lady and dealing with the knight.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned as Sir Tor's father who gave him an old courser for his quest.

### [How King Pellinore rode after the lady and the knight that led her away, and how a lady desired help of him, and how he fought with two knights for that lady, of whom he slew the one at the first stroke.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii)

Pursues the knight and lady, refuses to help a damosel in distress, and slays Sir Hontzlake in combat.

### [How King Pellinore Gat the Lady and Brought Her to Camelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii)

Wins the lady Nimue in a quest, shows chivalry by promising no shame to her, lodges with Sir Meliot, and later rests with the injured lady in a valley.

### [How on the way he heard two knights, as he lay by night in a valley, and of their adventures.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiv)

Overhears the plot, discovers the slain knight and lady, and arranges burial while taking the lady's head to Arthur.

### [The Quest of the White Hart and the Penance of King Pellinore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xv)

Returns to Camelot after his quest, is rebuked by Queen Guenever, and learns from Merlin that the lady he failed to save was his own daughter.

### [How Five Kings Came into This Land to War Against King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii)

Arthur writes to him, praying him to raise men and follow in haste.

### [How the battle was finished or he came, and how King Arthur founded an abbey where the battle was](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv)

Arrives with a great host, salutes Arthur, and advises on choosing new knights for the Round Table.

### [How Sir Tor was made knight of the Round Table, and how Bagdemagus was displeased](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v)

Presents his son Sir Tor and Sir Bagdemagus as candidates for the Round Table, but refrains from praising Tor due to their relation.

### [The Ship of Faith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as the father of Percivale and the damosel.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters/king_pellinore
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters