# Sir Mordred — Le Morte d’Arthur character guide > Sir Mordred in Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mordred, brother Sir Mordred **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Snapshot Arthur's son by his own sister, who forges letters of his father's death and has himself crowned king in order to marry the queen. ## Who they are Mordred is the son Arthur begot unwittingly on his sister Morgawse, raised at court as a knight of the Round Table while the king's own blood works against him. When Arthur is abroad, he forges tidings of the king's death, calls a parliament, is crowned at Canterbury, and lays siege to Guenever in the Tower when she will not wed him. The Bishop of Canterbury curses him with book, bell, and candle, and Mordred threatens to strike off his head. His presumption turns the realm's long peace into the war that will undo it. ## In the story ### [Le Morte d'Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/le-morte-d-arthur) Usurps the throne and seizes Queen Guenever, leading to the final battle. ### [How King Arthur Rode to Carlion, and of His Dream, and How He Saw the Questing Beast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xix) Begotten by Arthur upon King Lot's wife, who is Arthur's half-sister. ### [How all the children were sent for that were born on May-day, and how Mordred was saved](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxvii) The child of King Lot's wife, sent to the sea but saved when the ship wrecks; later found and raised by a good man. ### [How Sir Launcelot was received of King Bagdemagus' daughter, and how he made his complaint to her father.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as one of King Arthur's knights fighting for the King of Northgalis against King Bagdemagus. ### [How Sir Launcelot behaved him in a tournament, and how he met with Sir Turquine leading Sir Gaheris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii) Jousts with Sir Launcelot and is thrown from his horse, suffering a severe fall. ### [How Sir Launcelot came to King Arthur’s Court, and how there were recounted all his noble feats and acts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii) Also present at the tournament and bears record of Launcelot's great feats. ### [How La Cote Male Taile Overthrew Sir Dagonet and Proved His Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Fell in fellowship with the damosel Maledisant and was smitten down by a knight of Castle Orgulous. ### [How La Cote Male Taile fought against an hundred knights, and how he escaped by the mean of a lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv) Travels with the damosel Maledisant and defends La Cote Male Taile against her rebukes, comparing his growth to that of Sir Launcelot. ### [How Sir Launcelot came to the court and heard of La Cote Male Taile, and how he followed after him, and how La Cote Male Taile was prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v) Briefly in the fellowship with La Cote Male Taile and the damosel, but leaves when Sir Launcelot arrives. ### [How King Mark mocked Sir Dinadan, and how they met with six knights of the Round Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi) Among the six knights of the Round Table met by Dinadan and King Mark. ### [How the six knights sent Sir Dagonet to joust with King Mark, and how King Mark refused him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii) Provides his shield and harness for Sir Dagonet's disguise, claiming he is hurt. ### [How Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred met with a knight fleeing, and how they both were overthrown, and of Sir Dinadan.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxv) Overthrown by Breuse Saunce Pité and later by Sir Dinadan; shares his brother's hatred for Dinadan. ### [How Alisander met with Alice la Beale Pilgrim, and how he jousted with two knights; and after of him and of Sir Mordred.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxix) The false knight who attempts to shame Alisander by leading his horse away while Alisander is distracted by love; escapes into the forest. ### [Of the Fifth Day, and How Sir Lamorak Behaved Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xlvi) One of the three brethren of Gawaine smitten down by Palomides. ### [Of the preparation of Sir Palomides and the two brethren that should fight with him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/lxiii) Named among the four knights who slew Sir Lamorak. ### [How Sir Percivale Departed Secretly from His Brother, and How He Loosed a Knight Bound with a Chain, and of Other Doings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned in Percivale's message; Percivale vows to surpass his mockery and scorn. ### [How Sir Percivale met with Sir Ector, and how they fought long, and each had almost slain other](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii) Along with Sir Kay, receives a greeting from Sir Percivale via Sir Persides. ### [Book XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-xviii) Plots with Agravaine to expose Launcelot and Guenever, setting the stage for the realm's downfall. ### [Of the joy King Arthur and the queen had of the achievement of the Sangreal; and how Launcelot fell to his old love again.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) Mentioned by Launcelot as one who watches the queen and him, posing a threat. ### [The Tourney at Winchester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Listed among the fifteen knights of the Round Table who join the battle. ### [How Sir Launcelot behaved him at the jousts, and other men also](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxiii) Smitten down by Sir Launcelot during the jousts. ### [How King Arthur Handled Sir Urre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi) Attempts to heal Sir Urre along with Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris. ### [Book XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-xx) Plots with Sir Agravaine to expose Launcelot and Guenever, leading to the accusation and subsequent conflict. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) Joins Agravaine in the conspiracy to expose Launcelot and the queen. ### [How Sir Agravaine Disclosed Their Love to King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Joins Agravaine in exposing the affair and planning the ambush. ### [How Sir Launcelot was espied in the queen’s chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) One of the accusers, leads the armed party with Sir Agravaine to trap Launcelot. ### [How Sir Launcelot slew Sir Colgrevance, and armed him in his harness, and after slew Sir Agravaine, and twelve of his fellows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv) Accuses Launcelot of treason, is wounded, and flees. ### [How Sir Mordred rode hastily to the king, to tell him of the affray and death of Sir Agravaine and the other knights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii) Escapes wounded from Launcelot and reports the affray to King Arthur, spurring the king's judgment against the queen. ### [Of the sorrow and lamentation of King Arthur for the death of his nephews and other good knights, and also for the queen, his wife.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) Blamed by Arthur along with Agravaine for the evil will that caused the sorrow. ### [Of the deliverance of the queen to the king by Sir Launcelot, and what language Sir Gawaine had to Sir Launcelot.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned as one who called Launcelot traitor and recreant knight. ### [How Sir Launcelot Passed Over the Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii) Mentioned by Launcelot as a source of future trouble due to his envy and inclination to cause strife. ### [How King Arthur and Sir Gawaine made a great host ready to go over sea to make war on Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xix) Appointed chief ruler of England and given governance of Queen Guenever during Arthur's absence. ### [Book XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-xxi) Usurps the throne and seizes Queen Guenever, leading to the final conflict. ### [How Sir Mordred presumed and took on him to be King of England, and would have married the queen, his father’s wife.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) Usurps the throne, spreads false news of Arthur's death, and attempts to marry Queen Guenever. ### [How after that King Arthur had tidings, he returned and came to Dover, where Sir Mordred met him to let his landing; and of the death of Sir Gawaine.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Usurps the throne, attempts to wed Queen Guenever, and fights against Arthur at Dover before being put to flight. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Wars against King Arthur; agrees to a treaty for Cornwall and Kent during Arthur's days and all England after. ### [How by misadventure of an adder the battle began, where Mordred was slain, and Arthur hurt to the death.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv) Arranges a truce with Arthur but warns his host to attack at any sign of a drawn sword; is slain by Arthur after receiving a death wound. ### [Of the opinion of some men of the death of King Arthur; and how Queen Guenever made her a nun in Almesbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned among the slain knights after the battle. ### [How Sir Lancelot Heard of the Death of King Arthur and of Sir Gawaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii) Usurps the throne and besieges the Tower of London. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters/mordred - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters