Le Morte d’Arthur · Character

Sir Bedivere

Arthur's loyal knight who remains beside the king to the very end and returns Excalibur to the lake when all other hope has fled.

supporting

Also known as Bedivere, Sir Bedivere ofttimes

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in Le Morte d’Arthur, Sir Bedivere is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Present at Arthur's death, tasked with returning Excalibur to the lake.

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Sir Bedivere is one of Arthur's oldest companions, a steady knight who survives the great battles and witnesses the king's final hours. When Arthur lies wounded, he asks Bedivere to cast Excalibur into the water, but Bedivere hesitates twice, unable to part with the sword's glory. His obedience at last brings the hand from the lake, and he carries the king to the barge that bears him away, embodying the sorrow of a world ending.

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See Sir Bedivere in i

Character Web

23 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Supporting and legendary figures
Central tragic figures
Knights of conflict and loyalty

+18 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Sir Launcel…

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In the story

Sir Bedivere appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Le Morte d'Arthur
Present at Arthur's death, tasked with returning Excalibur to the lake.
How King Arthur Fought and Conquered a Giant
Sir Bedivere is one of the two knights who accompany Arthur and helps rescue him from the giant's grasp.
How King Arthur sent Sir Gawaine and other to Lucius, and how they were assailed and escaped with worship
Part of the ambush party (bushment) that attacks the Romans.
Book XXI
Faithfully casts Excalibur into the lake at Arthur's command.
III
Sent with Sir Lucan and two bishops to negotiate a month-long truce with Sir Mordred.
How by misadventure of an adder the battle began, where Mordred was slain, and Arthur hurt to the death.
The other surviving knight; helps support the wounded Arthur and leads him to a chapel near the seaside.
How King Arthur commanded to cast his sword Excalibur into the water, and how he was delivered to ladies in a barge
Reluctantly obeys Arthur's command to cast Excalibur into the lake, then carries the king to the barge.
How Sir Bedivere Found Him on the Morrow Dead in an Hermitage
Finds Arthur's tomb, swoons, and chooses to remain with the hermit in prayer and fasting.
Of the opinion of some men of the death of King Arthur; and how Queen Guenever made her a nun in Almesbury
Remains with the hermit at Glastonbury, living in prayer, fasting, and great abstinence.
How Sir Launcelot came to the hermitage where the Archbishop of Canterbury was, and how he took the habit on him
Present at the hermitage, tells Launcelot the tale of Arthur's death.
How Sir Ector found Sir Launcelot his brother dead, and how Constantine reigned next after Arthur; and of the end of this book.
Remains as a hermit at the hermitage until his life's end.

Chapter companion notes

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