# Sir Bors de Ganis — Le Morte d’Arthur character guide > Sir Bors de Ganis in Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Bors, Sir Bors **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Snapshot A Round Table knight of unshakable virtue, cousin to Launcelot, whose purity fits him for the quest of the Sangreal. ## Who they are Bors is a knight of the house of Ganis, cousin to Launcelot and brother to Lionel, known for a chastity and steadfastness rare even among Arthur's fellowship. He is tested by hard choices, and his refusal to break faith even at the cost of kin marks him as one of the three who achieve the Grail. His loyalty to Launcelot binds him to the family that will divide the court, and his virtue stands as the measure against which the Round Table's decline is read. ## In the story ### [Preface of William Caxton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/preface-of-william-caxton) Listed in the summary of Book Sixteen alongside his brother Sir Lionel. ### [How King Arthur sent Sir Gawaine and other to Lucius, and how they were assailed and escaped with worship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi) Accompanies Gawaine on the mission, kills Caliburn of Pavie, is captured but rescued by Gawaine. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii) Appointed to await on Arthur's person during the battle. ### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-vi) Mentioned as a companion of Launcelot during some adventures. ### [How a damosel sought help to help Sir Launcelot against thirty knights, and how Sir Tristram fought with them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxiii) Initially refuses to joust with Tristram due to his Cornish shield, later witnesses and praises his valor. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xliii) Listed by Sir Tristram among the four better knights of Sir Ector's blood. ### [How Sir Bors came to Dame Elaine and saw Galahad, and how he was fed with the Sangreal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv) Nephew of Sir Launcelot, defeats Sir Bromel in joust and battle, learns of Launcelot's imprisonment, sees Galahad and the Sangreal, and undergoes a test of his knighthood in the castle. ### [How Sir Bors Made Sir Pedivere to Yield Him, and of Marvellous Adventures That He Had, and How He Achieved Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v) Overcomes Sir Pedivere and experiences supernatural visions in a chamber. ### [How Sir Bors Departed; and How Sir Launcelot Was Rebuked of Queen Guenever, and of His Excuse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi) Departs from King Pelles and reports to Sir Launcelot the holy adventures he witnessed at Corbin. ### [How Dame Elaine was commanded by Queen Guenever to avoid the court, and how Sir Launcelot became mad.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) Learns of Launcelot's fate, rebukes Guenever, and laments the loss of their kin's leader. ### [The Quest for Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Leads the initial search for Launcelot, revives the queen, and later sends word to Arthur's court. ### [Book XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-xii) Appears as a fellow knight and companion to Launcelot. ### [How Sir Bors and Sir Lionel came to King Brandegore, and how Sir Bors took his son Helin le Blank, and of Sir Launcelot.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) Claims his son Helin le Blank from King Brandegore and brings him to King Arthur's court. ### [Book XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-xiii) Among the knights who vow to seek the Grail. ### [How at the Vigil of Pentecost a Damosel Came for Sir Launcelot to Dub a Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) Found resting at the abbey with Sir Lionel, surprised to see Launcelot and glad of his arrival. ### [The Siege Perilous and the Sword in the Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Returns to Camelot with Launcelot and Lionel, welcomed by the court. ### [How the Old Man Brought Galahad to the Siege Perilous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv) Tells his fellows that Galahad shall come unto great worship. ### [Book XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-xiv) Present as a fellow knight of the Round Table, involved in the quest. ### [Book XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-xvi) Joins Galahad on the Grail quest. ### [How Sir Bors met with an hermit, and how he was confessed to him, and of his penance enjoined to him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi) Departs Camelot on the quest for the Sangreal, confesses to a hermit, and accepts penance. ### [How Sir Bors was lodged with a lady, and how he took upon him for to fight against a champion for her land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii) Maintains his penance by refusing rich food and a bed; agrees to champion the lady against Pridam le Noire. ### [Of an advision which Sir Bors had that night, and how he fought and overcame his adversary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii) Protagonist of the chapter; receives a vision, then fights and defeats Sir Pridam. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) Restores a lady to her lands, then faces a moral dilemma between rescuing his brother Lionel or a maiden in distress. ### [How Sir Bors Left to Rescue His Brother, and Rescued the Damosel; and How It Was Told Him That Lionel Was Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Rescues a maiden from a knight and later mourns what he believes is his brother Lionel's death. ### [How Sir Bors told his dream to a priest, which he had dreamed, and of the counsel that the priest gave to him.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi) Tells his dream to a priest and is tempted by a lady in a tower. ### [How the devil in a woman’s likeness would have had Sir Bors to have lain by her, and how by God’s grace he escaped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii) Resists the temptation of a devil in woman's likeness, remaining chaste and faithful to his quest. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii) Receives counsel from the Abbot and is commended as a true knight and servant of Jesu Christ. ### [How Sir Bors met with his brother Sir Lionel, and how Sir Lionel would have slain Sir Bors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiv) Arrives at the hermitage seeking his brother; is accused of betrayal and attacked by Lionel; pleads for mercy and is nearly slain. ### [How Sir Colgrevance fought against Sir Lionel for to save Sir Bors, and how the hermit was slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xv) Weakened and nearly slain by his brother Lionel; rises to intervene. ### [How Sir Lionel slew Sir Colgrevance, and how after he would have slain Sir Bors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvi) Sir Bors is the target of his brother Sir Lionel's wrath. He pleads for peace and weeps at the prospect of fighting his own brother, showing humility and fear of sin. ### [How a Voice Charged Sir Bors to Touch Him Not, and of a Cloud That Came Between Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvii) Obeyed the divine voice and refrained from fighting his brother; journeyed to the sea and joined Percivale on the ship. ### [Book XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-xvii) A worthy knight who resists temptation and is granted visions of the Grail's mysteries. ### [The Ship of Faith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Already aboard the ship with Percivale, welcomes Galahad and shares their hard adventures and temptations. ### [How Sir Galahad entered into the ship, and of a fair bed therein, with other marvellous things, and of a sword.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Enters the ship and fails to grip the sword. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii) Bors expresses gratitude to Percivale's sister for making the girdle. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii) One of the three knights; he mounts a horse taken from a fallen foe and participates in the slaughter, later reflecting on God's judgment. ### [How the three knights, with Percivale's sister, came unto the same forest, and of an hart and four lions, and other things.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) One of the three knights who sees the vision and hears the hermit's explanation. ### [The Custom of the Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Joins Galahad and Percivale in fighting the castle knights. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi) Rides to rescue the wounded knight after Galahad grants him the task. ### [How Galahad and Percivale Found in a Castle Many Tombs of Maidens That Had Bled to Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as the one for whom Galahad and Percivale pray. ### [How Sir Percivale and Sir Bors met with Sir Galahad, and how they came to the castle of Carbonek, and other matters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xix) Meets Percivale and Galahad in the forest; attempts to solder the broken sword but fails; later receives the restored sword. ### [The Holy Grail Appears to Galahad and His Fellows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xx) Selected as one of the three knights to bear the Holy Vessel to Sarras. ### [How Galahad anointed with the blood of the spear the Maimed King, and of other adventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxi) Travels with Galahad and Percivale to Sarras. ### [How Galahad Was Made King and Saw the Sangreal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxii) One of the three knights imprisoned; present at Galahad's death and the final vision. ### [Of the sorrow that Percivale and Bors made when Galahad was dead: and of Percivale how he died, and other matters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxiii) Mourns Galahad, stays with Percivale, buries him, returns to Logris, and recounts the Sangreal adventures. ### [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 as one of the knights who returned from the quest and is welcomed by the king and queen. ### [How the Queen Commanded Sir Launcelot to Avoid the Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Advises Launcelot to stay in the realm and wait at the hermitage for better tidings. ### [How Sir Mador Appeached the Queen of Treason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv) Urged by the king to fight for the queen for Launcelot's sake. ### [The Queen's Champion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v) Agrees to be the queen's champion for the love of Sir Launcelot and King Arthur, despite displeasing many knights. ### [How at the day Sir Bors made him ready for to fight for the queen; and when he would fight how another discharged him.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi) Prepares to fight for Queen Guenever but is discharged by a mysterious knight who claims the battle. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii) Recognizes Launcelot during the battle. ### [How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine entered in the field against them of King Arthur’s court, and how Launcelot was hurt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi) Attacks Launcelot with his kin, wounds him through the shield into the side, but is later spared by Launcelot. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xv) Heavy with sorrow upon hearing of Launcelot's hurt; defends Launcelot's honor before the queen and resolves to seek him. ### [How Sir Bors sought Launcelot and found him in the hermitage, and of the lamentation between them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvi) Seeks out and finds Launcelot at the hermitage, expresses remorse for wounding him, and relays news of the queen's wrath. ### [How Sir Launcelot Armed Him to Assay If He Might Bear Arms, and How His Wounds Brast Out Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvii) Informs Launcelot of the upcoming tournament; assists in his care and is rebuked by Elaine. ### [How Sir Bors returned and told tidings of Sir Launcelot; and of the tourney, and to whom the prize was given](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii) Returns to court, reports Launcelot's condition, defends him to the queen, participates in the tournament and shares the prize with Gawaine. ### [Of great jousts done all a Christmas, and of a great jousts and tourney ordained by King Arthur, and of Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxi) Told by Launcelot of his departure to the hermitage. ### [How Sir Launcelot behaved him at the jousts, and other men also](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxiii) Warns the knights of Launcelot's blood about Launcelot's arrival; advises Sir Gareth against joining Launcelot without disguise. ### [How King Arthur marvelled much of the jousting in the field, and how he rode and found Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxiv) Mentioned as being on the right hand of the field with his fellowship, doing worshipfully. ### [How Sir Agravaine Disclosed Their Love to King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Warns Launcelot of possible treachery but fails to dissuade him. ### [How Sir Launcelot was espied in the queen’s chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as Launcelot's nephew who will rescue the queen if Launcelot is slain. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v) Leads the gathering of Launcelot's kin and allies, offering support and counsel. ### [Of the counsel and advice that was taken by Sir Launcelot and his friends for to save the queen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi) Advises Launcelot to rescue the queen and suggests hiding her at Joyous Gard, citing Tristram's example. ### [Of the communication between King Arthur and Sir Launcelot, and how King Arthur reproved him.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi) Launcelot says he would as willingly have slain his own nephew Bors as Gareth, to show the accident. ### [How the cousins and kinsmen of Sir Launcelot excited him to go out to battle, and how they made them ready.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii) Calls together the kinsmen and urges Launcelot to fight; leads the third gate in the battle array. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii) Knocks King Arthur down, intends to slay him but is stopped by Launcelot; later wounded by Gawaine. ### [How Sir Launcelot Passed Over the Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii) Crowned king of all King Claudas' lands by Launcelot. ### [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) Urges Launcelot to resist the invasion, calling it shameful to allow the destruction. ### [The Siege of Benwick: Sir Gawaine's Challenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xx) Challenged by Sir Gawaine and smitten down from his horse, then rescued and borne into the town. ### [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) Advises Launcelot to avenge Sir Gawaine and Arthur. ### [How Sir Launcelot Departed to Seek the Queen Guenever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) Advises Launcelot against riding in the realm, warning he will find few friends. ### [How Sir Launcelot came to the hermitage where the Archbishop of Canterbury was, and how he took the habit on him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Leads the search for Launcelot, finds him at the chapel, and takes the same religious habit. ### [How Sir Launcelot Began to Sicken, and After Died, Whose Body Was Borne to Joyous Gard for to Be Buried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii) Attends Launcelot in his final days and helps transport his body to Joyous Gard. ### [How Sir Ector found Sir Launcelot his brother dead, and how Constantine reigned next after Arthur; and of the end of this book.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii) Informs Sir Ector of Launcelot's death and later departs for the Holy Land. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters/sir_bors - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters