# Sir Ector de Maris — Le Morte d’Arthur character guide > Sir Ector de Maris in Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Ector, Ector de Maris, noble Ector **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Snapshot Launcelot's loyal brother and a steadfast knight of the Round Table who stands by his kin through the fractures that will divide the fellowship. ## Who they are Sir Ector de Maris is the brother of the great Launcelot, and though he never matches his sibling's fame, he serves Arthur faithfully and loves Launcelot without envy. When the queen's affair is exposed and the court splits, Ector must choose between his blood and his king, a tension that mirrors the wider collapse of the Round Table. His quiet loyalty makes him a witness to the tragedy of Camelot's fall. ## In the story ### [Of the Birth of King Arthur and of His Nurture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Sir Ector is chosen by Merlin and Uther to foster Arthur; he agrees to nourish the child and has his own son nursed elsewhere. ### [How Arthur was chosen king, and of wonders and marvels of a sword taken out of a stone by the said Arthur.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v) Sir Ector, father of Sir Kay and foster father of Arthur, discovers the truth and acknowledges Arthur as the rightful king. ### [How King Arthur Pulled Out the Sword Divers Times](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi) Reveals to Arthur that he is not his biological father and asks Arthur to make Kay seneschal. ### [How the eleven kings with their host fought against Arthur and his host, and many great feats of the war](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiv) Enters the battle with an eager countenance, finds Ulfius and Brastias in peril, later is unhorsed by the King with the Hundred Knights. ### [How King Pellinore Took Arthur's Horse and Followed the Questing Beast, and How Merlin Met with Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xx) Sir Ector is questioned by Arthur about his parentage and confirms Uther Pendragon as his father. ### [How Ulfius impeached Queen Igraine, Arthur’s mother, of treason; and how a knight came and desired to have the death of his master revenged.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxi) Bears witness that he nourished Arthur by Uther's commandment. ### [How Sir Ector followed for to seek Sir Launcelot, and how he was taken by Sir Turquine.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Sets out to seek his brother Sir Launcelot, is captured by Sir Turquine and thrown into the dungeon. ### [How Sir Turquine was slain, and how Sir Launcelot bade Sir Gaheris deliver all the prisoners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) Launcelot's brother, freed from prison, rides to find Launcelot ### [How Sir Launcelot jousted against four knights of the Round Table and overthrew them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii) Second to joust against Launcelot, wounded through shield and shoulder. ### [How King Mark sent Sir Tristram for La Beale Isoud toward Ireland, and how by fortune he arrived into England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xix) One of King Arthur's knights who challenges Tristram to joust and is defeated, then shamed into removing his armor. ### [How King Arthur was brought into the Forest Perilous, and how Sir Tristram saved his life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvi) Encountered by King Arthur and Sir Tristram; jousts with Tristram and is unhorsed. ### [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) Jousts with Sir Dinadan and knocks him down; later observes Tristram's battle. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xliii) Mentioned as having lodged with the host the previous night, accompanied by a damosel. ### [How Sir Tristram at a tournament bare the shield that Morgan le Fay delivered to him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xliv) Receives the queen's complaint about the shield. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xli) Unhorsed by his own brother Sir Launcelot during the tournament. ### [Of the sixth day, and what then was done](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xlviii) On foot waiting on the Duke Chaleins during the combat. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/liii) One of the three Round Table knights who initially aid Breuse; jousts with and is thrown by Sir Bleoberis; later recognizes Bleoberis as his cousin. ### [Of Sir Palomides, and how he met with Sir Bleoberis and with Sir Ector, and of Sir Pervivale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/liv) Intervenes in the confrontation, taunting Palomides to seek Launcelot or Tristram. ### [How Sir Launcelot said to Sir Palomides, and how the prize of that day was given unto Sir Palomides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/lxxi) Attempts to avenge his brother Sir Launcelot by jousting against Sir Palomides, but is unhorsed by Sir Tristram. ### [How Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides did the next day, and how King Arthur was unhorsed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/lxxix) Breaks his spear on Palomides, pulls him down, and provides horses to Launcelot. ### [How Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector Reported to Queen Guenever of the Beauty of La Beale Isoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/lxxxi) Returns with Sir Bleoberis and gives report to Queen Guenever. ### [How Sir Palomides brought Sir Epinogris his lady; and how Sir Palomides and Sir Safere were assailed.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/lxxxiii) His shield is borne by Safere in the battle against Sir Helior. ### [How Sir Tristram and Launcelot, with Palomides, came to joyous Gard; and of Palomides and Sir Tristram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/lxxxvi) Rides with Launcelot upon his departure from Joyous Gard. ### [The Quest for Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Joins Sir Bors and Sir Lionel in the quest for Launcelot. ### [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) Fights Sir Percivale to near death; reveals his identity as brother to Sir Launcelot and asks Percivale to fetch a priest. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiv) Healed alongside Percivale; identifies the holy vessel and recounts his long quest for his brother Sir Launcelot. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) Mentioned at the opening as one we leave off speaking of. ### [Of a great tourneying in the Joyous Isle, and how Sir Pervivale and Sir Ector came thither, and Sir Percivale fought with him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii) Accompanies Sir Percivale to Joyous Isle and waits on the far side of the water while Percivale goes to joust. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii) Abides on the other side of the water; comes to Launcelot; kneels and weeps with his brother. ### [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) Convinces Sir Launcelot to return to court, mentioning the queen's sorrow and expense in seeking him. ### [The Return of Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Accompanies Launcelot to Camelot and helps tell the tale of his deeds. ### [How Sir Gawaine was nigh weary of the quest of the Sangreal, and of his marvellous dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) Meets Sir Gawaine, shares his frustration about the lack of adventures, and accompanies him to the old chapel. ### [Of the advision of Sir Ector, and how he jousted with Sir Uwaine les Avoutres, his sworn brother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Ector de Maris shares his vision of Launcelot's humiliation and expresses his determination to find his brother. ### [How Sir Gawaine and Sir Ector came to an hermitage to be confessed, and how they told to the hermit their advisions.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Assists in burying Sir Uwaine and accompanies Sir Gawaine to the hermitage to confess and share his vision. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv) One of the knights to whom Nacien speaks about the vision. ### [The Hermit's Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v) Accompanies Gawaine and waits for him beneath the hill. ### [How Sir Galahad Fought at a Tournament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) Fights alongside Gawaine but withdraws out of natural love for Galahad, his uncle; stays to tend Gawaine until he is whole. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvi) Arrives at the castle seeking entry but is denied because he is not a knight of the quest; reveals himself as Launcelot's brother. ### [How the Queen Commanded Sir Launcelot to Avoid the Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Present when Launcelot announces his banishment and seeks counsel. ### [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) Joins Bors and Lionel in attacking Launcelot, but is spared when Launcelot sees his face. ### [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) Joins with Bors and Lionel in urging Launcelot to fight. ### [How Sir Launcelot Passed Over the Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii) Crowned King of Benwick and all Guienne, and made prince of them all by Launcelot. ### [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) Among Launcelot's kin who ride across England to seek him. ### [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) Arrives at Joyous Gard after seven years of searching for his brother Launcelot. ### [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) Finds his brother Sir Launcelot dead and delivers a heartfelt lament. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters/sir_ector - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters