# Sir Galahad — Le Morte d’Arthur character guide

> Sir Galahad in Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Galahad, the good Galahad

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

The sinless son of Launcelot, destined to sit in the Siege Perilous and achieve what no other knight of the Round Table can.

## In the story

### [Preface of William Caxton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/preface-of-william-caxton)

Appears in the summary of Book Eleven and Book Thirteen concerning the Sangreal quest.

### [How Balin was delivered by Merlin, and saved a knight that would have slain himself for love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvi)

Mentioned as the one who will heal King Pellam in the quest of the Sangreal.

### [The Tomb of Balin and the Prophecy of the Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xix)

Prophesied as the other knight who can handle Balin's sword; achieves the sword on Whitsunday.

### [How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Breunor, and at the last smote off his head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxvi)

Mentioned as the son of Sir Breunor, called the haut prince, who is informed of his father's death.

### [How Sir Galahad fought with Sir Tristram, and how Sir Tristram yielded him and promised to fellowship with Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxvii)

Fights Sir Tristram, spares his life, condemns his father's shameful custom, and vows to abolish it.

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

Born to Launcelot and Elaine, destined for the Grail quest.

### [How Sir Launcelot was displeased when he knew that he had lain by Dame Elaine, and how she was delivered of Galahad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii)

Born to Dame Elaine and Sir Launcelot; named Galahad and prophesied to become the most noble knight.

### [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)

Child of Sir Launcelot and Dame Elaine, prophesied to sit in the Siege Perilous and achieve the Sangreal.

### [How Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides Fought and Accorded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiv)

Arrives at the feast and sits in the Siege Perilous.

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

Arrives at court and takes the Siege Perilous, destined to achieve 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)

Brought by twelve nuns to be knighted by Sir Launcelot; described as surpassingly fair and well-made.

### [The Siege Perilous and the Coming of Galahad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii)

Brought in by the old man; revealed to be of king's lineage and kin to Joseph of Aramathie.

### [How the Old Man Brought Galahad to the Siege Perilous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv)

The young knight who is seated in the Siege Perilous, revealed as the son of Launcelot and destined to achieve the Sangreal.

### [How King Arthur Shewed the Stone Hoving on the Water to Galahad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v)

Draws the sword from the stone, claiming the adventure as his own.

### [The Tournament at Camelot Before the Quest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi)

Excels in the tournament, breaking spears marvellously and defeating many knights.

### [The Quest of the Holy Grail Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii)

Galahad is presented to the queen, who notes his resemblance to Sir Launcelot and declares him to be of the highest lineage.

### [The Departure of the Knights for the Quest of the Holy Grail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii)

Questioned by Queen Guenever about his parentage, he neither confirms nor denies being Launcelot's son, but says it will be known openly in time.

### [How Galahad Gat Him a Shield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix)

Arrives at the White Abbey without a shield and agrees to take the adventurous shield if Bagdemagus fails.

### [How Galahad Departed with the Shield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x)

Receives the white shield and learns its sacred history; he must go alone on his quest.

### [The Shield of Joseph and the Tomb of the Fiend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi)

The good knight destined to bear the shield; he grants knighthood to a squire and is led to a tomb in the abbey.

### [Of the marvel that Sir Galahad saw and heard in the tomb, and how he made Melias knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii)

Lifts the tomb, confronts a fiend, knights Melias, and advises him on chivalry.

### [Of the adventure that Melias had, and how Galahad revenged him, and how Melias was carried into an abbey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii)

Finds and rescues Sir Melias, defeats the knight who wounded him and another assailant, then brings Melias to an abbey for healing.

### [How Sir Galahad Departed, and How He Was Commanded to Go to the Castle of Maidens to Destroy the Wicked Custom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiv)

The holy knight who departs after counseling Melias, hears mass as a custom, and is commanded by a voice to go to the Castle of Maidens.

### [How Sir Galahad Fought with the Knights of the Castle, and Destroyed the Wicked Custom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xv)

The pure knight who defeats the seven wicked brothers and destroys the evil custom of the Castle of Maidens, restoring rightful rule.

### [How Sir Gawaine came to the abbey for to follow Galahad, and how he was shriven to a hermit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvi)

Mentioned as the blessed knight who alone defeated the seven knights and delivered the maidens; his purity is contrasted with Gawaine's sinfulness.

### [How Sir Galahad met with Sir Launcelot and Sir Percivale, and smote them down, and departed from them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvii)

Disguised, defeats Sir Launcelot and Sir Percivale in a joust, then flees when recognized by a recluse.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as the knight Launcelot followed, having undertaken adventures above.

### [How Merlin Likened the Round Table to the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii)

Identified as the knight who sat in the Siege Perilous on Whitsunday and is prophesied to achieve the Sangreal.

### [How Sir Percivale saw many men of arms bearing a dead knight, and how he fought against them.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv)

Arrives in red arms to rescue Sir Percivale, defeats the attackers, and rides off in pursuit.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv)

Revealed as Launcelot's son, begotten on King Pelles' daughter, and the knight who sat in the Siege Perilous.

### [Book XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-xvi)

Arrives at court, sits in the Siege Perilous, and begins the Grail quest.

### [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)

Mentioned as one of the four great knights on the Grail quest, alongside Percivale and Bors.

### [The Hermit's Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as the one next to achieve the Sangreal, being Launcelot's son.

### [Book XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-xvii)

The pure knight who achieves the Holy Grail; he sits in the Siege Perilous, receives the shield of Joseph of Aramathie, and heals King Evelake.

### [How Sir Galahad Fought at a Tournament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i)

The haut prince, known by his white shield with the red cross; he defeats Gawaine and Ector in the tournament and later follows a gentlewoman to a high adventure.

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

Rides with a damosel to the sea, boards the ship with Bors and Percivale, and learns of their adventures.

### [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, examines the sword, and refrains from drawing it due to the warning.

### [Of the Marvels of the Sword and of the Scabbard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv)

Acknowledges the wisdom of the tale, affirming the righteousness of the events.

### [How King Pelles was smitten through both thighs because he drew the sword, and other marvellous histories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v)

The knight to whom the damosel tells the history of King Pelles and the spindles; he is the one who will heal the maimed king.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii)

Galahad takes the Sword with the Strange Girdles and vows to be the gentlewoman's knight.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii)

Leads the three knights into the castle, shows humility and repentance after the battle, and is recognized by Earl Hernox through divine revelation.

### [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)

Holds the dying knight and is told to go to the Maimed King; sees the vision of the hart and lions.

### [The Custom of the Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x)

Leads the defense of the maiden and performs marvels in battle.

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

Warns Percivale's sister about the danger of bleeding; later offers to succor the wounded knight but defers to Bors.

### [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)

Spends the night in prayer with Percivale and discovers the castle of divine vengeance.

### [How Sir Launcelot entered into the ship where Sir Percivale's sister lay dead, and how he met with Sir Galahad, his son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii)

Arrives at the ship, reveals himself as Launcelot's son, and shares adventures with his father.

### [How a knight brought unto Sir Galahad a horse, and bade him come from his father, Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiv)

Departs from his father Launcelot to begin the quest of the Sangreal, riding a white horse into the forest.

### [How Sir Launcelot returned towards Logris, and of other adventures which he saw in the way.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvii)

Launcelot recounts Galahad's adventures and the letter of the dead damosel.

### [How Galahad came to King Mordrains, and of other matters and adventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii)

Arrives at the abbey to see King Mordrains, embraces him, and later performs miracles including stopping a boiling well and extinguishing a flaming tomb.

### [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)

Successfully solders the broken sword, fulfilling the adventure; is welcomed by the sick king.

### [The Holy Grail Appears to Galahad and His Fellows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xx)

Receives the Holy Vessel from Christ and is commanded to take it to Sarras with Sir Percivale and Sir Bors.

### [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)

Heals the Maimed King, leads the company to Sarras, and prays for death.

### [How Galahad Was Made King and Saw the Sangreal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxii)

Chosen as king of the holy city; receives the Sangreal and dies in grace.

### [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)

Dies and is buried; his salutations are delivered to Launcelot and the court.

### [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)

Mentioned as the haut prince, taking part with the opposing kings.

### [How Sir Launcelot Departed to Seek the Queen Guenever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix)

Mentioned by Launcelot as his son, who surpassed all knights in the quest of the Sangreal.

## Links

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