# Sir Kay — Le Morte d’Arthur character guide > Sir Kay in Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Kay, Sir Kay seneschal, Sir Kay le Seneschal **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Snapshot Arthur's foster-brother and seneschal, whose sharp tongue and quick temper mask a loyalty that has followed the king since boyhood. ## Who they are Raised alongside Arthur and later entrusted with the running of his household, Kay serves as seneschal of the Round Table, managing the practical affairs that keep the court functioning. His biting sarcasm and readiness to quarrel often put him at odds with visiting knights, yet his bond to Arthur is older and deeper than any grudge. He represents the unglamorous machinery of kingship, the foster-brother who knew Arthur before the sword and the crown. ## In the story ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-i) Son of Sir Ector, Arthur's foster brother, becomes seneschal, initially claims the sword from the stone but admits Arthur drew it. ### [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 Kay loses his sword and sends Arthur to fetch it; he initially claims the sword from the stone as his own. ### [How King Arthur Pulled Out the Sword Divers Times](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi) Attempts to pull the sword but fails; is appointed seneschal by Arthur. ### [How King Arthur was crowned, and how he made officers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii) Made seneschal of England by King Arthur. ### [Of the first war that King Arthur had, and how he won the field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) Fights alongside Arthur, slaying enemies on the right and left. ### [King Arthur Seeks Alliance with Kings Ban and Bors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Serves as seneschal at the great feast for the three kings. ### [Of a great tourney made by King Arthur and the two kings Ban and Bors, and how they went over the sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi) Performs marvelously in the tourney, winning the prize. ### [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) Fights valiantly, unhorses King Nentres and gives his horse to Griflet, later is struck down by the King with the Hundred Knights but is remounted. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xv) Sir Kay helps hold the six kings hard with Lucas and Griflet. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvii) Listed among the forty noble knights who dressed to break the battle. ### [The Battle Against Nero and King Lot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Performs passingly well in the battle, earning lasting worship. ### [How the Knights of the Round Table were ordained and their sieges blessed by the Bishop of Canterbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Not directly mentioned in the excerpt, but as the seneschal he would be present at court; omitted due to lack of evidence. ### [How King Arthur had ado with them and overthrew them, and slew the five kings and made the remnant to flee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Urges action, slays two of the five kings, and is honored by Arthur and praised by Guenever. ### [How the battle was finished or he came, and how King Arthur founded an abbey where the battle was](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv) Recommended by Pellinore and praised by Arthur for slaying two kings in the battle. ### [How King Arthur Fought and Conquered a Giant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v) Sir Kay accompanies Arthur on the pilgrimage and later beheads the giant on Arthur's command. ### [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) Appears in a minor role, often as a foil to Launcelot's prowess. ### [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) Among the prisoners freed; vows to find Launcelot ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi) Chased by three knights and rescued by Sir Launcelot; Sir Launcelot takes his armor and shield. ### [How Sir Launcelot rode disguised in Sir Kay's harness, and how he smote down a knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as the knight whose harness Launcelot wears; the brothers mistake Launcelot for Kay. ### [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) Tells how Launcelot rescued him and made knights yield to Kay instead; he forsook the three knights who yielded to him. ### [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-vii) Scorns Beaumains and assigns him to work in the kitchen, mocking his request to be a knight. ### [How Beaumains came to King Arthur's Court and demanded three petitions of King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) Scorns the young man, gives him the name Beaumains, and assigns him to the kitchen. ### [How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine were wroth because Sir Kay mocked Beaumains, and of a damosel which desired a knight to fight for a lady.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Mocks Beaumains, calling him a kitchen boy and comparing him unfavorably to La Cote Male Taile, and assigns him to menial work. ### [How Beaumains Departed and Jousted with Sir Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv) Rides after Beaumains but is wounded and unhorsed. ### [How Beaumains told to Sir Launcelot his name, and how he was dubbed knight of Sir Launcelot, and after overtook the damosel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v) Wounded and scorned by all after his encounter with Beaumains; had named him 'Beaumains'. ### [The Red Knight Overcome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Mentioned as the one who named Beaumains. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiv) Mentioned as the knight who scornfully named Beaumains and was overthrown by him. ### [How the Queen of Orkney came to the feast and rebuked King Arthur and Sir Gawaine for their treatment of Sir Gareth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxv) Mentioned by the Queen of Orkney as the one who mocked and scorned Sir Gareth, giving him the name Beaumains. ### [How Sir Tristram was put to the keeping of La Beale Isoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) Defeated by Sir Palomides on the first day of the tournament. ### [How a Young Man Came into the Court of King Arthur and Was Named La Cote Male Taile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) The Seneschal who mockingly names the young man 'La Cote Male Taile' (the evil-shapen coat). ### [How a damosel came into the court and desired a knight to take on him an enquest, which La Cote Male Taile emprised](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Sir Kay takes the shield briefly but is told by the damosel that he is not worthy of the quest. ### [How La Cote Male Taile Overthrew Sir Dagonet and Proved His Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Ordains Sir Dagonet to follow and joust with La Cote Male Taile. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) Arrives with Sir Brandiles and fellowships with the company. ### [How Sir Kay met with Sir Tristram, and after of the shame spoken of the knights of Cornwall, and how they jousted.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xv) Insults Cornish knights, is rebuked by Tristram, jousted down by Sir Tor, and later praises Tristram's prowess. ### [How Sir Tristram jousted with Sir Kay and Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and how Sir Gawaine turned Sir Tristram from Morgan le Fay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxv) Challenges Tristram to joust but is defeated and smitten down. ### [How Sir Tristram and Sir Gawaine rode to have foughten with the thirty knights, but they durst not come out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxvi) Met by Sir Gawaine and Sir Tristram while riding with Sir Sagramore. ### [How Sir Tristram returned against King Arthur's party because he saw Sir Palomides on that party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxi) Governor of a fellowship of forty knights; is smitten down by Tristram. ### [How King Mark was sorry for the good renown of Sir Tristram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxviii) Sir Kay finds the wounded Sir Uwaine and condemns the treachery of the Cornish knights. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxix) Falls in the joust with King Mark, later fights Sir Andred and is restrained from killing him. ### [How Sir Tristram Sought a Strong Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Met by Tristram in a meadow; wounded by the strong knight after a dispute over Queen Guenever. ### [How Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram to the court, and of the great joy that the king and other made for the coming of Sir Tristram.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi) Confirms he was smitten down by the knight with the covered shield. ### [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) Dismisses Sir Percivale's early promise as a knight, but is greeted by Sir Persides with Percivale's message. ### [The Siege Perilous and the Sword in the Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) Reminds the king of the custom to await an adventure before dining on Pentecost. ### [The Siege Perilous and the Coming of Galahad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Suggests the company go to dinner after the marvel. ### [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. ### [The Fair Maiden of Astolat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xx) Sent by King Arthur with Sir Brandiles and Agravaine to investigate the black barge. ### [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) Points out that Sir Bors and his blood are doing worshipfully on the right hand of the field. ### [How Queen Guenever rode a-Maying with certain knights of the Round Table and clad all in green](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) One of the ten knights accompanying the queen on the Maying ride. ### [How Sir Meliagrance Took the Queen and Her Knights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii) One of the knights smitten to the earth with grimly wounds. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters/sir_kay - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters