Gareth

Gareth of Orkney (Welsh: [ˈɡarɛθ]) is a Knight of the Round Table in the Le Morte d'Arthur version of the Arthurian legend and many modern works based on it. He is depicted as the youngest son of King Lot and the Queen of Orkney, King Arthur's half-sister, thus making him Arthur's nephew, as well as the youngest brother to Gawain, Agravain and Gaheris.

The author Thomas Malory created (and named) his composite character of Gareth by combining elements of similar figures from French sources (appearing under various names, but originally having been known as Chrétien's Gaheriet and Guerrehet), specifically constructing him as the 'good' Orkney brother. He thus contrasted the virtuous and honourable Gareth with his morally imperfect or even villainous siblings. These include Malory's own Gaheris, whose corresponding figure had been often conflated with the Gareth-like youngest of the Orkneys (besides their half-brother Mordred, if he does appear) by other medieval authors, with some texts even having the two as one and the same character.

In Le Morte d'Arthur, one of its eight volumes is named after and largely dedicated to a young Gareth, where he is also known by his nickname Beaumains. The story tells, Fair Unknown-style, of his quest on the behalf of the sisters Lynette and Lyonesse, ending in his marriage with the latter and earning his knighthood through both his martial prowess and humility. At the end of Le Morte, Gareth is accidentally killed by his mentor and friend, Lancelot, during the rescue of Guinevere from the stake, an event that leads to the doom of Arthur's kingdom.

Arthurian legend

French literature

An enumeration of the four sons of King Lot (excluding Mordred) can be found in Chrétien de Troyes's Perceval, the Story of the Grail when Gawain tells the "white-haired queen" (his grandmother Igraine) the names of the four brothers ("Gawain is the oldest, the second Agravain the Proud [...], Gaheriet and Guerehet are the names of the following two." A brief portrait of the five brothers (including Mordred) can be found in the prose Lancelot. A Gareth figure appears in a major role in the First Continuation of Perceval: as the protagonist of the story's final episode, he slays the giant known as "Little Knight", thus avenging the death of fairy king Brangemuer, son of Guingamuer and the fay Brangepart.