Sir Gareth And His Death At The Hands Of Lancelot
Public DomainSir Gareth was killed by Sir Lancelot.
Sir Gareth was the youngest of the Orkney brothers and nephew to King Arthur. This tragic figure’s death at the hands of Sir Lancelot marked the beginning of the end of the Knights of the Round Table.
Unlike his hot-tempered brother Gawain or the villainous Agravain, Gareth possessed a gentle, honorable nature that made him beloved throughout Arthur’s court. His arrival at Camelot demonstrated his character perfectly: Rather than taking advantage of his royal lineage, he chose to work anonymously in the kitchens for a year, proving his worthiness through humble service rather than demanding recognition based on birth.
His defining adventure began when a mysterious maiden named Lynette arrived seeking a champion to rescue her sister, Lyonesse, from the Red Knight of the Red Lands. Despite Lynette’s initial scorn for the unknown “kitchen boy,” Gareth undertook the quest with the permission of Sir Kay, King Arthur’s foster brother.
The rescue of Lyonesse showcased all of Gareth’s virtues: courage in facing seemingly impossible odds, courtesy toward his enemies, and mercy in victory.
Public DomainSir Gareth saving Lyonesse after defeating the Red Knight.
The story culminated in his confrontation with the Red Knight, whose real identity was Sir Ironside. Despite possessing the strength of seven men, Ironside was bested by Gareth — but not slain. Instead, Gareth returned to Arthur’s court with Sir Ironside, who eventually joined the Knights of the Round Table as well.
Gareth then faced another trial: his love for Lyonesse. At first, his lust drove him to attempt to consummate their relationship before marriage, but a miraculous intervention of Lynette prevented this, preserving Gareth’s purity.
Gareth was also one of only two knights to ever successfully hold against Lancelot in a duel, the other being Sir Tristan. This earned him Lancelot’s respect and even led to Lancelot knighting Gareth. Of course, this only made his ultimate fate all the more tragic.
When Arthur ordered Guinevere to be executed after learning of her affair with Lancelot, Gareth showed up to her prison unarmed in protest. But Lancelot arrived in a fury, striking down Gareth and Gaheris in his rage-induced madness. Despite a sincere apology and Lancelot’s genuine mourning of their deaths, Gareth’s brother Gawain remained insistent that Arthur go to war with Lancelot.
The Round Table shattered — and Sir Mordred sought to take King Arthur’s throne for himself.
