Sir Bedivere, King Arthur’s Right-Hand Man
Public DomainSir Bedivere throwing King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur, into the lake.
Sir Bedivere, or Bedwyr in the earliest Welsh stories, was one of Arthur’s oldest companions who accompanied him on his journeys even before the conception of the Knights of the Round Table. Unlike some of the other knights in Arthur’s service, Bedivere’s devotion was personal and absolute — a deep friendship rather than a feudal obligation.
He was traditionally described as Arthur’s butler and a one-handed knight, having lost his right hand in battle. But this did not hinder Bedivere. In fact, his skill with just a single arm was said to surpass that of most knights with two, and this earned him an esteemed reputation.
Throughout Arthur’s reign, Bedivere served as his most trusted confidant and advisor. While other knights pursued individual quests and personal glory, Bedivere remained consistently at Arthur’s side, offering him stability and counsel during times of peace and times of crisis. He also reminded Arthur of his humble origins, ensuring the king would not lose his way as the weight of the crown threatened to isolate him.
Public DomainBedivere watching as the mortally wounded Arthur sails for Avalon.
When Arthur fell at the Battle of Camlann, few carried the weight of the loss as heavily as Bedivere. In his final moments, Arthur tasked his oldest friend with returning the king’s sword, Excalibur, to the Lady of the Lake. Bedivere initially hesitated, the thought of casting away such a magnificent weapon giving him pause, and he lied to the king about completing the task.
Bedivere would ultimately fulfill his duty, however. And as he tossed Excalibur into the water, he saw the hand of the Lady of the Lake emerge to catch it, making him the sole witness to one of the most mystical moments in Arthurian lore.
But his service was not yet over. As his final responsibility to the king, Bedivere helped Arthur pass safely to Avalon, a place of magic where the king could recover until he could one day return when Britain was in great need.
In most versions of the story, Bedivere lived out the rest of his days as a hermit, the sole survivor of Camelot’s golden age.
