Sir Kay, The Foster Brother Of King Arthur
Public DomainSir Kay breaking his sword during a joust.
Sir Kay, like Sir Bedivere, was a companion to King Arthur well before he took the throne. In most versions of the legend, including T. H. White’s masterful retelling in The Once and Future King, Kay was the son of Sir Ector, the nobleman who raised Arthur in secret after Merlin spirited him away from King Uther Pendragon’s court.
As children, Kay and Arthur were like brothers, but both were kept in the dark about Arthur’s true lineage. It was only after the death of Uther Pendragon and the subsequent war for the throne that Arthur’s identity was revealed — when he famously drew the sword from the stone. Although Kay initially tried to claim he had drawn it, Sir Ector asked for proof. Unable to draw it out once again, Kay admitted his lie, and Arthur was declared the true king.
Public DomainSir Kay and his father, Sir Ector.
But Arthur did not abandon his foster brother. He made Sir Kay his seneschal, putting him in charge of the practical administration of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. Sir Kay managed supplies, organized feasts, maintained the castle, and handled the countless mundane tasks that kept the kingdom functioning. It was unglamorous work compared to his peers, and this occasionally caused Kay to come across as petulant or jealous.
In particular, medieval literature frequently portrayed Kay as boastful and quick-tempered, especially in his interactions with younger Knights of the Round Table seeking to prove themselves. His harsh treatment of the innocent Percival and his mockery of Gareth before the kitchen boy proved his worth were prime examples of this character flaw. At the same time, they also revealed his protective instincts toward Arthur’s court and his skepticism toward those who sought easy glory.
It should be noted, too, that Sir Kay possessed genuine martial skill and participated in numerous adventures and battles. His achievements were just often overshadowed by more celebrated knights.
