Palemedes

The Saracen Knight and Slayer of the Questing Beast. Palemedes was the son of Esclabor.

After the death of King Pellinor, Palemedes inherited the king's role as the "Knight of the Strange Beast" (or Questing Beast).

Palemedes was a rival of Tristan for Isolde's love. Palemedes was in love with Isolde and was jealous of Tristan. Though Isolde pitied Palemedes, she was not in love with the Saracen hero. Palemedes hated Tristan, yet he could not help admiring his rival's superior prowess as a knight.

Palemedes was as noble as any Knight of the Round Table. In fact, Palemedes was even more Christian than some of the established heroes from the Round Table. However, he was a Saracen trapped in a Christian world and Christian ideals. The knights of the Round Table admired Palemedes' prowess and skills as a brave knight, yet some of them envied Palemedes, so he became the victim of their prejudices and enmity.

In the Post-Vulgate version, Palemedes took part in the Grail quest. Palemedes encountered Galahad, the Grail hero, who defeated him. From Galahad, Palemedes accepted Christianity and was baptised. Palemedes also became the newest member of the Round Table. (In other versions about Palemedes, he was never baptised.)

Palemedes also took over the Quest of the Questing Beast after the death of King Pellinor. It was with the help of Galahad that Palemedes was able to track down the monster. Palemedes finally killed the Questing Beast.

Gawain killed Palemedes when the Saracen was already weakened from his wounds. The only regret he had as he was dying was that he had never become Christian.