Sir Kay

Foster-brother of Arthur. Kay was the son of Ector, or according to Robert de Boron's Merlin, the son of Sir Anton. When Arthur became king, Arthur made him his seneschal.

In an early Welsh tale called Culhwch and Olwen, Kei (Welsh for Kay) was the son of Kynyr. Kei was the companion of Bedwyr (Bedivere), and one of the warriors of Arthur. Kei was said to have a son named Garanwyn. Kei was killed by Gwyddawy son of Menestyr.

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Wace and Layamon, Kay was one of the champions of Arthur, and became duke of Anjou after the war against France. Here, Kay was portrayed as a noble and heroic figure in these early works.

In the war against Rome, Kay and Bedivere distinguished themselves in battles. However, in the battle of Saussy, when Kay saw his companion Bedivere fall to Boccus, king of Medes, he managed to drive away the Medes, but Boccus mortally wounded Kay. Kay died when he returned to Britain. According Malory's version (Book V), Kay did not die in the war against Rome.

Later authors (particularly romance writers) depicted Kay as a braggart and a fool. He had a surly manner and had a tendency to insult and offend people who were better than him. Kay seemed to have overwhelming confidence in his own skills as a knight.

In the Chretien de Troyes' tale, the Knight of the Cart, Kay thought to escort and protect the queen by himself. Kay was beaten and imprisoned by Meleagant. Guinevere was captured and later rescued by Lancelot. In his Grail story, Kay slapped a lady companion of Guinevere and kicked the court jester. Perceval avenged the lady by unhorsing him in a joust, breaking his arm and shoulder-blade.

In Le Mort d'Arthur, Kay was attending a tournament but forgot to bring a sword with him. He sent Arthur to fetch a sword. Arthur pulled Excalibur from the rock. Arthur became king and made Kay his seneschal. Kay was one of Arthur's best champions in Arthur's early wars (Book I) and his role in the war against Rome was minor compared to the other heroes (Book V), but his character was degenerated into a quarrelsome braggart in the rest of le Mort d'Arthur.