Character guide

King Arthur

major

Also known as Arthur, the famous King Arthur, King Arthur Constans, Arthur Chosen King Arthur, V Arthur, brave King Arthur, Shalott King Arthur

Legendary king of Britain, central figure of the Arthurian legends and the Round Table.

Sir Launcelot

major

Also known as Launcelot, the little Launcelot, Sir Launcelot of the Lake, Sir Launcelot du Lac, the inimitable Launcelot

Greatest knight of the Round Table, renowned for his bravery and love for Queen Guenever.

Charlemagne

major

Also known as Charles the Great, Charles, King Charles

Emperor of the Franks, leader of the paladins and central figure in the Charlemagne legends.

Orlando

major

Also known as Roland, the paladin Orlando, the Paladin Orlando, Orlando Mad Orlando, the frantic Orlando

Bravest of Charlemagne's paladins, whose madness over love drives much of the epic.

Rogero

major

Also known as Bradamante, Rogero Bradamante, the fearless Rogero

Saracen knight who converts to Christianity and marries Bradamante, ancestor of the Este family.

Geraint

supporting

Also known as Prince Geraint, VI Geraint, the Son of Erbin

Knight of the Round Table, hero of a Welsh romance about love and chivalry.

Aeneas

major

Also known as Mezentius, Mezentius Aeneas

Trojan hero who fled Troy and founded the Roman race, central to Virgil's epic.

Tristram

supporting

Also known as XII Tristram, the unhappy Tristram, Sir Tristram, XIV Sir Tristram

Knight of the Round Table, tragic lover of Isoude, known for his adventures.

Sir Owain

supporting

Also known as Owain

Knight of the Round Table, hero of Welsh Arthurian tales and the Lady of the Fountain.

Astolpho

supporting

Also known as Bayard, Agrican, This Agrican

English paladin of Charlemagne, known for his wit, magical adventures, and flying hippogriff.

Rinaldo of Montalban

supporting

Also known as Rinaldo, Montalban, the illustrious Rinaldo

Paladin of Charlemagne, cousin of Orlando, known for his strength and rivalry with him.

Ogier the Dane

supporting

Also known as Ogier, the brave Ogier, the celebrated Ogier the Dane

Legendary Danish paladin of Charlemagne, hero of many chivalric adventures.

Sir Perceval

supporting

Also known as Percy, Perceval, Sir Perceval de Galis

Knight of the Round Table, seeker of the Holy Grail, known for his purity.

Sir Gawain

supporting

Also known as Gawain, VI Sir Gawain Sir Gawain, noble Sir Gawain

Nephew of King Arthur, a valiant knight known for his strength and courtesy.

Sir Bohort

supporting

Knight of the Round Table, one of the three who achieved the Holy Grail.

Huon of Bordeaux

supporting

Also known as Sir Huon, Duke Huon, the brave Huon, the brave but unfortunate Huon

Duke of Bordeaux who undertakes a perilous quest to the court of Charlemagne.

Jupiter

major

Also known as Jupiter omnipotent, Jove, Libyan Jove

King of the Roman gods, ruler of Olympus, often intervening in mortal affairs.

Phoebus Apollo

major

Also known as Apollo, Phoebus, Accordingly Apollo

God of music, prophecy, and healing; a central figure in many myths.

Ulysses

major

Also known as Odysseus, the Siren of Ulysses, the Suitors Ulysses, Ulysses Greek

Greek hero of the Odyssey, known for his cunning and long journey home.

Angelica

supporting

Also known as this Angelica, cease loving Angelica

Beautiful princess of Cathay, object of desire for many paladins in the Orlando epics.

Achilles

supporting

Also known as Thetis, Achilles by Thetis

Greatest Greek warrior of the Trojan War, son of Thetis, known for his wrath.

Sir Galahad

supporting

Also known as Galahad, See Galahad

Purest knight of the Round Table, destined to achieve the Holy Grail.

Thor

supporting

Also known as Gods, the great Thor, the Other Gods Thor

Norse god of thunder, protector of mankind, wielding the hammer Mjolnir.

Sir Kay

supporting

Also known as Kay, Sir Kay the Seneschal, the Seneschal, Kay the Seneschal

Foster-brother of Arthur and seneschal of the Round Table, known for his sharp tongue.

Psyche

supporting

Also known as poor Psyche, the pious Psyche

Mortal princess who becomes the wife of Cupid and a goddess after trials.

Oliver

supporting

Also known as Oliver Roland, the brave Oliver

Paladin of Charlemagne, close friend of Roland, known for wisdom and valor.

Niobe

minor

Also known as this Niobe

Proud queen turned to stone after boasting about her children, slain by Apollo and Diana.

Minerva

supporting

Also known as Pallas, a Pallas, Minerva the wise, Pallas Athene

Goddess of wisdom, crafts, and war; patron of heroes like Ulysses.

Juno

supporting

Also known as the Rustics Juno, royal Juno, angry Juno

Queen of the gods, wife of Jupiter, often vengeful toward his mortal lovers.

Vulcan

minor

Also known as Hercules, Strong Hercules

God of fire and metalworking, husband of Venus, forger of divine weapons.

Sir Lionel

minor

Also known as Leo

Knight of the Round Table, brother of Sir Bohort, known for his fierce temper.

Hector

minor

Also known as brave Hector, Sir Hector, Sir Hector de Marys, Hector de Marys

Trojan prince and greatest warrior of Troy, killed by Achilles.

Ovid

minor

Also known as Virgil, the Sibyl, the Cumaean Sibyl

Roman poet whose Metamorphoses is a major source for many myths in this book.

Antaeus

minor

Also known as Hercules

Giant wrestler of Libya, invincible while touching the earth, killed by Hercules.

Orpheus

minor

Also known as Eurydice Orpheus, Eurydice

Legendary musician who descended to the underworld to retrieve his wife Eurydice.

Cephalus

minor

Also known as Procris Cephalus, Procris

Hunter and husband of Procris, central figure in a tragic love story.

Pwyll

supporting

Also known as VIII Pwyll

Prince of Dyfed in Welsh mythology, hero of the first branch of the Mabinogi.

Proserpine

minor

Also known as Ceres, Ceres seeking Proserpine

Daughter of Ceres, queen of the underworld, abducted by Pluto.

Medea

supporting

Sorceress who helped Jason obtain the Golden Fleece, later a tragic figure.

Enid

minor

Wife of Geraint, known for her loyalty and patience in Arthurian romance.

Theseus

supporting

Also known as the Minotaur, Minos, King Minos, the ungrateful Theseus

Athenian hero who slew the Minotaur and later became king of Athens.

Manawyddan

minor

Also known as Manawyddan Pwyll

Welsh hero and magician, son of Llyr, central figure in the Mabinogi.

Queen Guenever

supporting

Also known as XI Queen Guenever, Guenever, the fair Guenever

Wife of King Arthur, whose love for Launcelot leads to the downfall of Camelot.

Danaë

minor

Also known as Jupiter, Jupiter and Danaë

Mother of Perseus, imprisoned by her father but visited by Jupiter in a golden shower.

Charlot

minor

Also known as the perfidious Charlot, the ferocious Charlot

Son of Charlemagne, a treacherous figure in the Charlemagne legends.

Arachne

minor

Mortal weaver who challenged Minerva and was turned into a spider.

Venus

supporting

Also known as Adonis Venus, Adonis

Goddess of love and beauty, mother of Cupid, central to many love myths.

Neptune

minor

God of the sea, brother of Jupiter, often causing storms and earthquakes.

Merlin

supporting

Also known as Merlin Merlin, Merlin Ambrose Merlin, Merlin the Wild, Sage Merlin

Wise wizard and prophet who guided King Arthur and the knights of Camelot.

Luned

minor

Handmaiden and confidante of the Lady of the Fountain in Welsh Arthurian tales.

Pyramus

minor

Also known as Thisbe, Thisbe Pyramus, young Thisbe, poor Pyramus

Babylonian lover who died for love of Thisbe in a tragic tale of miscommunication.

Scylla

minor

Also known as Glaucus, Scylla Glaucus, poor Scylla

Sea monster or maiden transformed; also a princess who betrayed her father for love.

Jason

supporting

Greek hero who led the Argonauts to retrieve the Golden Fleece.

Melissa

minor

Also known as the sage Melissa

Wise enchantress who aids Bradamante and Rogero in the Orlando epics.

Gradasso

minor

Also known as King Gradasso

Proud Saracen king who invades France seeking the best sword and horse.

Osiris

minor

Also known as Isis, Isis Osiris

Egyptian god of the underworld, killed by Set and resurrected by Isis.

Sir Palamedes

minor

Also known as Palamedes, XVI Sir Palamedes

Saracen knight of the Round Table, rival of Tristram for Isoude's love.

Siegfried

supporting

Hero of Norse legend, slayer of the dragon Fafner, central to the Volsung saga.

Odin

supporting

Also known as Wotan

Chief of the Norse gods, god of wisdom, war, and poetry.

Bellerophon

minor

Also known as Proetus, Procrustes

Greek hero who tamed Pegasus and slew the Chimaera.

Mercury

minor

Also known as Mercury ( Merˈcu - ry )

Messenger of the gods, god of travelers, thieves, and commerce.

Atlas

minor

Titan condemned to hold up the sky, encountered by Perseus.

Baldur

minor

Also known as Baldur Baldur the Good, Baldur The gods

Beloved Norse god whose death triggers the onset of Ragnarok.

Isoude

supporting

Also known as Queen Isoude, the gentle Isoude, fair Isoude, the fair Isoude

Irish princess, wife of King Mark, tragic lover of Tristram.

Perseus

supporting

Also known as the Sea - Monster Perseus

Greek hero who slew Medusa and rescued Andromeda from a sea monster.

Rodomont

minor

Also known as King Rodomont

Proud Saracen king, a fierce warrior in the Orlando epics.

Malagigi

minor

Also known as Malagigi the Enchanter

Enchanter and cousin of Rinaldo, skilled in magic in the Charlemagne legends.

Zerbino

minor

Also known as Isabella, Isabella Zerbino

Scottish prince and lover of Isabella, a tragic figure in Orlando Furioso.

King Priam

minor

Also known as Priam, Troy, Priam of Troy

King of Troy during the Trojan War, father of Hector and Paris.

Triton

minor

Also known as Proteus, old Triton, Proteus Triton

Sea god, son of Neptune, often depicted blowing a conch shell.

King Cadmus

minor

Also known as Cadmus

Founder of Thebes, who slew a dragon and sowed its teeth to create warriors.

Pryderi

minor

Son of Pwyll and Rhiannon, a central figure in the Mabinogi.

Mandricardo

minor

Also known as Mandricardo ( Man - dri - carˈdo

Saracen king who seeks revenge and challenges Orlando.

Marphisa

minor

Also known as the bold Marphisa

Fierce female Saracen warrior who later converts to Christianity.

Narcissus

minor

Also known as Echo, Diana

Beautiful youth who fell in love with his own reflection and died.

Turnus

minor

Rutulian king who fought Aeneas for the hand of Lavinia.

Sacripant

minor

Also known as King Sacripant

Saracen king, one of Angelica's suitors in the Orlando epics.

Medoro

minor

Young Saracen soldier who wins Angelica's love, causing Orlando's madness.

Polyphemus

minor

Also known as the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Cyclops, Cyclops

One-eyed Cyclops who imprisoned Ulysses and his men.

Circe

minor

Enchantress who turned Ulysses' men into swine on her island.

Paris

minor

Also known as Helen, the nymph Oenone

Trojan prince who abducted Helen, sparking the Trojan War.

Cupid

minor

Also known as Eros, XI Cupid, Eros ( Cupid ), Love

God of love, son of Venus, whose arrows cause irresistible desire.

Modred

minor

Also known as Sir Modred

Traitorous knight who usurped Arthur's throne and caused the final battle.

King Mark

minor

Also known as Mark

King of Cornwall, husband of Isoude, uncle of Tristram.

King Agramant

minor

Also known as Agramant, Observing Agramant

Saracen king who leads an invasion of France against Charlemagne.