Le Morte Darthur: who's who, timeline and places

Uther promises Merlin custody of his future child and enters Igraine’s castle disguised as her husband.

Arthur alone draws the sword, gains public acceptance, and swears at his coronation to rule justly.

Merlin stops Arthur’s battle against the eleven kings and directs him to reward Ban and Bors.

Balin and Balan fight without recognizing each other until both have received fatal wounds.

Arthur marries Guenever, but a white hart, a stolen dog, and an abducted lady disrupt their wedding feast.

Accolon confesses that Morgan le Fay plans Arthur’s death so that they can rule together.

The Romans acknowledge Arthur’s rule, and the Pope crowns him emperor.

Launcelot returns to court, where witnesses recount his victories, rescues, and imprisonment.

Gareth marries Dame Liones and celebrates alongside two other newly married couples.

Tristram gains permission to take Isoud to marry Mark, but they unknowingly share a drink intended to bind the married couple in love.

Tristram admits his identity, and the barons choose exile rather than the death Mark seeks.

Tristram and Launcelot fight without recognizing each other and suffer terrible wounds before exchanging names.

Tristram and La Beale Isoud arrive by ship, attend a tournament in disguise, and receive Joyous Gard from Launcelot.

Bors learns that Elaine’s child Galahad is Launcelot’s son during an appearance of the Sangreal.

Galahad sits safely in the Siege Perilous as his name appears, astonishing the assembled knights.

Launcelot confesses his attachment to a queen and admits that his fighting serves love and personal honor rather than God.

Percivale’s sister gives her blood to cure a noblewoman and dies from the loss.

Galahad heals the maimed king and receives permission to choose the moment of his death.

The surviving knights return from the Grail quest, and Launcelot resumes his love for Guenever.

Launcelot rescues Guenever from execution but accidentally kills the unarmed Gaheris and Gareth.

Mordred uses false reports of Arthur’s death to gain the crown and attempts to marry Guenever.

A knight draws his sword against an adder, triggering a battle that destroys both armies despite an agreed peace.

Launcelot parts from Guenever and enters a hermitage, where Bors and seven other knights join his penance.

Ector mourns Launcelot, whose burial reunites his companions before they separate, while Constantine becomes king of England.