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The Library
of Alexandria

A character in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

Who is Sir Kay?

By the Library of Alexandria · 2 minute read · Updated 23 oct. 2026

In short

  • Sir Kay is a knight in Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.
  • He captures Hank Morgan in the countryside and brings him to Camelot as a prisoner.
  • The fearful response to Sir Kay gives Hank an early glimpse of the power knights hold.

Who Sir Kay is

Sir Kay is the knight Hank Morgan encounters after waking in sixth century England. He rides up in armor and takes the bewildered factory foreman prisoner. Hank first thinks he has wandered into an asylum or a circus.

Sir Kay and the others in the story

Sir Kay brings Hank toward Camelot, where the stranger faces King Arthur's court. On the journey, Hank notices people bowing low before the knight and shaking with fear. Their response introduces the importance of rank in the world Hank has entered.

Sir Kay's role places him on the side of knightly authority in Hank's first encounter with this unfamiliar society. Hank has practical knowledge from a modern factory, but he arrives as Sir Kay's captive.

Questions

Who is Sir Kay?

Sir Kay is the armored knight who captures Hank Morgan soon after Hank wakes in the past.

Where does Sir Kay take Hank Morgan?

He takes Hank to Camelot as a prisoner.

How do people react to Sir Kay?

People bow low and tremble before him, showing Hank how much fear a knight can command.

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