E 326K // Literature of the Middle Ages in Translation: Mysteries of the Grail

Sir Bors

First introduced as one of Lancelot's cousins, Sir Bors the Younger is a Knight of the Round Table who accompanies Galahad and Perceval on the quest for the Holy Grail. He is recognizable by a scar on his forehead. He is actually the only knight to survive the quest for the Grail (Galahad and Perceval die after they all follow the Grail to a mystical island in the Middle East) and return to King Arthur's court. Eventually he perishes in the Holy Land from fighting in the Crusades. Bors was also a fierce and loyal supporter of his cousin Lancelot, even when Lancelot was in conflict with King Arthur.

Sir Bors the Younger is descended from Sir Bors the Elder, who reigned as king of Gaunnes (aka Gannis, Gaul) during the early period of King Arthur's reign. Sir Bors the Elder is the brother of King Ban of Benoic, who fathered Lancelot. He marries Evaine, the sister of Ban's wife, and begets Sir Bors the Younger and Lionel. Sir Bors the Elder teams up with King Ban and King Arthur to fight against the eleven rebel kings in Britain but both Bors and Ban are killed by Claudas. As a result, Bors' children are taken captive until the High Priestess of the Lady of the Lake rescues them and raises them alongside Lancelot. Eventually Sir Bors the Younger liberates Gaul from Claudas' reign and succeeds his dead father's throne.

Although he is a chaste knight, Sir Bors the Younger is bewitched into loving the daughter of King Brandegoris, who uses a magic ring to gain his affections. Through this union, Bors becomes the father of Elyan the White, who later becomes the Emperor of Constantinople. Nevertheless, his strict adherence to his celibacy vows contribute to his success in witnessing the Grail's mysteries firsthand. 

~Fun Fact~
The painting on our Mysteries of the Grail homepage actually depicts Sir Bors and two other knights (Galahad and Perceval) as they finally achieve the Grail. 

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