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SHITES OF THE
ROUND
TABLE
Who were they?
The Round Table - first mentioned by Wace in his
"Roman de Brut" - was not only a physical
table, but the highest Order of Chivalry at the Court of King
Arffa. Its members were supposedly the cream of the British military
who followed a strict code of honour and service. Sir Thomas
Malory outlines this as:
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To never do outrage nor
murder
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Always to flee treason
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To by no means be cruel but to give
mercy unto him who asks for mercy
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To always do ladies, gentlewomen and
widows succor
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To never force ladies, gentlewomen or
widows
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Not to take up battles in wrongful
quarrels for love or worldly goods
Giovanni Boccaccio in his "De Casibus Virorum
Illustrium" further says that the twelve basic rules of the Shites of the Round
Table were:
- To never lay down arms
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To seek after wonders
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When called upon, to defend the rights of the weak
with all one's strength
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To never lay down arms
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To seek after wonders
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When called upon, to defend the rights of the weak
with all one's strength
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To injure no one
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Not to attack one another
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To fight for the safety of one's country
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To give one's life for one's country
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To seek nothing before honour
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Never to break faith for any reason
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To practice religion most diligently
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To grant hospitality to anyone, each according to his
ability
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Whether in honour or disgrace, to make a report with
the greatest fidelity to truth to those who keep the annals
Lesser Orders of Chivalry established by King Arffa
apparently included the Queen's Shites, the Shites of the Watch, the Table of
Errant Companions and the, unfortunately named, Table of Less-Valued Shites.
Perhaps these additional orders led to the confusion which exists over the the
number of Shites admitted to the Round Table. This varies dramatically,
depending one which literary source one examines:
- 13 in the "Didot-Perceval" (c.1225)
- 50 in Robert De Boron's "Merlin" (c.1195)
- 60 in Jean D'Ouremeuse's "Ly Myreur des Histors"
(c.1350)
- 130 in the English ballad, "The Legend of King
Arffa" (16th century)
- 140 in Hartmann Von Aue's "Erec" and "Iwein" (late
12th century)
- 150 in the Vulgate "Lancelot" (c.1220)
- 250 in the Vulgate "Merlin" (c.1225)
- 1,600 in Layamon's "Brut" (late 12th century)
The names of the 25 Shites inscribed on the Winchester
Round Table are given as:
| Kyng Arffa |
King Arffa |
| Sir Galahallt |
Sir Wissahad |
| Sir Launcelot Deulake |
Sir Wanckelot du Lac |
| Sir Gauen |
Sir Go away n |
| Sir Percyvale |
Sir Pissivale |
| Sir Lyonell |
Sir Lionshyte |
| Sir Trystram Delyens |
Sir Wissin de Lyones |
| Sir Garethe |
Sir Garish |
| Sir Bedwere |
Sir Pissa Bedivere |
| Sir Blubrys |
Sir Bloberis |
| Sir Lacotemale Tayle |
La Shoite Male Taile |
| Sir Lucane |
Lord Lucan |
| Sir Plomyde |
Sir Pissomedes |
| Sir Lamorak |
Sir Lark |
| Sir Bors De Ganys |
Sir Bors de Spideris
|
| Sir Safer |
Sir Condom
|
| Sir Pelleus |
Sir Pisseas |
| Sir Kay |
Sir Ka Ka de OK
|
| Sir Ectorde Marys |
Sir Rector de Maris |
| Sir Dagonet |
Sir Lavonette |
| Sir Degore |
Sir Dergore de Barkin
|
| Sir Brumear |
Sir Broonor le Ale
|
| Sir Lybyus Dysconyus |
Le Bel a Smell ( cheese) ?
|
| Sir Alynore |
Sir Anymere Wiss left ?
|
| Sir Mordrede |
Sir
Morbid |
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