Sadok
Arthurian knight in Le Morte d'Arthur, opponent of King Mark and protector of Alisander le Orphelin and Sir Tristram.
Sir Sadok is attested in Le Morte d'Arthur across 16 citations, primarily in the Tristram cycle where he emerges as one of King Mark's most formidable opponents. His first appearance is in a tournament context, where "Sir Sadok encountered with Sir Petipase, and there Sir Sadok was overthrown" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VII, Chapter XXVIII). But his role expands dramatically in the conflict with King Mark over the fate of Alisander le Orphelin and Sir Tristram.
Le Morte d'Arthur develops Sadok from a minor tournament knight into a figure of armed resistance against tyranny. When King Mark learns of Alisander's survival, "Sir Sadok departed and rode after Anglides" to protect the widow and child (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter XXXIII). Mark's attempt at vengeance is direct: "therewithal King Mark took a sword in his hand; and sought Sir Sadok from chamber to chamber to slay him" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter XXXV). Sadok's defiance is equally direct: "When Sir Sadok saw King Mark come with his sword in his hand he said thus: Beware, King Mark, and come not nigh me" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter XXXV). When four of Mark's knights draw their swords against him, "Sir Sadok slew them all in King Mark's presence" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter XXXV), then departed to pursue and kill a traitor knight.
The Tristram narrative deepens Sadok's role. La Beale Isoud sends him to find the imprisoned Tristram, and when he discovers Mark's treachery, he acts decisively: "When Sir Sadok espied them he brake out of the bushment, and set there upon them" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter L). He kills Mark's four nephews, then rides to Liones where "he espied of the treason and felony of King Mark" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter L). Allied with Sir Dinas the Seneschal, Sadok organizes regional resistance: "he let stuff all the towns and castles within the country of Liones, and assembled all the people that they might make" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter L). Mark flees to Tintagil when he learns "how Sir Sadok and Sir Dinas were arisen in the country of Liones" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter LI).
Appears in: Beings, Entities in Le Morte d'Arthur, British Tradition