Safere
Brother of Sir Palomides in Le Morte d'Arthur, attested through tournament encounters and scenes of fraternal devotion.
Sir Safere is attested in Le Morte d'Arthur across 11 citations, appearing throughout the Tristram cycle as the brother of Sir Palomides. He first enters the narrative as a tournament participant: "then came in Sir Safere and Sir Segwarides, brethren to Sir Palamides" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VII, Chapter XXVII), where "Sir Safere smote down Agravaine, Sir Gawaine's brother" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VII, Chapter XXVII).
Le Morte d'Arthur presents Safere through the lens of fraternal loyalty. Sir Lamorak expresses his esteem by declaring he would not trade an encounter with Palomides "for the fairest castle in this land, but if thou and I had met, for I shall love you the days of my life afore all other knights except my brother, Sir Safere" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter XIX). This establishes Safere's significance within the Saracen knight's world. At tournaments, he fights alongside his brother: "And in the same wise did Sir Safere and Sir Ector, and the two couples did battle on foot" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter XLV).
The most emotionally charged episodes involve the brothers' separation. When "Sir Safere kneeled down upon his knees, and prayed him of mercy; and then they unlaced their helms and either kissed other weeping" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter LXXXIII), the scene captures the intensity of their bond. Safere shows courtly grace toward others as well: "Fair knight and lady, said Sir Safere, it were pity to depart you; Jesu send you joy either of other" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter LXXXIV). Yet their parting is devastating: "when Sir Safere should be delivered there was great dole betwixt Sir Palomides and him, and many piteous complaints that Sir Safere made at his departing, there is no maker can rehearse the tenth part" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter LXXXIV).
Appears in: Beings, Entities in Le Morte d'Arthur, British Tradition