Segwarides
Saracen-born Arthurian knight, wronged husband turned capable ruler.
Segwarides is a knight of Saracen birth attested extensively in Le Morte d'Arthur, where his story intertwines with the affairs of Sir Tristram, Sir Bleoberis, and the broader world of Arthurian chivalry. He first appears as an earl whose wife becomes entangled with Sir Tristram: "she was an earl's wife that hight Sir Segwarides" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VIII, Chapter XIII). The resulting love triangle drives much of his early narrative, culminating in a confrontation where Segwarides discovers "there had lain a wounded knight" in his wife's bed and demands "all the truth" from her (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VIII, Chapter XIV).
Segwarides is badly wounded in his pursuit of justice but ultimately recovers, and "all was forgiven and forgotten; for Sir Segwarides durst not have ado with Sir Tristram, because of his noble prowess, and also because he was nephew unto King Mark" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VIII, Chapter XIV). When Sir Bleoberis later abducts his wife, Segwarides rides to her rescue but is "beaten sore and wounded to the point of death" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VIII, Chapter XV). His wife eventually chooses to return to him, requesting safe passage to "the abbey where my lord Sir Segwarides lieth" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VIII, Chapter XVIII).
Later in the narrative, Segwarides plays a more heroic role. He guides Sir Tristram through dangerous territory, warning him of a valley where no knight had survived (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VIII, Chapter XXXVIII). After Tristram defeats Sir Nabon, the lordship of the isle is given to Segwarides, who accepted it humbly — "the gift is yours, for I will none have an I had deserved it" — and thereafter "worshipfully he did govern it" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VIII, Chapter XXXIX). He also freed all prisoners and established good governance in the valley (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book VIII, Chapter XXXIX).
Segwarides occupies an unusual position in Le Morte d'Arthur: a Saracen knight who declares "Sir Segwarides and I, we be Saracens born, of father and mother" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter XVI), yet who participates fully in the Arthurian world of chivalric obligation. The text presents him simultaneously as a wronged husband who lacks the power to avenge himself against Tristram, and as a capable ruler who governs justly once given the opportunity. His characterization shifts from victim in the Tristram love-triangle episodes to a "renowned" noble knight paired alongside the King with the Hundred Knights (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter LX). In combat, he proves formidable enough to unhorse Sir Gareth: "Sir Segwarides smote Gareth and his horse to the earth" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X, Chapter LX).
Appears in: Beings, Entities in Le Morte d'Arthur, British Tradition