alternative names: Bedwyr (Welsh)
titles and positions: Knight of the Round Table
Arthur's companion from the earliest traditions. His name is probably best known from the stories of the end of Arthur's life, when Arthur bade him throw Excalibur in the lake. Bedivere could not bring himself to fling the fabled sword into the water, and twice told the King he had done so when he had not. When the King asked him what he had seen, he replied, "Only the water lapping at the banks." Arthur knew from this that he was lying. A third time the King bade him throw the sword into the lake. This time Bedivere complied, and he saw a hand rise from the water and catch the sword. He survived the battle of Camlann, along with his brother.
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