Gorlois facts for kids
In the stories of King Arthur, Gorlois was the Duke of Cornwall. He lived in Tintagel Castle. Gorlois was the first husband of Igraine, who later became the mother of King Arthur. With Igraine, Gorlois had three daughters. These daughters were Arthur's half-sisters. After Gorlois died, Igraine married Uther Pendragon, who was the High King of Britain and Arthur's father.
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Other Names for Gorlois
The name Gorlois first appeared in a book called Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain) around 1136. This book was written by Geoffrey of Monmouth.
In other old stories, Gorlois is sometimes called by different names:
- In Prose Merlin and Of Arthour and of Merlin, he is called Duke Hoel of Tintagel.
- In Perlesvaus, he appears as King Goloé.
Gorlois in the Legends
According to the Historia Regum Britanniae, Gorlois was a loyal leader under King Ambrosius Aurelianus. He helped Ambrosius win an important battle against Hengist. Later, in a story called Roman de Brut, Gorlois helped Uther Pendragon defeat Hengist's son, Octa, in a battle at York.
Uther and Igraine
After Uther became king, he held a big feast for his nobles. There, he met Igraine and fell in love with her. Igraine noticed Uther's strong interest and asked Gorlois to take her back home to Cornwall.
Gorlois took Igraine to the very strong Tintagel Castle. He then went to defend another part of his land. Uther was very angry that they left without his permission. He attacked Gorlois's castles, but he couldn't capture Tintagel.
Uther asked his friend Ulfin for advice. Ulfin told him that Igraine would not like Uther if he kept fighting her husband. He suggested Uther ask the wizard Merlin for help.
Merlin used magic to make Uther look exactly like Gorlois. In this disguise, Uther went to Tintagel and met Igraine. That night, they were together, and King Arthur was conceived. Unknown to them, the real Gorlois was killed in battle against Uther's army that same night. Later, Igraine agreed to marry Uther.
Gorlois's Daughters
In later stories, like Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, Gorlois is said to be the father of three daughters:
- Morgan le Fay
- Morgause
- Elaine
After Gorlois died, his three daughters married other important leaders who served Uther. Elaine married King Nentres of Garlot. Morgause married King Lot of Orkney. Morgan, after studying in a convent, married King Urien. Arthur was taken away by Merlin to be raised by Sir Ector, so he didn't know about his half-sisters for a long time.
Historical Connections
Some historians have thought that Gorlois might have been a real person from the 5th or 6th century. He could have been a local leader or chief in Cornwall. Places like Bosworlas and Treworlas in Cornwall might even have names that came from Gorlois. For example, Bosworlas means "the Dwelling of Gorlois."
