The Wart A foundling raised by Sir Ector at the Castle of the Forest Sauvage. Naive and innocent, he undergoes an education at the hands of Merlyn. "The Wart" is a nickname for "Art," and the Wart eventually becomes King Arthur.
Sir Ector The Wart and Kay's father and a kind, good-humored landowner who is Lord of the Castle of the Forest Sauvage.
Kay Sir Ector's eldest (and only natural) son. His stubbornness and craving for honor are revealed in many of his words and actions.
Merlyn A wise and sometimes absent-minded magician who oversees the Wart's education. He lives "backward" in time, moving from the future to the past.
Sir Grummore Grummursum A friend and drinking companion of Sir Ector. He offers King Pellinore a "feather bed" so that he can retire from his hunt for the Questing Beast.
Ralph Passelewe An old man, almost blind and almost deaf, who delights Sir Ector's guests with his racy song at the Christmas feast.
Uther Pendragon The demanding Norman King of all England. At the end of the novel, the Wart learns that Pendragon is his father.
Sir William Twyti Uther Pendragon's royal huntsman, sent to the Castle of the Forest Sauvage to hunt wild boar. He reveals (at one point) his tender side after losing one of his hounds in a hunt.
King Pellinore A wholly comical figure, King Pellinore hunts after the Questing Beast (or "Beast Glatisant") and also participates in an absurd joust with Sir Grummore Grummursum.
Wat An old and crazy man without a nose who lives in the Forest Sauvage. After being pelted with stones by some children, he caught one of the boys (the Dog Boy) and bit off his nose.
The Dog Boy Sir Ector's servant in charge of his kennels and hounds. As a child, he had his nose bitten off by Wat. Later in the novel, he and Wat are reconciled and become friends.
Hob Sir Ector's servant in charge of the mews, where his hawks and falcons are kept.
